Summary

• The upcoming indie game Rogue Loops seems to draw heavy inspiration from Hades.
• The roguelike features a repeating dungeon setup with randomly generated loot and upgrades, with ability upgrades paired with distinct downsides that can further alter gameplay.
• While no release date has been announced, Rogue Loops is expected to be released for PC in early 2025.

The upcoming indie roguelike dungeon-crawler, Rogue Loops, takes heavy inspiration from the critically acclaimed game Hades, particularly in its art style and gameplay mechanics. While it shares similarities with Hades, Rogue Loops introduces a unique twist to the roguelike genre. Although an official release date has not been set, the game is slated for a PC release in early 2025. In the meantime, fans can explore a free demo available on Steam.

The roguelike genre has surged in popularity recently, with numerous developers creating their own versions, either as standalone games or as features within larger titles. These range from third-person action shooters like Returnal to traditional dungeon-crawlers such as Hades and its sequel, which is currently in early access.

Rogue Loops draws significant inspiration from Hades, featuring a repeating dungeon with randomly generated loot and ability upgrades, presented in a top-down perspective. The game's Steam trailer and free demo have drawn comparisons to Hades, but Rogue Loops sets itself apart with a unique mechanic: ability upgrades come with distinct downsides that can significantly alter gameplay.

Rogue Loops Offers Roguelike Action With Hades-Inspired Mechanics

This mechanic functions similarly to the Chaos Gates in Hades, where players receive significant upgrades at the cost of detrimental effects. However, in Rogue Loops, these "curses" play a more central role and introduce a variety of effects that may persist throughout an entire run, depending on player interaction.

The narrative of Rogue Loops centers on a family trapped in a deadly time loop. Players must navigate through a series of dungeons spread across five different floors, each with unique enemies and bosses. As with most roguelikes, each run allows players to unlock procedurally generated upgrades, enabling the creation of unique builds using the buffs and debuffs from their unlocked boons.

Although there is no confirmed release date for Rogue Loops on Steam, the game's store page indicates a launch in the first quarter of 2025. A free demo, offering access to the game's first floor, is currently available for download. In the interim, fans can enjoy other roguelikes such as Dead Cells and Hades 2.

[ttpp]