Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Runestone offers a deep blend of strategy and adventure by allowing you to control three distinct heroes—Greymarel the Wizard, Eliador the Elf, and Morval the Warrior—while issuing orders to a host of supporting NPCs. Movement is handled through simple text commands like GO N or MOVE E, and you can even LOOK before moving to survey your surroundings. Though only the four cardinal directions are available, chaining commands (for example, “GO N, GO N, GO E”) makes navigation feel fluid and efficient once you’ve mastered the system.

One of Runestone’s standout features is its real-time NPC activity. Key characters such as Chronos the Wise, Quester the Hermit, and Brunor the Bold each follow their own agendas across the land of Belorm, reacting to threats from orc raiding parties or wandering to seek knowledge and relics. You can TELL or ASK them to join you, scout ahead, or guard strategic positions—all without pausing the game clock. This living world dynamic adds a powerful layer of emergent storytelling and tactical depth.

Combat in Runestone is equally engaging, as you can specify both the target orc and the weapon you wish to employ. Want Morval to strike down a charging berserker with his broad sword, or instruct Greymarel to cast a newly discovered fireball incantation? Chain your orders, press Enter, and watch the outcome unfold on screen. Complementing these mechanics is a constantly updating score that tracks your success in quests, battles, and exploration achievements, giving you clear feedback on your progress.

Graphics

Despite being text-driven, Runestone’s panoramic view system captures the imagination with evocative line-art illustrations that shift perspective as you move across the map. Each location—from misty forest clearings to the stony ramparts of abandoned keeps—is rendered in crisp monochrome or limited color, depending on your hardware, providing a true sense of scale that few adventure games of its era can match.

Building interiors transition smoothly from outdoor panoramas to detailed room layouts, complete with furniture, hidden alcoves, and interactive objects. When you ENTER a structure, the screen redraws with a fresh scene showing doorways, windows, and any NPCs or relics within. This seamless visual flow heightens immersion, making every new room feel like a real place waiting to be explored.

Character portraits and monster sprites appear alongside text descriptions during encounters, adding personality to both allies and enemies. Watching Morval swing his sword or seeing the glowing runes on Greymarel’s staff come to life—albeit in simple graphics—brings extra drama to skirmishes. Even the humble orc is given unique detailing, ensuring that every foe looks threatening in its own right.

Story

The kingdom of Belorm has enjoyed centuries of peace under the watchful eye of the Great Wizards—only to be shattered by a relentless orc invasion from the Northern Wastes. A string of surprise attacks culminated in the death of Elwin, a beloved commander of the realm, leaving the land on the brink of collapse. Into this chaos steps Greymarel, guided by the revelations of the Great Book, which claims that the true architect of Belorm’s downfall is none other than Kordomir the Dark One.

As Greymarel, you must rally the last of the elves, Eliador, and the stalwart warrior Morval to embark on a quest to recover the Runestone—a mythical artifact sculpted by Zaphir the Great Wizard long ago. Along the way, you’ll forge alliances with NPCs like Chronos the Wise, who offers cryptic guidance, and Brunor the Bold, whose courage on the battlefield can turn the tide of skirmishes. The narrative unfolds through both scripted events and the unpredictable wanderings of your party and allies.

The journey takes you across diverse regions, from tangled woodlands to the Great Waters that cleave the north from the south. Boats must be found or recruited to cross these treacherous seas, and ancient relics hidden in hermit caves or wizard’s towers grant new spells and abilities. Each discovery deepens the lore of Belorm, revealing layers of betrayal, heroism, and the heavy cost of wielding arcane power.

Overall Experience

Runestone succeeds in marrying the panoramic presentation of strategy classics like Lords of Midnight with the intimate, character-driven exploration of text adventures. The result is a richly textured world where your choices matter: sending Quester to scout an enemy camp may unveil a shortcut, while ordering Morval to charge headlong into orc ranks could sever a key supply line. This emergent gameplay keeps every session fresh and surprising.

The learning curve is moderate, especially for players unfamiliar with text-based command entry, but the game’s intuitive help prompts and forgiving command parser make adaptation painless. As you unlock more spells for Greymarel and acquire relics of power, the sense of growth and capability is tangible. Watching your score climb as you uncover hidden shrines, rescue stranded villagers, and vanquish legendary beasts provides a steady stream of motivation.

For fans of strategic world-building and narrative depth, Runestone offers a memorable quest filled with mystery, danger, and the thrill of discovery. Its unique mix of real-time NPC movement, layered storyline, and panoramic visuals ensures that Belorm feels like a living realm worth saving. Whether you’re charting new territories or unraveling ancient secrets, this is a game that rewards patience, planning, and imagination.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10