Tracing the word apocalypse to its Latin origins, it just means uncover. If you trace raunio though, you have to go through proto-Norse languages, early Finnish/Russian Votic, and quite frankly, I can’t be bothered. It basically means ruin when translated from Finnish. Yesterday Finnish studio, Act Normal Games, announced its new post-apocalyptic adventure title, Rauniot, which will be released next month. Though translations and etymologies of words aren’t the reason it caught my eye, the art direction and setting did, looking very Finnish in how bleak and depressing it all seems. From Moomins and Lordi to the gay pirate pop that was Käärijä last year, I love Finland.

“Rauniot is an isometric post-apocalyptic point-and-click adventure game full of intriguing puzzles with classical gameplay elements. The story takes place in the beautiful and detailed scenery of Northern Finland,” noted the press release. “The year is 1975 and a devastating natural disaster has pushed civilization over the edge. Riots, massive conflicts[,] and wars have decimated the planet. Some continents have been drowned by seas; heavy pollution has spread as a result of collapsed nuclear power plants and subsequent explosion[s]. Hardly anyone has survived. The survivors are scratching a living[sic].“

Rauniot is set to release on April 17th on Steam, and you’ll be able to pick it up for $17.99, £14.99, or 17,49€ (or regional equivalent). I think what is appealing to me so much is that Rauniot isn’t meant for everyone and there seems to be no apologies for that, which I genuinely admire. The press release continues with not the most pleasant line: “Children are born mutated or dead, often taking their mothers with them; fathers walk alone in bitterness and sorrow – some even driven to cannibalism as food resources slowly run out. In this sad new world nature and humanity are struggling to survive and find balance.

Still, some individuals have managed to trust one another just enough to establish groups that provide protection, food, clean water, medicine, electricity[,] and crucial knowledge. You play as Aino – one of the lucky few to be part of a group. But this unforgiving new world won’t be easy to navigate. The only thing preventing you from total isolation during these dangerous journeys are guile and determination. Have you got what it takes to master everything Rauniot throws at you?” Yes, I don’t think Rauniot will be one of those cheerful, magenta-tinted apocalypses (Apocalypsi?).

One note in the key features that intrigues me is the mention of “Authentic Finnish voiceovers.” Now, I’ve seen Kimi Räikkönen interviews, the man only speaks 12 words, and I think most of them are swearing or the sound “bwoah.” Jokes aside, I went from knowing nothing of Rauniot to instantly falling in love with its 1970s Finnish bleakness and harrowing nature. Releasing April 17th, I think I’m keeping an eye out for more about Rauniot when it releases on Steam in just a couple of weeks.

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