Hades-Inspired Roguelike Emerges

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 in art style and core gameplay loop. However, Rogue Loops introduces a fresh mechanic that sets it apart. Currently available as a free Steam demo, the game is slated for a PC release in early 2025.

The roguelike genre's recent surge in popularity has seen countless iterations, from action-packed titles like Returnal to classic dungeon crawlers such as Hades and its early-access sequel. Rogue Loops clearly draws inspiration from the latter, offering a repeating dungeon, randomly generated loot, and ability upgrades within a top-down perspective.

While comparisons to Hades are inevitable, given its Steam trailer and demo, Rogue Loops distinguishes itself with a unique system: ability upgrades come with distinct downsides, significantly impacting gameplay.

This mechanic echoes Hades' Chaos Gates, which provide powerful buffs at the cost of temporary debuffs. In Rogue Loops, however, these "curses" are more impactful and persistent, potentially affecting the entire playthrough.

The game's narrative centers around a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players navigate five-floor dungeons, battling unique enemies and bosses. Like most roguelikes, each run unlocks procedural upgrades, enabling players to craft diverse builds using both beneficial and detrimental effects.

Although a precise release date remains unconfirmed, the Steam page indicates a Q1 2025 launch. Until then, players can explore the first floor via the free demo, or delve into other roguelikes like Dead Cells or Hades 2.

Summary

• Rogue Loops, an upcoming indie game, heavily draws inspiration from Hades.
• This roguelike features a recurring dungeon with randomized loot and upgrades. Ability upgrades include significant downsides altering gameplay.
• A PC release is anticipated for early 2025, though no official date has been announced; a free Steam demo is currently available.