Ruff Ghanor
- February 22, 2024
- DX Gameworks
In "Ruff Ghanor," become a young cleric on a mission to vanquish the tyrannical Red Dragon, Zamir, and liberate the kingdom. Master the deckbuilding strategy, collecting cards that represent vital actions, and create powerful synergies to outsmart your foes. Immerse yourself in a captivating fantasy world, complete with diverse encounters, vivid storytelling, and unique allies, each with their own special deck. This game artfully blends strategy, adventure, and narrative for a unique gaming experience.
Reviews
- Engaging narrative with rich lore and interesting characters that enhance the gameplay experience.
- Challenging deck-building mechanics that encourage strategic thinking and experimentation with different builds.
- Beautiful artwork and immersive sound design that contribute to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The game suffers from balancing issues, with certain cards and mechanics making gameplay feel unbalanced and repetitive.
- Frequent crashes and technical issues, particularly on certain platforms, detract from the overall experience.
- Limited replayability due to a lack of diverse character options and a feeling of repetitiveness in runs.
- story70 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich lore, and immersive world-building, drawing inspiration from Brazilian fantasy literature. Players appreciate the combination of strategic deck-building mechanics with a compelling storyline that evolves based on their choices, although some note that the storytelling can be patchy and repetitive in a roguelike format. Overall, it stands out as a must-play for fans of both card games and narrative-driven experiences.
“The narrative unfolds through captivating storytelling, vibrant characters, and atmospheric world-building, drawing players deeper into its fantastical universe with each encounter.”
“The game's story is particularly noteworthy, and I highly recommend you check the book to delve deeper into the world of Ghanor after completing the game.”
“Every game feels like a new adventure through Ruff Ghanor's world, with cool characters, exciting events, and tough choices that shape the story.”
“The storytelling is often patchy; one of the main motivators for one of the main characters (their sibling dying) is often referenced but never shown, even after replaying Act 1 about five times, looking for that event specifically.”
“However, being a rogue-lite game, the repetition of dialogue and story beats can become tiresome after multiple playthroughs.”
“It's very focused on story, so you'll have something to follow; however, if you're not doing too well, you might get tired of some events, which is a common problem with roguelikes.”
- gameplay65 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the reviewed games presents a mixed bag, with some titles offering engaging mechanics and strategic depth, particularly in deck-building and roguelite elements, while others suffer from floaty controls, basic mechanics, and unexplained features that detract from the experience. Players appreciate the captivating narratives and artistic visuals, but many express a desire for improved combat interactions and more complex gameplay systems. Overall, while some games shine with innovative mechanics and replayability, others fall short of their potential due to various gameplay shortcomings.
“Its captivating narrative, strategic gameplay, and impressive art make for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
“The fusion of these mechanics creates a dynamic and engaging gameplay loop where every decision matters, from card selection to tactical positioning in battles.”
“The rogue-lite mechanic adds an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to each playthrough, keeping the gameplay fresh and exhilarating.”
“The mouse action is floaty, the card mechanics are fairly basic, and there are unexplained mechanics that I can't get used to.”
“Card mechanics are basic and some ability effects (for example: retaliation) simply don't work some of the time.”
“Making players memorize answers is not an acceptable gameplay mechanic.”
- graphics21 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning visuals, vibrant colors, and detailed character designs, contributing to an immersive experience. While some users noted issues with human visuals and gameplay clunkiness, the overall artistic design and atmosphere were highlighted as standout features, making it a visually appealing title in the indie gaming scene.
“Artwork is awesome and the game design is flawless.”
“Visually, ruff ghanor impresses with its charming art style, vibrant colors, and detailed character designs.”
“The visuals are stunning, with these detailed and vibrant illustrations that really bring ruff ghanor's world to life.”
“The game mechanic itself is good, the story is simple and nice, but the human visuals and the lack of audio in dialogue encounters, along with the bugs and general clunkiness of gameplay, make it an okay game. It can be a good game down the road, but right now I can't recommend it.”
“Visuals and audio:”
“The graphics are well done and detailed, but the overall presentation feels lacking.”
- music10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in "Ruff Ghanor" is widely praised for its epic and atmospheric soundtrack, which significantly enhances the game's immersive experience and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the meticulous sound design and how the music complements the visuals, creating a captivating medieval and fantastical atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, earning high marks for its ability to engage players throughout their journey.
“Complementing the visuals is an atmospheric soundtrack that sets the tone for each encounter, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact of the experience.”
“With an exceptional soundtrack adding to the immersive experience, Ruff Ghanor is a must-play for card game RPG enthusiasts and storytelling fans alike.”
“The epic soundtrack and meticulously chosen sound effects immerse players deeply into the magical atmosphere of Ruff Ghanor.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by engaging narratives, varied player choices, and procedural elements like dungeons and card variability. While some users express concerns about a lack of replay value, the majority highlight the game's ability to offer fresh experiences with each playthrough, making it a worthwhile investment.
“The high variability of cards, the procedural nature of the stages, and the constantly evolving challenges ensure an impressive replay value.”
“Great game, lacks replayability... or am I missing something?”
“The game encourages replayability, as different choices lead to varied outcomes.”
“Ruff Ghanor embraces the roguelite tradition by offering procedurally generated dungeons and permadeath mechanics, adding an extra layer of challenge and replayability.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is richly crafted through captivating storytelling, vibrant characters, and detailed world-building, all enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and sound effects that deepen immersion. The combination of beautiful artwork, voice acting, and music effectively captures the medieval and fantastical essence of the universe, drawing players into the magical experience of Ruff Ghanor.
“The narrative unfolds through captivating storytelling, vibrant characters, and atmospheric world-building, drawing players deeper into its fantastical universe with each encounter.”
“Complementing the visuals is an atmospheric soundtrack that sets the tone for each encounter, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact of the experience.”
“The game features beautiful artwork, voice acting, and music that enhance the immersion and atmosphere.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, including frequent prompts for an administrator code, mouse malfunctions, and game freezes. Additionally, glitches and random non-combat events detract from the overall experience, while deck-building mechanics feel somewhat limited.
“It keeps saying to put in the administrator's code, and then the mouse stops working and everything freezes.”
“There are a few glitches; random non-combat events can be a drag, and the deck-building feels a bit restricted.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is significantly enhanced by its atmospheric soundtrack, which deepens immersion and impact during encounters. Players feel connected to the characters' personal journeys, fostering a sense of belonging to a larger narrative.
“Complementing the visuals is an atmospheric soundtrack that sets the tone for each encounter, enhancing the overall immersion and emotional impact of the experience.”
“Each one of them had a story to tell, a personal journey that made me feel like part of something bigger than myself.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by engaging storytelling and hilarious characters, contributing to an enjoyable experience that complements the challenging battles. Players find the comedic elements to be a standout feature, enhancing their overall enjoyment.
“The story is engaging, the characters are hilarious, and the battles are challenging.”
“Very funny, just finished my first run, and almost got to the second boss.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the visual presentation of "Ruff Ghanor" is praised for its charming art style and detailed character designs, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development within the game.
“The character development in this game is truly remarkable, with each character evolving in ways that feel authentic and engaging.”
“I love how the characters grow throughout the story, facing challenges that shape their personalities and relationships.”
“The depth of the characters is impressive; their backstories and motivations are woven seamlessly into the gameplay.”