Introduction and Context: A Turbulent History
When Rune II launched in November 2019, it arrived under an unprecedented cloud of industry drama. Developed by Human Head Studios—the original creators of the 2000 cult classic Rune—the game was positioned as a triumphant return to brutal Norse hack-and-slash action. However, mere hours after its exclusive launch on the Epic Games Store, Human Head Studios abruptly announced its closure, with the entire development team transitioning to Bethesda Softworks under the new moniker Roundhouse Studios.
This sudden shift left publisher Ragnarok Game LLC in a chaotic legal battle to secure the game's source code. Eventually, developer Studio 369 was brought in to salvage, overhaul, and re-engineer the project, culminating in Rune II: Decapitated Edition. Contextually, Rune II is as much a story of game industry survival as it is about Norse mythology.
Story and Narrative: Stopping Loki's Eternal Chaos
Set in a treacherous, fractured vision of Norse mythology, the narrative of Rune II revolves around the trickster god Loki. Having plunged Midgard into a perpetual state of Ragnarok, Loki keeps resetting time to prolong the destruction and retain his divine power. Players step into the boots of a revived Viking warrior tasked with aligning with powerful deities—such as Odin, Thor, or Hel—to break the cycle and end Loki's endless reign of terror.
While the premise holds strong potential for fans of mythic lore, the storytelling relies heavily on environmental logs and direct quest givers. The narrative serves primarily as a functional backdrop to fuel brutal combat, rather than delivering a cinematic, character-driven epic.
Graphics, Visuals, and Audio
Powered by Unreal Engine 4, Rune II presents a grim, blood-soaked world filled with ruined settlements, mythical beasts, and frozen wastes. Visually, the game adopts a dark fantasy aesthetic accompanied by visceral dismemberment mechanics, allowing players to sever enemy limbs and even wield them as improvised weapons.
Initial 2019 builds suffered from significant graphical pop-in, stiff animations, and severe performance bugs. Fortunately, subsequent overhauls by Studio 369 significantly upgraded lighting, texture quality, character animations, and frame-rate stability, bringing the visual experience up to modern standards.
Developer and Available Platforms
Developer: Human Head Studios (Original) / Studio 369 (Post-launch Rework)
Publisher: Ragnarok Game LLC
Playable Platforms:
- PC (Microsoft Windows): Available on Steam and the Epic Games Store (updated as Rune II: Decapitated Edition).
Note: Despite initial considerations for console ports, Rune II remains exclusive to PC platforms.
Final Recommendation and Verdict
Rune II is a unique artifact in PC gaming history. At launch, it was a broken release crippled by internal developer drama. Today, following extensive structural overhauls by Studio 369, it has evolved into a satisfying, action-heavy hack-and-slash RPG.
If you are expecting a cinematic narrative on the level of modern AAA titles, Rune II may fall short. However, if you enjoy arcade-style melee combat, Norse mythology, cooperative multiplayer carnage, and crafting, Rune II: Decapitated Edition is a solid recommendation, especially during steam sales.
