What to Expect From Rogue Loops

While it hasn’t received as much attention lately as the Nintendo eShop, Steam remains a bustling hub for shovelware. This abundance makes it quite challenging for players to distinguish quality titles from the less desirable ones. Major AAA games benefit from strong marketing and brand recognition, allowing them to stand out on Steam’s front page. In contrast, many indie games struggle to gain visibility. They rely heavily on their own quality and positive recommendations, and Rogue Loops is already starting to carve out a reputation for itself.

Revealed in November 2024, Rogue Loops is an isometric action roguelite that clearly draws inspiration from Hades. However, despite its similar appearance and gameplay, Rogue Loops stands out with several unique features that make it a title to watch.

Rogue Loops is a Hades-Like With a Few Twists

Rogue Loops’ Gameplay Will Be Familiar to Fans of Hades

In Rogue Loops, players step into the shoes of a family caught in a never-ending cycle. They must fight their way through this loop, growing stronger with each attempt and encountering fresh challenges as they progress.

Fans of Supergiant’s Hades duology will find Rogue Loops’ gameplay reminiscent, especially at first sight. Players begin in a safe zone and then venture into the initial ‘loop,’ where they encounter several enemies. With an isometric view, they’ll engage in slashing, shooting, dodging, and casting magical spells to overcome their opponents. Successfully clearing a room grants them currency, which can later be spent on upgrades.

Rogue Loops’ Give-And-Take Upgrade System and Its Defining ‘Loop’ Mechanic

While the gameplay in Rogue Loops may seem quite similar to what Hades fans are used to, there’s a significant mechanical twist right from the start. Instead of receiving an upgrade after clearing a room like in Hades, players in Rogue Loops are given a choice between two upgrades as soon as they step into a new room.

One crucial point to keep in mind is that these enhancements come with a price. Every potential advantage is paired with a disadvantage. So, while players may unlock a strong spell for combat, they might also inadvertently summon a mini-boss, trigger spikes to shoot up from the floor, or attract a poison-spitting enemy into the room.

The upgrade system in Rogue Loops is all about give-and-take, perfectly complementing its unique ‘looping’ mechanic. Once players clear out the enemies in one room, they can progress to the next connected chamber. After selecting an upgrade and taking down the foes in the following room, they continue onward. However, in Rogue Loops, these rooms are cyclical, allowing players to revisit the same few rooms repeatedly throughout the same ‘loop’.

Whenever the player steps into the same room, they must select both a boon and a curse, which accumulate as they advance. As a result, after several cycles, a single room might be filled with spike traps, a mini-boss, and an enemy that spews poison, among other challenges, all working together to impede the player. This cycle persists until a boss emerges, and overcoming this foe allows the player to move on to the next, even tougher layer of the game.

Similar to Hades, Rogue Loops can present quite a challenge, but fortunately, players have access to several non-cursed upgrades that can help them in their fights. Before starting a loop, players can visit the “Well of Wishes” to gain a bonus for their entire run, like a better chance of discovering rare and epic upgrades. Additionally, by utilizing the “Witch Emporium” and its unique currency, players can make permanent enhancements to the Well of Wishes.

Rogue Loops Offers Multiple Player-Characters

One standout aspect of Rogue Loops is its variety of playable characters. Players can choose from four family members who are all caught in an endless loop, each equipped with their own distinct weapon and upgrade path. Gabriel, the father, fights with his fists, while his daughter Amber wields a bow. Aiden, the son, is armed with a sword, and Circe, the mother, harnesses the power of magic.