PC Critic Reviews

Rubinite is a confident and rewarding take on the boss rush formula, pairing expertly crafted encounters with meaningful progression, engaging characters, and a surprisingly heartfelt narrative. While a handful of bosses overstay their welcome and some story scenes lack emotional impact, its exceptional combat, inventive Focus mechanic, and memorable world make it one of the year's standout indie action RPGs.

Rubinite is a strikingly good Soulslike which slashes through the fluff and delivers a razor-sharp boss rush experience with a surprisingly potent emotional center. At its core, Rubinite’s Focus mechanic and the myriad of imposing boss fights deliver a uniquely fun and challenging take on the genre that's bolstered by the game’s beautiful 2D pixel-art style, lovable characters, and wonderful story. There are a few unfortunate issues, such as the overly cryptic narrative presentation and occasional janky hitboxes, which hold it back a bit. Still, every gemstone has a flaw or two, and Rubinite is no exception; it’s a pureblooded, crystallized gem that’s worth the adventure.

Bristling with potential, and with dynamic art direction and combat, Rubinite could have been something truly special. But with a bevy of mechanical flaws, strange decisions, and a narrative loop that defies its classification as a boss rush, Rubinite settles into being just another enjoyable Soulslike.