Roadmap evaluation: Domestic endeavor - Rogue Legacy
Laid-Back Lunacy: A Quirky Indie Gem That'll Make You Dread... and Delight in Dying!
If you've been yearning for a role-playing character with Tourette's and a fear of chickens, your dreams have just been answered, courtesy of an irreverent indie gem that'll leave you hankering for more. Say hello to Rogue Legacy!
Just a few weeks ago, we dived deep into the strange, exhilarating world of roguelikes – an unconventional role-playing sub-genre where combat reigns supreme, and death is forever. So, let's take a fresh trip down that rabbit hole, baby! As you've probably guessed, Rogue Legacy takes the roguelike craze and injects it with a hefty dose of offbeat humor and platforming madness.
So, what's Rogue Legacy's secret recipe for success? Well, it's a heady mixture of old-school Castlevania and Ghosts 'N Goblins in a 2D world that's randomly pieced together for each playthrough. But be warned: those intricate, interconnected puzzle-like rooms don't always come together perfectly, resulting in a few bumps along the road.
As you gallantly charge through the hordes of evil and decimate your foes like a modern-day Viking warlord, you'll start noticing the early signs of Rogue Legacy's RPG roots. After all, the deal's in the dough – or gold, to be precise. You'll earn a nice chunk of change for each enemy you vanquish, which you can use to enhance your skills, unlock new weapons and equipment, and unlock magical abilities through runes. But there's a catch: these perks don't belong to the character you're controlling – oh, no! Instead, they go to the next generation of your heroic lineage.
Oh, so you died? What a bummer – but hey, time to meet your adorable, trailblazing ancestor! Each time your character perishes, you step into the shoes of your heir. They'll inherit all your loot and bric-a-brac, giving you the perfect opportunity to start fresh, learn from your mistakes, and continue your quest for glory. However, don't be too stingy with your gold – your young ones can't keep any unused riches between games.
Now, this is a welcome change from the stingy nature of typical roguelikes, which often leave you high and dry after a unfortunate demise. But Rogue Legacy holds more than just lessons in generosity. It brings to mind a game like Tokyo Jungle, where death is just the beginning of a brand-new adventure.
Once you've taken a fatal fall (and trust us, it happens more often than you'd like), you'll be presented with a choice of characters hailing from one of three randomly chosen classes. You might snag a tried-and-true warrior or a hipster mage, or enjoy the unparalleled collection skills of a miner. Beware, though: you'll also pick up some quirks that'll change the way you approach the game.
Perhaps you'll be cursed with dementia and suffer from phantom enemies on the battlefield, or have vertigo and face the whole game while inverted. Expect to deal with absurdities like irritable bowel syndrome, which may make your character run faster but also leave behind elaborate flatulence protection clouds – go figure!
Rogue Legacy isn't one to take itself too seriously, but its random character traits ensure a heaping helping of variety. You'll be anxiously waiting to see what crazy condition you'll have to cope with in your next run.
All things considered, Rogue Legacy isn't just a love letter to roguelikes and platformers. It's a dazzling merger of genres where charm reigns supreme, and death is more a friend than a foe. Thanks to its precise and responsive controls, you'll feel like a master combatant in charge of your fate – and that's worth celebrating!
You'll face four clearly defined regions, each capped off by a boss worthy of your undying wrath. Sure, these baddies may not be the highlight of the game, but they're big and impressive, providing plenty of motivation for your victories. And even if they're not exactly the sharpest tacks in the box, Rogue Legacy's genre-bending brilliance, finely tuned balance, and witty humor make it one of the best indie games of the year.
In a nutshell: Rogue Legacy is a delightful indie blend of roguelike and platformer, where death is an opportunity to grow stronger and discover bizarre, hilarious traits for your character.
Pros:
- Brilliant combination of gaming genres, offering a wealth of variety thanks to its epic roster of random character traits.
- Highly addictive and perfectly balanced, boasting the ideal mix of challenge and reward.
Cons:
- Uninspired bosses and a dearth of enemy variety.
- Occasionally disjointed map designs.
- Charmingly rough graphics.
Rating: 8/10
Formats: PCPrice: £11.99Publisher: Cellar Door GamesDeveloper: Cellar Door GamesRelease Date: 27th June 2013Age Rating: N/A
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- Rogue Legacy, the offbeat indie gem, probably sets the bar high for roguelikes by enabling players to inherit character traits and loot from previous generations, making death more of a learning experience than a setback.
- As a testament to its commitment to variety, Rogue Legacy may bestow players with unusual abilities, like phobia of chickens or dementia, adding an extra layer of eccentricity to the gameplay.
- Embarking on technological adventures with an arsenal of gadgets, players will navigate through interconnected puzzle-like rooms in a 2D world, where death could drive fear but also promise a fresh start in a quest lined with charm and humor.
