Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike Dungeon Crawler
The upcoming indie game, Rogue Loops, is generating considerable buzz for its striking resemblance to the popular title, Hades. This roguelike dungeon crawler boasts a replayable dungeon structure, randomized loot, and upgradeable abilities. However, Rogue Loops introduces a unique twist: ability upgrades are paired with distinct drawbacks, significantly impacting gameplay strategy.
While an official release date remains unannounced, Rogue Loops is slated for a PC launch in early 2025. A free demo, currently available on Steam, offers players a sneak peek.
The roguelike genre's recent surge in popularity has inspired numerous developers to create their own iterations. These range from action-packed titles like Returnal to more traditional dungeon crawlers reminiscent of Hades and its sequel (currently in early access).
Rogue Loops clearly draws inspiration from Hades' style and gameplay loop, presenting a top-down perspective within a repetitive dungeon environment. Randomized loot and ability upgrades are central to the experience. Yet, its defining feature is the inclusion of significant downsides to ability upgrades, adding a layer of strategic depth.
This mechanic echoes Hades' Chaos Gates, which provide powerful upgrades at the cost of temporary detrimental effects. However, in Rogue Loops, these "curses" play a more prominent role, potentially impacting the entire playthrough depending on player choices.
The narrative centers around a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players navigate five distinct dungeon floors, battling unique enemies and bosses. As with most roguelikes, each playthrough unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds using beneficial and detrimental effects.
Although a precise release date is unavailable, Rogue Loops' Steam page indicates a Q1 2025 release. Until then, a free demo offering access to the first floor is available. Other roguelikes such as Dead Cells and Hades 2 provide engaging alternatives in the interim.
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