Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike with a Twist
The upcoming indie roguelike, Rogue Loops, is generating buzz with its striking resemblance to Hades in both art style and core gameplay loop. However, it introduces a unique twist on the established roguelike formula. While a precise release date remains unannounced, a free Steam demo allows players to experience Rogue Loops's distinct mechanics ahead of its planned early 2025 PC release.
The roguelike genre’s recent surge in popularity has inspired numerous developers to create their own variations, ranging from action-packed titles like Returnal to classic dungeon crawlers reminiscent of Hades and its early-access sequel. Rogue Loops clearly draws inspiration from the latter, featuring a repeatedly traversed dungeon, randomly generated loot, and ability upgrades within a top-down perspective.
Though comparisons to Hades are abundant due to its Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself with a compelling mechanic: ability upgrades accompanied by significant downsides.
Rogue Loops's Unique "Curse" System
This mechanic shares similarities with Hades's Chaos Gates, which offer powerful upgrades at the cost of temporary negative effects. In Rogue Loops, however, these "curses" play a more prominent role, offering diverse and potentially run-lasting consequences depending on player choices.
The game's narrative centers on a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players navigate five distinct dungeon floors, each populated with unique enemies and bosses. True to roguelike tradition, each playthrough unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds utilizing both beneficial and detrimental buffs and debuffs.
While a definitive release date is pending, the Steam page indicates a first-quarter 2025 launch. In the interim, a free demo offering access to the first floor is available on Steam. Players eager for more roguelike action can explore titles like Dead Cells and Hades 2 while awaiting Rogue Loops's full release.
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