Souls-Like 'Roots of Pacha' Emerges as Latest Roguelike Contender

Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike with a Twist

The upcoming indie roguelike, Rogue Loops, is generating buzz with its striking resemblance to Hades, both visually and in its core gameplay loop. However, Rogue Loops introduces a unique mechanic that sets it apart. While an official release date remains unannounced, a free Steam demo offers a sneak peek at this promising title, expected to launch on PC in early 2025.

The popularity of the roguelike genre continues to surge, with developers constantly innovating on the formula. Games like Returnal showcase action-packed third-person perspectives, while others, including Hades and its early-access sequel, stick to the classic dungeon-crawling style. Rogue Loops clearly draws inspiration from the latter, presenting a repeating dungeon with randomized loot and ability upgrades in a top-down view.

While comparisons to Hades are inevitable, thanks to its compelling Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself through a key mechanic: ability upgrades come with significant drawbacks.

Rogue Loops' Unique "Curse" System

This mechanic echoes Hades' Chaos Gates, which offer powerful buffs at the cost of temporary debuffs. However, in Rogue Loops, these "curses" play a more substantial role, potentially impacting the entire playthrough with lasting effects, depending on player choices.

The game's narrative centers around a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players must navigate five distinct dungeon floors, each teeming with unique enemies and bosses. As with most roguelikes, each run unlocks procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds leveraging both beneficial and detrimental effects.

Currently, Rogue Loops' official Steam release is slated for Q1 2025. In the meantime, the free demo allows players to explore the first floor, leaving plenty of time to delve into other roguelikes like Dead Cells or Hades 2 while awaiting its full release.

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