After more than a decade of absence, a classic piece of strategy history has finally returned to digital storefronts. Back in 2010, the World War II RTS Ruse earned an impressive 84% review score for its ability to bring something truly novel to one of the genre's most established themes. However, just five years later, the game vanished from Steam when publisher Ubisoft removed it due to expiring license rights.

Now, Eugen Systems has officially brought Rues back on Steam, marking a triumphant return for this RTS staple.

The Return of Ruse to Steam

The re-release isn't just a simple relisting; Eugen Systems has packaged the game with all previously released DLC included. While it isn't a modern remaster, the developers have implemented various technical updates and confirmed full Steam Deck support, ensuring the 2010 title runs smoothly on modern handheld hardware.

In their relaunch announcement, Eugen Systems clarified the long absence: "While we developed and launched Ruse in 2010, the game didn’t officially belong to us. Sidelined due to distribution constraints, we could do nothing in the subsequent years to help the players who contacted us for assistance or tried to obtain the game. Recently, we received the opportunity to return Ruse to our catalog."

Key Features of the Re-release:

  • Complete Content: All previous DLC is included in the base package.
  • Modern Compatibility: Verified support for the Steam Deck.
  • Technical Updates: Various under-the-hood fixes for modern systems.
  • Legacy Access: Original owners receive all updates and DLC for free.

Pricing and Player Reception

The return of Ruse on Steam hasn't been without some minor controversy regarding its cost. Priced at $30/£26.49/€30, some players have voiced concerns that the price point is high for a game of this age.

However, the community sentiment remains overwhelmingly in the game's favor. Since the re-release, user reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, boasting 197 positive reviews against only two negative ones. This incredible ratio proves that the core gameplay loop still holds up more than a decade later.

A New Era for Eugen Systems

While the exact details of the deal remain private, it is clear that Ubisoft is no longer involved in the game's distribution. Eugen Systems is now listed as both the developer and the publisher. Given recent reports of Ubisoft’s financial restructuring, it appears Eugen Systems was able to successfully reclaim the rights to their classic title.

For those looking to dive back into the fray, a quick note on compatibility: to prevent crashes, old saves and replays are not directly accessible in the new version. However, players can still access them by switching to the "Compatibility Branch" found within the game's Steam properties. Whether you are a returning veteran or a newcomer, the return of this RTS legend is a massive win for strategy fans.