#also if you just want more crypt of the necrodancer; it does offer modes that are basically just more of that without the overworld map

[vonaegiremblem]

I finished Cadence of Hyrule today, and it is so, so good. 2D Zelda mechanics really do cross over so well with Crypt of the Necrodancer's gameplay, and it pays homage to so much of LoZ's history. Also the fact that you can just skip entire floors of dungeons if you have the right items is so sick. It's a genuine shame that, so far as I can tell, it didn't sell that well. If you've been craving a new 2D Zelda to play, I encourage you to pick it up if you haven't already. The rhythm mechanics are not that difficult to get used to and you can even turn them off if they give you too much trouble. I think there's also a demo, so if you want to try it before you buy, you can

[qm-vox]

So You Want To Play Hades

I spent six hours coming up with that title because I have problems in my mind which I refuse to either examine or resolve.

So, Hades! The latest work from Supergiant Games, who brought you the interactive soundtracks to Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre, all superb games in their own rights known for their intuitive gameplay, build-your-own-hard-mode difficulty style, incredible atmosphere and characterization, thought-provoking stories, and that sexy, sexy fuckin’ music.

Like, listen to this sometime it’s amazing (all of their soundtracks are available from them on Youtube, by the by, though if you like ‘em you can support the creators by buying the music from them directly too):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3Aoj1nw58

You’re likely asking, quite reasonably, why in the infinite and undying fuck I’m writing this post right now, and the long and short of it is I want more people to talk Hades with so now y’all are gonna get hit with the sales pitch and what I hope will be a helpful beginner’s guide if you decide to get into the game. Let’s get into that first part, shall we?

Thou Shalt Subject Your Gods To Market Forces

(Image sourced from Supergiant’s website)

Hades is an action-roguelike/lite that places you in the role of Prince Zagreus, secret son of Hades. Zag is trying to move out of his father’s house and live somewhere else for awhile and, well, Dad’s just being an entire dick about the whole thing. Hades challenges you to face down the endless ranks of the dead one chamber at a time, gathering the resources you need to breach upward through the Greek underworld and open the mighty gates into the living world. You can acquire it on Steam or on the Epic Store.

How do you know if Hades is or isn’t for you? If you like action games with tight controls and widely varied playstyles, we’ve got you covered here (if you’re thinking in terms of previous Supergiant offerings, Bastion has the most bones in). Hades also offers a great character-focused narrative, centering around the relationships Zagreus has and develops with the people around him - from legendary shades like Achilles and Sisyphus, to the gods of Olympus, to the cthonic gods of the underworld like Charon, Nyx, and the Furies - which fully incorporates the conceits of the genre. Unlike many roguelikes which sorta quietly elide failed runs or deaths, Zag’s defeats are part of his journey. After all, he’s already in the underworld. Where the fuck else is he going to go when he dies? Connecticut?

Though I can gush about the characters and narrative all day (and I’ll do it a bit more later), don’t get me wrong: Hades expects you to perform some pretty tight mechanics. Since dying is just the end of this run and not the game, the game feels pretty free to take brutal measures; the environments you move in are full of deadly traps, the seething ranks of the dead outnumber you to vast degrees, and you’ll fight a dizzying mix of opponents who do not hesitate to catch you in cross-fires, push you into lava, or drop bombs when you kill them because fuck you for succeeding you weird godling bastard. If you get easily frustrated or flustered, Hades may be quite stressful for you; before it’s anything else, it’s an action game with a heavy focus on combat, and if you decide to ride this train that’s the price of the ticket. If you relish the challenge and especially if you like the satisfaction of watching your play improve, though, it’s one hell of a ride.

In terms of accessibility features, Hades is a mixed bag. It has subtitles and aim assistance available, as well as a variety of supported languages and control adjustments which can alter how you do things like dash or attack, but it’s missing, for instance, a colorblind mode (and that’s gonna be important here in a minute), and many enemy behaviors & traps have audio cues which are not part of the current subtitle support. A rumble feature for controllers that have it is supported; Hades strongly suggests the use of a controller, but I know several players who choose to use a mouse & keyboard and seem to prefer it. Semi-recently, a God Mode option was added which empowers you when it’s turned on and does so further every time you die; it’s the closest Hades comes to an ‘easy’ mode, and while reception of it from my fellow players has been highly positive I’ve not tried it for myself.

If you’ve liked action games in the past, I’d highly endorse giving Hades a try as long as it’s accessible for you. The current build of the game (just before formal release) is selling at $24.99 USD on Steam right now, and like...I am not a highly skilled Gaming Individual(tm). I lose at games a lot. I play most of my games on Easy or maybe Normal if I’m really feeling like my dick is big - and with that in mind, I loved this one enough to buy it twice. I love the tight feeling of the combat, the way the mechanics feel, its gorgeous environments and its captivating characters. Hell, that’s why I’m out here writing a whole-ass article.

Stealth, Guile, Subtlety, And Other Things You Will Not Need - Getting Started In Hades

(Artwork sourced from the Hades wiki)

So you’ve decided to acquire Hades, you already own it, or the first part of this article was intriguing enough for you to look at the advice portion and see what sort of game you could be dealing with. Hades can be intimidating at first; it throws a lot of stuff at you, very quickly, and while it gives you some strong guidance on what to do with many of the resources you’ll acquire not all of those uses are immediately intuitive. The following is a guide to help your first few runs go a bit more smoothly and work on the fundamentals that will help you through your entire experience.

Let’s start with some General Tips that will help you out with every run and every weapon:

- Relax. No, seriously: relax. You haven’t ‘failed’ a run if you don’t beat the final boss. Hell, you probably haven’t even ‘failed’ a run if you die in Tartarus. If you learned something or got any permanent resource - gemstones, darkness, nectar, keys, blood, diamonds, ambrosia - then that run was a success. Even if the game wasn’t currently early access and thus without a proper ‘end’ at the moment, it’s supposed to be fun. Don’t castigate yourself for dying, just dive screaming back in and rip your vengeance from the spectral chest of your slayer.

- Always Be Moving. You only have so many hit points (you start a save file with a max of 50 and the most you can start a given run with is 200) and healing is limited over the course of a run. If you’re standing still, you’re getting hit. Zag’s quick on his feet - keep him moving and use your dash liberally. Once you’ve dealt some damage, leave and let your enemies swing at empty air, then dash back in and bully them back into their graves. When you start a dash you’re invulnerable until the dash finishes, which can make for some real cheeky dodges once you’ve had time to learn enemy timing.

- Watch And Learn. Early on in the game you’ll be learning about new enemies every chamber, especially when you start transferring to new zones and all of the enemies you’ve been facing just stop being a thing. Take the chance to know your foe! You’re not on a clock: don’t leap into the fight immediately. Dash around and watch how your enemies move and attack. What’s the limitations of their tactics? The reach on their attacks? How fast do they swing and move? If you’d like to watch some of that stuff ahead of time, I’d like to suggest amber_cxc’s Twitch channel: she’s been doing a lot of runs and speedruns of Hades of late, among the other games she plays.

- Manipulate Your Rewards. Certain things in Hades can only be offered a limited number of times per run, and once you’ve hit your quota they stop appearing. You can take advantage of this to get more Boons, Centaur Hearts, and Poms of Power. Specifically, you can only have up to two Daedelus Hammers and up to three Hermes Boons. If you can knock these out early I highly endorse doing so; they’re never bad to have, and even if somehow you want none of what they have to offer getting them off the RNG will help you later. Additionally, you can use Keepsakes (more on these in a minute) to manipulate who you get Boons from, when, by changing in and out of them at each biome. In this way you can control the shape of your build for the run.

- Accept That Your Dick Energy Is Fucking Huge. A lot of games try to keep you humble. Dark Souls is infamous for it, of course, and others in this genre such as Crypt of the Necrodancer and Enter the Gungeon do not reward haste at all. That is not this game. Walk into Hades like you’re the lord god of the Big Dick Dimension even if you know you’re not; take risks and learn from experience how you can mitigate, manipulate, or cancel out those risks. That unearned confidence won’t just help you with tip one (Relax), it’ll help you practice in those high-pressure situations which will occur more and more as your Heat rises.

- A Brief Note On Projectiles. This game has a few kinds of projectiles that you’ll need to learn to identify. Balls and Arrows can be broken - hit them with an Attack and they pop and won’t hurt you. Waves cannot be broken; they travel fast along the ground and have to be dodged or deflected. Lasers can neither be broken nor deflected. Traps can’t be broken, and deflecting them doesn’t always make them safe for you; these include the lava balls in Asphodel, Inferno Bombs, and the shit spit out by Bothers and Pests. Know your foe and always be moving.

In terms of the resources you’re offered, there are broadly two kinds: in-run resources, and out-of-run resources. Let’s talk briefly about in-run ones.

- Boons: Boons are the powerful gifts of your Olympian relatives. They change how you play during your run by augmenting your abilities (like your Attack, Special, or Dash) or by offering passive benefits. In general, look at Aphrodite, Athena, or Dionysus if you want powerful defenses, Ares, Artemis, or Zeus for powerful attacks, and Poseidon and Demeter for a combination of damage and utility. Different gods will be good with different weapons, and we’ll get into that later. Boons have a Rarity and a Level; Rarity determines their starting power and how well they scale if they do scale, and Level is that scaling.

- Centaur Hearts: +25 max and current HP for this run. Do you like not dying?

- Poms of Power: Poms increase the Level of a Boon by 1, which generally makes it better at doing whatever it does. Not all Boons will level up, but the ones that you can attach to your Attack, Special, Cast, Dash, or Call always do. You do eventually hit diminishing returns with these, so you’ll generally want to spread the love around if you keep picking up Poms.

- Obols: DOLLAH DOLLAH BILLS Y’ALL. Obols are the coins preferred by Charon, the Ferryman, who will take them from you for goods and services. Obols can be turned into all other resources - even out-of-run resources. They’re almost always a great choice of investment.

These in-run resources are presented as potential rewards when you’re selecting chambers. I tend to run heavy on Boons and Obols myself, but your own play style is likely to differ! Experiment with the feel of acquiring various rewards and see what you like to invest in. After all, they’re only for the run you’re on; you literally can’t take it with you.

Out-of-run resources are used to permanently advance Zagreus’s power, his relationships, or both. They are as follows:

- Cthonic Keys: Used to unlock new weapons and new parts of the Mirror of Night. Once your weapons and Mirror are wholly unlocked these keys stop being useful more or less instantly, and can be safely traded at the Wretched Broker between runs to acquire Nectar (but see Gemstones, below).

- Gemstones: Early in the game, Gemstones can be traded in at the House Contractor between runs in order to enhance the underworld; in particular, they can be used to install fountain rooms, to open up access to Chaos and Erebus, to give you access to Infernal Troves (and upgrade said troves), and to add in-run resources to Keys, Nectar, and Gemstones. These services are in the first tab of the House Contractor and you should buy them out as soon as possible so that your runs can springboard off of these powerful additions. Once that’s taken care of, Gemstones can be used to renovate the House of Hades, including Zag’s bedroom and the lounge, again at the House Contractor.

- Nectar: The nectar of the gods is in short supply in the underworld, and is a treasured gift that Zagreus can offer to his friends. In most cases, the first time you give a character Nectar they will trade you a powerful Keepsake in return; these are run-altering tools you select at the start of each run and change how you play. Early on, spread the love, but once you’re full up on Keepsakes you can feel free to develop relationships through gift-giving however you see fit.

- Darkness: The power of Night is used to give permanent, powerful passive benefits to Zagreus via the Mirror of Night in his bedroom. I would suggest using Darkness to get your extra Dash and extra hit points before anything else, but once you’ve got those tools kinda fuck around and find out. Eventually a dialogue option with Nyx will unlock the flip side of the Mirror’s talents, which must be developed separately and cost even more Darkness; you’ll want lots of this and you’ll want it for a very long time. Oh, and try to save aside 8,888 Darkness for a rainy day. You’ll need it.

- Titan Blood: Offered by the first and last bosses at each level of Heat (more on Heat later). Titan Blood is used to upgrade your weapons, making them better at doing all of the things they do, as well as to unlock Aspects of those weapons. We’re still shy one Aspect as of the latest patch, so ah, don’t stop collecting this. You’ll always have a use for it.

- Diamonds: Offered by the second boss at each level of Heat. Diamonds are used to buy plot-relevant renovations to the House of Hades, to advance certain relationships, and to acquire the fishing minigame and in-game access to the soundtrack within the House. Like Blood, you’ll have a use for these for a long, long time.

- Ambrosia: Offered by the third boss at each level of Heat. When you reach the point at which you can no longer offer people Nectar, genuine Ambrosia from Olympus becomes the princely gesture by which you can show your gratitude. You may be tempted to trade this for Blood early on. Don’t.

When you’re starting out, Darkness and Gemstones will be the gods of your new world, followed closely by Cthonic Keys You’ll run out of immediate need for Gemstones faster than you will for Darkness, but by that time you’ll either be comfortable with Hades or you’ll have determined it’s not for you. Focus on unlocking access to your new weapons, upgrading the underworld itself, and paying off your talents; at this stage, escaping the underworld isn’t really a priority so much as setting up for your eventual triumph is.

And When You Can No Longer Lay Waste - Infernal Arms And Heat

(Artwork sourced from the Hades Wiki)

The assault rifle with under-slung mortar launcher is definitely my favorite ancient Greek weapon.

So I’ve mentioned unlocking weapons, and I’ve mentioned that Hades offers varied play styles, so I suppose I ought to talk about them. Zagreus’s weapons - his Infernal Arms - form the first layer of your play style choices, which will be augmented by your in-run choices, and the second layer comes in the form of the Pact of Punishment and its Heat. Each weapon has differing values for its attacks and behaves very differently. I’m not gonna give you the specific numbers here - we have a wiki for that - and will instead make some general statements on how they play and what might pair well with them.

- Stygius, the Blade of the Underworld: You start each save file with this bad boy. Stygius is a generalist weapon that leans somewhat towards speed; its Attack is a three-hit combo that ends in a Thrust with knockback, while its Dash Attack (note: these are not the same with ANY weapon) is solely the Thrust, still with knockback. Its Special, slower than the Attack, is a high-damage shockwave that breaks enemy projectiles and knocks them back. You might be asking yourself, Vox, why would I Special when it makes people leave sword range, at which point I will direct you back to Always Be Moving; your Special makes your enemies Go Away, which saves you hit points. Stygius can build into almost anything, though its Attack benefits the least from Zeus and Poseidon, and is notable for having the most wild fucking Hammer options. Some of them do little things like make your Special bigger, but then you get stuff like Hoarding Slash (deal extra damage equal to 5% of your Obols), World Splitter (you do one big swing with a base damage of 80) and motherfucking CURSED SLASH, which is where Stygius rips a line of cocaine off of a mirror, cuts your health by 60%, and then heals you for 2 every time you hit something. My advice for this is whatever you start down, commit. Stygius might build into anything, but it can’t build into everything: once you choose a boon path, pick things to compliment that and go fucking ham.

- Varatha, the Eternal Spear: The forgotten child of Hades’ weapons, Varatha is a versatile weapon that, like Stygius, does a bit of everything - and unlike Stygius, does it all at the same time. Varatha’s base attack is a series of three long-range thrusts with low damage, and its Special throws the spear in a straight line, at which point it hovers in the air until you Special again; it follows a straight line from its position to your current one, damaging anything in that line. Last, but not least, you can perform a powerful Spin Attack by holding down the Attack button and charging up. Spin is one of the strongest single hits in the game, but you do have to stop moving to charge it up. However, you can dash out of the charge - even better, dashing releases the Spin at the end of your dash. This means that once you learn the timings of your charges, you can use Spin to attack and dodge at the same time, in a wide circle around yourself. Unlike Stygius, Varatha benefits to an extent from splitting your build up; its Attack wants big hitters like Aphrodite, Artemis, or Poseidon, whose high multipliers pair amazingly with the spin, while its Special can mount debuffs or stranger forms of damage like those offered by Dionysus and Ares. If you start building into one thing, but then Hammer into an alternate focus, the end result is still going to be pretty cohesive. Like Generic Goodstuff, or want a weapon to use while building up many divine relationships? Varatha does it all.

- Aegis, the Shield of Chaos: Just because this thing has the only block function in the game doesn’t mean it’s a defensive weapon. Aegis is a fast-moving melee weapon whose hits cause native knockback, slamming foes into walls, up against cliffs, and through traps & magma. Since Aegis throws people around it’s great for a highly aggressive style; dash in, hit them, and watch them slide away before they can do damage back to you. Its Special throws the shield Captain America style, where it ricochets off of opponents and obstacles before eventually returning. Use this with care; you can’t attack or block while your Special is out. Holding down the Attack button begins to charge a Bull Rush; while you’re charging, you’re immune to damage in the direction the shield is facing, and then when you release you dash to the end of the indicated line, damaging anything you hit. Despite how sexy that sounds, Bull Rush is honestly kinda slow and can be hard to build for specifically; instead, Bull Rush is best used to get out of bad situations, or to outlast big long boss combos, especially those used by the first and second bosses who are known to spit out absolute STREAMS of projectiles. Aegis hits fast and gets lots of bonus damage against normal enemies by bullying them against walls for that sweet, sweet Wall Slam damage, but it craves big damage multipliers less than some other weapons; consider using Zeus, Dionysus, or Demeter for your Attack, saving big damage choices for if you can get a Dash Attack build going. Special is great for mounting utility like Aphrodite or Poseidon that let you control the engagement further, just remember to think before you hit the yeet button.

- Coronacht, the Heart-Seeking Bow: Meet your first ranged weapon! Coronacht deals damage in a straight line by charging up a shot; when your line flashes, release the shot for a Power Shot that deals extra damage. Its Special is...bad, I’m gonna be real; it’s a wide-sweeping volley of arrows that deal individually low damage and will rarely, if ever, hit the same target. Still, it has its uses. Coronacht benefits from either high damage or battlefield control on its Attack; look into Artemis, Aphrodite, Demeter, and Poseidon. Its Special is harder to build for, but Ares and Zeus both do well on it since they can cause damage out of proportion with the range and/or area of your volley. Play keep-away and use distance to get off those charge shots, and remember that you can break projectiles and hit multiple enemies with each attack. Avoid mounting odd damage (Ares or Dionysus) or utility (Athena) on your Attack; it’s not going to come out fast enough to take meaningful advantage of those tools.

- Malphon, the Twin Fists: Easily the angriest weapon in all of Hades, Malphon is a pair of massive fuck-off gauntlets that are used for fast-moving combos at extremely short range. It is unique in that its Attack has a Dash Attack, and its Special - a massive uppercut - has a dash upper, letting you sweep in and deal big damage in a tight area immediately. Though each of Malphon’s hits are individually small, it throws out so fucking many of them that you can put almost anything on your Attack and it’ll work out. Athena Attack? Why not, you’ll be swinging when the enemy is. Dionysus Attack? Poison stacking has never been easier! Artemis Attack? Sure, you don’t do a lot of base damage, but you swing so often that you’ll crit constantly and take advantage of passives like Support Fire. Your Special has much higher base damage and can easily become the focus of your build, and because it moves slower it wants bigger damage multipliers like Artemis or Aphrodite if it’s your focus. If it’s not your focus, consider Poseidon in its slot (to get enemies to Go Away) or a god that will combo with your Attack (for instance, if you’re doing Demeter Attack, consider Zeus Special so you can potentially pick up the Cold Fusion boon and get 10 seconds of free damage every time you tap the Special button). You pay a price for this ease of use: Malphon’s range is directly inside the enemy’s ass, which means you need to have razor-thin timing to dash out of the way of attacks and keep your combos going, especially if you get swarmed. Since Malphon can mount and build literally fucking anything, it’s the ideal weapon to use if you want to power-level Keepsakes; slap something on at the start of a run and then just never take it off. Sure, you’re letting the Three Fates decide your build, but fuck it, it all just works!

- The Adamant Rail: What if you invaded the underworld with a fucking machine gun. The Adamant Rail has an ammo counter; each Attack takes 1 bullet (and Dash Attack takes and fires 2), and you reload by pressing the right-hand stick in. Its Special is a slow-moving mortar that hits in a wide area. The Rail is a powerful and versatile weapon capable of engaging at great range, which tends to build either Attack or Special. If you’re building Special, look for big hits like Aphrodite, Artemis, or even Poseidon, and any Special upgrade at all from the Hammers. Attack usually wants utility or stacks - stuff like Poseidon, Demeter, Dionysus, or Zeus - but certain Hammer upgrades like Spread Shot might make it more worthwhile to invest in big hits for it if you get them early. However! Just because you’ve decided on a focus doesn’t mean you should neglect the other half of your weapon. For instance, an Attack-focused build might still entertain the Targeting System upgrade so that you can more easily land your hits and avoid the enemy, while a Special-focused one benefits from mounting debuffs like Weak or Chill on its Attack.

For any weapon, once you settle into a play style you enjoy, find ways to be rewarded for what you’re already going to do. If you enjoy, say, the Chiron Aspect for the bow which makes it into a Special-focused weapon, mount benefits like Doom or Weak on its Attack since you still have to use that to make your shit go-go. This applies more broadly too; if you’re saving up Gemstones for something, for instance, use the extra money you get during your run to visit the shops earlier and more often. Let Hades reward you for doing the things you already want to do.

To close this guide out I’m going to briefly touch on Heat, which is how Supergiant Games has manifested their signature build-your-own-hard-mode approach. After you clear the game with any weapon for the first time, you acquire access to the Pact of Punishment. This Pact lets you turn on hostile modifiers to your run, which each have a Heat value; once you clear the game with a weapon at any given level of Heat (0, 1, 2, etc) you can only get Titan’s Blood, Diamonds, and Ambrosia with that weapon by advancing to the next level of Heat. In this way the game gradually gets harder on a weapon-by-weapon basis.

So, what modifiers to turn on? Depends on what you’re good at and bad at, but I would highly, highly suggest that you get used to Extreme Measures, Middle Management, and Benefits Package as soon as possible. Not only are they sources of big Heat by themselves that don’t change too much of the run by themselves, but their primary difficulty is knowledge-based; once you know them, they’re practically free real estate. Since Heat is tracked per-weapon and not in total, you can also always go back to weapons you’re not as good with and use practice with them as an excuse to get more permanent resources that you can pour into the ones you prefer.

Obviously this guide is not comprehensive! I’ve left out a lot of things you might want to know, like boss patterns, enemy types, and a whole lot of stuff about characters. Some of these things I’ve not talked about because I don’t want to give spoilers; others I haven’t talked about because I’m, again, actually pretty bad at games and the Hades community has talented folks whose guides on Steam, on the Reddit, and on the wiki can provide you with thorough breakdowns of the math that makes the game work. Still, it’s my hope that this can ease your entry into the world of Hades and help guide you in those early runs when it can feel like you’re spinning your wheels. I look forward to hearing from you; reblogs and commentary are welcome!

See you all in Hell.

[waynekelton]

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS

Roguelikes are a tricky genre to pin down, seeing as the name itself began popping up everywhere at once without much structural rigour once a certain type of game started to in win players over. Conspicuous features include turn-based gameplay, usually with exploration or combat, and limited-to-no persistent progress carried across different play sessions.

These constraints made for entertaining, thoughtful and compact games which acquit themselves well to on-the-go bursts of play. This list includes the most classic and favorite members of the roguelike genre on android and iOS.

What are the best Android & iOS Rogulikes?

Dimension of Dreams

Necrodancer: Amplified

Immortal Rogue

Card Crusade

MIYAMOTO

Hoplite

Road Not Taken

FTL: Faster Than Light

Dream Quest

Auro

Crowntakers

Recent Roguelike Releases

These roguelikes are recent additions to the review library that, while decent, aren't quite good enough to earn a top-spot. Might still be worth checking out though, if you like what you read in the review:

End of the Universe

Space Grunts 2

Void Tyrant

Silent Abyss: Fate of Heroes

SFD Rogue

Dimension of Dreams

Developer: WEXPLORE GAMES CO Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $0.99 (with IAPs)

In the absence of a mobile version for Slay the Spire, plenty of roguelike/card game hybrids have stormed the app store to try and capture that audience. Dimension of Dreams represents one of the better ones to come along recently. It's a token premium game with IAPs, but we've found that everything is very neatly balanced and scaled so that it doesn't feel like a grind. There are plenty of different deck archetypes as well for you to play around with and experiment, and it's just a shame it isn't on Android yet. This, and some choice patches is all that's stopping it from being the ultimate contender to Slay the Spire's throne.

Necrodancer: Amplified

Developer: Brace Yourself Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $4.99

Naturally, the only thing that could knock Crypt of the Necrodancer off its coveted top spot would be more Crypt of the Necrodancer. The Amplified version released in April 2019 contains the original game plus all of the DLC and add-on content from the PC game. There's a new protagonist to take control of Nocturna, along with new enemies, music and new levels. This is easily the definitive version of one of the best roguelikes of the generation, and now there really is no excuse to not get involved if you haven't already. Read Jarrett's review for more.

Immortal Rogue

Developer: Kyle Barrett Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $4.99

It's amazing what you can do when you take two seemingly by-the-numbers tropes and package them into something genuinely interesting. Your uber-powerful vampire may not seem that special as it terrorises society in a replayable game, but the fact that you're doing it over countless generations is not something you see every day. In Immortal Rogue, your job is to wake up periodically and reap civilisation. Because reasons. 

The game struggles at times to interesting thigns with the premise from a narrative perspective, the but the tactical choices you make as you slaughter your way through an age have consequences for the ages to come. Depending on who you kill (or don't kill), the make-up and technology of enemies could be radically different. This is an addictive, one-handed game that evokes the best of what the genre can offer. Don't forget to read our interview with the developer, if you want to know more.

Card Crusade

Developer: Pollywog Games Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $3.99

Fair and as advertised is our elevator pitch for Card Crusade. In a niche that includes Dream Quest, Slay the Spire, Meteorfall et al. there's little here you wouldn't have seen before, but it's a stable and competent enough game to scratch that same itch for a short spell. You must pick one of several classes and go delving into the dungeon, finding loot and spells along the way that can help you in repeat playthroughs. It's got its share of mediocrities, but also plenty of innovation as well.

Battles have an unusual tempo to them. Of course it’s always best to clear the field as soon as possible, but the game usually proceeds in bursts of activity, with some turns devoted to healing and survival while others see play of an especially strong card to eliminate a key foe. Here Card Crusade breaks with longstanding roguelike tradition and does not offer full healing upon level-up or floor clear, which means damage suffered becomes persistent. This is one of the game’s smartest choices, adding a sense of pressure while simultaneously rewarding clean strategy and play.

MIYAMOTO

Developer: Hideki Hanida Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $2.99

Release towards the end of last year, we were a little late to the punch getting this one reviewed, but it's worth the wait. MIYAMOTO is an interesting blend of turn-based strategy, card mechanics and rogue-like gameplay where one of its few faults is that it's all-to-brief. The eight levels pit you against progressively tougher enemies, with short-term goal being to defeat your opponent's leader. If either your's or their leader dies, it's game-over. Beating levels nets you coins that you can use to invest in better leaders.

The card mechanics are perhaps a bit token - there's no way to interact with your deck of troops, but every unit is varied and unique, and the small 4x4 arena makes from some really tight tactical engagements. It a fast-paced game of throwing your units into battle as quickly as possible, filling as many spaces around your leader, so that you can place new ones ever deeper into opponents’ territory. If you're looking for something short and sweet, MIYAMOTO is an excellent new addition to your roster.

Hoplite

Developer: Magma Fortress Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, (free demo on Android)

Hoplite might very well delight that wight who likes only the right sort of roguelike. The hoplites of history aren’t usually considered lone wolves or heroes, but this is exactly what the game casts you as: one nameless figure on a tight hexa-based on a quest to retrieve the golden fleece. Soldiering across levels of escalating difficulty, visiting temples to get incremental bonuses. The movement and decisions are simple, just a series of swipes along with the odd special ability. Small numbers and single turns are always decisive, and the ability effects are simple yet profound, little deus ex machinas bestowed each level. The skill synergies are tantalizing enough to draw you in, and the fiendishly difficult achievements (pacifist run, anyone?) will keep even veterans engaged. This one is a relic of the genre that is sterling.

Road Not Taken

Developer: Spryfox Games Platforms: iOS Universal, Android Price: $4.99

In Road Not Taken, the winter is harsh and full of children, lost and dearly missed by the village. You, a sackcloth-clad stranger, take your torch and use what precious energy you have to brave the elements, to find and rescue each child. Along the way, the stranger will fend off wolves and spiteful ghosts, scavenging for food and the materials to make campfires. Each step drains energy, more so if carrying items, so the whole game is turn-based but with a soft cap on the number of steps. ‘Soft’ because energy can be replenished by eating various foodstuffs. The procedural generation behind each run belies the handcrafted puzzle levels which recur. This hybrid game wears many hats, though it is primarily a puzzler with crafting elements and a dash of combat. The secrets are a delight to discover and add to your book of recipes, while the multiple play modes offer a softer means of approach for newcomers.

FTL: Faster Than Light

Developer: Subset Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $9.99

Faster Than Light is a quest to save one corner of the galaxy, powering your ship through sections whilst questing for a handy crew, a devastating array of weapons, and sometimes just a glug of fuel. Real-time with pause combat works around cooldowns, with each battle encounter ending once the enemy ship is destroyed or its crew incapacitated. Honestly, the ship is the real hero, suffering hull breaches and 1 HP scrapes while slowly updating its bells and whistles till it can slay the beast. The chiptune beats and graphics were neither wholly retro nor AAA trendy but instead creating their own cool aesthetic. An uncontested classic.

Dream Quest

Publisher: Peter M Whalen Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $2.99

The challenge in Dream Quest is always the same: proceed through three levels as a chosen class, building a deck strong enough to escape the realm of dreams at last. But like its namesake, the twists and turns this progression takes are strange and wonderful. Rogue-likes typically rely on stochastic events and imperfect knowledge, yet Dream Quest transforms these uncertainties into a must-try challenge for strategy buffs.

The total card-pool is modest and manageable but in total produces a surprising variety of synergies and unique challenges. Inscrutable sphinxes, malicious mimes, and immortal hydras all make an appearance as foes, giving show-stopping battles. The art is so bad it has become iconic; the theoretical possibilities it provides are captivating. Dream Quest’s endgame is supremely satisfying in of itself, but the arduous journey to meet the Master of Dreams is equally thoughtful and intense. A pleasure throughout.

Auro

Developer: Dinofarm Games Platforms: Android Price: $1.99

Auro is the result of Keith Burgen’s careful tinkering and experimentations with game design. He’s an outspoken creator with a definite vision which hinges on useful distinctions like the knowledge horizon (a player can’t know everything at once, the designer draws a line beyond which information is out of reach). The prince must save the kingdom by bumping enemies and judiciously using spells and skills across this hex-based battler. Speed, precision and efficiency are paramount; score-chasing the measure of success. Not praised enough, and an android exclusive to boot!

Crowntakers

Developer: Kalypso Media Group Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, $3.49

Crowntakers has a sense of scale, uniquely balancing tactical combat with long-term investments via the overworld. It needn’t even be played as a roguelike at all, strictly speaking, for one of its alternate play modes is a persistent RPG with unlockables. The emphasis on individual decisions in either case remains paramount, from the exploration phase to combat. Its limitations are in how carelessly it hides some information, about enemy abilities, for example, from the player. In short, an excellent refreshing roguelike-RPG-lite which might be outmatched by other roguelikes but remains a distinct favorite.

Other Excellent Roguelike Recommendations

We like to keep these lists lean & mean, so here's a round-up of former entries that shouldn't be forgotten:

868-HACK

Sir Questionnaire

Quest of Dungeons

Cardinal Quest

Pixel Dungeon

Sword of Fargoal

100 Rogues

Out There

Hyper Rogue

Pathos

Look, Your Loot 

Pocket Realms

Rogue Cards

Binding of Issac: Rebirth

What would your list of the best roguelike games on iOS and Android look like? Let us know!

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS published first on https://touchgen.tumblr.com/

[waynekelton]

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS

Roguelikes are a tricky genre to pin down, seeing as the name itself began popping up everywhere at once without much structural rigour once a certain type of game started to in win players over. Conspicuous features include turn-based gameplay, usually with exploration or combat, and limited-to-no persistent progress carried across different play sessions.

These constraints made for entertaining, thoughtful and compact games which acquit themselves well to on-the-go bursts of play. This list includes the most classic and favorite members of the roguelike genre on android and iOS.

What are the best Android & iOS Rogulikes?

Dimension of Dreams

Necrodancer: Amplified

Immortal Rogue

Card Crusade

MIYAMOTO

Hoplite

Road Not Taken

FTL: Faster Than Light

Dream Quest

Auro

Crowntakers

Recent Roguelike Releases

These roguelikes are recent additions to the review library that, while decent, aren't quite good enough to earn a top-spot. Might still be worth checking out though, if you like what you read in the review:

Space Grunts 2

Void Tyrant

Silent Abyss: Fate of Heroes

SFD Rogue

Dimension of Dreams

Developer: WEXPLORE GAMES CO Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $0.99 (with IAPs)

In the absence of a mobile version for Slay the Spire, plenty of roguelike/card game hybrids have stormed the app store to try and capture that audience. Dimension of Dreams represents one of the better ones to come along recently. It's a token premium game with IAPs, but we've found that everything is very neatly balanced and scaled so that it doesn't feel like a grind. There are plenty of different deck archetypes as well for you to play around with and experiment, and it's just a shame it isn't on Android yet. This, and some choice patches is all that's stopping it from being the ultimate contender to Slay the Spire's throne.

Necrodancer: Amplified

Developer: Brace Yourself Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $4.99

Naturally, the only thing that could knock Crypt of the Necrodancer off its coveted top spot would be more Crypt of the Necrodancer. The Amplified version released in April 2019 contains the original game plus all of the DLC and add-on content from the PC game. There's a new protagonist to take control of Nocturna, along with new enemies, music and new levels. This is easily the definitive version of one of the best roguelikes of the generation, and now there really is no excuse to not get involved if you haven't already. Read Jarrett's review for more.

Immortal Rogue

Developer: Kyle Barrett Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $4.99

It's amazing what you can do when you take two seemingly by-the-numbers tropes and package them into something genuinely interesting. Your uber-powerful vampire may not seem that special as it terrorises society in a replayable game, but the fact that you're doing it over countless generations is not something you see every day. In Immortal Rogue, your job is to wake up periodically and reap civilisation. Because reasons. 

The game struggles at times to interesting thigns with the premise from a narrative perspective, the but the tactical choices you make as you slaughter your way through an age have consequences for the ages to come. Depending on who you kill (or don't kill), the make-up and technology of enemies could be radically different. This is an addictive, one-handed game that evokes the best of what the genre can offer. Don't forget to read our interview with the developer, if you want to know more.

Card Crusade

Developer: Pollywog Games Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $3.99

Fair and as advertised is our elevator pitch for Card Crusade. In a niche that includes Dream Quest, Slay the Spire, Meteorfall et al. there's little here you wouldn't have seen before, but it's a stable and competent enough game to scratch that same itch for a short spell. You must pick one of several classes and go delving into the dungeon, finding loot and spells along the way that can help you in repeat playthroughs. It's got its share of mediocrities, but also plenty of innovation as well.

Battles have an unusual tempo to them. Of course it’s always best to clear the field as soon as possible, but the game usually proceeds in bursts of activity, with some turns devoted to healing and survival while others see play of an especially strong card to eliminate a key foe. Here Card Crusade breaks with longstanding roguelike tradition and does not offer full healing upon level-up or floor clear, which means damage suffered becomes persistent. This is one of the game’s smartest choices, adding a sense of pressure while simultaneously rewarding clean strategy and play.

MIYAMOTO

Developer: Hideki Hanida Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $2.99

Release towards the end of last year, we were a little late to the punch getting this one reviewed, but it's worth the wait. MIYAMOTO is an interesting blend of turn-based strategy, card mechanics and rogue-like gameplay where one of its few faults is that it's all-to-brief. The eight levels pit you against progressively tougher enemies, with short-term goal being to defeat your opponent's leader. If either your's or their leader dies, it's game-over. Beating levels nets you coins that you can use to invest in better leaders.

The card mechanics are perhaps a bit token - there's no way to interact with your deck of troops, but every unit is varied and unique, and the small 4x4 arena makes from some really tight tactical engagements. It a fast-paced game of throwing your units into battle as quickly as possible, filling as many spaces around your leader, so that you can place new ones ever deeper into opponents’ territory. If you're looking for something short and sweet, MIYAMOTO is an excellent new addition to your roster.

Hoplite

Developer: Magma Fortress Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, (free demo on Android)

Hoplite might very well delight that wight who likes only the right sort of roguelike. The hoplites of history aren’t usually considered lone wolves or heroes, but this is exactly what the game casts you as: one nameless figure on a tight hexa-based on a quest to retrieve the golden fleece. Soldiering across levels of escalating difficulty, visiting temples to get incremental bonuses. The movement and decisions are simple, just a series of swipes along with the odd special ability. Small numbers and single turns are always decisive, and the ability effects are simple yet profound, little deus ex machinas bestowed each level. The skill synergies are tantalizing enough to draw you in, and the fiendishly difficult achievements (pacifist run, anyone?) will keep even veterans engaged. This one is a relic of the genre that is sterling.

Road Not Taken

Developer: Spryfox Games Platforms: iOS Universal, Android Price: $4.99

In Road Not Taken, the winter is harsh and full of children, lost and dearly missed by the village. You, a sackcloth-clad stranger, take your torch and use what precious energy you have to brave the elements, to find and rescue each child. Along the way, the stranger will fend off wolves and spiteful ghosts, scavenging for food and the materials to make campfires. Each step drains energy, more so if carrying items, so the whole game is turn-based but with a soft cap on the number of steps. ‘Soft’ because energy can be replenished by eating various foodstuffs. The procedural generation behind each run belies the handcrafted puzzle levels which recur. This hybrid game wears many hats, though it is primarily a puzzler with crafting elements and a dash of combat. The secrets are a delight to discover and add to your book of recipes, while the multiple play modes offer a softer means of approach for newcomers.

FTL: Faster Than Light

Developer: Subset Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $9.99

Faster Than Light is a quest to save one corner of the galaxy, powering your ship through sections whilst questing for a handy crew, a devastating array of weapons, and sometimes just a glug of fuel. Real-time with pause combat works around cooldowns, with each battle encounter ending once the enemy ship is destroyed or its crew incapacitated. Honestly, the ship is the real hero, suffering hull breaches and 1 HP scrapes while slowly updating its bells and whistles till it can slay the beast. The chiptune beats and graphics were neither wholly retro nor AAA trendy but instead creating their own cool aesthetic. An uncontested classic.

Dream Quest

Publisher: Peter M Whalen Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $2.99

The challenge in Dream Quest is always the same: proceed through three levels as a chosen class, building a deck strong enough to escape the realm of dreams at last. But like its namesake, the twists and turns this progression takes are strange and wonderful. Rogue-likes typically rely on stochastic events and imperfect knowledge, yet Dream Quest transforms these uncertainties into a must-try challenge for strategy buffs.

The total card-pool is modest and manageable but in total produces a surprising variety of synergies and unique challenges. Inscrutable sphinxes, malicious mimes, and immortal hydras all make an appearance as foes, giving show-stopping battles. The art is so bad it has become iconic; the theoretical possibilities it provides are captivating. Dream Quest’s endgame is supremely satisfying in of itself, but the arduous journey to meet the Master of Dreams is equally thoughtful and intense. A pleasure throughout.

Auro

Developer: Dinofarm Games Platforms: Android Price: $1.99

Auro is the result of Keith Burgen’s careful tinkering and experimentations with game design. He’s an outspoken creator with a definite vision which hinges on useful distinctions like the knowledge horizon (a player can’t know everything at once, the designer draws a line beyond which information is out of reach). The prince must save the kingdom by bumping enemies and judiciously using spells and skills across this hex-based battler. Speed, precision and efficiency are paramount; score-chasing the measure of success. Not praised enough, and an android exclusive to boot!

Crowntakers

Developer: Kalypso Media Group Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, $3.49

Crowntakers has a sense of scale, uniquely balancing tactical combat with long-term investments via the overworld. It needn’t even be played as a roguelike at all, strictly speaking, for one of its alternate play modes is a persistent RPG with unlockables. The emphasis on individual decisions in either case remains paramount, from the exploration phase to combat. Its limitations are in how carelessly it hides some information, about enemy abilities, for example, from the player. In short, an excellent refreshing roguelike-RPG-lite which might be outmatched by other roguelikes but remains a distinct favorite.

Other Excellent Roguelike Recommendations

We like to keep these lists lean & mean, so here's a round-up of former entries that shouldn't be forgotten:

868-HACK

Sir Questionnaire

Quest of Dungeons

Cardinal Quest

Pixel Dungeon

Sword of Fargoal

100 Rogues

Out There

Hyper Rogue

Pathos

Look, Your Loot 

Pocket Realms

Rogue Cards

Binding of Issac: Rebirth

What would your list of the best roguelike games on iOS and Android look like? Let us know!

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS published first on https://touchgen.tumblr.com/

[waynekelton]

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS

Roguelikes are a tricky genre to pin down, seeing as the name itself began popping up everywhere at once without much structural rigour once a certain type of game started to in win players over. Conspicuous features include turn-based gameplay, usually with exploration or combat, and limited-to-no persistent progress carried across different play sessions.

Not feeling Rogue enough? How about some excellent war games instead?

These constraints made for entertaining, thoughtful and compact games which acquit themselves well to on-the-go bursts of play. This list includes the most classic and favorite members of the roguelike genre on android and iOS.

Recent Releases

These roguelikes are recent additions to the review library that, while decent, aren't quite good enough to earn a top-spot. Might still be worth checking out though, if you like what you read in the review:

Void Tyrant

Silent Abyss: Fate of Heroes

SFD Rogue

Community Favourites

The Pocket Tactics readership has thrown up a bunch of games they think are excellent examples of the rogue-like genre. Because we're not able to include all of them, we'll list notable recommendations here. Some might rotated into the main list below, otherwise they'll remain here:

Quest of Dungeons

Cardinal Quest

Pixel Dungeon

Sword of Fargoal

100 Rogues

Out There

Hyper Rogue

Pathos

Look, Your Loot 

Pocket Realms

Rogue Cards

Binding of Issac: Rebirth

Dimensions of Dream (Review)

Developer: WEXPLORE GAMES CO Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $0.99 (with IAPs)

In the absence of a mobile version for Slay the Spire, plenty of roguelike/card game hybrids have stormed the app store to try and capture that audience. Dimensions represents one of the better ones to come along recently. It's a token premium game with IAPs, but we've found that everything is very neatly balanced and scaled so that it doesn't feel like a grind. There are plenty of different deck archetypes as well for you to play around with and experiment, and it's just a shame it isn't on Android yet. This, and some choice patches is all that's stopping it from being the ultimate contender to Slay the Spire's throne.

Necrodancer: Amplified (Review)

Developer: Brace Yourself Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $4.99

Naturally, the only thing that could knock Crypt of the Necrodancer off its coveted top spot would be more Crypt of the Necrodancer. The Amplified version released in April 2019 contains the original game plus all of the DLC and add-on content from the PC game. There's a new protagonist to take control of Nocturna, along with new enemies, music and new levels. This is easily the definitive version of one of the best roguelikes of the generation, and now there really is no excuse to not get involved if you haven't already. Read Jarrett's review for more.

Immortal Rogue (Review)

Developer: Kyle Barrett Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $4.99

It's amazing what you can do when you take two seemingly by-the-numbers tropes and package them into something genuinely interesting. Your uber-powerful vampire may not seem that special as it terrorises society in a replayable game, but the fact that you're doing it over countless generations is not something you see every day. In Immortal Rogue, your job is to wake up periodically and reap civilisation. Because reasons. 

The game struggles at times to interesting thigns with the premise from a narrative perspective, the but the tactical choices you make as you slaughter your way through an age have consequences for the ages to come. Depending on who you kill (or don't kill), the make-up and technology of enemies could be radically different. This is an addictive, one-handed game that evokes the best of what the genre can offer. Don't forget to read our interview with the developer, if you want to know more.

Card Crusade (Review)

Developer: Pollywog Games Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $3.99

Fair and as advertised is our elevator pitch for Card Crusade. In a niche that includes Dream Quest, Slay the Spire, Meteorfall et al. there's little here you wouldn't have seen before, but it's a stable and competent enough game to scratch that same itch for a short spell. You must pick one of several classes and go delving into the dungeon, finding loot and spells along the way that can help you in repeat playthroughs. It's got its share of mediocrities, but also plenty of innovation as well.

Battles have an unusual tempo to them. Of course it’s always best to clear the field as soon as possible, but the game usually proceeds in bursts of activity, with some turns devoted to healing and survival while others see play of an especially strong card to eliminate a key foe. Here Card Crusade breaks with longstanding roguelike tradition and does not offer full healing upon level-up or floor clear, which means damage suffered becomes persistent. This is one of the game’s smartest choices, adding a sense of pressure while simultaneously rewarding clean strategy and play.

MIYAMOTO (Review)

Developer: Hideki Hanida Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $2.99

Release towards the end of last year, we were a little late to the punch getting this one reviewed, but it's worth the wait. MIYAMOTO is an interesting blend of turn-based strategy, card mechanics and rogue-like gameplay where one of its few faults is that it's all-to-brief. The eight levels pit you against progressively tougher enemies, with short-term goal being to defeat your opponent's leader. If either your's or their leader dies, it's game-over. Beating levels nets you coins that you can use to invest in better leaders.

The card mechanics are perhaps a bit token - there's no way to interact with your deck of troops, but every unit is varied and unique, and the small 4x4 arena makes from some really tight tactical engagements. It a fast-paced game of throwing your units into battle as quickly as possible, filling as many spaces around your leader, so that you can place new ones ever deeper into opponents’ territory. If you're looking for something short and sweet, MIYAMOTO is an excellent new addition to your roster.

Hoplite (Review)

Developer: Magma Fortress Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, (free demo on Android)

Hoplite might very well delight that wight who likes only the right sort of roguelike. The hoplites of history aren’t usually considered lone wolves or heroes, but this is exactly what the game casts you as: one nameless figure on a tight hexa-based on a quest to retrieve the golden fleece. Soldiering across levels of escalating difficulty, visiting temples to get incremental bonuses. The movement and decisions are simple, just a series of swipes along with the odd special ability. Small numbers and single turns are always decisive, and the ability effects are simple yet profound, little deus ex machinas bestowed each level. The skill synergies are tantalizing enough to draw you in, and the fiendishly difficult achievements (pacifist run, anyone?) will keep even veterans engaged. This one is a relic of the genre that is sterling.

Road Not Taken (Review)

Developer: Spryfox Games Platforms: iOS Universal, Android Price: $4.99

In Road Not Taken, the winter is harsh and full of children, lost and dearly missed by the village. You, a sackcloth-clad stranger, take your torch and use what precious energy you have to brave the elements, to find and rescue each child. Along the way, the stranger will fend off wolves and spiteful ghosts, scavenging for food and the materials to make campfires. Each step drains energy, more so if carrying items, so the whole game is turn-based but with a soft cap on the number of steps. ‘Soft’ because energy can be replenished by eating various foodstuffs. The procedural generation behind each run belies the handcrafted puzzle levels which recur. This hybrid game wears many hats, though it is primarily a puzzler with crafting elements and a dash of combat. The secrets are a delight to discover and add to your book of recipes, while the multiple play modes offer a softer means of approach for newcomers.

FTL: Faster Than Light (Review)

Developer: Subset Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $9.99

Faster Than Light is a quest to save one corner of the galaxy, powering your ship through sections whilst questing for a handy crew, a devastating array of weapons, and sometimes just a glug of fuel. Real-time with pause combat works around cooldowns, with each battle encounter ending once the enemy ship is destroyed or its crew incapacitated. Honestly, the ship is the real hero, suffering hull breaches and 1 HP scrapes while slowly updating its bells and whistles till it can slay the beast. The chiptune beats and graphics were neither wholly retro nor AAA trendy but instead creating their own cool aesthetic. An uncontested classic.

Dream Quest (Review)

Publisher: Peter M Whalen Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $2.99

The challenge in Dream Quest is always the same: proceed through three levels as a chosen class, building a deck strong enough to escape the realm of dreams at last. But like its namesake, the twists and turns this progression takes are strange and wonderful. Rogue-likes typically rely on stochastic events and imperfect knowledge, yet Dream Quest transforms these uncertainties into a must-try challenge for strategy buffs.

The total card-pool is modest and manageable but in total produces a surprising variety of synergies and unique challenges. Inscrutable sphinxes, malicious mimes, and immortal hydras all make an appearance as foes, giving show-stopping battles. The art is so bad it has become iconic; the theoretical possibilities it provides are captivating. Dream Quest’s endgame is supremely satisfying in of itself, but the arduous journey to meet the Master of Dreams is equally thoughtful and intense. A pleasure throughout.

 Auro (Review)

Developer: Dinofarm Games Platforms: Android Price: $1.99

Auro is the result of Keith Burgen’s careful tinkering and experimentations with game design. He’s an outspoken creator with a definite vision which hinges on useful distinctions like the knowledge horizon (a player can’t know everything at once, the designer draws a line beyond which information is out of reach). The prince must save the kingdom by bumping enemies and judiciously using spells and skills across this hex-based battler. Speed, precision and efficiency are paramount; score-chasing the measure of success. Not praised enough, and an android exclusive to boot!

Crowntakers

Developer: Kalypso Media Group Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, $3.49

Crowntakers has a sense of scale, uniquely balancing tactical combat with long-term investments via the overworld. It needn’t even be played as a roguelike at all, strictly speaking, for one of its alternate play modes is a persistent RPG with unlockables. The emphasis on individual decisions in either case remains paramount, from the exploration phase to combat. Its limitations are in how carelessly it hides some information, about enemy abilities, for example, from the player. In short, an excellent refreshing roguelike-RPG-lite which might be outmatched by other roguelikes but remains a distinct favorite.

Hall of Fame

We like to keep these lists lean & mean, so here's a round-up of former entries that shouldn't be forgotten:

868-HACK

Sir Questionnaire

What would your list of the best roguelike games on iOS and Android look like? Let us know!

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS published first on https://touchgen.tumblr.com/

[waynekelton]

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS

Roguelikes are a tricky genre to pin down, seeing as the name itself began popping up everywhere at once without much structural rigour once a certain type of game started to in win players over. Conspicuous features include turn-based gameplay, usually with exploration or combat, and limited-to-no persistent progress carried across different play sessions.

Not feeling Rogue enough? How about some excellent war games instead?

These constraints made for entertaining, thoughtful and compact games which acquit themselves well to on-the-go bursts of play. This list includes the most classic and favorite members of the roguelike genre on android and iOS.

Recent Releases

These roguelikes are recent additions to the review library that, while decent, aren't quite good enough to earn a top-spot. Might still be worth checking out though, if you like what you read in the review:

Void Tyrant

Silent Abyss: Fate of Heroes

SFD Rogue

Community Favourites

The Pocket Tactics readership has thrown up a bunch of games they think are excellent examples of the rogue-like genre. Because we're not able to include all of them, we'll list notable recommendations here. Some might rotated into the main list below, otherwise they'll remain here:

Quest of Dungeons

Cardinal Quest

Pixel Dungeon

Sword of Fargoal

100 Rogues

Out There

Hyper Rogue

Pathos

Look, Your Loot 

Pocket Realms

Rogue Cards

Binding of Issac: Rebirth

Dimensions of Dream (Review)

Developer: WEXPLORE GAMES CO Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $0.99 (with IAPs)

In the absence of a mobile version for Slay the Spire, plenty of roguelike/card game hybrids have stormed the app store to try and capture that audience. Dimensions represents one of the better ones to come along recently. It's a token premium game with IAPs, but we've found that everything is very neatly balanced and scaled so that it doesn't feel like a grind. There are plenty of different deck archetypes as well for you to play around with and experiment, and it's just a shame it isn't on Android yet. This, and some choice patches is all that's stopping it from being the ultimate contender to Slay the Spire's throne.

Necrodancer: Amplified (Review)

Developer: Brace Yourself Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $4.99

Naturally, the only thing that could knock Crypt of the Necrodancer off its coveted top spot would be more Crypt of the Necrodancer. The Amplified version released in April 2019 contains the original game plus all of the DLC and add-on content from the PC game. There's a new protagonist to take control of Nocturna, along with new enemies, music and new levels. This is easily the definitive version of one of the best roguelikes of the generation, and now there really is no excuse to not get involved if you haven't already. Read Jarrett's review for more.

Immortal Rogue (Review)

Developer: Kyle Barrett Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $4.99

It's amazing what you can do when you take two seemingly by-the-numbers tropes and package them into something genuinely interesting. Your uber-powerful vampire may not seem that special as it terrorises society in a replayable game, but the fact that you're doing it over countless generations is not something you see every day. In Immortal Rogue, your job is to wake up periodically and reap civilisation. Because reasons. 

The game struggles at times to interesting thigns with the premise from a narrative perspective, the but the tactical choices you make as you slaughter your way through an age have consequences for the ages to come. Depending on who you kill (or don't kill), the make-up and technology of enemies could be radically different. This is an addictive, one-handed game that evokes the best of what the genre can offer. Don't forget to read our interview with the developer, if you want to know more.

Card Crusade (Review)

Developer: Pollywog Games Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $3.99

Fair and as advertised is our elevator pitch for Card Crusade. In a niche that includes Dream Quest, Slay the Spire, Meteorfall et al. there's little here you wouldn't have seen before, but it's a stable and competent enough game to scratch that same itch for a short spell. You must pick one of several classes and go delving into the dungeon, finding loot and spells along the way that can help you in repeat playthroughs. It's got its share of mediocrities, but also plenty of innovation as well.

Battles have an unusual tempo to them. Of course it’s always best to clear the field as soon as possible, but the game usually proceeds in bursts of activity, with some turns devoted to healing and survival while others see play of an especially strong card to eliminate a key foe. Here Card Crusade breaks with longstanding roguelike tradition and does not offer full healing upon level-up or floor clear, which means damage suffered becomes persistent. This is one of the game’s smartest choices, adding a sense of pressure while simultaneously rewarding clean strategy and play.

MIYAMOTO (Review)

Developer: Hideki Hanida Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $2.99

Release towards the end of last year, we were a little late to the punch getting this one reviewed, but it's worth the wait. MIYAMOTO is an interesting blend of turn-based strategy, card mechanics and rogue-like gameplay where one of its few faults is that it's all-to-brief. The eight levels pit you against progressively tougher enemies, with short-term goal being to defeat your opponent's leader. If either your's or their leader dies, it's game-over. Beating levels nets you coins that you can use to invest in better leaders.

The card mechanics are perhaps a bit token - there's no way to interact with your deck of troops, but every unit is varied and unique, and the small 4x4 arena makes from some really tight tactical engagements. It a fast-paced game of throwing your units into battle as quickly as possible, filling as many spaces around your leader, so that you can place new ones ever deeper into opponents’ territory. If you're looking for something short and sweet, MIYAMOTO is an excellent new addition to your roster.

Hoplite (Review)

Developer: Magma Fortress Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, (free demo on Android)

Hoplite might very well delight that wight who likes only the right sort of roguelike. The hoplites of history aren’t usually considered lone wolves or heroes, but this is exactly what the game casts you as: one nameless figure on a tight hexa-based on a quest to retrieve the golden fleece. Soldiering across levels of escalating difficulty, visiting temples to get incremental bonuses. The movement and decisions are simple, just a series of swipes along with the odd special ability. Small numbers and single turns are always decisive, and the ability effects are simple yet profound, little deus ex machinas bestowed each level. The skill synergies are tantalizing enough to draw you in, and the fiendishly difficult achievements (pacifist run, anyone?) will keep even veterans engaged. This one is a relic of the genre that is sterling.

Road Not Taken (Review)

Developer: Spryfox Games Platforms: iOS Universal, Android Price: $4.99

In Road Not Taken, the winter is harsh and full of children, lost and dearly missed by the village. You, a sackcloth-clad stranger, take your torch and use what precious energy you have to brave the elements, to find and rescue each child. Along the way, the stranger will fend off wolves and spiteful ghosts, scavenging for food and the materials to make campfires. Each step drains energy, more so if carrying items, so the whole game is turn-based but with a soft cap on the number of steps. ‘Soft’ because energy can be replenished by eating various foodstuffs. The procedural generation behind each run belies the handcrafted puzzle levels which recur. This hybrid game wears many hats, though it is primarily a puzzler with crafting elements and a dash of combat. The secrets are a delight to discover and add to your book of recipes, while the multiple play modes offer a softer means of approach for newcomers.

FTL: Faster Than Light (Review)

Developer: Subset Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $9.99

Faster Than Light is a quest to save one corner of the galaxy, powering your ship through sections whilst questing for a handy crew, a devastating array of weapons, and sometimes just a glug of fuel. Real-time with pause combat works around cooldowns, with each battle encounter ending once the enemy ship is destroyed or its crew incapacitated. Honestly, the ship is the real hero, suffering hull breaches and 1 HP scrapes while slowly updating its bells and whistles till it can slay the beast. The chiptune beats and graphics were neither wholly retro nor AAA trendy but instead creating their own cool aesthetic. An uncontested classic.

Dream Quest (Review)

Publisher: Peter M Whalen Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $2.99

The challenge in Dream Quest is always the same: proceed through three levels as a chosen class, building a deck strong enough to escape the realm of dreams at last. But like its namesake, the twists and turns this progression takes are strange and wonderful. Rogue-likes typically rely on stochastic events and imperfect knowledge, yet Dream Quest transforms these uncertainties into a must-try challenge for strategy buffs.

The total card-pool is modest and manageable but in total produces a surprising variety of synergies and unique challenges. Inscrutable sphinxes, malicious mimes, and immortal hydras all make an appearance as foes, giving show-stopping battles. The art is so bad it has become iconic; the theoretical possibilities it provides are captivating. Dream Quest’s endgame is supremely satisfying in of itself, but the arduous journey to meet the Master of Dreams is equally thoughtful and intense. A pleasure throughout.

 Auro (Review)

Developer: Dinofarm Games Platforms: Android Price: $1.99

Auro is the result of Keith Burgen’s careful tinkering and experimentations with game design. He’s an outspoken creator with a definite vision which hinges on useful distinctions like the knowledge horizon (a player can’t know everything at once, the designer draws a line beyond which information is out of reach). The prince must save the kingdom by bumping enemies and judiciously using spells and skills across this hex-based battler. Speed, precision and efficiency are paramount; score-chasing the measure of success. Not praised enough, and an android exclusive to boot!

Crowntakers

Developer: Kalypso Media Group Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, $3.49

Crowntakers has a sense of scale, uniquely balancing tactical combat with long-term investments via the overworld. It needn’t even be played as a roguelike at all, strictly speaking, for one of its alternate play modes is a persistent RPG with unlockables. The emphasis on individual decisions in either case remains paramount, from the exploration phase to combat. Its limitations are in how carelessly it hides some information, about enemy abilities, for example, from the player. In short, an excellent refreshing roguelike-RPG-lite which might be outmatched by other roguelikes but remains a distinct favorite.

Hall of Fame

We like to keep these lists lean & mean, so here's a round-up of former entries that shouldn't be forgotten:

868-HACK

Sir Questionnaire

What would your list of the best roguelike games on iOS and Android look like? Let us know!

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS published first on https://touchgen.tumblr.com/

[waynekelton]

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS

Roguelikes are a tricky genre to pin down, seeing as the name itself began popping up everywhere at once without much structural rigour once a certain type of game started to in win players over. Conspicuous features include turn-based gameplay, usually with exploration or combat, and limited-to-no persistent progress carried across different play sessions.

Not feeling Rogue enough? How about some excellent war games instead?

These constraints made for entertaining, thoughtful and compact games which acquit themselves well to on-the-go bursts of play. This list includes the most classic and favorite members of the roguelike genre on android and iOS.

Community Favourites

The Pocket Tactics readership has thrown up a bunch of games they think are excellent examples of the rogue-like genre. Because we're not able to include all of them, we'll list notable recommendations here. Some might rotated into the main list below, otherwise they'll remain here:

Quest of Dungeons

Cardinal Quest

Pixel Dungeon

Sword of Fargoal

100 Rogues

Out There

Hyper Rogue

Pathos

Look, Your Loot 

Pocket Realms

Rogue Cards

Binding of Issac: Rebirth

Silent Abyss: Fate of Heroes

Immortal Rogue (Review)

Developer: Kyle Barrett Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $4.99

It's amazing what you can do when you take two seemingly by-the-numbers tropes and package them into something genuinely interesting. Your uber-powerful vampire may not seem that special as it terrorises society in a replayable game, but the fact that you're doing it over countless generations is not something you see every day. In Immortal Rogue, your job is to wake up periodically and reap civilisation. Because reasons. 

The game struggles at times to interesting thigns with the premise from a narrative perspective, the but the tactical choices you make as you slaughter your way through an age have consequences for the ages to come. Depending on who you kill (or don't kill), the make-up and technology of enemies could be radically different. This is an addictive, one-handed game that evokes the best of what the genre can offer. Don't forget to read our interview with the developer, if you want to know more.

Card Crusade (Review)

Developer: Pollywog Games Platforms: iOS, Android Price: $3.99

Fair and as advertised is our elevator pitch for Card Crusade. In a niche that includes Dream Quest, Slay the Spire, Meteorfall et al. there's little here you wouldn't have seen before, but it's a stable and competent enough game to scratch that same itch for a short spell. You must pick one of several classes and go delving into the dungeon, finding loot and spells along the way that can help you in repeat playthroughs. It's got its share of mediocrities, but also plenty of innovation as well.

Battles have an unusual tempo to them. Of course it’s always best to clear the field as soon as possible, but the game usually proceeds in bursts of activity, with some turns devoted to healing and survival while others see play of an especially strong card to eliminate a key foe. Here Card Crusade breaks with longstanding roguelike tradition and does not offer full healing upon level-up or floor clear, which means damage suffered becomes persistent. This is one of the game’s smartest choices, adding a sense of pressure while simultaneously rewarding clean strategy and play.

MIYAMOTO (Review)

Developer: Hideki Hanida Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $2.99

Release towards the end of last year, we were a little late to the punch getting this one reviewed, but it's worth the wait. MIYAMOTO is an interesting blend of turn-based strategy, card mechanics and rogue-like gameplay where one of its few faults is that it's all-to-brief. The eight levels pit you against progressively tougher enemies, with short-term goal being to defeat your opponent's leader. If either your's or their leader dies, it's game-over. Beating levels nets you coins that you can use to invest in better leaders.

The card mechanics are perhaps a bit token - there's no way to interact with your deck of troops, but every unit is varied and unique, and the small 4x4 arena makes from some really tight tactical engagements. It a fast-paced game of throwing your units into battle as quickly as possible, filling as many spaces around your leader, so that you can place new ones ever deeper into opponents’ territory. If you're looking for something short and sweet, MIYAMOTO is an excellent new addition to your roster.

Hoplite (Review)

Developer: Magma Fortress Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, (free demo on Android)

Hoplite might very well delight that wight who likes only the right sort of roguelike. The hoplites of history aren’t usually considered lone wolves or heroes, but this is exactly what the game casts you as: one nameless figure on a tight hexa-based on a quest to retrieve the golden fleece. Soldiering across levels of escalating difficulty, visiting temples to get incremental bonuses. The movement and decisions are simple, just a series of swipes along with the odd special ability. Small numbers and single turns are always decisive, and the ability effects are simple yet profound, little deus ex machinas bestowed each level. The skill synergies are tantalizing enough to draw you in, and the fiendishly difficult achievements (pacifist run, anyone?) will keep even veterans engaged. This one is a relic of the genre that is sterling.

Road Not Taken (Review)

Developer: Spryfox Games Platforms: iOS Universal, Android Price: $4.99

In Road Not Taken, the winter is harsh and full of children, lost and dearly missed by the village. You, a sackcloth-clad stranger, take your torch and use what precious energy you have to brave the elements, to find and rescue each child. Along the way, the stranger will fend off wolves and spiteful ghosts, scavenging for food and the materials to make campfires. Each step drains energy, more so if carrying items, so the whole game is turn-based but with a soft cap on the number of steps. ‘Soft’ because energy can be replenished by eating various foodstuffs. The procedural generation behind each run belies the handcrafted puzzle levels which recur. This hybrid game wears many hats, though it is primarily a puzzler with crafting elements and a dash of combat. The secrets are a delight to discover and add to your book of recipes, while the multiple play modes offer a softer means of approach for newcomers.

FTL: Faster Than Light (Review)

Developer: Subset Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $9.99

Faster Than Light is a quest to save one corner of the galaxy, powering your ship through sections whilst questing for a handy crew, a devastating array of weapons, and sometimes just a glug of fuel. Real-time with pause combat works around cooldowns, with each battle encounter ending once the enemy ship is destroyed or its crew incapacitated. Honestly, the ship is the real hero, suffering hull breaches and 1 HP scrapes while slowly updating its bells and whistles till it can slay the beast. The chiptune beats and graphics were neither wholly retro nor AAA trendy but instead creating their own cool aesthetic. An uncontested classic.

Dream Quest (Review)

Publisher: Peter M Whalen Platforms: iOS Universal Price: $2.99

The challenge in Dream Quest is always the same: proceed through three levels as a chosen class, building a deck strong enough to escape the realm of dreams at last. But like its namesake, the twists and turns this progression takes are strange and wonderful. Rogue-likes typically rely on stochastic events and imperfect knowledge, yet Dream Quest transforms these uncertainties into a must-try challenge for strategy buffs.

The total card-pool is modest and manageable but in total produces a surprising variety of synergies and unique challenges. Inscrutable sphinxes, malicious mimes, and immortal hydras all make an appearance as foes, giving show-stopping battles. The art is so bad it has become iconic; the theoretical possibilities it provides are captivating. Dream Quest’s endgame is supremely satisfying in of itself, but the arduous journey to meet the Master of Dreams is equally thoughtful and intense. A pleasure throughout.

Crypt of the Necrodancer

Developer: Brace Yourself Games Platforms:  iOS Universal Price: $4.99

Dance like no one but the lord of death is watching. The rhythm-based gameplay calls back to Audiosurf, Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero, but the skill-split here favors combat and planning over split-second reflexes and a perfect internal metronome. The dungeon pulses to the beat, with everyone’s movement on the grid bound by this universal time. Import your own playlist, pick a character and get questing for loot, boss battles and a jig to remember. The graphics are simple and the size of the maps, the variety of enemies are not colossal, but these actually work in the game’s favor. Entrancement: a simple compulsion to move to the beat. Fill the game with your own personal library of earworms and enjoy the groove.

Auro (Review)

Developer: Dinofarm Games Platforms: Android Price: $1.99

Auro is the result of Keith Burgen’s careful tinkering and experimentations with game design. He’s an outspoken creator with a definite vision which hinges on useful distinctions like the knowledge horizon (a player can’t know everything at once, the designer draws a line beyond which information is out of reach). The prince must save the kingdom by bumping enemies and judiciously using spells and skills across this hex-based battler. Speed, precision and efficiency are paramount; score-chasing the measure of success. Not praised enough, and an android exclusive to boot!

Crowntakers

Developer: Kalypso Media Group Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android Price: $2.99, $3.49

Crowntakers has a sense of scale, uniquely balancing tactical combat with long-term investments via the overworld. It needn’t even be played as a roguelike at all, strictly speaking, for one of its alternate play modes is a persistent RPG with unlockables. The emphasis on individual decisions in either case remains paramount, from the exploration phase to combat. Its limitations are in how carelessly it hides some information, about enemy abilities, for example, from the player. In short, an excellent refreshing roguelike-RPG-lite which might be outmatched by other roguelikes but remains a distinct favorite.

Hall of Fame

We like to keep these lists lean & mean, so here's a round-up of former entries that shouldn't be forgotten:

868-HACK

Sir Questionnaire

What would your list of the best roguelike games on iOS and Android look like? Let us know!

The Best Roguelikes on Android and iOS published first on https://touchgen.tumblr.com/