Runespell: Overture

 PC
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Cheat Code Central
    Jul 20, 2011
    82
    The only real complaint I have-besides the non-scrolling map mentioned earlier-is that the game has no multiplayer mode.
  2. PC PowerPlay
    Oct 3, 2011
    80
    Overture deals a winning hand with this gem, delivering addictive gameplay in spades. [Nov 2011, p.52]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. PALGN
    Jul 21, 2011
    80
    Addictive poker role playing with real tactical depth making sure every battle keeps you on your toes, all at a bargain price.
  5. NZGamer
    Jul 24, 2011
    78
    There is no doubt that this is a quirky game; however it hangs together well and delivers an entertaining gaming experience.
  6. AusGamers
    Jul 26, 2011
    75
    Combing two previously uncombined genres results in a challenging, strategic and addictive experience, which makes up for any storytelling shortcomings.
  7. Gamer.no
    Sep 16, 2011
    70
    With the introduction of the new and entertaining game mechanic called Mythic Poker, Runespell: Overture becomes quite an interesting little game. You fight your way through medieval England and battle both Vikings and powerful creatures from mythology.
  8. Everyeye.it
    Jul 30, 2011
    70
    Runespell is an interesting weird mix of a card-game. Based on the points from Poker and Yahtzee to unleash special cards and attacks, the game offers a fun alternative to the other CCG around. Although, the absence of an online multiplayer PvP is a real downer.
  9. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 5, 2011
    68
    If you're looking for a card game and you're in love with the poker Runespell: Overture could be your game but keep in mind it has no multiplayer and the gameplay can be extremely repetitive.
  10. Machinima
    Aug 4, 2011
    65
    I really enjoyed the ridiculousness of playing poker to stop ice wolves and castle guardians (just think about it…).
  11. IGN
    Jul 29, 2011
    65
    Delivers an interesting and fun variation of a traditional card game and turns it into a competitive puzzle with myriad nuances to its strategy. Unfortunately, it doesn't do enough to keep the variation fresh throughout.
  12. Absolute Games
    Aug 14, 2011
    62
    Great artwork and inspired writing are not enough to outbalance repetitive battles which really lack in the tactics department.
  13. GamePro
    Aug 9, 2011
    60
    While Runespell: Overture is a solid first attempt from developer Mystic Box, it ultimately feels more like an appetizer than a main course.
  14. GameShark
    Aug 15, 2011
    50
    Runespell: Overture is good for an hour or two, the size of the demo conveniently enough, but beyond that, there's just not enough there to warrant spending the additional time playing it.
  15. Eurogamer Sweden
    Jul 25, 2011
    50
    Runespell: Overture is a puzzle RPG with quite a compelling story. The Battles are fought using a card based duel mechanic that seemingly tries to emulate the success of Puzzle Quest, but despite the nice graphics and a not-too-generic fantasy backdrop it still doesn't quite make it.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32
  1. Snowless
    Jul 27, 2011
    10
    An excellent game by a very talented team of developers. Mystic Box has delivered the perfect blend between RPG and casual card games. IAn excellent game by a very talented team of developers. Mystic Box has delivered the perfect blend between RPG and casual card games. I really dug the story and the graphics and the music was awesome as well. Bought it day one on Steam and have played it several times. Really cool.… Full Review »
  2. TechnologoDoom
    Aug 2, 2011
    5
    While I liked the ideas in Runespell, I never felt the gameplay executed very well. Attack points for specific card hands feel unbalanced, andWhile I liked the ideas in Runespell, I never felt the gameplay executed very well. Attack points for specific card hands feel unbalanced, and the system requiring you to buy special moves feels wrong. Quite frankly, after an hour of playing I was bored and wanting to quit. Wanted to like this one, but sadly not really.… Full Review »
  3. Ixziga
    Aug 12, 2012
    2
    Nothing but problems for me. The concept of the game is original and interesting at first, until you realize that an otherwise casual style ofNothing but problems for me. The concept of the game is original and interesting at first, until you realize that an otherwise casual style of gameplay gets utterly dominated by all the strings attached to it. The story is useless. Nothing new, nothing artistic, no degree of presentation, and it's told only through written dialogue. Once the opening scene is through, there is no attempt to set the scene and the dialogue is flat and unimpressive at all levels. Don't want the story? Too bad, as that's the only thing you're able to do in the game. Want to play the game? Too bad, you'll have to read text-books worth of dialogue before you do, and none of it is interesting enough to be worth the time it takes to read. The length of game depends more on how quickly you can read than how good you are at it. In fact, this is a game that you can't be good at. There's no real strategy, as it uses poker mechanics to play. The downfall is that they had the bright idea of letting you and the other player see and steal from each other's hands, and since poker skill is based on NOT knowing everyone's cards, skill gets thrown on the back burner and is replaced by luck and a half-hatched system of "runespells" that discard all notion of balance. Although you and your enemy can both use them, they happen to be consumables, and since the computer is granted a nearly limitless supply of them whereas you only get 1 or 2 per fight, your odds of victory go down very steadily. Whether you win or not comes down to nothing but luck, and the developers basically admit that because every time you lose you can just retry infinitely with no penalty. It's like they're saying "here, roll this die, if you get a 6 you win, if you get less than a 6 you lose. Wait you didn't get a 6? Just keep rolling until you do." Basically, Runespell: Overture is a textbook with a fun-game-gone-horribly-wrong haphazardly glued to it. Had I not obtained the game through a steam indie bundle, I would have been sorely disappointed with any amount of money I spent on this game. Reviews aren't always right, but listen to the critics when it comes to this game. You can get the full experience of this game by reading a book where you have to roll dice to see if you can read the next page or not.… Full Review »
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