Rune Classic

Fantastic fun, action packed game. When RUNE first landed many years ago I lost interest, the first section going through HEL can be a bit long winded and tedious, however plug away at it and you will find that it opens up with far better varied shorter locations. The game looks a little rough around the edges with it using an early modified Unreal Engine but it adds to the whole feeling of the game. Sound has the usual sword & axe clangs and various grunts from the enemies which is functional for the setting. Cutscenes themselves when you speak to Odin are voiced and have an epic boom to them. For its age this game still wipes the floor of the more recent Viking Battle for Asguard. Ragnar is a well kitted out Viking Warrior, resurrected to take vengeance and rid the world of Loki. Typical Asguard Viking type story but once again it is functional. The game itself drew a lot of attention when it was released as you have dismembering and decapitations which was frowned upon. It also has 2 very different endings so worthwhile giving it a second playthrough. All in all this is a decent game for its age, if you like games like Blade of Darkness this is for you. As an added bonus the work done on this rerelease allows you to up the resolution really high to make it extremely sharp and has loads of different enemies to the original.

I only played this recently for the first time, so it isn't nostalgia talking when I say this game is good. Rune Classic is definitely rough around the edges, and showing its age, but even so it has a certain satisfying feel that few modern games get right. The overall experience reminds me a little of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver. If you liked that, you'd more than likely enjoy this.

Back when the game was released I played it using a coop mod. It's a blast! Link: www.fileplanet.com/61323/60000/fileinfo/RUNE-Co-Op-Mod-V1.2-(Windows) The game has a fresh setting, good graphics (back then) and offers a great variety of different settings. I've always liked the level design: there are some puzzles and sometimes you have to look carefully for where to go next. The action is pretty straight forward: You have three different weapon categories: axes, swords and maces. When using a single-handed weapon you also get to use a shield (very handy especially when you're new to the game). With these you hack and slash your way through the enemies which range from simple bugs to other vikings and beings from the north mythology. If I remember correctly the AI is rather smart and a good challenge. The graphics is plain old Unreal engine (v1), should run flawlessly on almost any system. Sound is decent with no particular highs or lows. Although, I recall the voice acting to be rather good. Other than the coop mod I have not tried the PVP. People told me it's great fun and with the addon included you should have tons of multiplayers maps. (UnrealEd is supplied as well, so you can make your own maps if you chose to).

I remember when I started playing this game way back and thought the controls were much better than what I experienced with other 3rd person action games. I loved it dearly until I came to the point where I couldn't continue (bug or my own error I still don't know) even when I replayed the whole game from start I got stuck at the same point. I really felt empty after that, cause I really liked the game thus far. Because of the lack of internet I never started playing it again afterwards. I think I might give it another go with this release, if it even only was for the memories.

Excellent game. Singleplayer is great. Multiplayer is from a third person perspective, and timing is crucial in your attacks against others. Played this for years! Thank you GOG, thinking of Rune brings back fond memories of friends (and chopping them down with an axe)!