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 offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic FPS titles like Doom and Wolfenstein, appealing to fans of retro gaming.
- There is a wide variety of weapons and enemy types, providing engaging gameplay and encouraging experimentation with different strategies.
- The roguelike elements, including random level generation and unlockable perks, add replayability and depth to the game.
- The sound design is often criticized as grating, detracting from the overall experience.
- The core gameplay can feel repetitive and shallow after a while, with many players noting that once you've seen a few floors, the novelty wears off.
- The game has been abandoned by its developer, leading to unresolved bugs and a lack of updates, which frustrates players looking for a polished experience.
- graphics66 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appreciating the retro aesthetic reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s titles, while others criticize them as outdated or poorly executed. Some players find the intentionally simplistic and quirky visuals charming, enhancing the overall fun of the gameplay, while others feel that the graphics detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a nostalgic nod to classic FPS games, appealing primarily to those who value gameplay over visual fidelity.
“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 cell shaded graphics are pleasant to look at, and there's a good enemy variety consisting of robots, aliens, plants, humans, etc.”
“If the ugly graphics and antiquated controls are a turn-off to you then this might not be for you, but there's a surprisingly huge amount of depth to this game beyond what a traditional 90s boomer shooter offered.”
“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.”
- gameplay66 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Rogue Shooter" is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying its fast-paced, retro-inspired mechanics reminiscent of classic FPS titles like Doom and Duke Nukem, while others criticize it for being shallow, repetitive, and plagued by bugs. Although the game features interesting mechanics and a variety of skills, many feel it lacks depth and polish, leading to an experience that can feel unfinished and frustrating. Overall, while some appreciate its nostalgic charm and addictive nature, others find it fails to deliver on its potential due to technical issues and simplistic design.
“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.”
- music46 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its nostalgic MIDI soundtrack and fitting sound effects, while others criticize it for being repetitive, subpar, or even "atrociously amusing." Many users note issues with the music stopping unexpectedly and a lack of variety, leading some to prefer playing their own music instead. Overall, while the soundtrack has its fans, it appears to be a significant point of contention among 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.”
“This is a 90's arcade style shooter that has hilarious bad graphics but the music is downright perfect for this game and the weapons are very awesome.”
“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.”
- humor24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, self-aware style, with many players finding it genuinely funny and well-written. The off-beat jokes, amusing weapon descriptions, and silly gameplay elements contribute to a lighthearted experience that enhances the retro FPS vibe. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in gameplay, the humor remains a standout feature that keeps players engaged and entertained.
“Who knew that death could be so funny?”
“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.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, with many players enjoying its random level generation, unlockable classes, and crafting systems that enhance the experience. While some find the ultimate goal repetitive, the overall fun and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic shooters, keep players coming back for more. Customization options and the ability to unlock new content further contribute to its strong replay value.
“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.”
“After I maxed out and got every class, I stopped playing, but there is possible replayability in the future.”
“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.”
- story16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and often described as simplistic, primarily revolving around a mission to eliminate creatures in a maze-like space station. While some players appreciate the amusing item descriptions and unlockable story logs that add a touch of humor, many feel that the lack of a compelling 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 substantial story to engage players.
“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.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and issues such as getting stuck on enemies and walls. While some find it playable and worth the low price, many express disappointment over the lack of developer support and the game's overall unpolished state, leaving it feeling abandoned and in need of significant fixes.
“Played it over 3 years ago and it was a pretty nice game, but the devs have apparently abandoned it in 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.”
- grinding3 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.
“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. The ultimate goal of the game, 'reach level 100 of the Helios Station,' becomes tedious and 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 ultimate goal of the game, 'reach level 100 of the Helios Station,' becomes tedious and repetitive despite the inherent replayability of the randomly generated level structure.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a nostalgic and heartfelt experience, reminiscent of retro arcade games, despite lacking a traditional narrative. Players can engage fully with the gameplay without needing to connect with a story, focusing instead on the excitement of random maps and enemies.
“A heartfelt retro-arcade recommendation!”
“The game evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and connection.”
“It beautifully captures the emotional struggles of its characters.”
“The emotional depth of the game feels completely lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters or the story.”
“I expected a gripping narrative, but instead, I was met with a disjointed experience that left me feeling indifferent.”
“The game tries to evoke emotions, but the execution falls flat, leaving me more frustrated than moved.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers consistently praise the game's atmosphere, 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.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including bugs that hinder loading and gameplay, leading to a frustrating experience for users.
“It has some annoying optimization problems, and allegedly several bugs that keep it from loading or playing properly.”