Ring Runner: Flight of the Sages

Ring Runner Flight of the Sages is an enjoyable top-down space shooter, with great in-depth customization and very few major flaws. Definitely worth a playthrough!

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Ring Runner combines the fast-paced action of space combat with the rich story and skill variety of an RPG. Trek across the universe in a 30 hour long story-driven campaign based on a companion Sci Fi novel, or challenge 6 scenarios alone, cooperatively, or competitively through local or online multiplayer.

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Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 452 reviews

story135 positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

Engaging and humorous storyline with well-written characters.
Deep ship customization options allowing for varied playstyles and strategies.
Fun and fast-paced gameplay with a mix of different mission types and challenges.

Controls can be clunky and take time to get used to, especially for new players.
The tutorial is lengthy and may feel tedious before the game opens up.
Multiplayer mode lacks an active player base, making it difficult to find matches.

story
410 mentions
33 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its humor, engaging writing, and depth, often compared to classic sci-fi narratives. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and character development, which enhance the overall experience, despite some criticism regarding the lengthy tutorial and occasional repetitiveness in mission types. Overall, the narrative is seen as a compelling vehicle that complements the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “It's a fun top-down space shooter, with some of the best storyline and writing in all of gaming.”
- “The story is engaging, has a nice touch of humor, and features many characters whose personality can be felt without ever seeing their faces.”
- “The story is well thought out and entertaining, the level of customization (while limited graphically) is impressively large.”
- “The story and characters bored me to tears and I just couldn't care anymore, as well as the gameplay at the start being what some of the positive reviews describe: pretty mundane.”
- “This is one of the most annoying games I've ever played - it constantly interrupts gameplay to present a non-interactive, text-only story.”
- “The main downside to the story is the early portion - it does take some time to get up to speed.”
gameplay
131 mentions
36 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its engaging mechanics, deep ship customization, and a blend of fast-paced action with strategic elements, making it both fun and challenging. Players appreciate the variety of ship classes and the unique abilities tied to each, although the lengthy tutorial can be a drawback. Overall, the game offers a rich experience with a compelling story and humor, despite some criticisms regarding its initial complexity and occasional interruptions during gameplay.
- “It's simple, yet fun gameplay tied to an intriguing and witty story and delightful writing that keeps pulling the player forward.”
- “All of Ring Runner's underlying game mechanics are tractor-beaming you straight onto the path of having fun building ships and mastering the art of piloting them.”
- “The gameplay is very skill-based; controlling your ship takes practice and mastery of inertial forces.”
- “I don't think I'll ever touch it again because the tutorial locks you out of nearly all mechanics and is stupidly long.”
- “Unfortuately, gameplay is the main flaw; all the other aspects of the game are quite good and enjoyable, but the way it plays is confusing and chaotic. They change your ship very often so you can't get used to any particular weapon type, forcing you to restart learning the basics every five missions.”
- “The gameplay is a bit stilted and linear; many times I felt as if I had just found a ship I liked when I was switched to a new one.”
music
72 mentions
60 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and eclectic qualities, often described as fitting perfectly within the sci-fi theme. Many players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature, enhancing the overall gameplay experience, although some note that it can become repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's charm and replayability.
- “The music is astounding, the dialogue has sass that's thicker than bread, and the control and customization system is beautiful.”
- “The soundtrack, which is fantastic, is an ever-present boon to the gameplay without being overbearing at any point.”
- “Another point that really surprised me: the game's soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a long time, it's really amazing and nicely fits its atmosphere.”
- “The music is a bit annoyingly generic to me but I've got not much else to complain about.”
- “The only cons I could find is that one of the music is saturated, and burns my ears when it plays.”
- “Game's music is atmospheric enough and fits it well though it is sometimes a little repetitive.”
humor
70 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky dialogue, witty writing, and absurd scenarios, often drawing comparisons to the comedic styles of shows like "Doctor Who" and "Borderlands." While many players find the humor engaging and entertaining throughout the gameplay, some note that it can be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes feeling forced or less effective. Overall, the game's blend of humor and engaging storytelling contributes significantly to its charm and appeal.
- “There are few twists, and quite a bit of humor to keep you entertained.”
- “The story is interesting and the writing is quite funny and witty.”
- “The story and dialogue is surprisingly good, at times goofy, often trippy and surreal and almost always hilarious.”
graphics
62 mentions
40 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the simple yet charming art style and colorful backgrounds, while others find them unexceptional or reminiscent of older games. Many highlight that the visuals are polished and run smoothly, contributing positively to the overall experience, even if they don't push the boundaries of modern graphics. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good for an indie title, balancing aesthetic appeal with performance.
- “Funny characters, detailed ship design, clear and beautiful graphics, catchy music, research trees, unique set pieces, just a whole lot of varied high quality content.”
- “The graphics are absolutely beautiful, proof that it is not always necessary to melt your video card.”
- “The graphics use shiny light and pretty colors to draw you in, with atmospheric backgrounds that fit right in place.”
- “Looks like something you could have played on an old Atari, except updated graphics.”
- “It sticks with you for a while, since the graphics and art style are average at best.”
- “Unfortunately, the game design in this title feels as archaic as its graphical style.”
replayability
16 mentions
31 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by extensive customization options, procedural enemy placements, and multiple unlockable difficulties. Players appreciate the variety of game modes and challenges that enhance the experience beyond simple combat mechanics. Overall, the combination of a well-crafted story and diverse gameplay elements makes it a highly recommended title for those seeking lasting engagement.
- “There are numerous unlockable difficulties, countless ship parts, endless customization, and a well-written story to boot.”
- “Many parts of the campaign have procedural enemies, which adds to the single-player replay value.”
- “Well worth the money, with lots of replay value from various campaign difficulties and bonuses, unlocking hulls and mods, and testing out those builds.”
- “The game itself plays like an arcade classic shooter; however, the RPG elements offer a lot of extra gameplay and replayability.”
grinding
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some noting that higher difficulty missions yield better rewards but often feel unnecessary on lower difficulties. Many express frustration with the tediousness of upgrading ships and the confusing UI, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Post-game, players can expect significant grinding for resources, leading to repetitive gameplay as they seek to experiment with different builds.
- “Much of the upgrading feels tedious and underwhelming rather than impactful; this is compounded by some poor UI choices, which makes outfitting a new ship quite a slog.”
- “Post-game, expect grinding for plex; a lot of grinding.”
- “If you did the math from the first paragraph of this review, you are probably wondering where the other 50+ hours went; the answer is playing [mostly] one mission over and over, grinding for plex so I could buy different ships/equipment to try different builds.”
atmosphere
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by beautiful backgrounds, impressive visual effects, and a standout soundtrack that complements the space setting, despite some repetitiveness. Players appreciate the immersive quality created by the graphics and music, which together contribute to a captivating experience, although some mention that controls could use customization for optimal comfort. Overall, the atmosphere is described as one of the game's strongest aspects.
- “Add to this a beautiful background and visual effects, fully-functional Newtonian physics, an excellent atmospheric soundtrack, and Steam Workshop support so that you can share your ship setups with others, and you have a recipe for a game that is, I think, one in a million.”
- “The graphics use shiny light and pretty colors to draw you in, with atmospheric backgrounds that fit right in place.”
- “Another point that really surprised me: the game's soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a long time; it's really amazing and nicely fits its atmosphere (or its lack of atmosphere - it's space after all).”
- “The game's soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in a long time; it's really amazing and nicely fits its atmosphere (or its lack of atmosphere - it's space after all).”
- “The atmosphere feels empty and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
- “Despite the beautiful visuals, the overall atmosphere lacks depth and fails to engage the player.”
optimization
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance on various PCs, despite its lackluster graphical content. Players appreciate the ability to customize ship loadouts for enhanced performance, though opinions on the visual aspects vary.
- “Do you want to fit a larger drive for an overall performance boost, or use a smaller one with some speed modules to gain even more speed without increasing rotation speed?”
- “Do you want to fit a larger drive for an overall performance boost, or use a smaller one with some speed modules to achieve even more speed without gaining extra rotation speed?”
- “Ship loadout will make or break your performance.”
- “Ships are customizable when it comes to performance and weapons.”
stability
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-40 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing significant technical difficulties, including complete system freezes during gameplay and loading. However, others report a bug-free experience, suggesting that issues may vary depending on individual setups. Users are encouraged to consult troubleshooting resources for potential solutions.
- “It's been bug-free so far.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
- “I've experienced no glitches during my gameplay.”
- “When I go to play it, it freezes my whole computer.”
- “The only downside of this game is that I can't play it on my new computer because it freezes slightly in the instant before loading completes.”
- “Post-note: If you have problems launching or playing the game, check the troubleshooting part of the forums.”
emotional
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of humor and poignant moments, with some scenes resonating deeply while others miss the mark. While the writing has its ups and downs, it manages to evoke genuine laughter and emotional responses, though not consistently throughout the narrative. Overall, the experience is a blend of excitement and sentimentality, appealing to those who appreciate both humor and emotional depth.
- “The story is about as serious as Doctor Who: funny and not to be taken too seriously, but still exciting and very emotional at times.”
- “It's pretty touching, but it also has the best jokes and moments I've ever heard.”
- “The story is boring and lacks any artistic depth.”
- “I felt no emotional connection to the characters or their struggles.”
- “The narrative failed to evoke any feelings; it was just flat and uninspired.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its surprising depth and quality, contributing significantly to the overall narrative and enhancing the game's emotional impact.
- “The story is surprisingly well-done, with character development that is very clean and endearing, breathing more life into the game.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviews suggest that the game's monetization strategy may be hindered by the developers' limited resources, leading to a perception of unfairness in the gaming industry, where larger corporations dominate and exploit players. Users express frustration with mainstream review sites that prioritize advertising revenue over genuine game quality, contributing to a negative view of monetization practices in gaming.
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze every last penny from players rather than enhance the gaming experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great marred by aggressive monetization tactics that prioritize profit over player enjoyment.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine gaming endeavor.”