[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lugaruturner.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"There may be mothers and children in this [[TheHunterBecomesTheHunted den]]... [[HairRaisingHare And I'm not]] [[WouldHurtAChild so sure that]] [[ItGetsEasier I care anymore]]."'']]

''[[http://www.wolfire.com/lugaru?ie6=1 Lugaru: The Rabbit's Foot]]'' is a {{shareware}} {{action game}} developed by David Rosen when he was in high school, becoming the launching game for [[http://www.wolfire.com Wolfire Games]]. The story follows a {{retired|Badass}} [[HairRaisingHare warrior rabbit]] named [[PlayerCharacter Turner]], who, after finding his [[DoomedHometown village destroyed]] by [[DesertBandits raiders]] and [[FriendlyTarget his family among the dead]], [[CrusadingWidow swears to avenge his loved ones]]. Along the way, he finds a [[{{Masquerade}} conspiracy]] that goes [[GovernmentConspiracy much farther than he expected]].

''Lugaru'' is a little bit like ''ComicBook/UsagiYojimbo'' (with some nods to ''Literature/WatershipDown'' and ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'') [[JustForFun/XMeetsY in computer game form]]… Although [[ExcusePlot there isn't much to the story]][[note]]Or so it [[{{Subtext}} seems]][[/note]], what really makes this game shine is the combat. Unlike most other fighting games, it relies less on button mashing and much more on [[http://wiki.wolfire.com/index.php/Lugaru_Combat_Strategy timing your moves right]]: the position and range of the enemy and the direction you're moving all influences what Turner will do with each attack, and all of the possible attacks are linked to [[ContextSensitiveButton a single button]]. The result is a remarkably fluid and responsive combat system, as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWTxaAj5w-4 this video demonstrates]].

It was originally made for the Platform/{{Mac}}, and has since been ported to [[Platform/IBMPersonalComputer Windows]], [[Platform/{{UNIX}} Linux]], and Platform/{{Amiga}}. On December 29th, 2008, a freelance graphic designer named Tim Soret [[http://forums.wolfire.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4359 updated Lugaru's graphical textures]]; the updated version of the game is currently sold as ''[[UpdatedRerelease Lugaru HD]]''. On May 11, 2010, [[http://forums.wolfire.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=39630 Lugaru's source code was released under the GPL license]], following the massive success of the “[[Creator/HumbleBundle Humble Indie Bundle]]” charity drive. This opens the door to advanced modding capabilities and ports to new operating systems and portable devices. That being said, the game content is still closed, so you will have to register the game in order to play anything more than the Demo and downloadable mods.

After the unexpected success of ''Lugaru'', David Rosen announced a sequel, then called ''Lugaru 2''. However, his college work took up too much of his time, [[ExtremelyLengthyCreation leaving the game's future uncertain.]] After finishing college, [[http://www.wolfire.com/overgrowth he, his brother John, and three friends began working on the game full-time and announced it as]] ''{{VideoGame/Overgrowth}}''.

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!!Tropes:
* AdventureFriendlyWorld: ''Lugaru'' is a LowFantasy world where [[AfterTheEnd sapient animals have replaced humanity]] and [[EverybodyWasKungFuFighting everyone knows kung fu]]. The society is loosely modeled on the Low Middle Ages.
* AfterTheEnd: Though it's never explicitly stated in-game, [[{{Subtext}} it is very clear]] that the events of ''Lugaru'' are set [[ApocalypseHow after the fall of Humankind]]. The stone pillar in the starting village is referred to as "lookout ''ruins''", and if you walk around the Old Camp in debug mode, you'll see [[RuinsOfTheModernAge the ruins of modern-looking concrete buildings]]. The ruins of other man-made structures [[http://web.archive.org/web/20190316041651/http://blog.wolfire.com/2009/02/the-ruins-of-lugaru/ are strongly integrated into the level design]]. The [[http://cdn.wolfire.com/blog/ruins/ruin3c.jpg various]] [[http://cdn.wolfire.com/blog/ruins/ext1.jpg concept]] [[http://cdn.wolfire.com/blog/ruins/nanoarch.jpg artworks]] reveal the structures to be made of concrete and rebar.
** [[https://youtu.be/nKvmnUSxA2U?t=75 According to this development video]] the structures grow over time like "crystal or a coral reef". Considering that, and the the filename of this [[http://cdn.wolfire.com/blog/ruins/nanoarch.jpg related concept art]], "nanoarch", the ruins may be under constant reconstruction by some sort of {{nanomachines}}.
* AlliterativeName: Even though Lugaru island is clearly ruled under a feudal kingdom, Wolfire's own page describing the game refers to a "Rabbit Republic", [[BeamMeUpScotty which is never mentioned or even merely hinted in the game at all]]. [[spoiler:[[WildMassGuessing Perhaps]] Lugaru actually ''[[MilitaryCoup was]]'' under a republican government before [[GreatOffscreenWar whatever war Turner participated in?]]]]
* AlmostLethalWeapons: [[AvertedTrope Totally averted]]. Weapons are spectacularly lethal, regardless of whose hands are holding them.
* {{Ambient}}: With the exception of the [[BattleThemeMusic battle music]], ''Lugaru's'' soundtrack is entirely made of ambient [[BackgroundMusic background music]], making a [[MoodMotif beautiful, yet haunting and foreboding atmosphere]]. It has been [[http://web.archive.org/web/20170318204217/http://www.outofeight.info/2005/08/lugaru-review.html compared to]] David Julyan's score for the 2000 film, ''Film/{{Memento}}''. [[PublicDomainSoundtrack The tracks are freeware]]: three of them were composed by [[http://justindurban.com Justin R. Durban]] of http://www.edgen.com, and one was composed by a person named Rudy Vessup.
** [[http://web.archive.org/web/20190316045335/http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Ambient/Soundscapes/_Desp-Justin_R-7231/index.php Main Theme]]
** [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190316045037/http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Ambient/Soundscapes/_Barr-Edgen-6844/index.php Grass Levels]]
** [[http://web.archive.org/web/20190316045847/http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Ambient/Ambient/Mistic_S-Rudy_Ves-6742/index.php Desert Levels]]
** [[http://web.archive.org/web/20190316044849/http://www.flashkit.com/loops/Ambient/Soundscapes/_Cont-Edgen-6840/index.php Snow Levels]]
* AntagonistTitle: Here's a bit of BilingualBonus: "Lugaru" is French for "[[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]]" - literally "Wolf Man". The antagonists of the game are [[BeastMan evolved, humanoid wolves]].
* AudibleSharpness: Every weapon that does cutting damage sounds like this, including claws.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: [[spoiler: Turner has one for King Hickory.]]
-->[[spoiler: '''Turner''': "I can kill them with my bare hands, why are you so afraid of them? You even have a [[BiggerStick sword.]]"]][[note]] [[spoiler:Since the wolves [[BareFistedMonk see weapons as cowardly]], they are generally at a disadvantage against the rabbits, who [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight wisely use any weapons]] [[CombatPragmatist they can get their hands on.]] King Hickory is [[DirtyCoward scared of the wolves anyway]] and [[SapientEatSapient sold out]] [[PeopleFarms his people]] to avoid having to personally fight them.]][[/note]]
* ArrowCatch: Enemies can snatch a thrown knife right out of the air, provided they see it coming. They can also snag a misfired Leg Cannon.
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: There ''seems'' to be a case of this from Turner when he faces the rabbit that ordered the raid on his village. [[WellThisIsNotThatTrope In actual fact]], the line is an early hint that Turner is a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy warrior]], and connotes a certain amount of [[CompanionCube sentimental attachment]].
--> '''Turner''': You killed my family! And my friends! \\
'''Turner''': (''Looking at rabbit'') You even stole my armor!
* ArtEvolution: A very minor example occurred between the original game and the [[UpdatedRerelease graphical update]]. While the new in-game textures were deliberately chosen to be similar to the originals while still having a higher resolution, the title screen was substantially changed. The original game's title screen features the word "Lugaru" [[CouldntFindAPen written in blood]], while the update features the title in [[CapsLock capital letters]] and changes the blood to an orange [[UsefulNotes/{{Fonts}} Garamond font]]. The rabbit eye picture in the background was also replaced.
** [[http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/296312-lugaru-windows-screenshot-title-screen.jpg Original Title Screen]]
** [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aj6f5lJ5nMc/S-q1mLvNNMI/AAAAAAAABVc/omtusEVrBOo/s1600/luga.jpg Rerelease Title Screen]]
* AwesomeButImpractical: the [[DeathOrGloryAttack Leg Cannon]]. It requires a long run-up, therefore it can be seen from a mile away and easily countered. However, it's also [[MegatonPunch very damaging]] if it connects.
** The Bo Staff kicks major ass when used on enemies (can kill a rabbit in 1-2 hits, 3-5 on Wolves), but breaks after 3 or 4 hits (excluding hitting ragdolls). Use it wisely.
* BackStab: This is one of the game's stealthy OneHitKill moves.
* BadassAdorable: The rabbits in general. Their faces are somewhat cute-looking, and they will [[HairRaisingHare absolutely take you apart]].
* BagOfSpilling: An unusual and [[DownplayedTrope minor]] intra-game example: Turner begins most levels with a single knife, regardless of any other weapons he picked up during the previous level. The only exception to this is [[spoiler:after Turner gets [[CoolSword King Hickory's sword]], which is an EleventhHourSuperpower against the wolves.]]
* BattleThemeMusic: Whenever the player is attacked, the music changes abruptly into a Japanese inspired combat theme.
* BeastMan: Despite clearly being animal species, the creatures of Lugaru are '''not''' stand-ins for humans, though they are easily intelligent enough to behave in a very humanlike fashion. All of them can [[AnthropomorphicZigZag run on all fours, or in a bipedal stance at will]]. While Rabbits live in a loose monarchy, wear clothes, and use Iron Age technology including tools, primitive armor and weaponry, Wolves, in order to [[TheSpartanWay toughen their bodies]], use no technology and wear no clothes under any conditions. In battle, they rely ''entirely'' on [[BareFistedMonk their own physical prowess instead of weapons]], though they ''will'' use a weapon they somehow acquire through a reversal. Also, [[SapientEatSapient Wolves still eat Rabbits]].
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler:Turner manages to successfully avenge his family and save the rabbits of Lugaru from being [[PeopleFarms farmed]] for [[SapientEatSapient food]]. That said, he [[AmbiguousEnding may or may not]] have [[HeWhoFightsMonsters gone]] [[ThereAreNoTherapists too]] [[ItGetsEasier far]] in doing it. In addition, his family and friends [[EverybodysDeadDave are all dead]] and his former home [[DoomedHometown is a graveyard]], so [[YouCantGoHomeAgain his life as it was is over]]. It's [[VengeanceFeelsEmpty not very hard to see]] why Turner decided to [[WalkingTheEarth roam the island]] to [[StartingANewLife find a new purpose in life]] instead of taking the crown he was [[OfferedTheCrown offered]]... [[LonelyAtTheTop what would be the point]]? (Though that choice could easily [[SuccessionCrisis create problems of it's own]])]]
* BlackHumour: The messages you get for some combat actions. "Nice aim" for GrievousHarmWithABody, "Tracheotomy" for SlashedThroat, "Bullseye" for hitting a target with a thrown knife.
* BossDissonance: Because combat in ''Lugaru'' in handled realistically, ConservationOfNinjutsu simply [[AvertedTrope doesn't exist]]. As a result, [[HardLevelsEasyBosses the boss fights are often very easy compared to the regular levels]]. Generally, the player is [[DavidVersusGoliath both outnumbered and only lightly armed]], so after killing over a dozen armed and/or armored raiders with only a knife, [[DiscOneFinalBoss one unarmed raider]] doesn't seem all that hard.
* BossInMookClothing: Wolves.
* BreakableWeapons: The staff has a tendency to shatter when used. However, swords and knives are [[UnbreakableWeapons indestructible]].
* CarnivoreConfusion: Played with. [[spoiler:The wolves in the game intend to enslave and [[PeopleFarms farm]] the rabbits, claiming that before coming to the island the game is set in, [[SapientEatSapient they wiped out the prey population in their old home]], leading them to seek more territory and food.]]
* TheChampion[=/=]TheDragon: [[spoiler: Fiver becomes this in the unused endings where Turner becomes the King, making him [[HonorBeforeReason quite similar to Jack]]]].
* ChoiceOfTwoWeapons: Turner can carry up to two weapons at any time.
* CinematicPlatformGame: ''Lugaru'' has this trope built directly into both it's level structure and game engine. That said, the platforming itself is very [[DownplayedTrope minimal]] compared to what the engine can actually do. The various [[ApprovalOfGod officially supported]] [[GameMod mods]] often realize this potential and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ0bMTTjh4s include levels specifically designed for platforming]].
* CivilizedAnimal: All mammals in the land of Lugaru are somewhat anthropomorphic bipeds with language skills, and most are clothed, but they're still part of an ecology that involves eating each other.
* CombatParkour: Turner can [[InASingleBound jump]], somersault, spring from walls, [[UnnecessaryCombatRoll roll]], and generally move aout during combat, and in some situations, it's encouraged.
* CombatPragmatist: Turner can use everything from staffs and swords to the [[GrievousHarmWithABody bodies of his enemies]] and [[WreakingHavok the very walls]] as weapons. [[NintendoHard And he probably should]].
* ConfusionFu: Certain moves will confuse enemies, possibly leaving them open for an attack.
* CoolSword: [[spoiler: [[EleventhHourSuperpower Only one sword is available, late into the campaign]] - it's [[BlingBlingBang quite ornate]], and [[RoyalRapier it belongs to the rabbit king]]. While it is [[NecessaryDrawback easily countered]], it is by far [[PurposefullyOverpowered the most powerful weapon in the game]] [[DifficultButAwesome when properly used]] - it can kill a wolf in just two hits, effectively turning them from [[BossInMookClothing horrifically difficult foes]] into a [[FakeUltimateMook cakewalk]].[[note]][[NintendoHard comparatively speaking]].[[/note]] It is also unbreakable.]]
* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot: [[spoiler:King Hickory, ruler of the rabbits has a problem: [[TheHorde wolves]] have come to his island to [[PeopleFarms enslave his people for food]]. Despite being a [[WarriorPrince trained fighter himself]], and having [[RedshirtArmy men under his command]], [[DirtyCoward Hickory is too scared to fight the wolves]]. Instead of using the local [[RetiredBadass famed war hero]] in his kingdom to kill off the wolves and secure the island, he [[TooDumbToLive decides to kill the war hero's family]] in a gambit to [[PuppetKing make it easier for the wolves to take over his kingdom unopposed]], [[{{Jerkass}} to save his own ass]]. If only he'd [[DidntThinkThisThrough stopped to think about the consequences]], [[VillainBall his kingdom would be safe, and he would not be dead]].]]
* CounterAttack: A core game mechanic. Pressing the Shift Key at the right moment and range will nullify and punish any melee attack. All enemies in the game can do this as well. Successfully countering an armed opponent generally results in the weapon changing hands. As such, it's not uncommon to see fighters [[MidfightWeaponExchange trade weapons]].
* TheCoup: [[spoiler:Once Turner reveals that [[PuppetKing King Hickory]] has been [[SlidingScaleOfUnavoidableVersusUnforgivable selling his people to the wolves]] out of cowardice, [[HatedByAll he immediately loses the respect]] of his [[PraetorianGuard his own guards]]. They [[AbdicateTheThrone force him to step down]] and start following Turner's commands, effectively [[AProtagonistShallLeadThem making him King]]. After the wolves are defeated, the guards offer to [[OfferedTheCrown make his kingship official]] since [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership no one could challenge him]], but he doesn't take the position and decides to [[WalkingTheEarth wander]] instead. There are unused assets in the game's files revealing that the [[WhatCouldHaveBeen player was originally given a choice in the matter]].]]
* DamageReduction: Armor works this way.
* DavidVersusGoliath: [[spoiler:Turner vs the Alpha Wolf.]]
* DeadlyLunge: Can be done at any time during an [[RunningOnAllFours animal run]].
* DoomedHometown: Sets in motion the plot of the game.
* TheDragon: [[spoiler:Two of them. Jack is this to Hickory, and Hickory is this to the Alpha Wolf]].
* EliteArmy: [[spoiler:Hickory uses the Wolves like this in the campaign.]]
* EliteMooks: In the story mode you'll occasionally find yourself facing a slightly more dangerous foe. Some of them are [[HeavilyArmoredMook Lightly Armored Mooks]], and at one point you'll face a rabbit named [[MeaningfulName Jet]] who's significantly faster than his mates.
* EmergencyWeapon: Knives are the most common weapon in the game by far, and can be used in the most situations. They can deal non-healable damage in melee combat, and can even cause someone to [[TimeDelayedDeath bleed out]], which can be annoying in long levels. They can be used as [[TheBladeAlwaysLandsPointyEndIn throwing weapons]] for an [[OneHitKill instant kill]][[note]][[LastChanceHitPoint usually]][[/note]] against unarmored rabbits - wolves will only find this tactic [[AnnoyingArrows slightly annoying]], assuming of course [[ComputersAreFast that you actually hit them at all]]. Thankfully, [[AntiFrustrationFeatures enemies never throw their knives at you]]. Knives also have not one, but ''three'' attacks that are [[OneHitKill instantly lethal]] against any enemy in the game: attacking an enemy from behind [[SlashedThroat cuts the enemy's throat]], attacking a [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown fallen enemy]] while crouching [[CoupDeGrace plunges the knife into their chest]], and if you see any fallen enemy that has a knife lodged in them, you can somersault over them [[LodgedBladeRecycling and rip it out]].
* EverybodyWasKungFuFighting: The number of living things in this game that ''don't'' know martial arts can be counted on one hand with fingers to spare.
* FantasyWorldMap: Turner's current location is tracked via one of these throughout the Campaign Mode.
* FlawlessVictory: The Challenge Mode will acknowledge when you clear a level without damage this way.
* FragileSpeedster: Turner.
* FreeFloorFighting: The terrain in ''Lugaru'' is always irregular, and has a large impact on any battle.
* GameMod: Modding of Lugaru and Overgrowth is [[ApprovalOfGod officially supported by Wolfire]]. You can find several of them on their own website [[http://www.wolfire.com/lugaru/mods at this link]].
* GreatOffscreenWar: Turner is a [[RetiredBadass retired war veteran]]. [[ShrugOfGod That's all we know]].
* GrievousHarmWithABody: [[RagdollPhysics Enemies can be used as weapons]]. This can be used very effectively, with the right choice of combos and a bit of luck.
* GroinAttack: Happens whenever a RoundhouseKick is successfully reversed.
* GuideDangIt: Stealth is an important aspect of the game, but the tutorial tells you nothing except that crouch-walking is stealthy and that you can perform instant-kill attacks from behind enemies. It doesn't tell you, for example, that the forward roll is considered "stealthy," allowing you to sneak up on enemies extremely rapidly; one of the most common complaints about the game is that sneaking is too slow. Nor does it tell you that certain enemies (read: wolves) can detect you by smell, requiring you to stay downwind from them as you approach (subtle environmental cues will show you which direction the wind is blowing). ''Nor'' does it tell you that these enemies can detect blood, or that you can clean blood off your weapons by stabbing the ground.
* HalfDressedCartoonAnimal: Early builds left everyone virtually naked. Later ones gave the rabbits clothing, but left the wolves unclothed.
** [[spoiler:Except the Alpha Wolf, who wears pants.]]
* HeartbrokenBadass: Turner, as a prerequisite of being a CrusadingWidow.
* HitStop: Any direct player-to-enemy contact that KO's or kills an enemy outright temporarily slows down time. Environmental KO's - such as kicking an enemy headfirst into a rock or off a cliff - do not. This effect can be used to get a better bearing on your surroundings.
* HonorBeforeReason:
** [[spoiler:Jack's motivation for betraying Turner and the entire rabbit race is his [[MyMasterRightOrWrong loyalty to the king.]]]]
** In combat, wolves refuse to pick up weapons because they consider them cowardly, preferring to kill you with their own hands. This rings true even when you carry a knife or sword, and at no point do they decide surviving is better than dishonor.
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Possible with both knives and swords in [[VideogameCrueltyPotential various ways]].
* ImpromptuTracheotomy: Attacking any sufficiently bled enemy from the front with a knife results in this. It [[OneHitKill kills instantly]].
* InASingleBound: [[JustifiedTrope Being an anthropomorphic rabbit]], Turner can jump pretty darn high.
* InTheBack: All of Turner's stealth kills are done this way.
* {{Killer Rabbit}}s: [[RuleOfCool That know Kung Fu]].
* LifeMeter: There's a complicated one, but in a strangely minimalist twist, it's invisible. When you've taken a lot of blunt force trauma, your character starts acting exhausted, [[InterfaceScrew the camera becomes wobbly and dark, and if you're seriously hurt you'll develop double-vision]] (provided blur effects are enabled). Fortunately, you regenerate this sort of damage over time. Damage you take from edged weapons, on the other hand, leaves visible wounds (if you've got blood enabled) and decreases your ''maximum'' health, which isn't restored until the next level.
* LightningBruiser: Wolves on [[HarderThanHard Insane difficulty]] can [[RunningOnAllFours run on all fours]] at a much greater speed than they can move on two legs. This renders them largely inescapable once they notice you.
* LimitedLoadout: Turner can only carry two weapons at a time. [[Videogame/{{Overgrowth}} The sequel]] increases this to [[SequelEscalation four]].
* LowFantasy[=/=]HeroicFantasy: With slightly anthropomorphic animals, no less.
* MatureAnimalStory: Don't be fooled by the [[FunnyAnimals cast of humanoid talking animals]]. The story contains [[PuppetKing political corruption]], [[EtTuBrute betrayal]], [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil sexual assault]], [[FamilyUnfriendlyDeath bloody violence]], [[WouldHurtAChild child murder]], [[{{Revenge}} vengeance]], and a ''lot'' of [[CharactersDroppingLikeFlies death]].
* MedievalEuropeanFantasy: To start, there's a king who wields an [[UsefulNotes/HistoricalEuropeanMartialArts arming sword]], as well as other trappings indicating a feudalistic system governed in an atypically loose fashion.
* TheMole: [[spoiler:Jack, Turner's best friend and second-in-command of their village, is one of the members of the conspiracy.]]
* MookChivalry: '''[[NoNonsenseNemesis Averted with extreme prejudice]].''' With the notable exception of [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy wolves]], enemies in Lugaru have no qualms about running away and calling their friends to help deal with you, and even wolves will not go out of their way to fight you one-on-one. Also, in the challenge levels, [[NoPlotNoProblem which have no plot, and thus no race or faction affiliations]], losing rabbits prefer to [[SummonBiggerFish call nearby wolves]] to assist with fighting you [[GenreSavvy instead of another rabbit]].
* MoralEventHorizon: The raiders have [[EstablishingCharacterMoment several]] blatant examples of [[KickTheDog puppy kicking]] in a row. First, they [[RapePillageAndBurn destroy Turner's home and kill everyone there]], including his [[WouldHurtAChild daughter]]. Afterwards, one of them can be heard [[ReminiscingAboutYourVictims idly bragging]] to a friend about [[PostRapeTaunt violating Turner's wife]], going so far as saying he [[TemptingFate wishes Turner was there so he could see the look on his face]]. [[PayEvilUntoEvil He doesn't last long]]. [[spoiler:In addition, King Hickory is selling his own kind for food because he's [[DirtyCoward too scared]] to fight against the wolves.]]
* MultiMeleeMaster: Turner, being a trained warrior, can use knives, swords, staves, and his bare hands with equal alacrity.
* MultipleEndings: Three possible endings were planned based on whether or not [[AlignmentBasedEndings the player killed or merely KO'd their enemies]], but they are not accessible in the final game. Their information is still in the game's code, but the player is always railroaded to the Neutral ending, which as of ''VideoGame/{{Overgrowth}}'' happens to be [[CuttingOffTheBranches canon]].
** In the GoldenEnding, Turner becomes [[TheGoodKing a wise and respectable king]] after replacing Hickory, though he doesn't have a total lack of detractors.
** In the [[CuttingOffTheBranches Neutral Ending]], Turner decides that he isn't fit to be a king and decides to [[WalkingTheEarth wander the island]] to [[WhatNowEnding find new purpose]].
** In the DownerEnding, Turner becomes a [[TotalitarianUtilitarian caring but bitter and ruthless king]] who [[SlidingScaleOfUnavoidableVersusUnforgivable ruthlessly kills any and all of his detractors]].
* MurderersAreRapists: [[WouldYouLikeToHearHowTheyDied Cypr]][[PostRapeTaunt ess]].
* NaturalWeapon: Wolves fight with claws (and occasionally teeth at Insane difficulty). This means that most of their attacks will deal damage that can't be healed except between missions... [[NintendoHard their attacks are also extremely powerful]]. Turner, being a rabbit, can use his [[ArmedLegs powerful leg muscles]] to perform the devastating Leg Cannon, which will [[MegatonPunch send enemies flying]] if it [[DeathOrGloryAttack doesn't kill him]].
* NeverBringAKnifeToAFistFight: Weapons are powerful and add range to your attacks, but they can be easy to counter and tend to reduce your combat options. [[DownplayedTrope Sometimes]] it's best to rely on GoodOldFisticuffs. Unless the weapon in question is a [[OneHitKill sword]].
* NextTierPowerUp: Turner's [[SecondHourSuperpower personal armor]]. While it's not a UniqueProtagonistAsset, it certainly helps even the odds in later levels. Also, [[spoiler: King Hickory's sword.]]
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: [[spoiler:The raiders didn't kill [[SpannerInTheWorks Skipper]] the way Jack wanted them too, instead deciding to keep him for ransom. This goes on bite Jack, and King Hickory, in the ass.]]
* NintendoHard: This game will absolutely obliterate an unprepared player. There is no MercyInvincibility, weapons are fantastically lethal, the AI can and will [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard counter your strongest move]], and wolves fit ''NEARLY ALL'' traits of the BossInMookClothing trope.
* NominalImportance: [[AvertedTrope Averted]], in an attempt to avert [[WhatMeasureIsAMook a certain other trope]] by [[TheDeadHaveNames giving some importance to the soon-to-be departed]]. Only two enemies in the game are referred to by generic terms instead of their names - [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Wanderer and Raider]]. All other enemies are given names and personalities [[JustifiedTrope unless they never happen to speak]], and their dialogue isn't necessarily plot important.
* NoticeThis: Weapons will occasionally glint when dropped.
* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: Turner can survive very long falls. Fall too far, however, and this tends to happen.
* OffstageVillainy: [[spoiler:King Hickory has been doing a ''lot'' of work behind the scenes, as have the wolves.]]
* OneHitPolykill: [[Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible Despite not featuring guns]], this trope is entirely possible due to [[WreakingHavok ragdoll physics]]. With a bit of timing and luck, a precise hit will [[GrievousHarmWithABody send enemies flying into each other]], possibly knocking out or killing several of them at once.
* OneManArmy: Turner. Notably {{avert|edTrope}}s several typical conventions of the trope, such as the tendency of fiction to ignore [[ThereAreNoTherapists damage to the fighter's psychological state]].
* OneWordTitle: With a subtitle of "The Rabbit's Foot".
* OnlyAFleshWound: If there's any doubt that ''Lugaru'' takes place in a WorldOfBadass, look no farther than the rabbit who, upon getting speared in the sternum with a thrown knife, ''[[LodgedBladeRecycling yanks the knife out of his chest wound and stabs you with it.]]''
* OptionalStealth: There's nothing that prevents the player from charging in and tearing their enemies apart... except [[SelfImposedChallenge the difficulty of doing so]].
* OurOrcsAreDifferent: For all intents and purposes, the Wolves are orcs, combining some elements of both "traditional" and "revisionist" versions of the trope. They are quite big, ''immensely'' strong, are technologically primitive, exclusively carnivorous, and are [[AlwaysChaoticEvil all hostile on sight]]. Ash reveals that they are actually quite intelligent creatures who are only primitive [[HonorBeforeReason on purpose]], seeing weapons and armor as cowardly and preferring to train TheSpartanWay.
* PlayerExclusiveMechanic: While the AI technically has all the same moves as [[PlayerCharacter Turner]], they are [[AntiFrustrationFeatures quite mercifully]] programmed to not use all of them. As a result, the player has exclusive access to several moves:
** Only Turner can perform the [[ArmedLegs Leg]] [[MegatonPunch Cannon]] [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique move]].
** Apparently, only Turner can [[TheBladeAlwaysLandsPointyEndIn throw his knife at all]]. Or maybe, he's just [[OldMaster that]] [[ImprobableAimingSkills good]].
** The [[RunningOnAllFours Animal Run]] can only be performed by Turner and [[SavageWolves the wolves]].
* UsefulNotes/PolygonalGraphics
* PostVictoryCollapse: [[TimeDelayedDeath Bleeding damage]] can cause this.
* PraetorianGuard: The Rabbit King's personal guards.
* PragmaticHero: Turner. His only goal [[note]] at first[[/note]] is exacting [[{{Revenge}} revenge]] on the raiders for the [[DarkAndTroubledPast deaths]] of [[CrusadingWidow his loved ones]], but as seen with the raiders' second base, he [[NeverHurtAnInnocent refuses]] to kill [[WouldNotShootACivilian anyone who doesn't attack him]], ''even if that person is a raider''. [[spoiler:Once he is aware of the wolf threat and [[TheCoup effectively King of the land]], Turner proves that he's [[NotAfraidToDie willing to put his life on the line]] for the greater good by ordering his men to guard the Rocky Hall while he [[TheMenFirst deals with the wolves himself]]. He later gives a speech to [[DirtyCoward Hickory]], [[AbdicateTheThrone the former King]] explaining why he was able to defeat the wolves, [[BreakThemByTalking including a direct jab at his cowardice]].]]
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: The wolves are an [[PlanetOfHats entire race of them]]. The rabbits also have their fair share of these, most notably the [[PraetorianGuard royal guards]], [[DesertBandits raiders]] and [[RetiredBadass Turner]].
* PunchedAcrossTheRoom: The Leg Cannon dropkick has this effect, although if it misses it [[AwesomeButImpractical leaves you vulnerable]]. Wolves can do this with some of their most simple attacks.
* PuppetKing: [[spoiler:Hickory is one of these, serving under the [[BigBad Alpha Wolf]].]]
* TheQuisling: [[spoiler:Hickory, the ruler of the rabbit kingdom, betrayed his people to the wolves in fear for his own life]]. He ''claims'' that his motives are more complicated than they seem, but that is [[BlatantLies highly unlikely]].
* RagdollPhysics: Part of the fun is sending other rabbits into walls, [[NotTheFallThatKillsYou off cliffs]], or [[ThrowTheMookAtThem into other rabbits]].
* RealTimeWeaponChange
* RegeneratingHealth: Blunt-force trauma heals over time. Damage from cutting weapons remains until the next mission, and causes [[TimeDelayedDeath bleeding]].
* RetiredBadass: While it's [[ImpliedTrope never explicitly stated]], There's more than enough {{Subtext}} to assume Turner was [[FamedInStory already known for his combat skills]] before settling down to raise a family.
* ReverseGrip: Turner always holds knives like this.
* {{Rewrite}}: The [[VideoGame/{{Overgrowth}} sequel]] to ''Lugaru'' contains an adaptation of this game's campaign. A lot of the plot was streamlined - many [[{{Subtext}} fine details]] were left out, and entire subplots [[CompressedAdaptation completely removed]] in the rewrite.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: The main motivation of Turner. It is eventually revealed that [[spoiler: Jack counted on him wiping out the raiders [[NiceJobBreakingItHero so the wolves would not have trouble enslaving the rabbits of the island.]]]]
* RunningOnAllFours: The Animal Run.
* SavageWolves: The wolves are a brutal race out to conquer and enslave.
* ScoringPoints: There is a totally unnecessary scoring system that gives the player more points based on the variety and difficulty of the moves performed. This means that defeating your enemies swiftly and efficiently [[TechnicianVersusPerformer scores less]] than openly [[CombatParkour fighting them with flashy kung-fu]].
* ShoutOut: One of the minor characters you meet in Rocky Hall (the capital of the rabbit kingdom) is a young rabbit named [[Literature/WatershipDown Fiver]].
** Another one of the guards there goes by the moniker [[{{Literature/Redwall}} Basil]], what what.
** At the beginning of the game, Turner comments to his daughter that “these silly tricks (climbing the implausibly rectangular stone spire in the middle of their ‘village’) are for kids.”
** Also, the background of ''Lugaru'''s main menu screen might be a ShoutOut to the AnimatedAdaptation of ''Literature/WatershipDown'' -- where the first time we see a rabbit is after the opening credits, via [[https://youtu.be/Q1n8E3ntWUg?t=244 a close-up on his eye]]. The background of the menu screen features [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aj6f5lJ5nMc/S-q1mLvNNMI/AAAAAAAABVc/omtusEVrBOo/s1600/luga.jpg nearly the exact same image]]. This might be just unintentional though, since such a image [[RuleOfSymbolism is cool on its own]].
* ShowsDamage: ''Lugaru's'' damage effects, especially blood, are very well detailed. Notably, the developer avoided the common temptation to [[{{Gorn}} greatly exaggerate]] the amount of blood shown despite putting so much detail into it.
** If severely injured, enemies will breathe heavily and hold themselves.
** Impacts from bladed weapons [[http://wiki.wolfire.com/images/8/85/Backstabber.jpg cause blood sprays]], and wounds are animated onto the bodies [[http://www.wolfire.com/lugaru/screens/1.jpg in the direction of the strike]]. Blood from open wounds actually [[http://www.wolfire.com/lugaru/screens/7.jpg flows in the direction of gravity]] and [[http://www.wolfire.com/lugaru/screens/6.jpg pools under dead bodies]]. A hard punch to the face will break the nose and cause a noticeable trickle. Bladed weapons drip for a few seconds after use, and each drip can stain the terrain.
** Enemies who are merely unconscious will visibly breathe. Dead enemies don't breathe, and they have open mouths.
* SlashedThroat: ''Another'' one of the stealthy OneHitKill moves.
* SlowlySlippingIntoEvil[=/=]ItGetsEasier: [[spoiler:By the end of the game, Turner is cold and angry enough that he [[WouldHurtAChild kills all the wolves, including mothers and children]]. Turner brings this up himself while ThinkingOutLoud]].
* SmallRoleBigImpact: [[spoiler:Skipper. He has few lines and does almost nothing at all in the plot, but it's through him that Turner learns about the larger conspiracy. Which is why [[HeKnowsTooMuch Jack tried to have him killed]].]]
* SuperStrongChild: Turner's lack of remorse towards killing children is somewhat tempered by the fact that the cubs you encounter are perfectly capable of defending themselves with the same amount of kung-fu training as the adults, including lifting you and slamming you onto the ground full force.
* TheSneakyGuy: It's never [[GuideDangIt explicitly stated]], but it's [[ImpliedTrope implied]], since Turner fits most of the trope's description. In any case, playing this way is necessary to win the game.
* TooHappyToLive: Turner's family and friends.
* SoleSurvivor: Turner is the only one who survives the raider attack on the village. [[spoiler: Actually averted: Jack feigns death and is actually TheMole, while Skipper is kept as a hostage by the raiders.]]
* SpeakingSimlish[=/=]AnimalTalk: Both rabbits and wolves “talk” in their natural range of sound expressions and gestures, which they can all understand but not in any language understandable to the player. Instead, their conversations are accompanied by TranslationConvention subtitles.
* StealthBasedMission: Although the game doesn't make it obvious -- see GuideDangIt above -- stealth is a vital part of how you play through the game. Ironically, it's most useful if you're trying to SpeedRun the challenge levels; taking out an opponent with a sneaky OneHitKill is often much quicker than straight-up combat.
* {{Subtext}}: Lugaru has an interesting amount of WorldBuilding and subtle details for a game with such a simple plot.
* SuplexFinisher: The aptly named "Spinecrusher" move.
* SwordFight: Given the LowFantasy trappings, this trope was bound to show up. That said, any notion of [[{{Flynning}} Hollywood "swordplay"]] is [[AvertedTrope averted]] with extreme [[SingleStrokeBattle prejudice]]. Your opponents will ''not'' aim to miss, bother with [[BladeLock trying to push against you]], or make [[SwordOverHead highly telegraphed swings]] with their swords: they will simply [[NoNonsenseNemesis cut you to ribbons as fast as they can]]. Any individual cut is very likely to [[OneHitKill kill you immediately]]. Even if you're somehow standing after the first hit, [[YouAreAlreadyDead you're likely]] to [[TimeDelayedDeath bleed out anyway]]. [[http://www.moddb.com/games/lugaru-the-rabbits-foot/videos/backslash As this video demonstrates]].
* TeethFlying: Any strong enough blow to the head will knock out teeth on impact.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: "I swear, I will kill all of them."
* ThreePointLanding: Turner will do this if he lands from a steep angle after a long fall.
* TranquilFury: Turner, whenever he gets angry. He could be confronting a person who conspired to kill his wife and child, and [[DissonantSerenity you'd never know it]] if not for the words actually spoken. [[http://blog.wolfire.com/2009/04/storyboards-for-overgrowth/ Also shown in the sequel]].
* {{Tyrannicide}}: [[spoiler:Both [[TheQuisling King Hickory]] and the [[LargeAndInCharge Alpha Wolf]] are killed by Turner to save Lugaru. (Though Hickory [[AbdicateTheThrone wasn't the king anymore]] at that point)]]
* UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler: Turner himself, who is manipulated into killing the raiders to make room for an invasion.]]
* UpdatedRerelease: ''[[http://blog.wolfire.com/2009/05/lugaru-hd/ Lugaru HD]]''
* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: You can [[NotTheFallThatKillsYou leap off of a ledge onto an opposing rabbit and knock him down]]. Then you can steal his staff, and [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown beat the crap out of your enemy while he's down, until he dies]]. [[PummelingTheCorpse Or until]] [[BreakableWeapons your staff breaks]]. [[BreadEggsBreadedEggs Or both]].
** Not to mention that you can [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown stab a person to death while they're knocked down]] by crouching and attacking while holding a knife/sword. And indeed, you're encouraged to do that. [[NintendoHard The timing is very difficult, however]].
** You can throw a knife at someone, then knock them down, roll over them, and rip the knife out of them for extra damage ''and'' get your knife back. This is extremely useful against wolves, who otherwise mostly ignore your knife attacks.
** If there is a campfire, you can burn your enemies. [[ManOnFire You can even set yourself on fire and torch your enemies]]. [[DownplayedTrope Extinguishing oneself is easy, though]].
* WaitHere: Turner tells his wife and daughter to stay at the village while he goes to kill the raiders. [[DoomedHometown Guess what]] [[FriendlyTarget happens]].
* WarIsHell: This trope is present in {{Subtext}}. The {{Rewrite}} of this game's plot included with Videogame/{{Overgrowth}} makes that subtext much more obvious.
* WeakButSkilled[=/=]BiggerStick: [[CombatPragmatist Turner]], especially against the wolves.
* [[WhyIsntItAttacking Why aren't they attacking?]]: The raiders in the Old Camp will not fight you, since you've already killed most of their gang (including the boss) and [[MookHorrorShow they know they stand no chance]].
* WorldOfBadass: Every living thing in this game. Even the wolf cubs apparently know martial arts.
* WouldHurtAChild: The raiders kill Turner's daughter early on. [[spoiler:Turner kills the Alpha Wolf's children later]].
* WreakingHavok: ''Lugaru'' contains some wacky physics fun -- see GrievousHarmWithABody above -- but ''{{VideoGame/Overgrowth}}'' looks to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC3pMb3XfIg take it to the next level.]]
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