Upcoming Roguelike Has Big Hades Vibes

Summary

• Rogue Loops, an upcoming indie game, draws significant inspiration from Hades.
• This roguelike features a repeatedly played dungeon with randomized loot and upgrades. Ability upgrades include distinct drawbacks, adding strategic depth to gameplay.
• While a release date isn't set, Rogue Loops is slated for PC release in early 2025.

The upcoming indie roguelike dungeon crawler, Rogue Loops, takes strong inspiration from Hades, mirroring its art style and core gameplay loop, but introduces a unique twist. Currently without an official release date, a free Steam demo offers a preview.

The roguelike genre's recent surge in popularity has spurred numerous iterations, ranging from action-packed titles like Returnal to classic dungeon crawlers such as Hades and its early-access sequel.

Rogue Loops directly draws inspiration from the latter, presenting a repeatedly played dungeon with randomly generated loot and ability upgrades in a top-down perspective. While comparisons to Hades are frequent, fueled by its Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself with a mechanic where ability upgrades come with significant downsides, dramatically altering gameplay.

Rogue Loops: Roguelike Action with Hades-Inspired Mechanics

This mechanic functions similarly to Hades' Chaos Gates, offering powerful upgrades at the cost of detrimental effects. However, in Rogue Loops, these "curses" play a more prominent role, with varied effects potentially lasting the entire playthrough depending on player choices.

The game's narrative centers on a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players navigate five-floor dungeons, facing unique enemies and bosses. Each playthrough unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling diverse build creation through buffs and debuffs.

Although Rogue Loops' official Steam release date remains unconfirmed, the store page indicates a first-quarter 2025 launch. A free demo, offering access to the first floor, is available. Players anticipating the full release can explore similar titles like Dead Cells and Hades 2 in the meantime.

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