Rogue

About

Rogue is a single player role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Epyx, Inc. and was released on October 22, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Rogue is a single-player Fantasy Role Playing game, where each playthrough is unique due to randomly generated rooms and items. Battle enemies, gather equipment, and discover magical spells in your quest for the Amulet of Yendor. This version, Epyx Rogue , was one of the earliest commercial distributions for IBM PC."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 338 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

Rogue is a classic that has stood the test of time, providing addictive gameplay and a unique challenge that keeps players coming back for more.
The game is historically significant as it spawned the entire roguelike genre, making it a must-play for fans of dungeon crawlers and RPGs.
Despite its simplistic ASCII graphics, Rogue offers deep strategic gameplay and a high level of replayability due to its procedurally generated dungeons.

The controls can be cumbersome and difficult to learn, requiring players to consult the manual frequently, which may deter new players.
Many players feel that the game is overly reliant on RNG (random number generation), leading to frustrating experiences where skill is overshadowed by luck.
There are numerous free versions of Rogue available online, making the paid Steam version feel unnecessary and lacking in additional features or improvements.

graphics
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
71%
9%
The graphics of this game, originating from 1980, are minimalistic and consist primarily of ASCII characters, symbols, and lines, which may not appeal to players accustomed to modern visuals. While some find the retro aesthetic charming and conducive to imagination, others criticize the dated and uninteresting graphics, suggesting that enjoyment hinges on gameplay rather than visual appeal. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose in delivering a classic dungeon-crawling experience, emphasizing the game's focus on tension and exploration over flashy visuals.
- “I am enjoying playing; it's amazing how one needs so little actual graphics to be suddenly (in one's imagination) in a dungeon, bravely exploring (or running for the door down, that you saw in the last room, before the troll catches you).”
- “The graphics do their job and leave plenty of room for your imagination.”
- “Lights off, basking in the dim glow of the ASCII graphics as they're revealed before you with every step.”
- “It's old (born in 1980 and freeware at the time), so the graphics are barely graphics; it's just a few symbols, lines, dots, and some letters.”
- “The graphics may be simple, well non-existent in this version, just ASCII characters, and sounds are almost absent. It's still fun to play if you're into adventuring with your imagination as a companion.”
- “The visuals make Dwarf Fortress look like a graphical marvel.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by its simplicity and addictiveness, offering a fun experience that has aged surprisingly well despite its archaic mechanics. While some players note a high variance in quality and suggest improvements compared to modern alternatives, the game's challenging mechanics and historical significance have inspired many derivatives, making it a noteworthy experience for fans of the genre. Overall, it remains a solid choice for those seeking nostalgic gameplay, even if it lacks the polish of contemporary titles.
- “The gameplay loop is fun, but I think if anyone were to ever make a game like it, improvements could be made.”
- “I really enjoy the gameplay; it's everything that I expected.”
- “The difficulty of the game mechanics combined with its simplicity keeps Rogue fun, even after all these years.”
- “This is because the gameplay choices the developers made for this game lead to a high variance in quality.”
- “I cannot recommend Rogue on Steam when there are way better alternatives that are free to play and offer much more polished and advanced gameplay systems.”
- “Also for the price, there is no graphics, soundtrack, and there is barely any gameplay.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The music aspect of the game is largely non-existent, as it is an ASCII game that does not feature a soundtrack, allowing players to listen to their own music instead. While some users appreciate the freedom this offers, others criticize the lack of any musical score, deeming it primitive. Overall, the game's design encourages a more personalized audio experience, making it suitable for playing alongside podcasts or chill music.
- “Pros: amazing graphics and an unforgettable music score.”
- “You can listen to whatever music you want and not have to worry about the game using its music to tell you when to feel emotions.”
- “Honestly, once you come to grips with all that, this game shockingly holds up pretty well and is perfect for playing with a podcast or chill music.”
- “There is no soundtrack, because it is an ASCII game.”
- “Also for the price, there are no graphics, no soundtrack, and there is barely any gameplay.”
- “Its music to tell you when to feel emotions.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's story, reminiscent of classic RPGs, revolves around a rogue's quest to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor from the Dungeons of Doom, as detailed in the manual. However, the lore has undergone significant changes, transforming the rogue's backstory from a guild initiate to an immortal adventurer trapped in a cycle of resurrection. Players appreciate the straightforward narrative, contrasting it with more story-heavy games that detract from gameplay.
- “Like older games, the game’s story is presented in the manual, where it is explained that your quest as a rogue is to find the Amulet of Yendor in the Dungeons of Doom.”
- “The game lore changed; the story of who the rogue is got completely altered in the manual. He went from someone trying to gain initiation into a guild to an immortal adventurer trapped in a dungeon, caught in an endless loop of resurrection.”
- “And so the story began... after some time playing, the story became a legend, and then the legend became a myth...”
- “This is how RPGs should be, not some story-heavy leading you around to talk to people trash with poor combat.”
- “The game lore changed; the story of who the rogue is got completely changed in the manual. He went from someone trying to gain initiation into a guild to an immortal adventurer trapped in a dungeon, caught in an endless loop of resurrection.”
- “Like older games, the game’s story is presented in the manual, where it is stated that your quest as a rogue is to find the Amulet of Yendor in the Dungeons of Doom.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is appreciated for its lightheartedness and cleverness, with players finding amusement in its playful take on the roguelike genre. The nostalgic reference to similar projects adds a personal touch, enhancing the overall enjoyment. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the game's charm and appeal.
- “Funny thing, I did a similar game in college for my programming class using C++ and I had so much fun.”
- “Funny thing is, it's still sooo cool!”
- “It's funny to see rogue among roguelikes.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game offers numerous decision-making points and exceptional opportunities for skill optimization, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “There are many points where decisions matter, and the opportunities for skill optimization are incredible.”
- “The game offers a wealth of strategic choices that allow for deep optimization of gameplay.”
- “I love how the mechanics encourage players to refine their strategies for maximum efficiency.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game is highly praised for its exceptional replayability, offering both fun and challenging experiences that encourage players to return for high scores or casual enjoyment. Many users emphasize its significant role in gaming culture and history, highlighting the extraordinary replay value that keeps them engaged over time.
- “Not only is it fun, challenging, and extremely replayable (if you like playing for a high score or just for fun in the moment) -- it's also an important part of gaming culture and history!”
- “I highly recommend this game; what else is there to say but the fact that it's fun and replayable.”
- “I have put a lot of time into this game; the replay value is extraordinary.”
- “The game lacks any real incentive to replay once you've completed it.”
- “After finishing the main story, I found no motivation to dive back in.”
- “The limited choices and outcomes make replaying feel pointless.”