Rogue Loops: A Hades-Inspired Roguelike Dungeon Crawler

The upcoming indie roguelike, Rogue Loops, draws significant inspiration from Hades, particularly in its art style and core gameplay loop. However, it introduces a unique twist on the established roguelike formula. While a precise release date remains unannounced, a Steam demo offers a sneak peek at the game's engaging mechanics.

The roguelike genre's recent surge in popularity has seen numerous developers crafting their own interpretations, ranging from action-packed titles like Returnal to classic dungeon crawlers reminiscent of Hades and its early access sequel. Rogue Loops firmly falls into the latter category, offering a top-down perspective and a repeating dungeon filled with randomly generated loot and ability upgrades.

While comparisons to Hades are inevitable, given its Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself with a compelling mechanic: ability upgrades come with distinct downsides, significantly impacting gameplay. This mechanic shares similarities with Hades' Chaos Gates, but in Rogue Loops, these "curses" play a more prominent and varied role, potentially affecting the entire playthrough.

The narrative centers on a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players must navigate five floors of increasingly challenging dungeons, battling unique enemies and bosses. Classic roguelike elements are present, with each run unlocking procedurally generated upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds using both beneficial buffs and detrimental debuffs.

Currently, Rogue Loops is slated for a Q1 2025 release on Steam. A free demo, granting access to the first floor, is available for those eager to experience the game's unique blend of familiar and innovative mechanics. In the meantime, other roguelikes such as Dead Cells and Hades 2 offer satisfying alternatives.

(Replace with actual screenshot if available)

See at Steam | See at Walmart | See at Best Buy | See at Amazon (Links are placeholders)