From Introduction:
Ruinations is a post-apocalyptic roleplaying game based on the framework and tradition of old school gaming. While many modern games focus on grandiose story telling with imperishable player characters, Ruinations predominantly focuses on two key elements: ruin-running and survival.
Where warriors, wizards and thieves delved into dungeons and catacombs to face certain death in the hunt for fortune, knowledge and glory, characters in this post-apocalypse venture into crumbled cities, underground bunkers, and sprawling silos to discover valuable goods, information and artifacts.
Unlike many post-apocalyptic games, Ruinations is not focused on a setting littered with super-science, plasma rifles and ‘gonzo’ creatures, but rather a grittier near-future as
depicted in media such as The Road Warrior, The Last of Us, and Wasteland. While mutations and highly advanced technology may exist, they are not the norm and should not be treated as such. And though raiders, feral creatures and irradiated men are common enemies in the wastes, the true horrors hiding among the ruins should be singular and unique: that is not an aberration, it is the aberration.
Resource management is vital. Sleep and rest are necessary. Every shot matters and some battles are best avoided. At the end of the day, chances are good someone in your party will not make it back alive.