I like to think of Roguelikes as graphically retarded Diablo clones. I think that gets the point across, even if it is grossly inaccurate. 8-) If, and it is a big IF, you can get over the ASCII? graphics, these games have a depth and complexity that many modern games can't even touch. I mean, some of them have like 20+classes and as many races to play. And the randomized dungeons and loot keep you coming back. There are a ton of variants, like steampunk and anime-flavored. Since I discovered the genre, my 'mainstream' game playing has taken a major hit. No time, gotta send another mindlayer mage to his untimely demise in the dungeon!

The genre is named after an old game called "Rogue". They're basically games which are sort of neverending, with randomized levels and loot which gets progressively better as you play, and usually when you die that's it (There's a whole lot more to it than that, though). I've never really enjoyed them much myself, if I play prolonged games I usually prefer to have some sort of story progression or be fiercely competitive. Minecraft is an exception to that, I suppose. It sort of fits into a genre of its own. Or maybe dares pretty much all other games to try and call themselves sandboxes. =P

I haven't heard of these...

Roguelikes. Any of you guys play these games? I am mad crazy deep in gaming love with this whole genre, to the detriment of such kickass AAA titles as Fallout New Vegas, Skyrim and whatever FPS is ruling 360 right now. I really don't have much room for other games in my life right now as long as I can bump my @ into whatever letter is threatening him. The fact that they're all non corporate, indie before indie was a word and deceptively complex is extra awesome. And the fact that they're mostly all free means that the enjoyment I get out of them is mathematically undefined.

Somebody say yeah so we can talk about this.