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Rogue Legacy

Rogue Legacy mixes up genres and, through some inspired design choices, brings out the best in both. A deep and challenging game designed for small sessions and maximum satisfaction.
Rogue Legacy Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
grinding, stability
92% User Score Based on 12,008 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 21 reviews

Platforms

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Rogue Legacy Game Cover

About

Rogue Legacy is a single player role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by Cellar Door Games and was released on June 27, 2013. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

You control a family of characters one at a time, and when your character dies, you choose who his or her successor is, whether it is a barbarian son of yours who has OCD, your daughter who became a ninja even though she can't see well, an assassin who is fighting for the gays, or a miner who wants to collect gold! Traits are randomized each time upon death, leading to multiple playthroughs with 3…

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Rogue Legacy screenshot
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Rogue Legacy screenshot
Rogue Legacy screenshot
Rogue Legacy screenshot
Rogue Legacy screenshot
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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,008 reviews
gameplay731 positive mentions
grinding638 negative mentions
  • The gameplay is challenging yet rewarding, with tight controls and precise combat mechanics that make every encounter feel intense and exhilarating.
  • The humor in 'Rogue Legacy' is a standout feature, characterized by its quirky and often absurd character traits that add a comedic twist to the challenging gameplay.
  • The game offers significant replayability with its random level generation, diverse character traits, and engaging 'new game+' feature.
  • Some players find the gameplay clunky or overly reliant on grinding for upgrades, leading to repetitive experiences.
  • The game's optimization leaves much to be desired, with reports of stuttering and sluggishness on lower-end hardware.
  • Character development options are seen as limited and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.
  • gameplay
    1,756 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Rogue Legacy" is characterized by its blend of challenging platforming and roguelike mechanics, where players navigate procedurally generated dungeons, face tough enemies, and experience a unique lineage system that introduces randomized traits for each character. While the controls are generally tight and responsive, some players find the gameplay clunky or overly reliant on grinding for upgrades, which can lead to repetitive experiences. Overall, the game offers a rewarding loop of death and progression, making it addictive for those who enjoy a mix of humor and difficulty in their gaming experience.

    • “The gameplay is challenging yet rewarding, with tight controls and precise combat mechanics that make every encounter feel intense and exhilarating.”
    • “The core gameplay is simple fun and polished, and the surrounding systems add a lot of depth and unique mechanics.”
    • “With its addictive gameplay, clever mechanics, and endless replayability, it's sure to keep you coming back for more, generation after generation.”
    • “The character control feels like an oily tank on ice without brakes, while the gameplay expects pretty tight controls from the player (most of the time you need to dodge double digits of projectiles).”
    • “As a roguelike, it’s on the basic side—there aren’t enough mechanics or systems to keep the gameplay loop fun for more than a handful of runs.”
    • “If a new player were to unluckily decide to go down through the castle and venture into the land of darkness, their gameplay would probably consist of 15 minutes of learning the very tough, but fair mechanics of the starting castle's area and enemies, walking through a room transition, and immediately getting instakilled from full health by one of the late game enemies, all of which have their own set of nonsense abilities and overtuned damage numbers.”
  • music
    669 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Rogue Legacy" is widely praised for its atmospheric and engaging qualities, effectively enhancing the game's charm and emotional depth. While many players find the soundtrack catchy and reminiscent of retro gaming, some note that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “Accompanying the visuals is a dynamic soundtrack that shifts tone depending on the situation—whether exploring the castle’s halls or facing off against a boss—further deepening the game’s atmosphere and emotional engagement.”
    • “Above all else though, the music is absolutely spectacular.”
    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal and the whole family tree aspect makes this game one you don't want to miss out on.”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
    • “The music can get a bit redundant, but never takes away from the game as most of the time you will find yourself focused on not dying.”
    • “You will hear the same songs over and over and over - until the point I just turned all music off.”
  • humor
    660 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Rogue Legacy" is a standout feature, characterized by its quirky and often absurd character traits that can be both beneficial and hilariously detrimental. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted approach, with many finding joy in the randomness of traits like colorblindness or IBS, which add a comedic twist to the challenging gameplay. While some critiques mention that the humor can become repetitive, the overall consensus is that it enhances the experience, making each playthrough entertaining and engaging.

    • “Rogue Legacy hooked me with its simplicity and kept me coming back with its punishing difficulty and hilarious family tree.”
    • “The weird random things that each child gets is rather funny at times, sometimes helpful and sometimes a detriment, thankfully you pick between a selection of children.”
    • “You respawn as one of your descendants, each blessed (or cursed) with random traits that range from mildly inconvenient to downright hilarious.”
    • “Procedurally generated dungeon roaming with minor platforming elements, slightly cumbersome controls, and a goofy sense of humor. However, the Skyrim joke was not funny.”
  • grinding
    650 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages. While some appreciate the grind as a necessary part of progression that adds to the challenge and enjoyment, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making the game feel more like a slog than a rewarding adventure. Overall, the game is characterized by a heavy emphasis on grinding for upgrades and gold, which can be both a source of frustration and a point of engagement, depending on the player's preferences.

    • “Old school gamers will appreciate the challenge - and it's a real challenge, because the bar raises each time you buy an upgrade, so you have to get farther and farther into the castle to continue affording new upgrades (that means no farming!).”
    • “The random dungeon system makes you feel like you're not being tedious with every run, which is well done for a rogue game.”
    • “Not too grindy once you get the hang of it.”
    • “It's too long, too repetitive, too grindy, too dependent on luck, and, most importantly, too difficult and frustrating.”
    • “The game is incredibly grindy.”
    • “The grind could be enjoyable, and I came here wanting a grindy-ish game, if the game itself was truly enjoyable and fair.”
  • replayability
    621 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of "Rogue Legacy" is widely praised, with many players highlighting its random level generation, diverse character traits, and the engaging "new game+" feature that keeps the experience fresh and challenging. While some reviews note a decline in replay value after multiple playthroughs, the overall consensus is that the game offers a significant amount of replayability, making it a compelling choice for fans of the roguelike genre. However, a few players express concerns about the grind and potential boredom after extensive play.

    • “With its addictive gameplay, clever mechanics, and endless replayability, it's sure to keep you coming back for more, generation after generation.”
    • “The legacy mechanic creates a new aspect to the game every time you play, and the new game plus features give it enough replay value to make it worth the investment.”
    • “Rogue Legacy is a fun, addictive game with lots of replayability.”
    • “Rogue Legacy lacks in replayability; enemy types and level layouts are too consistent, making every run feel the same.”
    • “While it 'technically' adds replayability and variation, it's not the good kind.”
    • “There isn't much replayability after your completion, though.”
  • graphics
    573 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Rogue Legacy" are characterized by a charming retro-inspired pixel art style that resonates well with its old-school gameplay roots, offering a visually appealing experience that enhances immersion. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and vibrant colors, others find the graphics somewhat dated or simplistic, yet they generally agree that the visuals complement the game's mechanics effectively. Overall, the art style is seen as a significant aspect of the game's charm, contributing to its addictive nature and engaging atmosphere.

    • “Visually, Rogue Legacy adopts a retro-inspired pixel art style that is both charming and meticulously crafted.”
    • “The aesthetic perfectly complements the game’s old-school gameplay roots while incorporating modern touches that enhance immersion.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and easy to look at, unlike other pixel art games.”
    • “The graphics are ugly.”
    • “The graphics are meh and the music is completely forgettable.”
    • “The graphics are pretty crap honestly.”
  • story
    553 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Rogue Legacy" is generally considered minimal and serves primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay, which is the main focus of the game. Players embark on a quest to defeat a traitor and uncover the mysteries of a cursed castle, with the narrative revealed through journal entries scattered throughout the game. While the plot is simple and somewhat predictable, it adds a layer of intrigue and humor that enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable for those who take the time to explore its elements.

    • “It's a great roguelite with a surprisingly good story, but it excels in the gameplay.”
    • “The story is portrayed throughout the game with little journals left by one of the characters, so you find yourself looking all over the castle just to try and fit together the whole story, which, for a game like this, is surprisingly moving and deep.”
    • “The story is simple: you must find the traitor, who killed the king, inside a cursed castle.”
    • “In fact, very little in this game makes sense, story-wise.”
    • “It isn’t a game meant to be experienced for its story, and the story - the lore - is not even really meant to be considered.”
    • “The story is a bit lackluster.”
  • emotional
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report a strong emotional engagement with the game, driven by its dynamic soundtrack and impactful storytelling, particularly during pivotal moments like the final boss encounter. However, the frustration stemming from challenging mechanics—such as taking damage from merely touching enemies—can lead to feelings of anger and helplessness, creating a complex emotional experience that oscillates between joy and frustration. Overall, the game elicits a wide range of emotions, from laughter and tears to a sense of nostalgia and accomplishment, making it a memorable journey despite its mechanical shortcomings.

    • “Accompanying the visuals is a dynamic soundtrack that shifts tone depending on the situation—whether exploring the castle’s halls or facing off against a boss—further deepening the game’s atmosphere and emotional engagement.”
    • “Made me cry 10/10”
    • “This game is an emotional rollercoaster, one of the best stories I have ever read.”
  • atmosphere
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its effective combination of visuals and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances emotional engagement, creating a captivating experience. While the music may not be memorable outside the game, it complements the environments and gameplay, contributing to a charming and immersive atmosphere. Overall, players appreciate the unique blend of humor, art style, and sound design that together evoke a compelling and addictive atmosphere.

    • “Accompanying the visuals is a dynamic soundtrack that shifts tone depending on the situation—whether exploring the castle’s halls or facing off against a boss—further deepening the game’s atmosphere and emotional engagement.”
    • “The atmosphere created by the visuals and audio will creep into your soul.”
    • “Each zone is unique and atmospheric, the soundtrack is fitting for the environments, and everything comes together wonderfully.”
    • “I bought this because of seeing a let's play of it so many years ago. The atmosphere is a very mixed thing; you are in an unfriendly place where you can only get stronger by getting as much money as you can and leaving it for your child. You choose a child to play as, buy upgrades, get stronger, and repeat...”
    • “It reminds me of playing Ghouls & Ghosts on the Mega Drive, except with less visual variety and atmosphere.”
    • “This game is deceptively simple and surprisingly deep. It will have you traversing four different areas, each giving you little time to take in a changed atmosphere before they pummel you with new enemy types and an insensitive difficulty spike.”
  • stability
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various glitches and bugs, including visual issues and character movement problems. While some users noted that these bugs did not significantly impact core gameplay, others experienced more severe issues, such as crashes and freezing, particularly on certain platforms like Windows 10. Overall, the game runs well on most systems, but the presence of glitches can detract from the experience.

    • “A brilliant, addictive game that runs great on almost any PC or laptop; you can jump in for just a run and it will always feel like you are making a bit of progress.”
    • “It has some unbalances but it is almost bug-free, great gameplay, lots of replayability through New Game+, and there is just nothing bad to say about it.”
    • “Highly addictive game with great music! Also, if you're a streamer, the game runs great while streaming (no frame drops, runs smooth even when streaming at 60 fps).”
    • “Although some of the achievements are a bit buggy (which in turn didn't let me 100% the game, even though I did).”
    • “These are mostly visual bugs, like effects persisting, and are usually fixed by leaving and re-entering a room, but I've also had my character teleport into a wall and get stuck, forcing me to restart the game, and other more troubling glitches.”
    • “0/10 on Windows 10 - won't launch, even after a lot of troubleshooting and many people experiencing this issue for a long time.”
  • optimization
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting smooth performance on both low and high-end systems, while others experience significant stuttering and sluggishness, particularly on lower-end hardware. Issues such as resolution changes affecting mouse interaction and performance drops linked to specific character traits have been noted, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for all configurations. Overall, while the game is enjoyable and runs well for some, its optimization leaves much to be desired for others.

    • “Performance: no issues running on both my Steam Deck and desktop PC.”
    • “All in all a well optimized and supported game.”
    • “Highly addictive game with great music :) Also, if you're a streamer, the game runs great while streaming (no frame drops, runs smooth even when streaming at 60 fps).”
    • “While Rogue Legacy is a fun game to a degree, the constant stuttering and technical problems make this unplayable sometimes.”
    • “The game seems strangely unoptimized considering what's happening on screen.”
    • “Optimization leaves something to be desired.”
  • character development
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the depth and variety offered through inherited traits and unlockable abilities, while others find the options limited and the overall experience repetitive. The game features a robust character development system that can engage players for extended periods, but critiques highlight a lack of meaningful story progression and character design variety. Overall, while the character development mechanics can be satisfying, they may not fully compensate for the game's other shortcomings.

    • “With procedurally generated levels and a deeply robust character development system, Rogue Legacy will hold your attention for weeks.”
    • “The long game of character development, inherited traits, armor/rune stat/ability unlocks, and the infinite random nature of the castle are equally enjoyable.”
    • “Less avid gamers will enjoy the light-hearted humor, the sense of growth and character development from the castle improvements, and the plethora of options and combinations to choose from.”
    • “Might finish just to 100% if I can, but it's a slog with no reward for doing so, unlike RL2 where you get story tidbits and side character development even on unsuccessful runs, not just gold down the drain like here.”
    • “Cons: terrible difficulty gradient, it's bragged about 'randomness' and 'variation' is at such a small scale that the game feels incredibly repetitive within a few hours, adolescent character designs and bland textures.”
    • “I would've liked to see a little more effort in the character design, as there isn't much variety, but the developer did a good job of making it funny by simply sticking a pink ribbon on the female characters' heads.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the fair pricing and lack of DLCs or microtransactions, others criticize it for being a cash grab and for including in-game advertisements, even if they are for other titles by the same developer. Overall, the game's value is seen as strong despite these monetization concerns.

    • “Rogue Legacy is totally worth the asking price of $14.99 (as of late 2014). It doesn't have any DLCs or microtransactions, it's developed by indie developers, and it's just a great game overall.”
    • “The game offers a complete experience without the need for additional purchases, making it a fantastic value for players.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no paywalls or hidden costs; you get everything you need for a fair price.”
    • “Just a cash grab.”
    • “It's filled with in-game advertisements; yes, for other games by the same company, but advertisements still.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 21 critic reviews
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22h Median play time
45h Average play time
16h Main story
37h Completionist
10-41h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 76 analyzed playthroughs
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Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Rogue Legacy is a role playing game with fantasy and comedy themes.

Rogue Legacy is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 16 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 37 hours to finish. On average players spend around 45 hours playing Rogue Legacy.

Rogue Legacy was released on June 27, 2013.

Rogue Legacy was developed by Cellar Door Games.

Rogue Legacy has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Rogue Legacy is a single player game.

Similar games include Dead Cells, Rogue Legacy 2, Skul: The Hero Slayer, Lost Castle / 失落城堡, UnderMine and others.