Ruza

About

Ruza is a single player role playing game with horror, fantasy, romance and comedy themes. It was developed by Stroj and was released on November 11, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

Ruza is a free RPG where you lead a group of misfits to stop a monster, a vile reindeer.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 164 reviews

story26 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features fun and engaging combat mechanics that become enjoyable once understood.
It has a charming blend of humor, horror, and emotional depth, with well-written characters and a captivating story.
The visuals and soundtrack are impressive, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience of the game.

The recent updates have removed many choices and character interactions that were present in earlier chapters, leading to a less engaging experience.
The combat system can be overly complicated and confusing, making it difficult for players to grasp without extensive tutorials.
The narrative feels disjointed in the final chapter, with abrupt changes in tone and character development that may disappoint long-time fans.

story
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
65%
5%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its rich atmosphere, emotional depth, and engaging characters, while others criticize the pacing and inconsistencies in dialogue and plot development. Many appreciate the nostalgic art style and the blend of humor with horror elements, though some feel that recent updates have detracted from character development and narrative coherence. Overall, the story is seen as a slow-burn mystery that invites players to fill in gaps, but it may not satisfy those seeking a traditional plot or clear resolutions.
- “The setting is rich with subtle lore, the story unfolds like a slow-burn mystery, and the art has that nostalgic early 2000s RPG Maker charm, but polished with modern finesse.”
- “The best part of the game is that it doesn't take itself too seriously while telling a deep story.”
- “Great, emotional writing and a well thought-out story with alternate paths, this is one of those few moments where I play the game blind.”
- “The plot is squished into a game that's not fit, and not the story for it.”
- “Firstly, I personally don't care about the romancing options missing, but I do care about the story and Ruza, one of the main driving plot characters and the reason the story exists, was completely gutted of all of her dialogue and personality.”
- “Now it feels disconnected from the main storyline as the absolute tone shift and dialogues are inconsistent with the dialogue in chapter 2.”
music
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
31%
7%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the visuals and gameplay. The soundtrack features a diverse range of tracks, from dark ambient pieces to energetic bangers, which contribute significantly to the overall experience. While some users noted occasional issues with sound effects and personal preferences, the majority found the music to be a standout element, elevating the game's charm and engagement.
- “Special shoutout to the music: dark ambient tracks with sudden violin stabs that made me physically jump.”
- “The soundtrack is also a treat, covering an absolutely wild spectrum that I didn't expect, but absolutely enjoyed.”
- “Music - as the kids say, this music 'slaps.' I enjoyed the OST, it had some unique tunes that I did not get tired of listening to.”
- “And to top it all off, the music is annoying and the sound effects are way too loud, even turned down.”
- “Nothing stands out as particularly 'bad' about the game unless you simply do not enjoy the writing/art/music, though the sounds for skill points in the leveling menu become very grating when you are changing it constantly.”
- “And music, oh god the music, not always fitting, but totally gorgeous!”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a notable highlight, blending dark and light-hearted elements effectively, with many players appreciating its charm and comedic cutscenes. However, some reviews indicate that recent updates have diminished the humor in favor of a more serious tone, leading to mixed feelings among fans who enjoyed the original balance of humor and horror. Overall, the game is praised for its likable characters and amusing writing, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of its humor post-rework.
- “The tone balances charm, horror, desperation, seriousness, and plenty of humor.”
- “It's one of those rare games that manages to be both dark and funny.”
- “The writing is fantastic, capable of switching tones from humorous and charming to dark and heavy smoothly and appropriately.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players appreciating unique mechanics and engaging puzzles, while others criticize the heavy reliance on poorly written text and convoluted tutorials that detract from the experience. The game's visuals and soundtrack are noted for enhancing the atmosphere, but the combat and RPG elements can feel overly complex and frustrating. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, many players feel the gameplay lacks cohesion and fails to effectively integrate narrative and mechanics.
- “The limited color palette, surreal creature designs, and incredible use of shadows enhance the whole gameplay for me and actually give me this creepy feeling throughout the game.”
- “Puzzle mechanics are present, and the combat system is pretty unique with its strategy-based approach. I had to learn it myself, and it's quite fun discovering new strategies in a game like this.”
- “The lo-fi visuals and eerie soundtrack pull you in, and while the mechanics are simple, they serve the tone really well.”
- “You'll spend more time cringing from the godawful writing about the developers' imaginary girlfriends than actually playing the really badly done RPG-lite mechanics.”
- “The developers failed one of the most basic, fundamental requirements of game design: 'show, don't tell.' You'll spend a huge amount of time not playing the game, but clicking through endless lines of poorly written visual novel text cutscenes because the developers couldn't figure out how to relate their narrative through the game mechanics.”
- “The overcomplexity of both the tutorial and combat, alongside the game being unable to teach through gameplay while simultaneously holding my hand assuming I know nothing about basic game functionality, was frustrating.”
graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
The game's graphics have received mixed reviews, with some praising its unique and charming art style that evokes a creepy-cute vibe, while others criticize the hand-drawn visuals as mediocre. Despite the varying opinions on the quality of the graphics, many players appreciate how the art complements the game's atmosphere and narrative, contributing to an engaging overall experience. The visuals, combined with a fitting soundtrack, create a captivating aesthetic that resonates well with the game's themes.
- “The art style, the audio, and the story in the game combined make a really great combination that just makes me shiver while playing it.”
- “Definitely worth playing, the aesthetics and overall feel of the art style have a well-made creepy-cute vibe.”
- “Really loved the art style, character designs, and the animated cutscenes.”
- “Visually, this features mediocre hand-drawn style 'baby's first Wacom tablet' art instead of contemporary graphics.”
- “It's hard to say if this was because the developer didn't have the skill to create 3D visuals, or couldn't afford to hire someone who does, but it also doesn't matter.”
- “Alas, the true horror in Ruza was not the body horror or the graphic images, but rather watching the narrative, characters, and tension being destroyed by retcons and an ending wherein everybody inexplicably dies.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its ability to create a compelling and immersive experience, blending dark themes with moments of levity. Players appreciate the slow pacing that builds tension, alongside effective music and visuals that enhance the overall mood. Despite some criticisms of the art style, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “Pacing is slow and deliberate, building the momentum and creating the atmosphere for a good horror story.”
- “It’s short, yes, but the atmosphere sticks with you — like waking up from a dream you can’t explain but felt important.”
- “The world has a somber atmosphere, but then you meet a character, and she does the comedy routine.”
- “As the story progressed, its dark atmosphere drew me in even more.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its poignant storytelling and evocative music, creating a bittersweet experience that resonates deeply with players. While some appreciate the heartfelt narrative and emotional depth, others criticize the shallow character development and the removal of meaningful choices that previously enhanced player engagement. Overall, the game is seen as an emotional art piece that blends horror with moments of levity, though opinions vary on its execution.
- “Every hallway feels like a memory you’ve half-forgotten, and as far as I play, the protagonist’s story is heartbreaking.”
- “Just don’t go in expecting a jumpscare-fest or traditional plot — it’s more like an emotional art piece wrapped in horror skin.”
- “Great, emotional writing and a well thought-out story with alternate paths; this is one of those few moments where I play the game blind.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development for its engaging designs and humor, highlighting the strong storytelling and character arcs even with only two chapters released. The art style and animated cutscenes further enhance the overall experience, contributing to a peak narrative quality.
- “I really loved the art style, character designs, and the animated cutscenes.”
- “Peak characters, peak humor, peak story and character development so far (only 2 chapters are out as of writing this).”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's engaging elements such as its soundtrack, dialogue, and combat, but note that the leveling and grinding process can feel lengthy and tedious, which is expected in this genre. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a natural part of the experience, despite its potential to become monotonous.
- “Though leveling up can be long and tedious, it's natural for a game like this.”