Runes: The Forgotten Path
- November 14, 2018
- stormbornstudio
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Runes: The Forgotten Path" is a story-driven VR game where you play as Leth, a wizard trapped in a magical sleep prison. Cast spells by drawing in the air, and explore diverse environments while solving puzzles to recall your past and uncover the mystery behind your entrapment. The game offers multiple locomotion options, including a unique 4th wall system and head-nodding responses for an immersive experience.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus Rift
Reviews
- The story is engaging and features intriguing characters, with a mix of puzzles and magical combat that keeps players invested.
- The voice acting is generally well-received, adding depth to the characters and enhancing the overall experience.
- For a free game, it offers a fun and immersive VR experience with creative spellcasting mechanics and enjoyable puzzles.
- The game suffers from bugs and glitches, particularly with controller compatibility and item interactions, which can disrupt gameplay.
- Many players found the game to be too short, with a playtime of around 2-4 hours, leaving them wanting more content.
- The final battle is criticized for being poorly designed, often feeling like a frustrating wave shooter rather than a satisfying conclusion to the narrative.
- story59 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and intriguing, while others felt it lacked depth and polish. Many appreciated the combination of narrative and puzzle elements, though some criticized the abrupt ending and pacing issues. Overall, the story is seen as a strong point for those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences, despite some inconsistencies and rough edges.
“The story is intriguing.”
“The little time I have put into this game so far has left me very impressed; the story, character animation, and voice acting draw you in.”
“There's a genuinely engaging story and puzzles that have just enough breadcrumbs to make them solvable without being handed over freely to the player.”
“You're dumped right into an excessively long story intro.”
“Of a non-existing plot, it's barely even that because there are no stakes and basically no development for it, to put it mildly: 'the plot is a farce' absolutely nothing.”
“I understand you are a small team and I can overlook bugs in the beginning, but it could have been made longer by adding some more action sequences or fetch quests, etc. There doesn't have to be constant story.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of opinions, with some praising the innovative mechanics like the 3rd person teleportation and the engaging story, while others criticize the overall execution as "junky" and the spell casting as mediocre. Puzzles are noted to be challenging, potentially requiring external guides, and while the experience is described as fun and unique, many players feel the gameplay is short and leaves them wanting more.
“Original gameplay elements and a striking story in this VR treat.”
“Movement is handled by a combination of either smooth locomotion, teleportation, and/or a very fun and innovative 3rd person teleport mechanic where you can click to send an astral projection of your body out into the world.”
“There is story, there are great game mechanics, and it is simply fun.”
“The gameplay was way too junky for my liking.”
“The puzzles are difficult; you might need to look for a gameplay video or guide.”
“The gameplay consists of throwing some lazily animated magic balls at badly made monsters.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful visuals and attention to detail, while others criticize them as inconsistent or below expectations. Players appreciate the artistic elements and character design, but report issues like glitches and awkward spellcasting that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight for some, but not universally acclaimed.
“Great graphics!”
“Strong storyline, interesting puzzles, excellent graphics and artwork.”
“Awesome graphics, audio, voice acting, and puzzles so far achievable... you play as Leth, ye olde mage, who has lost his memories in this fantasy adventure built with attention to detail and vivid imagination.”
“Overall 3/10, graphics are beautiful but the lack of direction and having to consistently stand or sit is also annoying.”
“Visuals are quite ugly; screenshots make them look way better than they really are.”
“The character graphics are disturbing.”
- stability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report no glitches or crashes, others experience significant bugs and awkward mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is considered unpolished and lacking in depth, making it difficult to recommend despite some enjoyable elements.
“There are no glitches, crashes, or issues running it.”
“The game runs smoothly without any interruptions.”
“I haven't experienced any stability problems while playing.”
“In this case, it's because the game is buggy and unpolished, lacking depth and finesse.”
“Runes is not a bad game, but it's way too unpolished and buggy to recommend.”
“I really did like the game a lot; it's just too buggy and short.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its memorable quality and integration with the story, leaving a lasting impression on players. However, the sound design is criticized, with many sound effects lacking or being of poor quality, although the voice acting is considered decent. Overall, while the soundtrack has its merits, it is overshadowed by significant issues in sound design.
“I was kind of fed up with Beat Saber and casual games, as I get bored with them after a while, but this has a solid story, beautiful art, and I love the music; it's stuck in my mind for hours after I finished playing it.”
“The sound design is incredibly poor; many objects have no sound at all, and those that do have laughably bad audio. The game is only 3 hours long, and the only effects that are somewhat acceptable are the magic balls. Everything else sounds terrible. The voices are decent, and the soundtrack is just barely passable.”
“The music in this game is forgettable and lacks any real impact. It feels like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the experience.”
“Overall, the audio experience is disappointing. The soundtrack fails to enhance the gameplay, and the sound effects are often jarring and out of place.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, enhancing the overall experience, while the puzzles contribute to a captivating escape room feel.
“It's very atmospheric, and the puzzles have been very entertaining, giving a strong escape room vibe.”
“The ambiance is immersive, drawing you into the world and enhancing the overall experience.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, creating a perfect backdrop for the unfolding story.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players found the emotional aspect of the game compelling, highlighting the engaging puzzles and intriguing story that culminated in a climactic final battle, which evoked a strong sense of urgency.
“The puzzles were great, the story was interesting, and the final fight made me feel a real sense of urgency.”
“The emotional depth of the characters left a lasting impact on me.”
“I was genuinely moved by the storyline and the choices I had to make.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting its good setting and interesting story, complemented by amusing mechanics that enhance the overall experience.
“The game has a great setting, an interesting story, and hilarious mechanics that keep you laughing.”
“I love how the humor is woven into the gameplay; it makes every moment enjoyable.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me chuckling throughout my entire playthrough.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with puzzles often feeling boring and reliant on guesswork, which can detract from the overall experience.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the grinding to be tedious, with little reward for the time invested.”
“The constant need to grind for resources takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
