Upcoming Roguelike Has Big Hades Vibes

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. While a release date hasn't been officially announced (currently slated for Q1 2025), a free demo is available on Steam, offering players a sneak peek.

The game features a repeatedly traversed dungeon with randomized loot and ability upgrades, a common element in the popular roguelike genre. This genre has exploded in recent years, encompassing titles ranging from the third-person shooter Returnal to the top-down dungeon crawlers like Hades and its sequel (currently in early access).

Rogue Loops directly draws inspiration from the latter, presenting a top-down perspective and a cyclical dungeon experience. While comparisons to Hades are inevitable given the Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself through a key mechanic: ability upgrades come with significant downsides.

This mechanic echoes the Chaos Gates in Hades, where powerful upgrades are offset by detrimental effects. However, in Rogue Loops, these "curses" appear more impactful and varied, potentially affecting 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. Each run unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds utilizing both buffs and debuffs.

While a precise release date remains unconfirmed, the Steam page indicates a Q1 2025 launch. Until then, the free demo (offering access to the first floor) and other roguelikes like Dead Cells and Hades 2 provide ample entertainment.

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