Runo
runogame · 2021 · Walking Simulator, Exploration, Atmospheric, First-Person, Story Rich
PC
This game is free to play. Get it on Steam →
Screenshots
About Runo
Story
A walking simulator about dear memories, overcoming obstacles, and finding your path.
Runo tells an original story about forgotten pasts and mysteries. At an age-old family cottage in rural Finland, lost myths, tales and ancient lore come to life. On the night of Midsummer’s Eve, something stirs the calm scene. What is going on at the cottage?
About the game
Runo is played with a mouse and keyboard, and one play-through takes roughly 1,5 hours. Runo does not have a save system, so it should be played through in one sitting - and preferably with headphones on!
About the project
Runo connects with stories and discussions about cultural heritage, myths and folklore. Inspiration is drawn from the Finnish national epic Kalevala among other sources. We have made use of our own childhood memories and paid homage to the traditions and stories passed on from generation to generation.
The idea to make a game based on folklore came from a group of like-minded people working together in free-form university meetings. Students, scholars and professionals from the humanities, game design and the arts came together to create Runo.
The game received funding from AVEK - The Promotion Center for Audiovisual Culture (2018) and The Finnish Cultural Foundation (2020). The project was also showcased in The Finnish Museum of Games exhibition “The Kalevala in games” in 2019-2020.
What Steam players say
Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.
i cant say if its a game or its real life
A great game based on Finnish folklore. Ive always loved Finland and the song on kantele is so calming
very pretty, love the achievements, love the music
Runo, developed by runogame and published by Srsface Studios, is a quiet and atmospheric narrative adventure that blends Finnish folklore, personal memories, and supernatural mystery into a deeply reflective experience. Rather than focusing on traditional gameplay systems or fast-paced storytelling, the game invites players into a calm but emotionally haunting journey through rural Finland, where old traditions and forgotten memories slowly merge with strange mythological elements hidden beneath the landscape. Its strongest qualities come not from action or complex mechanics, but from mood, cultural identity, and emotional sincerity. The story takes place during Midsummer’s Eve at an old family cottage surrounded by forests and lakes in the Finnish countryside. Players wander through this isolated environment while uncovering fragments of memories, folklore, and unsettling supernatural hints tied to both the location and the protagonist’s past. The narrative unfolds gradually through environmental exploration and subtle storytelling rather than direct exposition, creating an experience that feels dreamlike and introspective from beginning to end. One of the game’s most impressive…
i cannot believe that this game was free. this was so beautiful. from the graphics to the sound to the story. there were so many little intricate details. wow this was awesome. i loved this game so much.
Runo, no runo. Great short game, can't run. Very Recommended, if you don't like to run.
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