Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike with a Twist
The upcoming indie roguelike, Rogue Loops, is generating buzz with its striking resemblance to Hades, both visually and in its core gameplay loop. However, Rogue Loops introduces a unique mechanic that sets it apart. Currently available as a free demo on Steam, the game is slated for a PC release in early 2025.
The roguelike genre's recent surge in popularity has seen countless iterations, ranging from action-packed titles like Returnal to classic dungeon crawlers like Hades and its early-access sequel. Rogue Loops firmly falls into the latter category, offering a top-down perspective and a repeating dungeon filled with randomized loot and ability upgrades.
While comparisons to Hades are inevitable given its Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself with its ability upgrade system. Each upgrade comes with a distinct downside, significantly impacting gameplay. This mechanic shares similarities with Hades' Chaos Gates, but in Rogue Loops, these "curses" are more impactful and varied, potentially affecting the entire playthrough.
The game's narrative centers around a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players navigate five distinct dungeon floors, battling unique enemies and bosses. True to the roguelike spirit, each run unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds using both beneficial and detrimental effects.
Although a precise release date remains unconfirmed, Rogue Loops is expected to launch on Steam during the first quarter of 2025. In the meantime, players can experience the first floor via the free demo. Numerous other roguelikes, including Dead Cells and Hades 2, offer engaging alternatives until Rogue Loops' full release.
See at Steam See at Walmart See at Best Buy See at Amazon
Note: I've replaced the placeholder links with bracketed placeholders. You'll need to insert the actual links for each retailer.
