Rune

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 305 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Rune Game Cover
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Rune is a fantasy hack and slash game that offers both single-player and multi-player modes. As Ragnar the Viking, players explore beautiful 3D settings, battling mythical creatures and wielding an array of weapons and magic. With its interesting plot, sensational gameplay, and good visuals, Rune provides a hilarious and immersive experience in a bygone age of might and brawn.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Gog Com
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 305 reviews
story26 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions
  • Rune Classic offers a nostalgic experience with engaging hack-and-slash gameplay, allowing players to relive the Viking adventure with improved mechanics.
  • The combat system is praised for its fluidity and variety, with unique weapons and rune powers that enhance the gameplay experience.
  • The game features a rich Norse mythology setting, with a good mix of exploration, puzzles, and intense battles against a variety of enemies.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including frequent crashes and bugs, particularly on modern systems, which can hinder the overall experience.
  • Many levels and content from the original game have been cut or modified in this version, leading to disappointment among fans of the original.
  • The graphics and overall presentation feel dated, which may deter new players who prioritize modern visuals in their gaming experience.
  • story50 mentions

    The story of the game is generally well-received, praised for its epic Norse mythology themes and engaging journey through various environments, despite being somewhat simple and lacking in character development. Players appreciate the blend of action and exploration, with the narrative motivating them to progress, even if the focus often shifts to the fast-paced combat. While some technical issues, like glitches, can detract from the experience, the overall consensus is that the story complements the gameplay effectively, making it a memorable adventure.

    • “The story is showing the conflict between the gods Odin and Loki and the preparations for Ragnarok, the end of the world.”
    • “The story is epic, the game drops you a lot of weapons from time to time.”
    • “Rune includes magnificent storytelling, superb voice acting, exploration-based linear maps, and a fairly significant amount of clean platforming.”
    • “The storytelling is pretty scant as far as it goes, but the beauty of this game comes with the adventure and the exploration.”
    • “Now before I get into detail, no, this is not the kind of attention that Halo: CE and Half-Life get. This game is fun, but that's about it; there isn't a huge deep story behind this game, so don't expect something like Halo or Half-Life. Just expect the typical 1990 'kill everything in your path' kind of game.”
    • “Additionally, Rune Classic cuts and modifies many maps from the single-player campaign, even to the point that a major plot point is completely omitted.”
  • graphics44 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the artistic style and atmospheric design, while others criticize the dated visuals and technical limitations. Many acknowledge that although the graphics may not meet modern standards, they still hold a certain charm and can enhance the overall experience, especially for fans of the genre. Overall, the game's visuals are seen as a blend of nostalgia and artistic merit, appealing to those who can overlook their age.

    • “The graphics are nice, while the landscapes and scenery are beautiful.”
    • “While graphics might have aged a bit on the technical side, the art style is still amazing.”
    • “Awsome game, good combat, good story, and great graphics. 10/10 haven't seen such a badass game in a while.”
    • “The game is visually outright ugly, not due to the old graphics (as plenty of older titles from around this era hold up due to quality art assets) but due entirely to style.”
    • “The game's graphics and animations aren't what this game is good for.”
    • “But be warned: if you're a graphics-nut, this game might be hard on the eyes.”
  • gameplay30 mentions

    The gameplay is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, diverse level design, and unique combat systems, often considered superior to many modern titles. While some visual bugs and awkward moments are noted, they do not detract significantly from the overall fun and adventure. Players appreciate the blend of puzzles, platforming, and melee fighting, making it a standout experience, especially for fans of hack and slash genres.

    • “A serviceable story lies beneath the tight gameplay that feels like a close cousin of the Jedi Knight series; varied weapons make for a great time, each of which provides a unique magical effect to aid you on your journey through Midgard.”
    • “The gameplay holds its own against modern standards; it's a nice blend of puzzles, platform jumping, and melee fighting.”
    • “The level design is very diverse and the mechanics for knocking out supports, climbing, smashing doors, swimming, and even trampolines were quite innovative for their time and are still great fun today.”
    • “Trees and bushes either get stuck or 'unfold' before your eyes; models sometimes fail to render or don't locate correctly. Visually, there are a wealth of small bugs that don't actually affect the gameplay itself but definitely undermine the experience.”
    • “The gameplay was occasionally very awkward, and for the most part, it didn't age all that well.”
    • “Gameplay is very similar to the original; however, there are a few noticeable changes.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and authentic Nordic setting, complemented by a dark soundtrack and detailed graphics. Players appreciate the combination of ambient sounds, voice acting, and the overall design that enhances the experience, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive in later stages. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a captivating experience for fans of Viking-themed adventures.

    • “It's a fun and good game with a great atmosphere!”
    • “The style of each level and Nordic atmosphere alone make the game really pretty and provides you with that gaming satisfaction.”
    • “That story, the atmosphere, the sounds, the voices, the weapons, the fighting system and the adventure around Vikings fascinated me about this game.”
    • “The game is okay, but the atmosphere is lacking; later on, it feels like a chore as you fight through room after room filled with mobs.”
    • “I think the developers focused mostly on the atmosphere, which consists of graphics, ambient sounds, voices, and the sequence of events.”
    • “While the style of each level and the Nordic atmosphere are visually appealing, they don't compensate for the overall gameplay experience.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its dark and absurd elements, such as the comical consequences of dismemberment and the unexpected antics of characters, like a dwarf's abrupt fall. Players appreciate the nostalgic, D&D-inspired logic that adds to the hilarity, particularly in multiplayer modes like "headball," where decapitation becomes a source of amusement. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with action, creating memorable and funny moments.

    • “It's hilarious when you chop your enemy's weapon arm off, because now they have no arm, so all they can do is run!”
    • “The expansion halls of Valhalla is included with the very humorous and insanely fun 'headball' game mode... where you decapitate your opponent and toss his head in a hoop for points... yep.”
    • “Such as a dwarf falling to his death abruptly and two lizards being positioned hilariously... the game has a bit of an old D&D logic to it (ex: zombies don't just 'die').”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for frequent glitches and freezing issues, particularly during critical moments, such as the final level and specific locations like "embers of hrafnborg." While it runs well on modern systems overall, players have reported new bugs that were absent in the original release, leading to a frustrating experience. Some users found temporary fixes, such as adjusting the in-game volume, but these do not fully resolve the underlying stability problems.

    • “The game runs smoothly on modern systems, providing a stable experience.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game performs without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “The stability of the game allows for an enjoyable and uninterrupted gaming experience.”
    • “It also freezes on me on the last level, not allowing me to finish the game.”
    • “I had this frustrating glitch that freezes my game when I get to one point in 'Embers of Hrafnborg' and before the final credits after crossing the rainbow bridge in Valhalla, but that could be fixed by turning the in-game volume slider to zero in the options menu.”
    • “There were also a slew of new bugs and glitches that were not present when I later tried out the original release, on the same machine no less!”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and engaging quality, enhancing the overall experience with a soundtrack that sets the mood for combat and exploration. Many players noted its resemblance to viking metal, likening it to bands like Manowar, while also appreciating the effective use of background music during key moments. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive and brutal atmosphere.

    • “A brutal, fun, and unique hack n slash game with great enemy and level variety, featuring an awesome soundtrack that just sets the mood so well.”
    • “The soundtrack that's included is pretty awesome as well.”
    • “All of this reminded me of songs by Manowar and other bands who do Viking metal.”
    • “Dark atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “Music was awesome, getting you in the mood to fight your way through monsters and men.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be minimal, with some appreciating the lack of tedious gear treadmilling typical in hack and slash titles. While the single-player campaign has its quirks and can feel repetitive, the redesign of levels aims to enhance pacing and reduce grind, contributing to a more engaging experience. However, some enemies are still viewed as annoying and tedious to fight.

    • “The enemies in this game are annoying, tedious, and not fun to fight.”
    • “Some levels have received slight redesigns while others have been cut out to improve the pacing and make the game less grindy.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game has been somewhat optimized for modern systems, its age still presents significant optimization issues, leading to performance challenges on newer hardware.

    • “The biggest problem, though, is that the game, because of its age, is not optimized for newer systems.”
    • “I think it's important to mention that the game seems to have been optimized for this release for modern rigs.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is undermined by frustrating combat mechanics and poor enemy AI, leading players to exploit glitches rather than engage in meaningful gameplay. This results in a lack of immersion and emotional connection, as players find themselves resorting to cheap tactics rather than experiencing the intended narrative or emotional depth.

  • replayability1 mentions

    Players find the game to be highly enjoyable and exciting, contributing to its strong replayability.

    • “All in all, a lot of fun, exciting, and easily replayable.”
    • “The game offers so many different paths and choices that I find myself coming back for more.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making it hard to put down.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be less appealing to new players, as it relies heavily on graphics, which are crucial for purchases in 2017. However, it continues to attract a niche audience seeking a quality hack-and-slash experience.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, which detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases disrupts the flow of gameplay and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine gaming experience.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The game stands out for its unique identity in gameplay and aesthetics, but it also offers notable character development, which is often lacking in other titles.

    • “Not many good and consistent ones out there, and this one brings its own identity in terms of gameplay, aesthetics, and character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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