Regions of Ruin: Runegate

Gameclaw Studio brings us a solid sequel that stumbles due to its own monotony but is still enjoyable thanks to a good number of strengths. I enjoyed its charming pixel art style, the character progression system, and the pleasure of rebuilding a dwarven fortress from a pile of rubble. It’s a rewarding journey of reconstruction that reminds us that, sometimes, the simple act of tidying up and reviving a virtual world in ruins is the best possible refuge for disconnecting from our own.

Regions of Ruin: Runegate may not be the undisputed king of dwarf games, but it certainly has what it takes to hold its own in the mine.

Regions of Ruin: Runegate delivers a focused and addictive 2D action-RPG loop with charming base-building elements, even if some rough edges hold it back from greatness.

I was enthralled by the strong start of Regions of Ruin: Runegate. It has fantastic storytelling and solid gameplay, but the mediocre combat and halfhearted ending brought down a promising game. I really wanted to enjoy this one, but in the end, I was left feeling much more confused than content.

Regions of Ruin: Runegate delivers a solid premise by combining strategic combat with the satisfaction of watching a base grow. The game stands out for the freedom it grants players to explore at their own pace and the depth of its skill tree, which allows for interesting character customization. On the other hand, it requires patience to overcome technical and combat design flaws that often interfere with the experience. Overall, it is a competent RPG that rewards the effort of those who decide to master its mechanics.

Quote not yet available

For those who enjoyed the first game but always felt it could have been so much more, Regions of Ruin: Runegate is an improvement on every single level, and a compelling game in its own right.

This is the kind of game that I would recommend even to people who don't go for 2D games normally, because it still has the feeling that you get from exploring in 3D games, thanks to its design. Overall, Regions of Ruin: Runegate is an adventure that you can play at your own pace, as it respects your time.

Although my time with Regions of Ruin: Runegate was anticlimactic and sometimes turbulent, it had its high points. From its lovely retro art style, satisfying character progression and the enjoyment of rebuilding a gorgeous dwarven keep from a pile of rubble, there are certainly aspects that I enjoyed. However, many of those aspects had downsides, including the rather short and repetitive main quest and very dull resource grinding. If you like 2D hack and slash combat and can tolerate a somewhat simplistic and linear town builder aspect bolted onto it, there is fun to be had with Regions of Ruin: Runegate.