Official Review Computer Updated

Review cover Rauniot (Computer)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

  • Release Date (NA): April 17, 2024
  • Release Date (EU): April 17, 2024
  • Publisher: Act Normal Games
  • Developer: Act Normal Games
  • Genres: Point-and-click

Game Features:

Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Step into post-apocalyptic Northern Finland in Rauniot, Act Normal Game’s debut point-and-click title. Let’s click away!

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Global scale natural disasters led to a collapse of civilization in Rauniot’s post-apocalyptic version of 1975. Survivors have had to fend for themselves or work with each other in order to survive. Among such a group in Finland is Tovio who went missing and taking the role of Aino you set out to find him. Join her as she sets out on this quest and learn more about this crumbling world.

A stylish slice of post-apocalyptic Northern Finland

Fans of isometric games have been blessed with options lately with titles such as Sovereign Syndicate, The Thaumaturge and Broken Roads. Each offers a unique setting and artistic approach, and those looking for more games in this genre won’t be disappointed with Rauniot’s art direction. 

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It is a decidedly stylish game with atmospheric soundtrack, close-up monologues and animated cutscenes. The post-apocalyptic melancholia is well depicted through such a presentation. The 70+ scenes also teem with details, making the game’s universe feel lived-in. Further adding to the presentation is the fully-voice acted conversations with Northern Finnish accent.

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Classic point-and-click puzzles

Rauniot plays as a classic isometric point-and-click title. You direct Aino where to head by clicking on a location on the scene and she can interact with some environmental elements. Some of these she will be able to pick up and add to her inventory, while others will introduce puzzles that you have to solve. 

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Puzzles often make use of items you found by exploring, often not in the same scene. They vary in difficulty, with some being quite challenging to crack but once you do solve them, they are satisfying.

The game allows you to explore and investigate areas in an open-ended fashion as you look for Tovio. As you’ll be moving across scenes often to try to solve puzzles, it is very welcome that there’s a fast travel option, easing the need to backtrack, which is quite common.

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However, the inspiration from classic point-and-click mechanics means that Rauniot also falls into their tendency to be confusing and unintuitive. Interactive elements can’t be highlighted, except by hovering your mouse at the specific item. I ended up just moving my mouse around a lot in scenes to find out which items I can interact with. 

Having such an assistive option would be helpful, and the developer already added some assistive elements like the notebook. The latter helps you keep track of the story and some clues you’ve uncovered. But the assistance goes only so far and being able to find interactive elements or getting a hint for puzzle solving would be handy.

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On a technical side, I was surprised to see that Rauniot does not support controller input. With the popularity of handheld PC gaming devices, being able to use a controller would be welcome, if not expected. I hope that such support comes in a future update.

That said, if you’re a fan of classic point-and-click isometric puzzle games, Rauniot will deliver on that with a stylish touch. But if you’re looking for something more modern and accessible, you’ll have to contend with its old-school approach.

Rauniot Release Gameplay Trailer

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Stylish presentation
  • Original puzzles
  • Fast travel option
What We Didn't Like ...
  • No controller support
  • Puzzles can be confusing and unintuitive
7
Gameplay
The classic point-and-click puzzle mechanic will entice the nostalgic among us but will likely frustrate those looking for a more accessible experience.
8
Presentation
Rauniot delivers a stylish slice of post-apocalyptic Northern Finland.
7
Lasting Appeal
While its original setting is a major draw, the confusing and unintuitive puzzles make a dent in its lasting appeal.
7
out of 10

Overall

Rauniot delivers a stylish slice of post-apocalyptic Finland with mechanics inspired by classic point-and-click titles.
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Reactions: KiiWii, MarkDarkness and mathew77
eyeliner
It's a point and click game for peecee. It's only normal not supporting gamepads.
Way more of a fluid gameplay with comparison to a gamepad.
 
Review cover
Product Information:
  • Release Date (NA): April 17, 2024
  • Release Date (EU): April 17, 2024
  • Publisher: Act Normal Games
  • Developer: Act Normal Games
  • Genres: Point-and-click
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

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    Step into post-apocalyptic Northern Finland in Rauniot, Act Normal Game’s debut point-and-click title. Let’s click away!

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  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    yall im torn... ive been hacking away at tales of phantasia GBA (the USA version) and have so many documents of reverse engineering i've done
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I just found out that the EU version is better in literally every way, better sound quality, better lighting, and there's even a patch someone made to make the text look nicer
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    Do I restart now using what i've learned on the EU version since it's a better overall experience? or do I continue with the US version since that is what ive been using, and if someone decides to play my hack, it would most likely be that version?
  • Sicklyboy @ Sicklyboy:
    @TwoSpikedHands, I'll preface this with the fact that I know nothing about the game, but, I think it depends on what your goals are. Are you trying to make a definitive version of the game? You may want to refocus your efforts on the EU version then. Or, are you trying to make a better US version? In which case, the only way to make a better US version is to keep on plugging away at that one ;)
  • Sicklyboy @ Sicklyboy:
    I'm not familiar with the technicalities of the differences between the two versions, but I'm wondering if at least some of those differences are things that you could port over to the US version in your patch without having to include copyrighted assets from the EU version
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    @Sicklyboy I am wanting to fully change the game and bend it to my will lol. I would like to eventually have the ability to add more characters, enemies, even have a completely different story if i wanted. I already have the ability to change the tilemaps in the US version, so I can basically make my own map and warp to it in game - so I'm pretty far into it!
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I really would like to make a hack that I would enjoy playing, and maybe other people would too. swapping to the EU version would also mean my US friends could not legally play it
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I am definitely considering porting over some of the EU features without using the actual ROM itself, tbh that would probably be the best way to go about it... but i'm sad that the voice acting is so.... not good on the US version. May not be a way around that though
  • TwoSpikedHands @ TwoSpikedHands:
    I appreciate the insight!
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    @TwoSpikedHands just switch, all the knowledge you learned still applies and most of the code and assets should be the same anyway
  • The Real Jdbye @ The Real Jdbye:
    and realistically they wouldn't

    be able to play it legally anyway since they need a ROM and they probably don't have the means to dump it themselves
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    why the shit does the shitbox randomly insert newlines in my messages
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    never had that i don't think
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