Review: Into The Restless Ruins (Switch) -Combat
By It may be increasingly challenging to market the classic roguelike dungeon-crawling experience, complete with retro/pixel art. We acknowledge this. Nevertheless, amidst the crowded landscape filled with lackluster imitations of the originals, it’s worthwhile to keep an eye out for the occasional gem.
And here we present such a gem. Into the Restless Ruins is a remarkable title – fundamentally, a game that takes numerous mechanics you might consider overused and intricately blends them into something wholly innovative and distinctive.
Based in Edinburgh, Ant Workshop Studios has combined deck-building, dungeon exploration, dungeon construction, an irresistibly engaging memory challenge, and charming, Vampire Survivors-style, auto-combat to enchanting effect in its initial outing on Switch. The meticulously balanced nature of how these mechanics receive equal attention ensures that, from the first descent into the dungeon to the final confrontation of the campaign, you might find yourself glued, captivated by the addictiveness of the core gameplay loops interplaying beautifully.
This initial dungeon gently familiarizes you with the gameplay mechanics. At the start of a run, a single section of dungeon is generated procedurally, perhaps a crossroads, with a spawn point at the center. You also possess a deck containing five cards. Each card displays a segment of a dungeon, along with the necessary BP (Build Points) required for play and details on any potential effects the card may hold. An armory enhances your attack power, a campsite allows you to regain a bit of your torch’s light, while faded groves provide a small health restoration, and so forth through increasingly elaborate options.
You start at your spawn point and utilize your cards, selecting a dungeon segment to fit— in a satisfying clicky manner— onto your current piece. The goal now is to construct and expand, using your available turns and BP, to access several obscured areas around you, some of which contain seals. These must be discovered and broken to proceed towards a final boss duel.
All is well. Now, having completed your planning and played your cards, press ‘Y’ to descend into the dungeon (and it’s gratifying how the game seamlessly zooms in for this part) where the auto-combat begins. The combat here will be familiar to anyone who has survived encounters with vampires: it revolves around positioning and timing, dodging exploding rodents, maneuvering through sorcerous attacks, and recognizing when to advance or retreat.
Campsites, for instance, must be strategically placed along your path to ensure you can keep your torch lit, given that your light supply operates on a tightly-timed gauge. The tension has officially entered the scene! There’s also a health bar to monitor, which can diminish rapidly, making the strategic placement of those health-restoring faded groves crucial.
Upon completing a run, you return to your deck, and another gauge appears. This purple addition reflects your curse level, which increases with every completed run. Thus, performing well, avoiding death, and playing smart will help you keep this bar from filling too quickly. Conversely, succumbing to messy gameplay will significantly elevate your curse risk, endangering you before you can break all the seals and defeat the boss. Whew!
The first dungeon’s unhurried rhythm and uncomplicated structure allow you to familiarize yourself with manipulating and positioning sections of your dungeon effectively while also mastering the timing required to achieve victory. The combat remains diverse by introducing new weapons and collectibles, in addition to offering numerous upgradeable and customizable cards (116 base varieties, we believe).
Further complexities arise through build synergies—specific placement patterns yield unexpected bonuses—along with numerous Cantrips to unlock and utilize, enabling you to modify both positive and negative effects that influence the amount of XP you earn during a run, or “harvest,” to use the vernacular. Thus, there are many factors to consider.
Additionally, you’ll encounter various characters amidst the ruins you’ve constructed, peculiar NPCs who will upgrade your cards, duplicate certain favorites, and much more, while sharing folklore snippets with you. It must be noted that upgrading cards is a particularly gratifying aspect because, beyond the usual numerical enhancements, you receive new entrances for your card sections.
For instance, a lengthy corridor with three doors that was previously unusable can now gain an additional door, giving you more options. It’s captivating, puzzle-like gameplay that becomes more engaging as challenges escalate.
For instance, utilize a cursed card that prohibits you from healing at groves, but then play another card that grants a +500% damage boost, effectively countering the downside and removing it from your deck.
There are numerous complexities in play that could have rendered the experience tedious or cluttered, yet the beauty lies in its seamless, intuitive nature, making it accessible even for those who aren’t accustomed to card games. Every element is thoroughly explained (there’s a tutorial in the menus for when you need assistance), allowing you to take your time during the planning stages. As the catacombs grow increasingly challenging, the game transitions smoothly from being relaxing and addictive to heightening tension and becoming even more engrossing. The charming pixel art aesthetic, quick nods to Scottish folklore, and a robust soundtrack all contribute to creating the perfect atmosphere for a lengthy gaming session.
On the downside, the story elements are somewhat minimal, so this title isn’t going to contend with the more narratively rich examples of its genre in a direct showdown.
We also recognize that the graphical style has been utilized frequently, but honestly, we’re nitpicking here. Ultimately, this is a top-tier roguelike—a uniquely innovative approach that draws inspiration from various sources within its genre, weaving them into an outstanding indie game that stands out on its own. Just be advised that the ‘one more run’ appeal here is incredibly high.
Conclusion
Into The Restless Ruins has genuinely taken us by surprise. This is a remarkable addition to the Switch’s roster of roguelikes that manages to maintain its freshness and uniqueness amid a sea of uninspired imitations. The combination of deckbuilding, combat, memory challenges, and dungeon creation results in a game that captivates you time and again, consuming hours as you navigate its enchanting catacombs. A bit more narrative depth could have elevated it further, but it still stands as a must-play experience.