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 first version of the game I played was alpha build v0.6.0, which included the first chapter and a boss battle against Anaconda. Since then, Fanny Pack Studios has continued to update the game, with the current build standing at v0.10.0, as well as releasing the game in early access.
Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy – Trailer
Simon’s Gaming Specs
I explored the jungles of the Chaikurú on my custom gaming PC that features the following specs:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX 6800 |
| RAM | 32GB DDR4 3600MHz |
| Storage | NVMe and SATA Storage |
Previous Reviews
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, with it being akin to the Boulder Dash level. Sorry for bringing up that childhood trauma.
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. In the current build of the game, 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 blast you with sonic waves.
Additionally, you can use the Boledoras 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. Even better, you’ll always know where Runa is in relation to the ground, as there is a high contrast shadow underneath her whilst she’s in midair, making those tricky jumps much simpler. In addition to the Condor power, the Yaguarete power up boosts Runa’s smashing power, allowing her to knock large obstacles such as trees over, unlocking new paths to investigate.
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 of football is demonstrated by 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 released into early access on Steam on August 27th, with a planned launch date within six months from then. The game will also be available on Epic once fully released. If you wish to play this whimsical adventure, these are the official specs from Fanny Pack Studios.
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 7th / AMD Ryzen 3rd | Intel Core i5 12400 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600 |
| Memory | 6GB | 8GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1030 / AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600XT |
| Storage | 4GB | 4GB |
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
- Pre-built gaming PC
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU
- 32GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM
- NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti GPU
- 1TB M.2 SSD
ASUS TUF A16 Gaming Laptop
- 16-Inch Gaming Laptop
- 2560 x 1600 WQXGA Display
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU
- 32GB LPDDR5X 7500MHz RAM
- NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU
OcUK Gaming Vulture
- Configurable gaming PC
- Intel Core i7-14700KF CPU
- 32GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM
- AMD Radeon RX 7900XT GPU
- 1TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD
More Adventures Await
If you’re looking to experience more adventures like Runa and the Chaikurú Legacy, we’ve got you covered. We have dived into three unique worlds, each of which can be explored in different ways, in these reviews.
Care to Join Us in the Jungle?
Do you feel like a rumble in the jungle with Runa too, and have already taken the plunge with early access, or are you waiting for the full release? Let us know 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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