Rune II Reviews
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Originally announced as Rune: Ragnarok, Human Head Studios' viking-themed action-RPG Rune II was released earlier this month. Following the game's launch, Human Head Studios was forced to shut down, only to be promptly absorbed by Bethesda as Roundhouse Studios. And if you'd like to learn if Human Head's final independent project ended up being any good, you should check out the reviews below:
Only SP 4/5:
RUNE II lacks the wow factor to be a serious contender in most Game of the Year lists, but that does not mean it should be overlooked. The game is solid and dependable, its faults never quite enough to sink it. Moreover, Human Head should be celebrated for daring to take a different approach to its open world. Where many games try to drive engagement through more quests, more distractions, more collectibles, more everything, RUNE II pares that drive back to its bare essentials. The result is a game that successfully walks the tightrope between appealing to the linearity-loving traditionalists, fans of sprawling RPGS, and the adherents of Minecraft’s make-your-own-adventure style of play.
Screen Rant 1.5/5:
19 years in the making, Rune II comes as a massive disappointment to fans of the original. Perhaps it is largely because the competition has improved so much, where this game remained at the same level. Graphics improved, combat became more nuanced and complex, even RPG elements grew more streamlined. Rune II is a game stuck in the past, but even the Norse folk of thousands of years ago deserve something just a little bit better, and a whole lot more thoughtful.
Indie Game Website 6/10:
The lure of Rune II is largely in its atmosphere and Nordic themes. Norse mythology is a great setting for a game, packed with dense lore and fascinating stories and characters. Human Head clearly had a love for the subject matter and that does shine through here, making it worth a look for like-minded gamers. If you can find a small group of other players, it’s also a lot more fun to play cooperatively. Whether that’s enough to overcome the numerous flaws is up to you.
Gaming Trend 70/100:
Rune 2 is an impressive game that has a lot to offer casual and RPG fans. With its simplistic inventory and crafting system, it’s easy for players to grasp. It often feels like a bunch of stories and ideas packed together to attempt to make a cohesive story. Along with the bugs and glitches, it was hard to get a consistent feeling of where the game wanted to go. Maybe with a few updates the game will offer a more consistent experience.
Escapist Magazine offers a short video review that can be summarized with this:
Ultimately, Rune II just doesn’t feel finished. Its glitch-filled empty world and finicky inventory system combined with unremarkable combat make for a lackluster experience. The game is available now on Epic Games Store.
