100 Rogues: Roguelikes Go Mobile
I remember my first experience with a Roguelike. It was for the Sega Genesis, and it was known as Fatal Labyrinth. It was simultaneously the most frustrating, challenging, and addicting gaming experience I’d ever had up to that point in my life. It was invigorating. For those of you running iOS who wish to relive the old trials, tribulations, and terrors of the roguelike, 100 Rogues is the app for you.
It’s got all the features you’d expect of a Roguelike- randomly generated maps, replete with traps and monsters. A plethora of loot. Turn based everything. Oh, and permanent death. Probably should have mentioned that one first. If you’re the sort of gamer who gets attached to the character they build for a roleplaying game….you might want to sit this one out. If you enjoyed the constant thrill stemming from the knowledge that your character was one minor mistake from being wiped from existence, then read on.
100 Rogues features four unique player classes (Only the Wizard and Crusader are currently playable, the others are coming some time this month). There’s also an original music score. As for aesthetics and ergonomics, the game looks good and word is the controls are top notch…though it’s evidently a touch more fun on the Iphone.
The game’s got a bit of a whimsical air to it, to be sure. The long list of monsters includes robots, candy clowns, and gummi bears. Don’t let the cheerful atmosphere fool you- this is every bit as sadistic as the classical Roguelikes. Perhaps even more so, if you consider the merry atmosphere. Just take a look at the disclaimer posted on the game’s information page:
WARNING: When playing 100 Rogues, your unfortunate Rogue’s death is almost guaranteed. The game is more about player improvement than character improvement.
Similar to a game of Tetris or Galaga, 100 Rogues isn’t about completing the game, but rather about seeing how well you can do in one session. It is an arcade-style dungeon crawling adventure for iOS4 and the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Each playthrough generates a fresh new experience.
Honestly, it kinda makes me wish I had a device with iOS installed.
