Little Ruin is the debut game from Melbourne studio Lucernal. It’s been in development for several years, with the studio slowly chipping away at it between projects at their day jobs, but now it’s starting to take shape. Recently, I was able to go hands-on with an early build that showcases the vision Lucernal is looking to execute.
A narrative-driven adventure with an isometric viewpoint, Little Ruin tells the story of Isobel, a young teenager who endeavours to escape a fictional civil war-torn country under military occupation.
Like any creative project, the creator always puts a piece of themselves into it. While Little Ruin isn’t based on the developer’s own experience, parts of it are inspired by the game’s creative director and Mark Fenollar’s family’s experience of fleeing Algeria and Morocco to emigrate to Australia during the Algerian War. Fenollar tells me he’s using Little Ruin to “loosely explore” his heritage.
Little Ruin’s city is an impressive sight
The preview starts with Isobel conversing with three friends before they all head into town, with the player having the option to pursue several conversation topics. Discussing the soldiers in town will result in apprehension amongst the group as it’s after the imposed curfew, and anyone caught out when they shouldn’t be is dealt severe punishment. But like most teenagers, the group decides the reward is greater than the risk, confident in their ability to evade the patrolling guards.
As Isobel crosses the shallow river, she looks at the damaged bridge, which was destroyed by bombs to ensure that people did not escape. It’s an early indication that the world we’re in has suffered devastating loss due to the war.
Upon entering the town, it’s obvious that a lot of care has gone into designing the world and environments of Little Ruin. The team’s architectural background is on full display here as buildings and structures are especially impressive. Fenollar says it’s an area that they’ve put a lot of work into, and the isometric perspective helps showcase the attention to detail and makes the world feel lived in.
The game already has an oppressive tone
The friend group arrives at the town’s library to find that not only is the door locked, but the building has suffered substantial damage. Unfortunately, the group needs to go through the library to reach the next area. They consider breaking the window, but due to the noise it would make, the group is reluctant to do so, so Isobel sets off to find another way inside. This is our first taste of the game’s puzzle solving mechanics, which according to Fenollar, are deliberately light to ensure the narrative flows without any roadblocks. It sees Isobel scour the nearby area for items that could be of use, and it’s not long until the keys to open the door are found.
The gameplay reminds me a lot of walking simulators and point-and-click adventures, with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere and dialogue. Despite being text-based, the game still manages to convey the trepidation the friends are feeling while highlighting the fact that these kids are just kids. They talk, walk, and act accordingly – there’s jealousy and banter but ultimately friendship, the kind that is strengthened through difficult times.
Players do have dialogue options during conversations, and co-writer Fiona Johnson says that “You have to decide where Isobel’s allegiances might lie – and these choices affect how people react to you.” It’s not about these decisions in isolation – you make what you think is the right call in those moments. But over time, your decisions will impact the ending of the game.
Little Ruin’s kids act and feel like real kids
It’s hard to get a true sense of a game’s form from a 30-minute demo, especially one from an early stage of development, but this glimpse did offer an intriguing look at what Lucernal is trying to achieve with Little Ruin. One thing is certain though, Lucernal’s ability to utilise its experience in architectural design has allowed Little Ruin’s world and spaces to stand out, and it’s a world I am excited to explore more when the team has something meatier to show.
You can find out more about Little Ruin in our interview with Lucernal or on Lucernal’s website. If you like what you’ve read, you can Wishlist the game on Steam.
