Ruiner

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 212 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 129 out of 212
  2. Mixed: 63 out of 212
  3. Negative: 20 out of 212

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  1. Nile3
    Nov 25, 2017
    8
    Video game is like porn sometimes: It's not about the story, it's about the pleasure.

    This game is fun overall but unrewarding at times. New game plus or hard is the way to go. + Gameplay + Art and Style + Setting + Music - Story Too many loose threads in the story. Some parts are nonsensical. If girl is not under control of boss then why trust her? Boss always look for power    Video game is like porn sometimes: It's not about the story, it's about the pleasure.

    This game is fun overall but unrewarding at times. New game plus or hard is the way to go.
    + Gameplay
    + Art and Style
    + Setting
    + Music
    - Story
    Too many loose threads in the story. Some parts are nonsensical. If girl is not under control of boss then why trust her? Boss always look for power except on this one?
    Akira and Evangelion were better at symbolism in stories. They should have studied them instead of banally recombining the artistic scheme. Still a good effort. I liked it.    … Expand
  2. themrchook
    Oct 12, 2017
    8
    Tough but fair game play that gives you a great feeling when you figure out each fight's answer, GREAT soundtrack, hits the tone of the game right on the head and sounds like nothing else. The characters and the world had a lot of effort put into them but it is the sound and visuals that carry this game forward. Audio: 9 Visuals: 8 Gameplay: 8
  3. Underpants158
    May 9, 2018
    8
    Pros:
    -Well paced. Breaks between intense fights helps a lot.
    -Cool story even if a little on bare side.
    -The hubworld is cool to walk around even if there isn't much to do
    -Easy to get into. Difficulty on normal is right where I like it.

    Cons:
    -The way the game constantly reminds you of the mission is overbearing.
    -Absence of voice acting makes some parts feel flat.
  4. Nokhal
    Oct 12, 2018
    8
    Pros:
    -Very well balanced difficulty. Playing on hard will make you die from time to time until you get the right pattern without having any "wtf this is unfair" moments that so many badly balanced games create.
    -Nervous gameplay : mobility over the tank and spank of some other popular hack&slash -Great Atmosphere and Ambiance -Mindless Fun -Very good music -Optimized for speedrun if    Pros:
    -Very well balanced difficulty. Playing on hard will make you die from time to time until you get the right pattern without having any "wtf this is unfair" moments that so many badly balanced games create.
    -Nervous gameplay : mobility over the tank and spank of some other popular hack&slash
    -Great Atmosphere and Ambiance
    -Mindless Fun
    -Very good music
    -Optimized for speedrun if that's your thing

    Neutral :
    Can't remap control, but if you are not impaired Keyboard+M works well enough

    Cons
    -Not super clear on what hits you, and your hitbox is large.
    -If you are not going multiple playtrough, the game is rather short. I finished the game in a bit over 4 hours. Due to the game low price, this is not that much of an issue though
    -Not fully voiced
    -Some boss are easier than trash mobs waves. The final boss was too easy for my taste despite having an awesome artistic direction an number of things to care about on the screen.

    Overall the gameplay itself is worth maybe a 6 (Cheap, Enjoyable but not memorable), but the artistic direction and soundrack are enough to earn one extra points each.    … Expand
  5. Enderborn
    Feb 1, 2020
    10
    The perfect dark violent cyberpunk experience. I've seen people complain about the story but it isn't even half-bad. And while the story isn't anything to write home about, the world-building, setting and art-style 100% make up for it and create a universe that feels rich, deep and beautiful. This game's only flaw is that I desperately want more of it. 10/10, absolute masterpiece. Can'tThe perfect dark violent cyberpunk experience. I've seen people complain about the story but it isn't even half-bad. And while the story isn't anything to write home about, the world-building, setting and art-style 100% make up for it and create a universe that feels rich, deep and beautiful. This game's only flaw is that I desperately want more of it. 10/10, absolute masterpiece. Can't wait for more.… Expand
  6. Glint
    Sep 30, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Cons:
    - You might struggle with the controls, especially if you use m+kb. They are unconventional even for twin stick shooters. (I used an Xbox One controller and had no problems however.)
    - It's a little short, and there are many NPC sub-plots that go nowhere.
    - While the game has an excellent style, there's a bit too much on the side of underground mechanical dungeons. It needed more environmental variety.
    - Some bosses are weaksauce, like Hongshi, which is a shame because I thought he had a very cool design. There were a few like him that I took down with no sweat, very underwhelming.
    - It lacks endgame content. It really needs something like NG+ or some kind of endless or pvp mode with a leaderboard.

    Pros:
    + The art and style are excellent.
    + The soundtrack is excellent.
    + It's fast paced and never feels like a slog.
    + Some bosses are really good.
    + Once you get past the controls, the mechanics work incredibly well.
    + I personally really liked the story and writing. It's simple, but feels nuanced and definitely cyberpunk.

    Overall, it's a good game and I recommend it. I look forward to seeing more content for the game.    … Expand
  7. SuperkenGaming
    Sep 30, 2017
    8
    Ruiner
    Twin stick greatness
    Ruiner is a cyberpunk styled twin stick shooter set in the year 2091, you play as a sociopath out to save your kidnapped brother... This game was designed to be brutally difficult and has even gotten flak from other reviewers for being so tough… But this game actually has difficulty settings... and if you set your ego aside and play on the games easy mode    Ruiner
    Twin stick greatness
    Ruiner is a cyberpunk styled twin stick shooter set in the year 2091, you play as a sociopath out to save your kidnapped brother...
    This game was designed to be brutally difficult and has even gotten flak from other reviewers for being so tough…
    But this game actually has difficulty settings... and if you set your ego aside and play on the games easy mode which is designed to be just the right amount of challenging...
    This 5 hour game can be insanely fun, satisfying and hard to put down…
    This game features 16 levels total and each level really looks and feels the same…
    But the game is so fun to play that you hardly notice as you’re going batman on the enemies surrounding you to this games amazing soundtrack…
    Enemies have a variety of weapons they carry all of which you can pick up and use on the fly…
    at first you have a shield and you’re able to dash as well as use a melee weapon and a ruiner gun with infinite ammo, and of course enemies are all carrying better weapons…
    getting used to combat can take a little while, but once you do you feel like a superhero, snatching up new weapons and looking at your surroundings while the game briefly goes into slow motion
    defeating enemies will award you karma, which can also be found in chests, and extra weapons laying around after a fight can be put into a weapon grinder for karma as well..
    This is essentially your experience…
    and you level up in ruiner at a very satisfying pace, the game doesn’t feel grindy once…
    Managing your skill points and crafting your ruiner around your playstyle is where the greatness of this game comes in...
    You have a variety of choices on where you can dump you skill points into and if you’re not happy with your choices you can take skill points back at any time... you’re not stuck dealing with it…
    a lot of your skills such as grenades and your shield use up your energy, but you can unlock the ability to spend your energy on health regeneration, you can spend your health on energy regeneration…
    by the games end my character felt like a tank as id be using energy for grenades and health but I had the perk of shooting refilling my energy…
    this came really late in game, the final couple of levels.. but I felt unstoppable with this chain of abilities I worked my way up to…
    there are also robots that will drop in with gifts like energy, health, and weapon drops…
    where the real challenge comes into play is with this games bosses.. It’s filled with mini and main bosses that definitely take effort to defeat... but this game is great with its checkpoints… letting you hop right back in with all of your health and ammo back to give it another shot…
    The game on its easy mode felt perfectly balanced.. I was challenged and I was having fun…
    but of course you can go into a hire difficulty If you’re more about frustration... the point is the option is there to play this game the way you want…
    Ruiner is a tad underrated..
    If you’re a twin stick shooter fan don’t skip it...
    I give Ruiner
    an 8/10    … Expand
  8. King008
    Oct 7, 2017
    10
    Dynamic gameplay and a great soundtrack. Stylization of cyberpunk, aggressive red tones. Merciless level of complexity. I think this game is a breath of air in the game industry. I love it so much!
  9. TZT
    Nov 18, 2017
    9
    This game really painfull to play on hard, but only so you get the maximum pleasure from the victory over every boss
    + Gameplay
    + Setting
    + Music
    - Story
  10. EnforcerJoe
    Sep 27, 2017
    10
    The perfect cyberpunk adventure you are looking for. The shooting feels great, the difficulty is well balanced and there is even an Easy Mode for you wimps out there.
    Art Music Combat Story all blend perfectly. Only problem I have with this game is that i want MOAR of it!
  11. Bitek
    Apr 12, 2020
    9
    This is awesome top down shooter. I think the last top down shooter which I enjoyed as much was Dead Nation on PS3. This is not easy game to play and it will challenge you. You might have to try to kill the same boss over and over again, try different skills until you get it "right". The cyberpunk theme of this game resonates with me. The whole artistic aspect of this game is very wellThis is awesome top down shooter. I think the last top down shooter which I enjoyed as much was Dead Nation on PS3. This is not easy game to play and it will challenge you. You might have to try to kill the same boss over and over again, try different skills until you get it "right". The cyberpunk theme of this game resonates with me. The whole artistic aspect of this game is very well made with graphics and audio just fit beautifully together. I suggest to play this game with Xbox controller.… Expand
  12. JuanmaKVR
    Sep 21, 2019
    8
    Con Ruiner, Devolver Digital vuelve a hacer de las suyas trayéndonos un videojuego de acción al estilo cyberpunk.
    Con el hype creado con cyberpunk 2077, este juego lanzado en 2017 tuvo el momento perfecto para destacar, gran banda sonora compuetsa por Susumu Hirasawa, el genio detrás de la OST de Berserk, gran jugabilidad y fluidez en movimientos.
    Una historia simple pero que entretiene,    Con Ruiner, Devolver Digital vuelve a hacer de las suyas trayéndonos un videojuego de acción al estilo cyberpunk.
    Con el hype creado con cyberpunk 2077, este juego lanzado en 2017 tuvo el momento perfecto para destacar, gran banda sonora compuetsa por Susumu Hirasawa, el genio detrás de la OST de Berserk, gran jugabilidad y fluidez en movimientos.
    Una historia simple pero que entretiene, pero sin embargo, he tenido algún que otro bug que jodió la experiencia a ratos.    … Expand
  13. AceAscendus
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Love the atmosphere of this game, good OST and good gameplay, especially when fights get so chaotic that it can become hard to tell what is going on, but the BRUTALITY and MAYHEM on display is awesome. This is a true Cyberpunk world and experience, unlike CyberGarbage 2077 made by CDPRekt.
  14. Procclesworth
    Apr 17, 2020
    9
    Got it for free on Epic games, finished and then bought it on steam to give them some $$. Then signed up to metacritic to rate it (since steam wouldn't let me) - should tell you how great it was.

    Great atmosphere, art, fast past and hard yet not frustrating combat. Pumping soundtrack that goes with the theme and feel perfectly. Only downside is a little short.
  15. churros
    Jul 19, 2020
    9
    Pros:
    + superb soundtrack
    + unique artstyle
    + responsive controls
    + balanced difficulty
    + creative combat abilities

    Cons:
    - health bar should be displayed near the character
    - screen can get cluttered at times
    - no sound effect on cutscenes
    - convoluted story ending
  16. mertcank97
    Apr 17, 2020
    10
    Wonderful game if you are into this genre and looking for a game Hotline Miami-like. The atmosphere and soundtrack is cyberpunk pretty much.
  17. RagingPoet
    Sep 28, 2018
    8
    Ruiner is a solid twin stick shooter with amazing visuals. This is one of a very few games where i actually finished New Game+.
    Gameplay is fun, challenging and satisfying, there a lot of weapons and upgrades to use and most of them are very impactful and distinct.

    Main drawback for me was the story: it is very vague and doesn't make much sense.
  18. SinitarGaming
    Aug 19, 2018
    9
    If you want some unstoppable action in amazingly well designed Cyberpunk world - seek no more.
    Ruiner is all about anarchy and carnage, dynamic and fast-paced battles, colorful futuristic cyberpunk world (which looks insanely good as game is made on Unreal Engine 4) and absolutely cute protagonist - a psychopat cyborg, seeking revenge to a powerful corporation for hacking him and    If you want some unstoppable action in amazingly well designed Cyberpunk world - seek no more.
    Ruiner is all about anarchy and carnage, dynamic and fast-paced battles, colorful futuristic cyberpunk world (which looks insanely good as game is made on Unreal Engine 4) and absolutely cute protagonist - a psychopat cyborg, seeking revenge to a powerful corporation for hacking him and kidnapping his brother.

    The setting, the music, the gameplay in this badass twin-stick shooter - everything supplements each other semlessly, building into endless songs of carnage, explosions, burnt bodies, cracked off heads, violent finishers, and romantic wandering the city districts meanwhile, speaking with characters in some kind of comix-style. Storylien is casual, but unlike some players seeing this as a flaw, I see it as a good thing to not distract you from insanely fun gameplay.

    Pistols, shotguns, rifles, flamethrowers, freezing rays and sonic beams as ranged weapons and pipes, katanas and energy swords as melee ones. Combined with huge amount of abilities and upgrades you can learn, your arsenal of destruction will never make your be bored even for a single second during the last minute of the game.

    Leveling and skills system deserves additional couple of words - while being a pure action game in general, Ruiner introduces some RPG elements - besides the classic skill points system, you need to have a decent level of so called "karma" to be able to unlock new skills and upgrades, which you can raise by eleminating the criminal gangs and their leaders.

    What I especially loved is that you can reset all your skills learned and get back your skill to re-distribute them in different way ANYTIME, even in the middle of a combat, simply calling the abilities menu. This simple features frees you from need of replaying the game multiple times to try different playstyles - you can instantly rebuild your class from an energy shield tank to a ferocious ninja in the middle of a battle.

    Ruiner gave me so much adrenaline and cyberpunk vibes - and personally for me, Ruiner himself is very similar to Ichise, protagonist of iconic cyberpunk anime called "Texhnolyze". Each tiniest detail of the game is blending perfectly, so you fell yourself as a direct continuation of protagonist, a spearhead of Ruiner's rage and fury. Hands down, one of the best twin-stick shooters made in a last few years and a great representative of cyberpunk action games, more then worth of your attention.    … Expand
  19. BulgarianCritic
    Aug 19, 2021
    9
    You need to Bang Boom Skriiiip Ratata in this fast paced action game if you really wanna feel the addicting thrill of doing combos and destroying your enemies with a range of weapons. The gameplay is by far one of the funnest ones that I have had in these type of games. The soundtrack pumps you up for the next wave of enemies wishing to crush your bones to dust. The skill system is alsoYou need to Bang Boom Skriiiip Ratata in this fast paced action game if you really wanna feel the addicting thrill of doing combos and destroying your enemies with a range of weapons. The gameplay is by far one of the funnest ones that I have had in these type of games. The soundtrack pumps you up for the next wave of enemies wishing to crush your bones to dust. The skill system is also pretty giving you the option to test a different types of skill combinations that will suit your pathetic style (shield basher bros for life). The Ａｅｓｔｈｅｔｉｃ　サス佳 of this game is superb, I enjoyed the characters (we will all simp for HER don't lie you degenerates)even though they weren't that deeply explored , the city was cool but sadly it wasn't there for most of the time. My biggest issues is sometimes with the UI(the skill menu was a bit confusing at first), the controls not being responsive(happens rarely but still) and the short story and overall game time (I really hoped that there would be more character and world exploration)Overall I can only await for a second game which sadly will never come to be , oh well still gotta beat arena mode lol.… Expand
  20. MusashiOf
    Dec 12, 2020
    10
    Great cyberpunk game made on Unreal engine 4. Perfect soundtrack and New game+ mode ❤️
  21. Merfarion
    Dec 29, 2020
    8
    Игра очень хорошая, провёл в ней 9 часов с превеликим удовольствием. Для первой игры от студии Reikon Games так вообще отличная.
    Хорошие стороны:
    -Саундтрек: атмосферный и играет в тему -Стилистика: игра использует жанр киберпанк по полной программе, этим самым можно так подождать пока Cyberpunk 2077 допилят) -Геймплей: рекомендую высокий уровень сложности, чтобы ощутить полноценные    Игра очень хорошая, провёл в ней 9 часов с превеликим удовольствием. Для первой игры от студии Reikon Games так вообще отличная.
    Хорошие стороны:
    -Саундтрек: атмосферный и играет в тему
    -Стилистика: игра использует жанр киберпанк по полной программе, этим самым можно так подождать пока Cyberpunk 2077 допилят)
    -Геймплей: рекомендую высокий уровень сложности, чтобы ощутить полноценные эмоции от преодоления уровней, чтобы в конце кайфовать, как вы мчитесь по арене как молния и устраиваете полнейшую мясорубку.
    Спорные вопросы:
    Способности: скажем так, разнообразие есть, но в эффективности их есть некоторые вопросы, потому что на мой взгляд некоторые способности бесполезны.
    Боссы: в целом они классные, но было пару боссов, которые или проходятся только чудом, или просто тупо бегаешь по кругу и отстреливаешься, что не очень интересно.
    Сюжет: тут такой момент: для Shoot ’em upа сюжет прикольный и даёт пару твистов в конце, но это не мешает ему быть простым.

    По итогу игра стоит того, чтобы её купить и пройти. 6-9 часов геймплея вам обеспечено.)    … Expand
  22. Eaisworse
    Jan 8, 2021
    10
    I didn't played a lot, only 13 hours, but this game is so atmospheric, the music is great and helps the atmosphere. The gameplay, its a top down shooter, that means you like it, or you hate it, it depends on you, but for myself I can say, that it was very interesting. The story is short and you can pretend it, but it's a nice thing. You can have it done in 5 hours, I played twice to getI didn't played a lot, only 13 hours, but this game is so atmospheric, the music is great and helps the atmosphere. The gameplay, its a top down shooter, that means you like it, or you hate it, it depends on you, but for myself I can say, that it was very interesting. The story is short and you can pretend it, but it's a nice thing. You can have it done in 5 hours, I played twice to get all achievements. When you get it for less than 10 bucks and like top down shooter, then you should buy it.… Expand
  23. The_D4RknesS
    Jan 18, 2023
    8
    DEVOLVER DIGITAL standard.. making VIOLENT, DIFFICULT games with GOOD GAMEPLAY I give it an 8 because this one stressed me out more than HOTLINE MIAMI itself

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017
34
#34 Most Shared PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Mar 2, 2018
    60
    A game that’s far more pleasing to look at than to actually play. [Issue#226, p.67]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 16, 2018
    80
    Cyberpunk enjoyment full of blood and decadence. An audio-visual feast goes hand in hand with a sophisticated gameplay, which detracts only more or less negligible problems. [Issue#279]
  3. Gaming Nexus
    Feb 8, 2018
    74
    Ruiner is a fun and fast twin stick shooter that ends all too soon and leaves you asking way too many questions.
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