Runic Sky

Runic Sky is an action-role-playing game developed by Ironwood Studios. It is a cooperative action role-playing game revolving around soldiers that have to fight through a land that has been lifted towards the sky. In the year 2100, an out-of-control experiment causes the earth to fracture above the sky, and a mysterious organization causes the deceased souls to transform into Revenants, undead soldiers that use human weaponry from the Old World, whether it be military weaponry or past technology. To combat the organization, a new force called Runics (final name to be confirmed), which utilizes weapons based on land left from the Revenants is sent to find whoever created them in search of a way to get the earth back down. The main box art shows three Runics wielding various weapons, rendered in a 3D box art style similar to many modern Western games, with the PC game's icon being the Runic emblem. 
==Plot==
In 2100, the Earth has been fractured out of the ocean, causing the continents to fly into the sky. Things go well until suddenly, deceased souls from the ocean had begun to reanimate and attack the remaining civilians in the sky. To counter this, a program called Runics began as a militia of the last remaining civilians, to destroy the undead souls and find out whatever is behind this.
The prologue of this game begins with the main protagonist being lined up on a testing program for the Runic system. Each Runic in line tests out various elements until they see the one they use, including the part where they test out melee weapons. The protagonist then gets their weapon and is set on a training mission. Suddenly, Revenants attack, and the protagonist fights them off. After the training mission, the player tries to pick up one of the Revenant's weapons, a human-made assault rifle, only to find out that the weapon is in stasis and cannot be used by the Watchers. 
Back at the Runic Sky, the location of the Runics' hideout and the last of humanity, the leader tells the Runic about their introduction, why the Revenants' weapons are not to be used, the magic that they use to power these weapons will curse them and upon killing that Revenant, their weapons will go into a stasis mode where it will then degenerate away. 
Via exploring through the various destinations and ruins across floating island to floating island, the Runic find clues on the experiment that caused the fracture and what created the Revenants. 
==Gameplay==
===Startup===
When starting up the game on the Xbox Series/PlayStation 5, the loading wallpaper shows four Runics ready to fight with various weapons, with the logo on the bottom left. The four Runics are the following from left to right;
* Fire Warrior armed with two swords representing dual-wielding
* Earth Wizard casting a supportive magic holding an axe weapon
* Ice Wizard wielding a heavy greatsword on his shoulder
* Air Warrior casting wind magic holding a bo staff
===Character Creation===
When you first play the game, you get to create your character. You get to choose your gender, skin tone, hairstyle, etc. 
After you create your character, you then begin the prologue where you are put in a training mission with the Basic Sword as your first weapon. 
===Main Game===
The game is described as a hybrid between Monster Hunter, Destiny, with a dash of Diablo. The gameplay revolves around you utilizing various forms of weapons to take down the Revenants in the form of the Runics that you get to create at the beginning of the game.
One thing that stands this game out amongst other games is that there are no gearing restrictions in this game whatsoever, as one of this game's selling points is that, unlike typical RPGs, Runic Sky breaks the tradition by allowing anyone to choose a melee playstyle or a mage playstyle utilizing any weapon, such as dual swords in a magic playstyle for example. Instead of something like HP/attack/Battle Points that go up incrementally, there are five different stats that affect your damage output, defense, and how much damage your abilities can do. There are various types of weapons, such as swords, bo staves, hammers, axes, and spears. The game allows you to place whatever weapon type in any hand, where you can dual-wield any two weapons, giving players variety to build their combat style. Players can also equip shields, taking up one hand but being able to block attacks as well. However, shields can also serve as a form of combat as they can function similarly to fist combat, though with a more defensive approach. 
The battles take place in a non-linear stage structure, where you can explore around on stages and do world missions that pop up randomly on the map. Occasionally, bosses would appear where they would drop treasure chests that would give you Rune Energy as the currency. Rune Energy is the game’s currency and is the resource used to power the Runic's weapons. They are used to unlock new powers and upgrades to your abilities in the game. Aside from fields, there's also instance-base missions where you need to get from point A to point B.
While dying has you respawn in-game within 5 seconds, there are segments in instance-based missions where you will enter a "Respawning Restricted" zone, which means if the party or you, the player dies when doing the mission solo, you go back to the previous checkpoint. Note however that pitfalls, traps, and even falling out the sky kills you under the statement "Misadventure". 
There are four elements in the game, Fire, Ice, Air, and Earth. Unlike other games, which just utilize a rock-paper-scissors style damaging potential, the four elements do different things. Fire can do damage over time, Ice has the potential to freeze enemies and prevent them from attacking, Air can chain zap and swirl to other enemies, and Earth, also known as Kinetic, can do blast damage and is the least likely to be resisted. Some enemies will have elements and will take 50% damage from that element, depending on the ability or weapon that you are using.
During the battle, you can perform special attacks by holding R1 and then casting the attack by pressing that button. There are two types of abilities, Weapon Abilities, which are represented in diamonds, and Elemental Abilities, which are represented in circles. Weapon Abilities change depending on what weapon you are using and recharge via basic attacks, while Elemental Abilities rely on a cooldown timer and can be installed if you want to choose a specific elemental playstyle. 
The HUD in this game is represented in a solid flat colors style, with your health bar on the top, a minimap on the top-left with objectives below it, and your abilities on the bottom-left. The health bar indicated in white, is invisible while in gameplay and is only visible when taking damage. Loading screens show the four elements on the bottom right shape-shifting to the next in a pattern in gray color. 
The graphics in this game go for the Western-style realistic graphics and features support for real-time raytracing. The game runs at 4K on the PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X, while at 1080p on the Xbox Series S. While the game runs at 30fps, there's even an option for a "Performance" mode which runs at 60fps. 
Cross (A) 	Jump
Square (X) 	Perform an attack using the weapon you have equipped on your left hand.
Triangle (Y) 	Perform an attack using the weapon you have equipped on your right hand. If you're equipped with a two-handed weapon, such as a claymore, this will function as a "Heavy Attack" button.
Circle (B) 	Interaction
D-Pad 	Emotes
Options (Start) 	Game Menu
Touchpad (Select) 	Hero Menu
L1 	Block
Holding R1 + OXTS (BAYX)	Combat Abilities
L3+R3 	Super Ability (hold 1.5 seconds to activate)
L2 	Lock-on
R2 	Dodge
L3 	Sprint
R3 	Center Camera
===Stats===
There are the following stats in the game, which are measured depending on what type of gear you are using;
*Strength: Increases damage dealt with melee weapons.
*Resistance: Improves defenses and increases fall recovery.
*Proficiency: Improves Weapon Abilities as well as Class Abilities. 
*Recovery: Improves the ability to restore lost health over time via increasing its speed and decreasing the interval required.
*Magitek: Improves elemental damage and reactions.
*Elemental Resistances: Improves elemental resistance depending on which type you have. The elemental damage resistance is capped at 90%. 
Each stat is capped out at 100 and each gear has varying stats of each. The game does not incorporate any form of critical hits or damage mechanics. 
==Abilities==
You can have up to four abilities at a time. Each ability has a cooldown that ranges averagely from 20 seconds on normal elemental abilities to 50 seconds on heavy elemental abilities. There is no cooldown reduction stat. 
===Magic Arts===
Magic Arts are based on a specific element. One of this game's unique selling points is that you can become a mage role even if you're not using a wand/staff, as one of the game's mascots, the Glacius, is a mage that wields a greatsword as his weapon of choice. Each spell has three types; Attack, Defense, and Support.
====Fire====
Twin Fireball	
* Description: Cast two fireballs that deal AoE fire damage.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 20 seconds
Blaster	
* Description: Throw a dagger that pulls enemies into its radius. 
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 25 seconds
Fire Wave	
* Description: Cast a wave of flame that deals damage to enemies across from you.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 22 seconds
Meteor Shower	
* Description: Cast meteors in an area around you. 
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 50 seconds
====Ice====
Ice Ring	
* Description: Cast a ring of ice that deals damage to enemies around you and slows them down. 
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 22 seconds
Snow Globe	
* Description: Cast a dome shield to protect you from ranged attacks for 12 seconds.
* Type: Defense
* Cooldown: 35 seconds
Ice Chandelier	
* Description: Cast a crystal chandelier to drop on your enemies.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 20 seconds
Blizzard Shower	
* Description: Cast icicles in an area around you. 
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 50 seconds
====Earth====
Reroute Energy	
* Description: Utilize Earth energy to heal allies around you for 10 seconds with a field. 
* Type: Support
* Cooldown: 33 seconds
Energy Chivalry	
* Description: For 15 seconds, apply a damage buff to yourself and other allies.
* Type: Support
* Cooldown: 36 seconds
Quake Blast	
* Description: Cast a kinetic quake blast toward enemies.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 23 seconds
Earthquake	
* Description: Cast several quake blasts in an area, dealing heavy damage. 
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 50 seconds
====Air====
Wind Wave	
* Description: Cast wind swirls around you to deal damage to enemies.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 28 seconds
Wind Bind	
* Description: Cast a wind dagger to bind enemies, stunning them temporarily. Enemies/bosses that cannot be stunned will only take wind AoE damage.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 25 seconds
Thunder Strike	
* Description: Cast a lightning missile that zaps up to 5 targets or 5 hits on an enemy.
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 22 seconds
Tornado	
* Description: Cast a tornado in an area, pulling enemies in its place and dealing damage for its duration. 
* Type: Attack
* Cooldown: 50 seconds
===Talents===
====Combat Talents====
Combat Talents are various passive mods that you can equip. You can hold up to three and each does varying things.
Phantom Sword 	Broadsword attacks will be followed by a phantom sword that does 50% of the attack's original damage with this Talent active.
Staff Resonance	
Axe Breaker 	
Spear Charge 	
Shield Ring 	When using a shield, you will cast a barrier that protects you from all attacks surrounding you. Takes up to a certain amount of damage before breaking.
Claymore Fury 	Your attack speed with Claymores is increased with this Talent active.
Additionally, there are the Ability Mods that change up how you use your Abilities.
Fire Vortex (Twin Fireball)	Fireballs now pull enemies into their radius to deal additional Fire-type damage.
Fire Wall (Blaster) 	Dagger instead creates a firewall that deals damage to enemies in its radius, as well as blocking enemy attacks.
Snow Coat (Snow Globe) 	Instead of a shield, you will apply Snow Coat to your allies, which reduces the damage you take by 50% for 10 seconds, as well as granting you immunity to Ice-type damage/status effects.
====Elemental Talents====
Elemental Talents are mods that apply to each elemental attack/ability that you cast in battle. 
	
	
	
==Equipment==
You will find equipment by progressing through the game and finding treasure chests. As usual, they will boost your stats the higher the gear's rating. Equipment in the inventory is indicated via icons that show the 3D models on a colored background indicating its rarity, similar to Destiny. Green rarity equipment is indicated in green, blue for rare, purple for legendary, and golden yellow for exotic.
In terms of equipment, you can even view the weapons in a 3D viewer that you can rotate in 360 degrees. 
===Weapons===
====Broadswords====
Broadswords are the normal type of swords. They can be dual-wielded. Each weapon type has its own animation which is shared between all weapons within that weapon type, but they vary in terms of range, stats, & elements. 
Gladius	Normal type sword. Spawns with no element.
----
*Available Rarities: White, Green,
Scimitar	A curved sword with a steel blade. Spawns with no element.
----
*Available Rarities: White, Green,
Royal Ice	An ice sword designed by royalties. Always spawns with an Ice element.
----
*Available Rarities: Green, Blue,
====Claymores====
Claymores, unlike their smaller cousins, the broadswords, require two hands to wield. They, however, have increased range, and pressing the Triangle/Y button has additional functions. 
Great Sword	A heavy sword that requires two hands to use.
----
*Available Rarities: White, Green,
Claymore	A sword that has a long blade.
----
*Available Rarities: White, Green,
Marsil	A flaming sword with a zig-zag style blade. Always spawns with a Fire element.
----
*Available Rarities: Green, Blue,
====Staves====
Wizard's Staff	A staff for wizards & magicians.
Bo Staff	
Quarterstaff	
====Axes====
====Spears====
====Shields====
Unlike other games where shields are just for blocking, shields in this game function more like the fist-type combat in several action games. The unique thing about shields is that you can hold down the button to block attacks and even perform a charge attack where you get to block enemies with it. 
===Armors===
Armors that you can find will provide a varying stat boost to all of your stats. The armors are randomly generated with some common traits between them so each armor item is different from each other. 
====Helmets====
====Suits====
There's two types of suits, Warrior Suit and Wizard Suit. Warrior Suits consist of heavy plate armors and focus on the Runics' melee stats, while Wizard Suits consist of regal garbs and focus on the Runics' magic/elemental stats.
====Gloves====
====Boots====
====Runic Catalysts====
Runic Catalysts are the name of the devices that power their abilities to use the elements. 
===Exotic===
====Exotic Weapons====
Exotic rarity weapons are only acquired by doing Raids. They, unlike normal weapons, utilize completely different models and have special effects when using them.
Storm Vjaya (Broadsword)	"Reportedly electrified several times, the Storm Vjaya is capable of harnessing lightning from its blade."
----
*Effect: Slashes will leave behind a blue electric effect. Attacks have a chance of chain-lightning nearby enemies. Only comes in Air element.
Balmung (Broadsword)	"A sword that was said to have been remarked by old medieval generations and mythologies."
----
*Effect: Slashes will leave behind a dragon trail. Additionally, melee attacks will deal extra damage to Elite & Raid Revenants.
Snowmourne (Claymore)	"A crystallized sword that was said to be kept at absolute zero. Never touch the blade."
----
*Effect: Always comes in ice. Slashes will be ice-colored. Increased attack speed.
Kingslayer (Claymore)	"A legendary claymore used back in the Old World. Said to be the most expensive of its kind."
----
*Effect: Slashes will be gold-colored. Increased damage.
Metal Chamma (Staff)	"A metallic bo staff that doesn't utilize wood, but a solid titanium finish." 
----
*Effects: Staff attacks will have a metallic steel sound effect. Only comes in the Earth element.
Tornado Chaser (Staff)	"A staff that was marked for the highest bounty by wind-utilizing Runics. Said to have created artificial tornadoes."
----
*Effect: Staff attacks will have a wind wave attached to them. Only comes in the Air element.
Revenant Forge (Axe)	
Dwarven Maestro (Axe)	
Spear of 300 (Spear)	
Valkyrie M. (Spear)	
Mirror of Time (Shield)	
Priestess's Guard (Shield)	
==Missions==
===Main Missions===
The main campaign can only be played in the single-player campaign. It consists of both exploration areas and linear-based maps. 
====Fields====
A	
B	
C	
D	
E	
F	
G	
====Instance Missions====
A	
B	
C	
D	
E	
F	
G	
===Side Missions===
Via progressing through the game, side missions that can be played in multiplayer are unlocked. Due to game limitations, they are linear stage selection based and can be repeated. 
== Revenant Codex ==
==== Basic Revenants ====
This is the list of the enemies, known as Revenants, that are faced in the game. Each of them has its own attacks and resistance to elements. If the elemental resistance is "Immune", they cannot receive any form of elemental debuffs from that target, and the elemental damage bonus is nullified. 
In terms of physical damage, there is Slash (swords, axes), Puncture (spears), and Blunt (shields+staves). 
A	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
B	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
C	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
D	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
E	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
F	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
G	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
==== Elite Revenants ====
Elite Revenants are unique from normal Revenants, as they have orange health bars instead of red. They will always drop a chest upon their defeat.
A	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
B	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
C	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
D	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
E	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
F	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
G	
*Attacks:
*Resistances:
**Fire:
**Ice:
**Earth:
**Air:
**Physical:
***Slash:
***Puncture:
***Blunt:
==== Raid Revenants ====
Raid Revenants are large Revenants that are much more difficult to take down. They, unlike Elite Revenants, aren't found on the field but are instead on specific missions. They will always have one field mechanic and device surrounding that boss.
==Trivia==
*According to an interview with a producer, the reason stated for the lack of any ranged weapons, such as bows or guns, is because ranged weapons would easily trivialize the melee-focused combat.
Category:Action Role-Playing Games
Category:Original Games
Category:Multiplayer Games
Category:Role-Playing Games
Category:Online Games
Category:PlayStation 5 Games
Category:Xbox Series X Games