Rogue's Tale

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 508 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • grinding
Rogue's Tale Game Cover
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In Rogue's Tale, players explore procedurally generated dungeons as a rogue seeking to become a noble. Fight monsters, disarm traps, and acquire loot to build your character and uncover the mysteries of the cursed realm. Permadeath adds challenge, requiring strategic decisions and careful resource management.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 508 reviews
gameplay20 positive mentions
grinding24 negative mentions
  • Challenging and addictive gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
  • Unique roguelike mechanics with a variety of character builds and unlockable heritages.
  • Well-designed graphics and sound that enhance the overall experience.
  • Unforgiving difficulty with many random, unavoidable deaths that can frustrate players.
  • Poorly balanced mechanics that often lead to a lack of meaningful progression.
  • Cumbersome controls and a confusing inventory system that detracts from the gameplay experience.
  • gameplay84 mentions

    The gameplay of this roguelike title is characterized by its punishing difficulty and a steep learning curve, requiring players to master intricate mechanics and strategies to progress. While some players appreciate the depth and balance of the gameplay, others criticize the reliance on RNG and certain mechanics, such as traps, which can lead to frustrating and unfair deaths. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of traditional roguelike elements with modern features, appealing to those who enjoy challenging and strategic gameplay, despite some inconsistencies in execution.

    • “This game looks at the original rogue and says 'what if we kept that highly deadly gameplay and just added more stuff to it' and runs with it.”
    • “It's a niche title in an already niche genre, so it's relatively unknown, but it has one of the most robust and interesting (as well as punishing) gameplay loops of any roguelike I've played.”
    • “The randomness that seems to rule the game when you first start gives way to deep mechanics and skill and knowledge that rule the late game.”
    • “I didn't think I would like the card battler mechanic introduced in the newest updates, and to be honest I do feel like it kind of interferes with the 'purity' of the game as a roguelike.”
    • “The search/trap mechanics are tedious and infuriating.”
    • “It has potential but much of the gameplay boils down to completely unfair RNG at times, and without a proper wiki other than some stuff the dev has on their website, you've got no clue what you're doing.”
  • graphics47 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as simple yet charming, with a clean art style that enhances the overall experience despite lacking depth and complexity. While some players appreciate the minimalistic visuals and find them fitting for a roguelike, others criticize them for being generic or poorly implemented. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose, contributing to the game's atmosphere and accessibility, though there are calls for more variety and polish.

    • “I like the clean art style and the overall feel of the game.”
    • “The graphics are simple, but full of character and it's very clear what everything is.”
    • “Graphics 9/10 -- one of the most visually pleasant graphical hacklikes with very unique artwork.”
    • “Unsure whether graphical bug, simply extremely poorly implemented graphics, or both.”
    • “Extremely watered down roguelike with terrible gamepad integration, confusing controls, and migraine-inducing visuals.”
    • “Shame as the game has decent aesthetics, but is actually not playable.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating due to the reliance on repetitive tasks and random encounters. While some appreciate the roguelite elements and the potential for character progression, others feel that the grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a lack of meaningful challenge and excessive backtracking. Ultimately, the game may appeal to those who enjoy grinding, but it risks alienating players who prefer a more streamlined experience.

    • “The game is fun for a while, then it becomes tedious and boring getting killed due to random encounters, random traps, and just plain random deaths.”
    • “This one is too grindy and frustrating for a recommendation, even though I keep coming back to play it.”
    • “All in all, the game can be fun if you get really, really lucky, but the heritages seem mostly impossible to unlock right now unless you want to spend 40+ hours grinding and starting over.”
  • story14 mentions

    The game's story aspect is viewed as lacking depth, with some players noting that while there are quests with their own narratives, the overall storyline is minimal and not as engaging as in other titles. Players appreciate the challenges and variety in quests, but many express a desire for a more substantial and cohesive story, comparing it unfavorably to other games that offer richer narratives. Overall, the game is seen as having potential but falls short in delivering a compelling story experience.

    • “In between dungeons, you can undertake a quest, which is itself a kind of dungeon, but with a bit of story to it.”
    • “Rogue's Tale is a game with a lot of depth and challenges along with quests with their own story that have meaningful impact in your next runs.”
    • “After several hours of play, this is the game I was wanting when I bought Quest of Dungeons, and probably several other games.”
    • “This game has almost no story content.”
    • “It has, similar to The Binding of Isaac and Spelunky, simple mechanics and no real story.”
    • “The development was slow, and almost seemed non-existent.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The game's humor is a mixed bag, featuring unexpected meta elements and tongue-in-cheek jokes that some players find enjoyable, while others criticize it for being overly crude or cringeworthy. While the humor can enhance the experience, it may also become repetitive or detract from immersion, leading to a range of reactions from hilarity to frustration. Overall, the comedic aspects contribute to the game's unique charm, though they may not appeal to everyone.

    • “It helps that the game has some humor in it that I wasn't expecting and is kind of meta. Office approved game.”
    • “Has a fantastic sense of humor too.”
    • “Each adventure is different, exhilarating, and hilariously frustrating.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, largely due to its heritage system, procedural dungeons, and engaging mechanics. While some players note a lack of content and skill expression, many agree that the game offers a wealth of replay value, making it a standout in the roguelike genre. Minor criticisms suggest that additional themes could enhance the experience, but the core gameplay remains compelling and varied.

    • “The heritage system gives the game good replayability.”
    • “That's my favorite roguelike game, with tons of replayability.”
    • “Because it is a roguelike and has procedurally generated dungeons, the replayability is through the roof.”
    • “It lacks content, replayability, and expression of skill.”
    • “The replay value comes from legacy unlocks and random changes that are usually 98.9% not in your favor.”
    • “There are nice touches, like little torches on the walls and campfire lighting being important, but it needs more themes to make it more replayable.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is described as atmospheric and unobtrusive, but many players find it sparse and lacking in variety. Some reviewers express disappointment over the use of the same royalty-free tracks from another game, which detracts from the overall experience. While the sound design is generally appreciated, a desire for a more diverse soundtrack is a common sentiment.

    • “Sound 8/10 -- could use more music, but all sounds and music in the game are lovely.”
    • “Although I wished there was more variety in the music.”
    • “That is very sad; I know it is royalty-free music, but the exact same playlist?”
    • “Although I wish there was more variety in the music.”
    • “The sounds and music are fairly sparse, but quite atmospheric, and the repetitive sounds of things like combat are kept unobtrusive.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized for buggy controls and difficulty spikes, particularly with the end boss mechanics, which can lead to frustrating experiences. While some players do not view it as a cash grab, the lack of a tutorial and the overall gameplay feel resemble an outdated version of similar games.

    • “It's not buggy or some cash grab or anything like that.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “No tutorial, buggy controls, and too difficult even on 'Don't Kill Me' difficulty level.”
    • “It felt to me like playing an old, buggy version of a rogue game where the end boss can spawn one step from you when you enter the dungeon.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in this game is heavily influenced by the randomness of the map, which guides players down specific paths rather than allowing for complete freedom in character progression. This design choice creates a unique experience but may limit player agency in shaping their character's growth.

    • “What this game does is guide your character development along specific paths, influenced by the randomness of the map.”
    • “What this game does is force your character development into certain paths using the randomness of the map to do it.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by sparse yet immersive sounds and music, complemented by unobtrusive combat noises. While the graphics are minimal, they effectively enhance the overall ambiance, making for a highly recommended experience that keeps players focused and engaged.

    • “The sounds and music are fairly sparse, but quite atmospheric, and the repetitive sounds of things like combat are kept unobtrusive.”
    • “Highly recommended, the graphics are minimal, but it is very atmospheric in the sense of being immersed and focused.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting feelings of loss and frustration due to the deletion of their accounts, which represents a significant investment of time. Despite these challenges, there is a sense of hope and anticipation for the emotional payoff that comes with completing the game.

    • “Wiping out old accounts without the possibility to directly renew them made me feel the loss of almost 79 hours.”
    • “I've put up with this constant heartbreaking depression because I know when I finally beat this game, I might just 'glaze my cinnamon bun' right there at that moment.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's inventory system is criticized for being optimized for controller use, with the inventory key mapped to 'e' instead of the more conventional 'i,' leading to a less intuitive experience for PC players. Additionally, the limited inventory space adds to the feeling of suboptimal design.

    • “The inventory system feels optimized for a controller, making it intuitive and easy to navigate.”
    • “I appreciate how the game optimizes resource management, allowing for a smoother gameplay experience.”
    • “The optimization of controls enhances the overall fluidity of the game, making it enjoyable to play.”
    • “The inventory system feels like it was optimized for a controller rather than a computer, making it frustrating to manage.”
    • “The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that indicate a lack of proper optimization, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is well-received, with users noting that it is fair and not exploitative, avoiding common pitfalls like bugs or aggressive cash-grab tactics.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

31hMedian play time
22hAverage play time
4-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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