Hades-Inspired Roguelike Unveiled

Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike Dungeon Crawler

The upcoming indie game, Rogue Loops, is generating significant buzz with its clear inspiration from the acclaimed title, Hades. This roguelike dungeon crawler boasts a repetitive dungeon structure, randomized loot, and upgradeable abilities. However, Rogue Loops introduces a unique twist: ability upgrades are paired with distinct drawbacks, adding a layer of strategic depth and unpredictable gameplay.

While a firm release date remains unannounced, Rogue Loops is slated for a PC release in early 2025. A free demo is currently available on Steam, allowing players to experience the game's core mechanics firsthand.

The roguelike genre's recent surge in popularity is undeniable, with numerous developers crafting their own iterations. These range from action-packed experiences like Returnal to more traditional dungeon crawlers akin to Hades and its early-access sequel.

Rogue Loops directly draws inspiration from the latter, offering a top-down perspective and a repeating dungeon filled with randomly generated loot and ability upgrades. While comparisons to Hades are frequent, thanks to its Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself through its core mechanic: ability upgrades come with significant downsides that can dramatically alter gameplay.

Rogue Loops' Unique Twist: Ability Upgrades with Downsides

This mechanic echoes Hades' Chaos Gates, which provide powerful upgrades at the cost of detrimental effects. However, in Rogue Loops, these "curses" are more prominent and varied, potentially impacting the entire playthrough.

The game's narrative centers around a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players must navigate five distinct dungeon floors, each with unique enemies and bosses. As with most roguelikes, each run unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft unique builds using both beneficial and detrimental boons.

Currently, a precise release date for Rogue Loops on Steam is unavailable, but the game's store page indicates a Q1 2025 launch. Until then, players can enjoy the free demo (featuring the first floor) and explore other compelling roguelikes like Dead Cells and Hades 2.

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