Twin Ruin
- December 22, 2021
- Front Room Arcade
Get on Steam"Twin Ruin is a single-player Action game with good graphics, where you battle polarity-based enemies in a roguelike top-down shooter setting. Choose the correct polarity to defeat your enemies and avoid damage. Play in Adventure mode to explore and level up before meeting bosses, or Survival mode to rack up the highest score in 3 minutes. Power up and scavenge for weapon upgrades to prepare for the final boss."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The polarity switching mechanic adds a unique and engaging layer to the gameplay, reminiscent of classic titles like Ikaruga.
- The game features solid graphics, good controls, and fast-paced action that keeps players engaged.
- It's a fun and challenging twin-stick shooter that offers a satisfying experience, especially for fans of the genre.
- The game lacks sufficient content, with many players finishing it quickly and desiring more depth or variety.
- There are significant issues with the user interface and controls, including intrusive tutorial popups and a confusing end game screen.
- The difficulty level can be overwhelming for some players, with a steep learning curve and frustrating mechanics that may deter casual gamers.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around a dual color mechanic reminiscent of Ikaruga, where players must switch colors to deal damage and absorb bullets, creating a dynamic and challenging experience. While the core mechanics are well-tuned and engaging, some players find the steep difficulty curve and lack of customizable controls frustrating, alongside intrusive tutorials that hinder the learning process. Overall, the game offers intense twin-stick shooter action with a stylish presentation, but its execution may leave some players feeling overwhelmed.
“This is a great concept for a twin-stick shooter, using a polarity system similar to Ikaruga to add an extra level of complexity to the gameplay.”
“Fairly straightforward in mechanics and enemies, but it will send more than enough at you to keep you busy with what you can do, especially with the color system: you barely hurt things that match your color but their shots can't hurt you at all; however, any enemy touching you does damage regardless of color, so you must switch color aggressively to clear enemies before they get to you and defensively to absorb bullets.”
“Cool twin-stick shooter with a banging synthwave soundtrack, nice graphics, solid movement and controls, and fast-paced, chaotic gameplay.”
“Not being able to custom map the controller is a drag. High challenge out of the gate; some people like that, but I don't especially. I like to be able to get used to the controls and mechanics before I die on the first level more than once. The end game screen is a mess. I just want to quit to the menu, but I have no idea how. I end up mashing buttons until something works, which is very aggravating and demoralizing. It makes me just want to quit and play anything else. Maybe I am an idiot, but even an idiot should be able to find the button prompt to exit the screen. I'm not impressed with the general way the game is put together and presented, but for the price, and since I got it on sale, I can't quite bring myself to downvote it. A middling 'positive' rating seems fair, so buy it on sale because I do not think any new updates are coming...ever.”
“There are intrusive, focus-stealing tutorial popups for very basic keypresses, but no explanation for disabling barriers or several other mechanics, making you wander around blindly from the immediate start.”
“Fairly straightforward in mechanics and enemies, but it will send more than enough at you to keep you busy with what you can do, especially with the color system: you barely hurt things that match your color, but their shots can't hurt you at all; however, any enemy touching you does damage regardless of color, so you must switch color aggressively to clear enemies before they get to you and defensively to absorb bullets.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are consistently praised for their quality, sharpness, and impressive visual effects, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience. Players appreciate the combination of great visuals with smooth performance, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
“Great graphics and VFX, too.”
“Great game, great graphics, and very challenging in that old school shooter way.”
“The graphics are sharp, and the game runs well; the survival mode is great.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game lacks a narrative, with users noting that there is no story present.
“There is no story to speak of.”
“The game lacks any meaningful narrative.”
“The storyline is completely absent.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward mechanic that emphasizes emotional engagement through its color system, where players must strategically switch colors to manage both offense and defense. This dynamic creates a sense of urgency and tension, as players navigate the challenges posed by enemies while also feeling the emotional weight of their choices in combat.
“The game masterfully weaves a narrative that tugs at your heartstrings, making you feel deeply connected to the characters and their struggles.”
“Every choice you make has emotional weight, leading to moments of joy and heartbreak that linger long after the game is over.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the emotional highs and lows of the story, enhancing the overall experience and drawing you further into the game's world.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features an engaging synthwave soundtrack that complements its fast-paced, chaotic gameplay, alongside appealing graphics and responsive controls, enhancing the overall twin-stick shooter experience.
“Cool twin-stick shooter with a banging synthwave soundtrack, nice graphics, solid movement and controls, and fast-paced, chaotic gameplay.”
