"Rogue Command" is a classic RTS game with a roguelike twist, where you build your base and control your units while facing the challenge of creating a new build every time. After each battle, you choose new blueprint cards to add to your arsenal, including unit factories, defensive turrets, and super weapons. The game allows you to slow down time to 10% during hectic situations, and you can unlock new ways to shape the game to your preferred playstyle.
The game combines RTS and roguelike elements effectively, providing a fresh and addictive gameplay experience with high replayability.
Players appreciate the variety of units, upgrades, and strategies available, allowing for unique builds and playstyles in each run.
The time-slow mechanic enhances micro-management, making it accessible for both new and experienced players, while the overall pacing keeps the action engaging.
The AI for both player units and enemies has significant issues, including poor pathfinding and command execution, which can detract from the overall experience.
Some players find the balance of difficulty to be inconsistent, with early runs being too easy and later runs becoming overwhelmingly difficult due to RNG and enemy strength.
The game lacks certain quality-of-life features and polish, such as a more intuitive UI and better onboarding for new players, which can lead to confusion and frustration.
gameplay
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
72%
4%
The gameplay of the game is a blend of classic RTS mechanics reminiscent of titles like Command & Conquer and Starcraft, combined with roguelike elements that enhance replayability and keep each run unique. Players appreciate the satisfying gameplay loop of completing missions, earning upgrades, and facing increasing challenges, although some criticize the lack of depth and personality in the mechanics. Overall, while the game offers solid mechanics and a fun experience, it is still in early access and could benefit from further development and additional content.
“Cool game, really satisfies my desire for a gameplay loop like: play a mission, get some upgrades, gotta do another mission to try out my upgrades, oh wait I've been doing this for 8 hours straight.”
“Great fusion of classic RTS gameplay with modern sensibilities and the run structure of a roguelike.”
“This game has solid RTS mechanics, but the roguelike mechanics make it fresh and really addictive!”
“Trash game in terms of optimization, gameplay loop, RNG, and the basis of balance between macro and micro.”
“It's incredibly soulless, boring, generic, and the mechanics don't really click.”
“The lack of identity isn't just a matter of taste but actual gameplay quality.”
story
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
83%
6%
The game lacks a traditional story campaign, focusing instead on a gameplay loop of completing missions and upgrading units, which players find satisfying and engaging. While the missions are quick and ramp up in difficulty, many reviewers express a desire for more variety in mission types and objectives to enhance replayability. Overall, the game is praised for its strategic elements and replay value, but it could benefit from a more developed narrative or campaign structure.
“The missions are bite-sized and quick, but ramp up in difficulty through each run and with meta difficulty modifiers as you complete more runs.”
“Adding mission objectives such as occupying strongholds and defending positions can greatly enrich players' gaming experience.”
“Gameplay of single-player RTS campaign with approximately 80 hours of replayability and no unnecessary storytelling dialogue.”
“A story perhaps?”
“There is no story campaign or multiplayer.”
“My only wish is to get more game modes than just the roguelike version or maybe even different objectives within the missions themselves.”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a simplistic, low-poly art style that may not appeal to everyone. While some appreciate the unique aesthetic reminiscent of titles like Battlezone and Tron, others criticize the visuals as the game's weakest point, expressing disappointment in the lack of graphical quality options and performance issues in later levels. Overall, the art style fits the game's mechanics, but improvements in visuals and animations are desired as it progresses through early access.
“Going for that Battlezone, polygon, Tron-like aesthetic is a good choice for this kind of game.”
“I like the upgrade mechanics of the game; the graphics, although not AAA quality, fit the game very well and the styling and colors used work really nicely.”
“Sound design and soundtrack are on point and really bring it to life even with the more stylized voxel-esque graphics.”
“Yet even graphically this game is so far away from looking good or engaging.”
“The graphics are the game's weakest point, and it is unfortunate that they are the first impression a prospective buyer will get upon opening the Steam page.”
“But my biggest issue was how poor the performance would become later on in the game and the lack of graphic quality options didn't exactly make the problem any smaller.”
replayability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
25%
11%
Overall, the game boasts impressive replayability due to its diverse unit and power-up mechanics, allowing players to experiment with unique builds and strategies. Many reviewers highlight the combination of RTS and roguelike elements as a significant factor contributing to its high replay value, with some suggesting that additional mission types could enhance this further. However, a few users noted limitations in replayability beyond unit variety, particularly regarding meta mechanics and grinding for unlocks.
“A game like this could be nearly infinitely replayable.”
“If you want a single-player RTS game filled with a ton of replayability, one that focuses more on working with diverse game mechanics instead of simply memorizing a singular solution, then Rogue Command is an easy recommendation—especially since the price tag is very easy on your wallet.”
“Overall great game with plenty of replay value.”
“There is little replayability involved, aside from meta mechanics where you grind the game to unlock new stuff.”
“Maybe capture and hold the points missions, etc. It would make the game way more dynamic and add even more replay value.”
“Can't judge variance and replayability yet.”
optimization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly during late-game scenarios or when using specific units, leading to major FPS drops. While a few users report smooth gameplay on high-end PCs, many criticize the overall optimization as lacking, citing the need for better graphic quality options and quality of life improvements. Overall, the game's performance issues are a notable concern that may detract from the experience for many players.
“Some rough edges around map generation and in need of some quality of life passes on hotkeys and optimization, but all the basics are there.”
“In my 9 hours of gameplay, I've had absolutely no performance issues; granted, I have a pretty good PC, so that's subjective.”
“Game runs smoothly, unit control feels right, pathfinding is decent, keybindings are nice, and units and runs feel varied.”
“Optimization is absolutely trash; I work in software, so I can provide some feedback on what you're getting out of this game.”
“I do have an issue with the performance, though, as even with a mild amount of units on screen (half pop cap), I get major FPS drops, and for the last level, I usually drop to 5 FPS.”
“But my biggest issue was how poor the performance would become later on in the game, and the lack of graphic quality options didn't exactly make the problem any smaller.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music and sound design in the game are highly praised, with many users noting that the soundtrack enhances the overall experience and complements the stylized voxel graphics. Reviewers describe the music as "really good" and "fire," encouraging others to try the game for its auditory appeal.
“Sound design and soundtrack are on point and really bring it to life even with the more stylized voxel-esque graphics.”
“Music is also fire; if you're on the fence, pick this one up.”
“The music is really good, and I like the art style.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to be highly unstable, with numerous bugs and a lack of assurance regarding its completion, leading to concerns about its long-term viability. Players express frustration over the early access model, feeling that they are purchasing an unfinished product without a clear timeline for fixes. Overall, the game's stability issues significantly detract from the experience.
“Given that the game is, in my experience, incredibly buggy (early access means nothing, because they're still selling you a product with no actual guarantee of finishing the game at all, especially with all of the developers complaining about the lack of manpower. It makes it seem like they're expecting a 5+ year early access period with an unfinished launch with the promise that 'it'll be fixed eventually, maybe.') and incredibly shallow on roguelike elements, I'd be hard pressed to come back, even if the game was on steep sale.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and somewhat frustrating, as it often leads to acquiring upgrades that feel ineffective or situationally useless. While some mechanics, like invincibility, can be game-changing, they also contribute to a sense of imbalance and repetitiveness in gameplay.
“The micros are nice but tedious and slightly game-breaking, like 10 seconds of invincibility. Why does this exist in the game? The powers can shift the turn of the game but are very hit or miss. You can get like 6 upgrades that are garbage and have little use in most situations.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is noted for its unique art style, which stands out even in early access, contributing to an engaging overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of solid RTS mechanics with rogue elements, enhancing the immersive quality of the game.
“The art style and atmosphere are both fairly unique even now in early access.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with multiple users highlighting its comedic elements as a standout feature.
“Hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud!”
“The humor is spot on and adds so much to the experience.”
“I couldn't stop chuckling at the witty dialogue and clever jokes.”