Saturn Quest: R. U. N. E. 3000
- October 28, 2022
- Arkhouse Telegraph
Get on SteamIn Saturn Quest: R.U.N.E. 3000, players navigate an action-RTS system within the mysterious R.U.N.E. space station, where illegal experiments on their character unfold. This game, deemed a "genius" work by its creator, Arkhouse Telegraph, combines elements of classic Zelda-style games with a multitude of genres, offering a unique gaming experience. The game's 8-page manual provides insight into its mechanics, enhancing the player's understanding of this innovative title. Good luck, and remember, your opinion may differ from that of the creator's!
Reviews
- R.U.N.E 3000 features outstanding 80's-inspired pixel art and a captivating soundtrack, showcasing the developer's passion and creativity.
- The game offers a unique and varied gameplay experience, combining elements of bullet hell, platforming, and puzzles, making it a refreshing addition to the indie game scene.
- Despite its challenges, many players find satisfaction in overcoming difficult bosses and appreciate the game's quirky charm and character-driven narrative.
- The game's dialogue is often incomprehensible, filled with gibberish that can leave players confused about the story and character motivations.
- Long platforming sections and tedious boss fights can test players' patience, with some encounters feeling unbalanced and frustrating.
- The lack of clear instructions and manual save requirements can lead to confusion and frustration, especially for newcomers to the series.
- story10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story of E 3000, the third installment in the Saturn Quest series, is described as confusing and lacking depth, with players struggling to grasp the lore and narrative. While some appreciate the game's creative direction and gameplay improvements, they note that the story is not particularly compelling compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, the game is seen as more playable and enjoyable than its predecessors, but it still falls short in delivering a strong narrative experience.
“Saturn Quest 3 is an outstanding game concluding an epic trilogy of a little green guy that bumps into big bosses and makes them go boom.”
“As a Saturn Quest fan, I feel this is truly the first game I can recommend without reservation.”
“It's probably the most realized game in his collection; although it's not the most compelling story, there is a better sense of creative direction.”
“Very weird and quite hard; I still have no idea about the story.”
“I have a hard time understanding the story and lore/world building.”
“Out of the three Saturn Quest games, this is definitely the most playable, but I still feel lost in the story.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay in E 3000 is praised for its balance and variety, featuring multiple modes such as adventure, shoot'em up, and platformer, which keep the experience fresh. However, some players find the combat sections inconsistent, particularly with "bump combat" mechanics, and the exploration can feel tedious due to repetitive environments. Overall, the game is seen as a culmination of previous entries, offering interesting mechanics and improved health restoration options that enhance the overall experience.
“E 3000 is the longest entry in the series, with the most fair and balanced gameplay.”
“The art is great and the gameplay is interesting; definitely a game to enjoy little by little since it's a little difficult sometimes.”
“3000 has lots of gameplay variants/modes (adventure, shoot 'em up, platformer, and many more) to keep the game fresh.”
“The gameplay is okay in combat sections (with the exception of 'bump combat' sections where you can take damage for seemingly no reason sometimes) and drags heavily outside of them, with long stretches of slowly walking around samey environments.”
“In addition, options have been added in most gameplay types to restore health, making taking a hit much less frustrating.”
“It really feels like the culmination of many of the gameplay structures of previous games, this time thought out and interesting in ways the previous games were not.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its originality and emotional depth, complementing the stunning visuals and unique art style. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a significant improvement over previous titles, contributing to an immersive and atmospheric experience that enhances the overall gameplay. The combination of beautiful pixel art and stellar music creates a captivating world that resonates with players on a deeper level.
“Great art, great music, truly original and full of soul, the indie spirit, a game for art's sake and nothing else.”
“As always, these games have such a unique presentation with the combination of stunning visuals and music; it's obvious so much love and passion went into this game.”
“I will say that there are individual parts of this game that are well above other games from this developer in terms of being mesmerizing with beautiful pixel art, plus the music this time is absolutely stellar, which is a huge upgrade from the second game.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the soundtrack has potential, it often feels out of place and doesn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
“The audio design is disappointing; the music doesn't match the game's atmosphere and can be quite jarring.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their outstanding 80's-inspired pixel art style, showcasing a unique and visually stunning presentation that reflects the developers' passion and attention to detail. Reviewers highlight the combination of visuals and music, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
“Outstanding 80's-esque visual pixel art style.”
“As always, these games have such a unique presentation with the combination of stunning visuals and music. It's obvious so much love and passion went into this game.”
“I think there are moments in this game that would make it the best arcade game in terms of visuals, music, atmosphere, and even how the game interacts with you. I actually think the world is a lot more playful this time around.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its captivating cutscenes and areas, with many reviewers highlighting its impressive visuals, music, and interactive elements. Overall, it is considered one of the best in its genre, offering a more playful and engaging world.
“I think there are moments in this game that would make it the best art-house game in terms of visuals, music, atmosphere, and even how the game interacts with you. I actually think the world is a lot more playful this time around.”
“Some cutscenes and areas have a fascinating atmosphere.”
“I think there are moments in this game that would make it the best in terms of visuals, music, atmosphere, and even how the game interacts with you. I actually think the world is a lot more playful this time around.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect frustrating due to the necessity of repeatedly facing bosses to learn their behaviors, leading to tedious and repetitive gameplay.
“It can be annoying because you're forced to learn boss behavior the hard way, repeating tedious parts of the fight.”
“The grinding feels endless and often becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“I find the repetitive nature of grinding to be frustrating, as it detracts from the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the unexpected humor in the game, particularly in the developer-to-player interactions, which add a lighthearted touch to the experience. This element of surprise enhances the overall enjoyment, especially for those who didn't anticipate humor based on earlier installments.
“I love the clever humor woven into the dialogue; it keeps the gameplay light and entertaining.”
“The unexpected jokes and puns throughout the game had me laughing out loud!”
“The dev-to-player interactions are filled with witty humor that adds a delightful twist to the hints.”
