Explore the ancient ruins of a lost civilization in Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy. This action-packed adventure comes to us from the Argentinian developer’s Fanny Pack Studios.
The version of the game I played was alpha build v0.6.0, which includes the first chapter of the game, as well as the boss fight against Anaconda.
There’s Secrets to be Found in the Jungle
Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy is a 3D platformer, that reminds me of the classics from the PlayStation 1 era. The exploration and combat are reminiscent MediEvil, where you play as the skeleton knight Sir Daniel Fortesque. Whereas the boss fight against Anaconda feels very Crash Bandicoot, featuring two stages, including one that will give anyone who played the boulder levels of Crash flashbacks!
You play as Runa, who has arrived in the jungle to help an expedition solve the mysteries behind the lost civilisation of the Chaikurú. The ancient ruins of this lost people are heavily inspired by the real-world cultures of South America. On your journey, you will discover huge monuments which depict the rise and fall of the Chaikurú. Additionally, you can find weird and wonderful relics, such as the Golden Empanda, Capygochi, and Saintwich Flying Mila.
Tools for the Job
To help traverse the dangers of the jungle and ruins, you will discover different weapons and power ups. Currently in the alpha release, you can find the Boleadoras, a type of Bolas, with which you can battle foes, such as snakes that charge at you or bats that hit with their sonic blasts.
Additionally, you can use the Boleadoras for more than just fighting. With the discovery of the Condor power up, Runa will be able to spin them above her head like a helicopter. This lets you hover over chasms or catch updrafts to be lifted high into the air. Meanwhile, the Yaguareté power up will allow you to smash large obstacles such as trees, opening new paths to explore.
A Vibrant World to Explore
The world is vibrant and beautiful, using mid-poly graphics that, again, take me back to gorgeous games of the past. In fact, the monkey statues strongly remind me of the statues you’d find in the ruins of the classic JRPG Grandia.
As the developers are based in Buenos Aires, they have close connections to the native civilisations of South America. It really shows in the loving detail they have put into the world of Runa. From the artwork of the murals to the grand temples, everything feels very authentic to the region where the game is set – at least to my limited knowledge of the area!
It’s not just the past that Fanny Pack Studios has tapped into, as there are many links to present day Argentina, too. For example, the country’s deep love for football is reflected in the Mategol, a souvenir mug in the shape of a football. Additionally, the wildlife of South America is reflected in the save points. To save, all you need to do is pet one of the many very cute capybaras that are scattered around the jungle and ruins.
In addition to the fabulous graphics, Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy also boasts gorgeous music. The toe tapping soundtrack adapts as you play the game, quickly changing from a calm laidback tone whilst exploring to an increase in tempo when a battle starts. What’s more, Fanny Pack Studios has made sure to reflect their culture in the music. The soundtrack features instruments that are local to Argentina such as the ronroco, charango, and bandoneón, giving it a unique and authentic sound.
How Can I Play Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy
Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy is due for release in Q1 of 2024, where it will be available on Epic and Steam. A demo is available now on Steam. If you wish to play this whimsical adventure, these are the recommended specs.
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Core i3 540 / Phenom II X4 965 | Core i5 2400 / FX 6300 |
| Memory | 4GB | 6GB |
| Graphics | GT 730 / Radeon HD 6670 | GTX 750 Ti / Radeon HD 7850 |
| Settings | Low 720p @ 30 FPS | High 1080p |
Amazing Computers to Play Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy
Runa has her Boleadoras to help her explore the lost ruins, which means you’ll need a gaming PC equally up to the task. Luckily, you can find the perfect computer here at Overclockers UK.
Refract Gaming Jade
With her quick wits, and athletic abilities Runa is a very versatile character. To help her perform at her best, grab a gaming PC up to the task, the Refract Gaming Jade. This PC is perfect for playing a wide range of games at both 1080p and 1440p. The Jade features an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 processor coupled with 32GB of super-fast DDR5 RAM. To render the ruins of the Chaikurú, this computer boasts an incredible NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU that will truly bring this thrilling adventure to life.
ASUS TUF GAMING A15 Gaming Laptop
Has Runa inspired you to go on an adventure, but you still want to be able to game no matter where you end up? Then a gaming laptop is just what you need. The ASUS TUF GAMING A15 lives up to its tough namesake, as it has been vigorously tested using the MIL-STD-810H standard. Alongside being rugged, this laptop is powerful, featuring an AMD Ryzen R7-6800H processor with 16GB of 4800MHz DDR5 memory. This is accompanied by a high-performance NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU, ideal for rendering your favourite gaming worlds in fantastic detail with silky smooth frame rates.
OcUK Gaming Vulture
If you wish to journey beyond the jungles and ruins of Runa, then the OcUK Gaming Vulture is an exceptional gaming PC for any adventure. With an AMD Ryzen 7600X CPU, paired with up to 64GB of DDR5 memory, the Vulture is a powerhouse gaming PC. What’s more, the AMD Radeon RX 7000 Series GPU is perfect for playing the latest AAA titles, with magnificent graphics, and buttery smooth frame rates. Even with all settings cranked up to high. What’s more, the flexible storage options are amazing for those who have a large gaming library.
Care to Join Us in the Jungle?
Do you feel like a rumble in the jungle with Runa, too? Let us know your thoughts on the demo in the comments below.
PC specs are subject to change.
- 6 min read
Simon Procter
Author
Having been a gaming nut for longer than he cares to think, Simon landed his dream job over a year ago at Overclockers UK. Since then, he has written many product pages and category texts. He even gets released from the basement to write the odd cheeky blog post. When not working, you can often find him entrenched in World of Warcraft, visiting friends to have his butt whooped in a board game, or with his nose buried in a book.
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