Ruff City

About

"Ruff City" is a classic beat 'em up action game that can be played solo or with a friend in local co-op mode. Up to 2 players control Lucky the Dog, punching and kicking their way through 4 stages of PUG-ilistic mayhem. The game features split-screen multiplayer and a pack of fur-ocious bosses to overcome. A controller is required for multiplayer mode.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

graphics3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Ruff City features charming pixel art and a lighthearted, humorous tone that resonates well with players, making it a delightful experience.
The game is accessible and easy to pick up, with straightforward controls that allow players to enjoy the beat-em-up mechanics without feeling overwhelmed.
The short playtime and bite-sized levels make it a perfect game for quick sessions, especially enjoyable in co-op mode with friends.

The game suffers from some gameplay issues, such as a steep difficulty curve and lack of dodge mechanics, which can lead to frustrating encounters, especially with certain bosses.
There are several bugs and control issues, including unresponsive inputs and problems with enemy attacks that can lead to unfair damage.
The limited content and short length may leave some players wanting more, as the game can be completed in under two hours.

music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with some players praising its quality and integration into the gameplay. However, there are notable tonal mismatches, particularly in the first area where upbeat tracks contrast with violent visuals, and some moments lack music entirely, which can disrupt the mood. Additionally, sound effects sometimes overpower the music, leading to an inconsistent audio experience.
- “Love the music and audio effects; the combat is simple but still involved enough not to be too easy.”
- “It's quite a nice feeling beat 'em up that has really stellar art and pretty good music.”
- “Music is decent, but in some areas, it feels off tonally; the first area has especially upbeat music for all the violence occurring onscreen.”
- “Music is decent but in some areas feels off tonally; the first area has especially upbeat music for all the violence occurring onscreen.”
- “[*][spoiler]The story dialog scrolls without any music, which felt uncomfortable, but not in a way that helped the mood of the game.[/spoiler]”
- “[*][spoiler]Some of the sound effects, which are vocal samples for enemies getting killed, are mixed way louder than the rest of the music and sound effects.[/spoiler]”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The gameplay is a straightforward 2D side-scrolling beat-em-up that offers quick and satisfying combat, with a charming, pun-oriented aesthetic. While it features only four major levels and can feel underdeveloped in some areas, the variety of enemies helps maintain engagement and prevents repetition. Overall, it delivers a fun, bite-sized experience without attempting to innovate significantly.
- “The 2D side-scroller beat-em-up gameplay is quick and fun; juggling enemies is so satisfying here.”
- “It's a fun little beat-em-up; under-baked and rough in a lot of spots gameplay-wise, but otherwise a charming, bite-sized game.”
- “It's not trying to re-invent the wheel, and it doesn't - its characters are pun-oriented and tropey, its mechanics are light and straightforward, and - as advertised - it contains only four major levels, each containing one boss.”
- “It's a fun little beat-em-up, under-baked and rough in a lot of spots gameplay-wise; but otherwise a charming, bite-sized game.”
- “The variety of enemies allows a balance to strike where the gameplay would otherwise be simple and repetitive.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's graphics are characterized by a charming and cute art style that complements its simple beat-em-up mechanics. Players appreciate the responsive controls and engaging audio-visuals, while the boss battles are visually impactful, adding to the overall fun experience.
- “A solid little indie brawler with a charming art style.”
- “Really simple beat-em-up with responsive controls and fun audio/visuals.”
- “Fun little beat 'em up title with a cute art style.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Ruff City is praised for its charming and quirky humor, creating a wholesome and cute atmosphere throughout the game. Players appreciate the balance of challenging boss battles that lead to amusing game over graphics, enhancing the overall comedic experience.
- “Ruff City is a charming arcade romp through a quirky and hilarious setting.”
- “If I was ever gonna play a game where that was the case, I'd want it to be funny, wholesome, kind, and cute.”
- “The boss battles are weighty and tanky like a Destiny/Halo boss with a big health bar; they're just challenging enough so that you can see the funny game over graphic every now and then.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
Character development in this game is highlighted by its charming and diverse character designs, which include a variety of animal enemies that add personality and whimsy to the experience. Players appreciate the quirky dialogue and unique boss encounters, contributing to a fun and engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “As others have said, I also don't usually gravitate towards beat 'em ups, but this one looked fun. I liked a lot of little details they added, like the variety of enemy types, charming character designs, quirky dialogue, and the silly bosses.”
- “The character designs are especially charming. The variety of animal enemies have a lot of character, some so cute that you may think twice about punching them in the jaw.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a meaningful level.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity and growth.”
- “Despite the charming designs, the characters don't evolve throughout the game, which makes the experience feel stagnant.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The story is characterized as lighthearted and comical, particularly with a twist towards the end, providing sufficient context for the gameplay. However, some users noted that the lack of music during dialogue sequences detracted from the overall mood.
- “The story is lighthearted with a comical twist towards the end, providing all the context you need to beat the stuffing out of animals in leather jackets.”
- “The story is lighthearted with a comical twist towards the end, but it provides you with all the context you need to beat the stuffing out of animals in leather jackets.”
- “The story dialogue scrolls without any music, which felt uncomfortable, but not in a way that helped the mood of the game.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express a desire for emotional experiences in games that are characterized by humor, wholesomeness, kindness, and cuteness, indicating a preference for uplifting and heartwarming narratives.
- “If I were ever going to play a game that evoked strong emotions, I'd want it to be funny, wholesome, kind, and cute.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the story; it made me reflect on my own experiences and emotions.”