Rogue
- October 22, 2020
- Epyx, Inc.
- 14h median play time
Get on Steam"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."
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Amiga
Amstrad Cpc
Atari 8 Bit
Atari St
Commodore C64
Ms Dos
Zx Spectrum
Reviews
- Rogue is a classic that defined the roguelike genre, offering a challenging and addictive gameplay experience that remains enjoyable even decades later.
- The game features procedurally generated dungeons and permadeath, creating a unique experience with each playthrough, which keeps players coming back for more.
- Despite its archaic graphics and controls, Rogue provides a nostalgic trip for many players, making it a must-try for anyone interested in gaming history.
- The controls can be cumbersome and difficult to learn, especially for new players, which may lead to frustration during gameplay.
- Many players feel that this version of Rogue lacks additional features or improvements found in modern roguelikes, making it feel outdated compared to free alternatives available online.
- The game can be punishingly difficult, with random elements leading to sudden deaths that may deter casual gamers from enjoying the experience.
- graphics29 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are primarily ASCII-based, which some players find charming and nostalgic, while others consider them dated and uninteresting. Despite the lack of modern visuals, many reviewers appreciate the simplicity and the imaginative aspect that ASCII graphics encourage. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose in delivering an engaging gameplay experience, even if they do not meet contemporary standards.
“The graphics do their job and leave plenty of room for your imagination.”
“The ASCII graphics are charming, and the game works perfectly under DOSBox.”
“Still extremely playable and aesthetically pleasing to this day.”
“The graphics are ASCII code characters which make up everything.”
“The visuals make Dwarf Fortress look like a graphical marvel.”
“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.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Rogue is praised for its solid mechanics and addictive nature, despite feeling archaic to newcomers. While it may lack the polish and advanced systems of modern alternatives, its simplicity and challenging gameplay have inspired many contemporary titles. Overall, it remains a fun and innovative experience, particularly for those who appreciate its historical significance in the RPG genre.
“I really enjoy the gameplay, it's everything that I expected.”
“It might feel a little archaic if you've never played it before, but after you spend an hour or two on getting used to the controls and the gameplay, it's hella addicting.”
“The difficulty of the game mechanics combined with its simplicity keeps Rogue fun, even after all these years.”
“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.”
“Aside from those minor gripes, the gameplay is still really solid and it is absolutely understandable why people wanted to imitate and expand upon the game.”
“Also for the price, there are no graphics, no soundtrack, and there is barely any gameplay.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story, presented in the manual, revolves around a rogue's quest to find the Amulet of Yendor in the Dungeons of Doom, echoing the style of older RPGs. However, the lore has undergone significant changes, transforming the rogue's background from a guild initiate to an immortal adventurer trapped in a resurrection loop. Players appreciate the minimalist storytelling approach, preferring it over more narrative-heavy 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 lore of the game changed significantly; the story of who the rogue is transformed 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 with poor combat.”
“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.”
“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.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the freedom to listen to their own music, citing it as a positive feature of the ASCII format, others criticize the complete lack of a soundtrack, viewing it as a limitation. Overall, the absence of music allows for a more personalized gaming experience, though it may not appeal to those seeking a traditional audio-visual experience.
“The graphics are amazing, and the unforgettable music score enhances the overall experience.”
“You can listen to whatever music you want, allowing you to enjoy the game without worrying about its soundtrack dictating your emotions.”
“Once you get the hang of the controls, this game surprisingly holds up well and is perfect for playing while listening to a podcast or chill music.”
“There is no soundtrack, because it is an ASCII game.”
“Also for the price, there is no graphics, soundtrack, and there is barely any gameplay.”
“Its music to tell you when to feel emotions.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is appreciated for its cleverness and nostalgia, with players finding amusement in its playful take on the roguelike genre. The lighthearted references and self-awareness contribute to an enjoyable experience, making it a standout feature for many.
“Funny thing, I did a similar game in college for my programming class using C++ and I had so much fun.”
“It's funny to see rogue among roguelikes.”
“Funny thing is, it's still sooo cool!”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 have put a lot of time into this game; the replay value is extraordinary.”
“Oh yeah, I also highly recommend this game... what else is there to say but the fact it's fun and replayable?”
