Upcoming Roguelike Has Big Hades Vibes

Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike with a Twist

The upcoming indie roguelike, Rogue Loops, is generating buzz with its striking resemblance to Hades in both art style and core gameplay loop. However, Rogue Loops introduces a unique mechanic that sets it apart. While a precise release date remains unannounced, a Steam demo offers a sneak peek at this intriguing title slated for early 2025 PC release.

The roguelike genre’s recent surge in popularity has led to numerous iterations, ranging from action-packed titles like Returnal to classic dungeon crawlers such as Hades and its currently-in-development sequel. Rogue Loops clearly draws inspiration from the latter, employing a repeating dungeon structure with randomized loot and ability upgrades within a top-down perspective.

Though comparisons to Hades are inevitable given its Steam trailer and readily available demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself through a key mechanic: ability upgrades are paired with distinct drawbacks, significantly impacting gameplay.

This mechanic echoes Hades' Chaos Gates, which offer powerful upgrades at the cost of temporary negative effects. In Rogue Loops, however, these “curses” appear more impactful and varied, potentially persisting throughout an entire playthrough depending on player choices.

The narrative centers on a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players navigate five distinct dungeon floors, battling unique enemies and bosses. Classic roguelike elements are present, with each run unlocking procedurally generated upgrades, allowing for diverse build customization through buffs and debuffs.

While a definitive release date is pending (currently slated for Q1 2025 according to its Steam page), a free demo showcasing the first floor is available. For those eager for more roguelike action, titles like Dead Cells and Hades 2 provide excellent alternatives in the interim.

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