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Runic Survivor

66%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
optimization, graphics
66% User Score Based on 396 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
Buy Nowfrom $2.99
Buy NowGet on Steam$2.99

About

"Runic Survivor" is an action-packed roguelike game where you play as a powerful Runic Warrior fighting against hordes of enemies in procedurally generated dungeons. Utilize a variety of runes to cast spells and defeat enemies, while collecting loot to improve your character's abilities. With permadeath and random events, each run presents a new challenge in this pixelated adventure.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Runic Survivor screenshot
Runic Survivor screenshot
Runic Survivor screenshot
Runic Survivor screenshot

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 396 reviews
gameplay26 positive mentions
optimization8 negative mentions
  • The game features a fun and engaging custom spell system that allows for creative combinations and strategies.
  • At its low price point, the game offers decent entertainment value and can provide a few hours of fun.
  • The game has a charming aesthetic and satisfying progression, making it enjoyable for casual play.
  • The game appears to be abandoned, with no updates or communication from the developer, leading to concerns about its future.
  • Performance issues arise when too many effects are on screen, causing significant lag and making the game unplayable at times.
  • Content is limited, with few spells and upgrades available, resulting in a lack of replayability and variety in gameplay.
  • gameplay
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally enjoyable, featuring unique mechanics like spell crafting and linking attacks, which can lead to powerful combinations once mastered. However, players have noted issues with enemy feedback and a lack of clarity in the user interface, which can detract from the experience. While the core mechanics show promise, some feel the game lacks challenge and variety, suggesting that further development could enhance its potential.

    • “Its simple, but a very good gameplay and game loop!”
    • “The gameplay is fun, crafting your own spells and chain effects is very satisfying.”
    • “Excellent game, unique mechanics, very fun: 9/10”
    • “Actual gameplay, a lot of the enemies have no feedback for anything - like you can't tell if you are doing anything to them when you hit them until they die, and you can't tell if you get hit by any projectiles because your character has no feedback when hit.”
    • “UI and mechanics are not well explained.”
    • “Exe is unresponsive. I would love to give a full review but I was still learning the game mechanics and now I can't play.”
  • optimization
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is currently a significant issue, with players experiencing severe lag and frame rate drops, especially when multiple spells or enemies are present on screen. Despite some improvements noted in recent patches, the performance remains inconsistent and can lead to unplayable conditions during intense gameplay. Many users express hope for further optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience.

    • “If they add enough unique modifiers/spells and iron out some of the performance issues when you end up with a build that has a lot of particles, then I think this will be a real winner.”
    • “Performance is better, and you're able to create somewhat ridiculous spell combinations without FPS death, although when going absolutely ham, the frames still do suffer significantly.”
    • “Right now it's barely more than a poorly optimized proof-of-concept.”
    • “However, the performance is just absolutely horrible.”
    • “Currently, the optimization needs to be addressed as later in the runs it becomes nearly unplayable before the 20 minutes has ended a run.”
  • graphics
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the retro aesthetic for its simplicity and clarity, while others criticize the lack of detail and animations, making it difficult to distinguish between elements during gameplay. Although the visuals are described as having a charming quality, many feel that they fall short of expectations and lack effort. Overall, the graphics are seen as mediocre, with some positive notes on the sound design and production value.

    • “Graphics and sound design are good, mechanics are solid, hit-boxes feel good.”
    • “I like the retro graphic style for simplicity and clarity as things can get hectic.”
    • “I think this game brings a lot of elements from other games together in a neat and fun way with great production value, it's a great visual blend of retro graphics and modern effects, good sound effects and feedback.”
    • “Just because your graphics are simple, you can't just call it 'a charming retro aesthetic' to excuse a lack of effort being put into the aesthetic.”
    • “The visuals are not great; it's hard to distinguish between the various enemies, the background objects, and the guardians, as well as the spell effects and enemy projectiles.”
    • “Missing content; graphics and animations are just mediocre.”
  • stability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches, lags, and a clunky menu system, which can render it unplayable at times. Many users express disappointment over the lack of essential quality of life features and recommend against purchasing it, even at a discount, due to its buggy nature. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game feels unfinished and more suited for early access.

    • “It glitches and lags so often it can be unplayable.”
    • “The game lacks essential quality of life settings and controls on top of bugs and glitches that can end a run. I don't recommend buying the game even on sale.”
    • “I'm surprised this isn't in early access - I found it to be too buggy for prime time.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it enjoyable and fun, especially with its creative playstyles and reliance on RNG, others criticize it for lacking sufficient variance and content, making runs feel repetitive. Overall, it shows potential for replayability, particularly in its early access phase, but currently falls short compared to other roguelite titles.

    • “Super fun game with good replayability despite it being in early access and brand new - already, you gotta rely a bit on RNG working for your build, which is super fun.”
    • “It's very Vampire Survivor-esque, but offers so much more in terms of a creative playing style, and therefore replayability.”
    • “It lacks the replayability that most roguelite games have because of the content being limited and same-y with other upgrades.”
    • “Its got great bones and I've managed to beat the highest difficulty with any focus rune, but there isn't quite enough replayability or variance between runs.”
    • “It's very Vampire Survivors-esque, but offers so much more in terms of a creative playing style, and therefore replayability.”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its quality and fit with the graphics, others find it jarring and poorly looped, detracting from the overall experience. There are suggestions for improvement in sound design and better alignment with the game's theme. Overall, the music is seen as a notable aspect but in need of refinement.

    • “Graphics and music suit this game very well; some might say that the lack of animations and hit sounds is a minus, but I think it's better without them.”
    • “Good music, good graphics, good concept.”
    • “The music of the game is engaging and complements the overall atmosphere.”
    • “The music of the game is jarring; it isn't a seamless loop, and you can tell when it starts again.”
    • “Minor details that could be improved: sound design and implementation could use some polish, and the music doesn't fit very well to the theme.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is noted to be present but often overshadowed by frustration, leading to mixed feelings among players. While some find the comedic elements promising, they feel that the overall gameplay detracts from the enjoyment.

Buy Runic Survivor

3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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