Rogue Shooter: The FPS Roguelike
- April 24, 2014
- Hippomancer
- 4h median play time
First-person shooters and roguelikes have finally tied the knot! Their offspring, Rogue Shooter, tasks you with navigating a space station run amok. Blast aliens and kick robots in the face as you traverse each level; collecting weapons and gaining experience along the way. How far will you go when death lurks around every corner? Will you reach the 100th level and destroy the source of the statio…
Reviews
- The game captures the spirit of classic FPS games like Doom and Wolfenstein, providing a nostalgic experience.
- The variety of weapons and enemy types keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- The roguelike elements, including random level generation and unlockable perks, add depth and replayability.
- The graphics and sound design are subpar, which may deter some players.
- The gameplay can become repetitive after a while, especially after completing the initial levels.
- The game has been abandoned by the developers, leading to unresolved bugs and a lack of updates.
- graphics133 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with many reviewers appreciating the retro aesthetic reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s PC games, while others criticize them as outdated or poorly executed. Some players find the intentionally simplistic and "bad" visuals charming and fitting for the gameplay style, while others feel that the graphics detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a nostalgic throwback that may appeal to fans of classic shooters, but could be off-putting for those seeking modern visuals.
“I personally like the graphics and presentation; it goes for the old school vibe it's looking for.”
“The graphics are simple and remind me of the old days of trading shareware games on 3.5 floppies, yet somehow charming and fun.”
“The art style is great, and the game doesn't take itself seriously.”
“The game's art style is horrendous, which you can see from the screenshots and trailer.”
“The graphics are atrocious but in an endearing way, like it was made in SketchUp.”
“The graphics look like something made in MS Paint, which in my opinion only emphasizes the game's attempt at a modern-day game with an old-school feel.”
- gameplay132 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Rogue Shooter" has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying its fast-paced, retro-inspired mechanics reminiscent of classic 90s shooters like Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. However, many criticize it for being shallow, repetitive, and plagued by bugs, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game offers interesting mechanics and a variety of skills, it struggles with execution and balance, leaving some players feeling that it doesn't fully deliver on its potential.
“The core gameplay is just a lot of fun and although I don't mind the graphics at all, I do wish the guns sounded weightier.”
“Game mechanics and variety of skills and characters are amazing.”
“Rogue shooter is a treat for the 90s gamer in all of us - old FPS controls that remind you that there was a time when you couldn't look up or down; graphics that look like they could've come from a Chex Quest artist; music that makes you wax nostalgic for the time when MIDI horns reigned supreme; and gameplay that leaves you absolutely paranoid about what the next floor might have in store for you.”
“Unfortunately, the core gameplay feels unfinished and shallow.”
“The idea is good, but the gameplay is way too simple and repetitive for me.”
“The game doesn't live up to the old school games it tries to harken back to and there is no story or humor to redeem the stymied gameplay due to its over-simplified design.”
- music92 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic MIDI soundtrack while others criticize it as repetitive and subpar. Many users report issues with the music stopping unexpectedly and lacking variety, leading some to prefer playing their own music instead. Overall, while the soundtrack has its fans, it appears to detract from the experience for a significant number of players.
“I haven't touched this game in years and I still think about the MIDI soundtrack.”
“Edit: the soundtrack to this game is stellar.”
“Rogue shooter is a treat for the 90s gamer in all of us - old FPS controls that remind you that there was a time when you couldn't look up or down; graphics that look like they could've come from a Chex Quest artist; music that makes you wax nostalgic for the time when MIDI horns reigned supreme; and gameplay that leaves you absolutely paranoid about what the next floor might have in store for you.”
“There is a lack of variety in music so eventually you may just turn it off.”
“The music is horrible.”
“My biggest complaint is that the music stops itself periodically, which is a real bummer because the music is pretty funky.”
- humor48 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its quirky and self-aware humor, which adds a fun layer to its retro FPS gameplay. Players appreciate the clever weapon descriptions and the overall comedic tone, with many finding the humor genuinely funny and well-written. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and gameplay simplicity, the humor remains a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
“Finish all that off with some simple yet pleasing graphics, and a large dose of humor (I couldn't help but chuckle to learn strong throngs long to belong and wear thongs) and you have a surprisingly fun game for such a low price.”
“It's genuinely funny and well-written.”
“The ultra retro vibe and its dorky self-aware humor makes it more fun than it should be.”
- replayability44 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, driven by its roguelike elements, random level generation, and unlockable content, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the fun, fast-paced gameplay and the ability to collect intel that enhances future runs, although some note that the ultimate goal can become repetitive over time. Overall, it offers a compelling mix of customization and challenge, making it a strong recommendation for fans of replayable single-player experiences.
“Needless to say, the game delivers a fun and replayable experience that is reminiscent of old-school shooter games such as Doom and Wolfenstein 3D.”
“There is good replay value since you can continually unlock information about the enemies, backstory, and classes.”
“The game generates the levels, enemies, and loot randomly, giving it a lot of replay value.”
“However, the ultimate goal of the game, 'reach level 100 of the Helios station' becomes tedious, or at least repetitive despite the inherent replayability of the randomly generated level structure.”
“If you enjoyed the likes of The Binding of Isaac, this is for you; however, keep in mind, it does not have the same replayability.”
“After I maxed out and got every class, I stopped playing, but there is possible replayability in the future.”
- story32 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and largely serves as a backdrop for gameplay, revolving around a mission to eliminate creatures in a derelict space station. While some players appreciate the amusing item descriptions and unlockable story logs that add a touch of humor, many feel the lack of a substantial narrative detracts from the overall experience, especially when compared to more story-rich titles. Overall, the game is seen as a nostalgic homage to classic FPS games, but it fails to deliver a compelling story or engaging humor.
“There is good replay value since you can continually unlock information about the enemies, backstory, and classes.”
“You also unlock story logs which carry on the odd humor of the game.”
“The game doesn't live up to the old school games it tries to harken back to, and there is no story or humor to redeem the stymied gameplay due to its over-simplified design.”
“The story is that you enter a derelict space station, and you are greeted by an empty lobby.”
“A mash-up of Doom and Fallout 3+ that pits you against RNG maps/enemies with none of that boring story.”
- stability16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and issues such as getting stuck on enemies and walls, which detracts from the overall experience. Many feel that the developers have abandoned the game, leaving it in a state that ranges from unplayable to merely frustrating, though some still find it worth the low price despite these problems. Overall, the lack of updates and fixes has led to a perception of the game as a "buggy mess."
“Very buggy title, with no real sign of the devs wanting to fix them.”
“What a shame the game has been left to die by the developer in a state as buggy as a month-old pig carcass.”
“The developer, hippomancer, has left the game in an unplayable state for some and a buggy mess for others, myself included in the latter.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the roguelike structure offers replayability, the repetitive enemies and maze-like levels can make progression feel tedious, especially when aiming for the ultimate goal of reaching level 100. Despite these concerns, many acknowledge the game's budget-friendly price and overall enjoyment.
“However, the ultimate goal of the game, 'reach lvl 100 of the helios station' becomes tedious, or at least repetitive despite the inherent replayability of the randomly generated level structure.”
“Levels get a bit grindy, but it's a roguelike for FPS adrenaline/speed junkies; deal with it.”
“The enemies do get repetitive, the levels seem to just get more hallways and mazes instead of creating a larger field of play, and the gun repair can get tedious.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as heartfelt, with a nostalgic retro-arcade feel, despite lacking a traditional narrative. Players can fully enjoy the experience without engaging with the story, focusing instead on gameplay that combines elements from classic titles like Doom and Fallout 3.
“A heartfelt retro-arcade recommendation!”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its engaging art style and immersive shooting mechanics that contribute to an overall enjoyable experience.
“I really liked this game, the art style, the shooting, and the atmosphere itself.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with users reporting persistent bugs that hinder loading times and overall gameplay performance.
“It has some annoying optimization problems, and allegedly several bugs that keep it from loading or playing properly.”