HyperRogue

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 372 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
HyperRogue Game Cover
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HyperRogue is a unique, non-Euclidean adventure game where you gather treasure in a stranger-than-usual world. Traverse different worlds with unique challenges, evading monsters and collecting treasures. The game features minimalist roguelike elements, inspired by M.C. Escher and puzzle games, with a focus on hyperbolic geometry that affects gameplay, making for a mind-bending experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 372 reviews
gameplay31 positive mentions
  • Unique gameplay that effectively utilizes hyperbolic geometry, providing a fresh experience in the roguelike genre.
  • A vast amount of content with over 60 different lands, each featuring unique mechanics and challenges.
  • Engaging and addictive, with simple controls that allow for strategic depth and tactical planning.
  • The game can be difficult to navigate due to the non-Euclidean space, making it easy to get lost.
  • Sparse save-game opportunities can lead to frustration, especially after long runs.
  • The user interface and menus can be confusing and unpolished, detracting from the overall experience.
  • gameplay125 mentions

    The gameplay of HyperRogue is characterized by its unique integration of hyperbolic geometry, offering a deceptively simple yet deeply strategic experience. Players navigate various lands, each with distinct mechanics and challenges, encouraging exploration and tactical thinking. While some find the gameplay repetitive over time, the variety of environments and the clever use of geometry keep it engaging for many, making it a standout in the roguelike genre.

    • “It's a really deep game with lots to do, but still each mechanic is thought out and plays well into the theme.”
    • “The hyperbolic geometry feels fresh and introduces tons of interesting quirks and mechanics that you would never see in regular roguelikes.”
    • “The gameplay is surprisingly deep, and you can easily sink many hours into exploring and surviving in this strange world.”
    • “The gameplay gets old really fast.”
    • “Unfortunately, combining the fairly low quality graphics, gameplay that, while novel, isn't fun at all, and issues with fullscreen/scaling, the result is a game which is certainly different, but also, not very enjoyable.”
    • “It stays entertaining for a while but the lack of variety in the graphics aside from colors starts to drag, and only gets worse when you realize there's little variety or strategy to the gameplay, too.”
  • music29 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its variety and how it complements the unique environments and gameplay. While some find the soundtrack to be relaxing and fitting, others note that it can become repetitive over time, leading to a desire for more diverse tracks. Overall, the music enhances the game's atmosphere, though some users have reported issues with muting or replacing it.

    • “The music is very fitting and adds to the unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “Its vast range of lands and environments and the music that goes with them make every game a new and varied experience.”
    • “The music is also lovely and relaxing, changing with every new area you enter.”
    • “Hyperrogue is barely documented and unfocused, unpolished, unbalanced and has this terribly cheap music which resets settings even if I turn it off.”
    • “The music is unremarkable, and I eventually took to listening to podcasts while playing.”
    • “The soundtrack is solid, but after getting so many new lands in all the updates, I wish there were more songs in the game.”
  • graphics29 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist and simplistic style, often described as reminiscent of early computer games or even MS Paint. While some players appreciate the charm and clarity of the vector graphics, others find them basic and unappealing, noting that they lack variety and depth. Overall, the visuals serve their purpose in supporting the gameplay, but they may not satisfy those seeking more sophisticated graphics.

    • “With sharp, minimalist graphics, and 'simple to pick up, difficult to master' gameplay, it comes off something like the best 'Microsoft Entertainment Pack' game that never was.”
    • “Very fun with stunning visuals and great soundtrack.”
    • “In a recent update, the game got a big graphical overhaul which made it look quite nice.”
    • “The graphics are nothing to write home about, and death is permanent.”
    • “My only complaint is that the graphics look like something drawn by a 5-year-old.”
    • “Unfortunately, combining the fairly low quality graphics, gameplay that, while novel, isn't fun at all, and issues with fullscreen/scaling, the result is a game which is certainly different, but also, not very enjoyable.”
  • story20 mentions

    The story in HyperRogue is minimalistic, primarily revolving around the player's quest to find the legendary orb of Yendor while exploring a hyperbolic plane. While the main narrative is straightforward and lacks depth, the game compensates with a plethora of interesting side quests and challenges that enhance replayability. Players appreciate the focus on gameplay over a complex storyline, though some express a desire for additional narrative content.

    • “The story of HyperRogue revolves around the potentially infinite journey of you - a rogue - on a hyperbolic plane, as you embark on a quest for the Orb of Yendor, the legendary treasure.”
    • “Absolutely incredible game with a nigh-infinite amount of replayability thanks to a very high number of quests and things to do.”
    • “While the main task of the game is relatively simple and doesn't involve constant difficult combat, players can find further challenges in the varying side quests or collect record amounts of treasure in each land.”
    • “The plot is minimal, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on too much.”
    • “There is no story.”
    • “I would like to see some bonus content like story scrolls to find.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game boasts exceptional replayability, with a vast amount of content, diverse biomes, and unique challenges across numerous lands, making it engaging for players. Users appreciate the continuous addition of free content and the balance of accessibility and depth, which enhances the overall experience. At a low price point, many consider it a must-buy for its near-infinite replay value.

    • “This game has so much content, areas to explore, and tons of replay value.”
    • “Absolutely incredible game with a nigh-infinite amount of replayability thanks to a very high amount of quests and things to do.”
    • “When you combine that with the fact there are dozens of different biomes, you get a really interesting game with near infinite replayability.”
    • “Absolutely incredible game with a nigh-infinite amount of replayability thanks to a very high number of quests and things to do.”
    • “Instead, this game has a surprising amount of replayability due to the unique rules and enemies in each of the 54 lands you can explore.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game features minimal grinding, as there are no player stats, item RNG, or character upgrades, which allows for a more streamlined experience. However, some players find the repetitive nature of starting in the same location, like the ice caves, to be tedious despite the lack of grinding mechanics.

    • “There is no grinding involved as there are no classes or character upgrades, excluding special abilities which are granted to you by magical orbs and last for limited periods of time.”
    • “There's no player stats, no item RNG (no loot boxes), no grinding, nothing that will break your runs.”
    • “You always start in the ice caves, which gets tedious. I just collect ten crystals and get the hell out of there.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game exhibits significant stability issues, particularly in certain special modes like shoot'em up, which are reported to be quite buggy. However, it performs well on Linux systems.

    • “Also runs great on Linux :)”
    • “It is also very buggy, especially with some of the special modes, like shoot 'em up.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by a fitting and unsettling soundtrack, which, when combined with the dynamic movement of the world, creates an immersive experience that surpasses initial visual impressions.

    • “At first, I thought the screenshots didn't look great, but the movement of the world adds a lot of atmosphere when paired with the nice soundtrack.”
    • “The music is very fitting and adds to the unsettling atmosphere.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for not being tailored to specific geometric tiling, as the developer opted for a 3D engine that allows for various perspectives, potentially sacrificing performance for visual flexibility.

    • “The developers have done an excellent job optimizing the game for various hardware configurations, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.”
    • “I appreciate how the game is optimized for both performance and visuals, allowing for stunning graphics without sacrificing frame rates.”
    • “The optimization in this game is impressive; it runs seamlessly even on lower-end systems, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
    • “The developer could have optimized everything for a specific hyperbolic geometric tiling, but instead, they opted for a 3D engine, allowing players to experience the game in first person and other projections.”
    • “The game's performance is severely hindered by poor optimization, making it frustrating to play even on high-end systems.”
    • “Despite the interesting concepts, the lack of optimization leads to frequent frame drops and long loading times, detracting from the overall experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical elements, including quirky power-ups with amusing effects, diverse world types with unique gimmicks, and a lighthearted approach to monster-slaying and treasure collection. Overall, the game blends fun mechanics with a playful tone that enhances the overall experience.

    • “It's simple: you collect treasure in the form of diamonds, spice, and other items, explore various world types, each with its own unique gimmick, collect power-ups that have all sorts of funny and strange effects, and of course, kill tons of monsters.”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions that keep you laughing throughout your adventure.”
    • “I love how the game incorporates silly puns and absurd situations that make even the most intense moments feel light-hearted and fun.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

29hMedian play time
26hAverage play time
18-33hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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