Rogue Invader

About

In Rogue Invader, play as the invader attacking alien hordes in a roguelite shooter with a 1-bit art style. You're part of a huge army with limited resources, aiming to end a 20-year war after losing supply ships in space battles. Fight through procedurally generated levels and upgrade your gear to achieve your mission.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 45 reviews

graphics11 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Rogue Invader offers a unique blend of tactical gameplay and roguelike mechanics, providing a rewarding experience with each run.
The game's retro-inspired visuals and engaging soundtrack enhance the overall atmosphere, making it a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
Developer interaction during gameplay adds a unique layer of immersion, making players feel supported and engaged throughout their journey.

The game can be unforgiving, with instant deaths from minor mistakes leading to frustration, especially for new players.
Some players have reported issues with save files disappearing, which can be discouraging after investing significant time into the game.
The tutorial and inventory management can be confusing, leading to a steep learning curve that may deter casual gamers.

graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
41%
13%
The game's graphics are characterized by a unique retro aesthetic, often described as 1-bit or monochromatic, which adds charm and depth to the overall experience. Players appreciate the striking visuals, dynamic backgrounds, and the thoughtful artistic direction that enhances gameplay without feeling outdated. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere and memorable style.
- “The graphics are something of a gimmick (I assume derived from a 1-bit game jam some time back), but they do work for giving the game a unique style.”
- “There is a surprising level of detail contained within the visuals, and the use of dynamic backgrounds and shading is carefully crafted to create fun and engaging places to explore.”
- “This game has been lovingly crafted, and this really shows in the stunning visuals, audio, and how mechanics are implemented to complement each other and allow player agency & a vast array of tactical options.”
- “The graphics are something of a gimmick (I assume derived from a 1-bit game jam some time back), but do work for giving the game a unique style.”
- “Just bear in mind if you click out of the game, cut scenes will carry on; audio remains fine but the visuals may be impacted.”
- “Obviously some work has been put into the game not to make it too easy, but also in the entertainment thanks to the nice cinematics with appropriate voice acting and funny dialogues; these cinematics are also quite special in a cartoonish way thanks to the 1-bit visuals.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
48%
13%
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, challenging mechanics that blend retro-inspired visuals with modern elements, creating an addictive experience. Players appreciate the depth and variety offered through tactical options, crafting, and resource management, although some find the loot mechanics and level design to be repetitive and unbalanced. Overall, the game delivers a satisfying and immersive experience, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack and developer interaction during gameplay.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, with each run offering a new opportunity to hone my skills and tackle the ever-changing alien threat.”
- “This game has been lovingly crafted, and this really shows in the stunning visuals, audio, and how mechanics are implemented to complement each other and allow player agency and a vast array of tactical options.”
- “Gameplay loop: during a drop you have intense action and stress, but once you die, you get a break to analyze the loot you picked up and gear yourself out for the next run.”
- “Playing this game, I notice the gameplay is a bit difficult for me.”
- “The resource looting mechanics can use some rework.”
- “Doesn't explain itself very well in terms of mechanics, but once you get acquainted with what you're doing, it's great fun and very rewarding.”
story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
27%
9%
The game's story is described as a fun, silly narrative reminiscent of "Starship Troopers," featuring humorous dialogue and engaging characters. While some find the storyline corny, it is well-voiced and effectively portrayed, adding to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. The thematic elements and environmental changes enhance the experience, making it a compelling aspect of the game despite its brevity.
- “This game is well worth a look for those looking for a fun retro vibe game, something tactical, or you like some characters with banter while still being in an awesome story with stakes and a compelling adversary.”
- “I am really enjoying this game; it feels like there was a great deal put into it - from the great art style, the roguelike mechanics are pretty fun, and the storyline has a good silly Starship Troopers feel.”
- “The storyline is corny as hell and reminds me a lot of Starship Troopers, but in a good way.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its lighthearted and engaging humor, which effectively balances the serious gameplay with comedic elements, including sarcastic voice acting and funny dialogues. Players appreciate the humorous cinematics and the clever integration of black humor, particularly from characters like the alien boss. Overall, the humor adds a delightful twist to the action and enhances the overall experience.
- “This game is lighthearted and fun with great humor, which you will need when you die over and over :)”
- “The game strikes a fun balance between serious genocidal gameplay and humorous cinematic elements, but is not for the faint of heart.”
- “The cut scenes are really funny and the Zeno King's jab at you dying every time brings a smile to my face :)”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The music in "Rogue Invader" is highly praised for its fantastic, retro-inspired soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience by building intensity and atmosphere. Reviewers note that the audio complements the action effectively, keeping players engaged and pumped throughout their gaming sessions.
- “In addition to its engaging gameplay and developer interaction, Rogue Invader also boasts a fantastic soundtrack that perfectly complements the action on screen.”
- “The retro-inspired music kept me pumped up and ready for action, adding to the overall intensity and excitement of the gameplay.”
- “The game features a great soundtrack which is tactically used to build the stakes and maintain atmosphere.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a strategically employed soundtrack that elevates tension, while its lighthearted and humorous tone provides a refreshing contrast to the challenges players face. Overall, it creates an engaging and enjoyable environment that balances stakes with fun.
- “The game features a great soundtrack that is tactically used to build the stakes and maintain the atmosphere.”
- “Mood/atmosphere: this game is lighthearted and fun with great humor, which you will need when you die over and over :)”
- “The game features a great soundtrack which is tactically used to build the stakes and maintain atmosphere.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, attributing it to the multitude of intricate systems at play, which significantly enhance the overall experience and encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The game has an insane amount of systems at play, making its replay value off the charts.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse choices and outcomes available.”
- “With multiple paths and endings, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report occasional frame rate drops and stuttering during intense gameplay. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be satisfactory for most players, but there are notable areas for improvement.
- “The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth performance even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the game for better performance, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
- “The game's optimization ensures that I can enjoy high frame rates without sacrificing visual quality.”
- “The game struggles with performance issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Optimization seems to be an afterthought, as the game often runs poorly even on high-end hardware.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that severely impacted the overall performance and enjoyment of the game.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, yet the enjoyable gameplay keeps them engaged and motivated to continue progressing.
- “Progression feels excessively grindy, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “The grinding aspect of the game is tedious and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I find myself spending too much time grinding instead of enjoying the gameplay.”

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Rogue Invader
$9.99
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