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Rune: Viking Warlord review

Game: Rune: Viking Warlord
Platform: PlayStation 2
Genre: Action
Developer: Human Head

Reader review by kahr

Date unavailable

RUNE: Viking Warlord is a neat game. In a way the game is similar to TombRaider, only in this game one takes on the role of Ragnar, a Viking, and you are seeking vengeance for your fathers death. The story is mildly developed, but that’s all right. Adventure games generally don’t have very in-depth stories anyway. At the very beginning of the game, the opening sequence gives a brief story, explaining a bit about the world you are about to enter. It also tells you about Ragnarok, but if you aren’t familiar with Norse mythology, you may find this to be too little information.

The game is in 3D, and gives you control over the camera that is generally positioned just behind Ragnar. Just as with all games of this nature, the camera does get in the way and can be annoying, but these annoyances will happen less and less frequently as you become used to the way things move. The graphics are quite nice, and detailed. I have no major complaints with the graphics, but a few minor ones, for example, a few problems with swimming (mainly having to do with the camera… and non transparent water surfaces).

The game’s controls are good, but as with mostly any game, you will have to get used to them. I did not find it hard to adjust to the way the game works. There are three types of weapons available to you throughout the game: swords, axe’s, and clubs/maces. You also have a variety of shields to wield. Each kind of weapon has varying attributes that make it best suited for different situations. The game generally flows very nicely, and only had a few problematic areas (and they often turned out to be my own stupidity. Meaning I didn’t figure out the puzzle correctly, or whatever).

The game has these things called rune stones (power-ups, in a sense). There a few different kinds, one increases your runic power (allows you to use rune spells which change depending on what weapon your using). Another causes bloodlust (a trance like state that causes you to receive no damage for a certain length of time), you can also achieve bloodlust when the bloodlust metre fills, (Each kill adds to the bloodlust metre). There are runes to increase your health and runic power capacity (increase size of health/rune power bars). There are a few other useful items: legs of meat, mugs of mead, lizards, fruits, and a few others… all of which recover health.

There are three difficulty settings; easy, medium, and hard. Your first time through you’ll probably want to play easy or medium (easy is a bit too easy). You will get frequent chances to save, and I suggest you do. Although you generally don’t have to replay much if you die, it is still a pain sometimes.

Overall, the game is good, fun, and put together well. Although the story could have been developed better, the game does not suffer too much because of this. I also think it would have been better if there was more of an explanation of the Norse Gods that are mentioned throughout the game (mainly for those who are not acquainted with Norse mythology/beliefs). I suppose one of my biggest complaints about this game is that at times it can be boring, although in most situations this can be fixed by upping the difficulty setting. Thus adding more monsters and challenges to contend with. RUNE: Viking Warlord definitely is not the best of the genre, but is worth some attention. An average game it is, but with some high points so I think it easily earns itself a 76 out of 100.

Rating: 7.6/10

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