Each week, Tom Evans will provide insight into a PC game that could be a great addition to your collection. From old AAA titles that you never took a risk on, to delving into the thriving PC Indie scene, Tom Recommends will feature games from all over the spectrum. If you’re looking for a new game to play, or for something to put on your wishlist for that perfect flash sale, hopefully this feature will prove helpful.
2013 game Rogue Legacy developed by Cellar Door Games met with generally favourable reviews, releasing on Windows, Linux, OS X, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One. At £10.99 full price on Steam, Rogue Legacy offers many great hours of gameplay value.
“These heirs are not born equal, each randomly having different traits which change how best to play them. Gigantism gives you larger reach but makes it harder to dodge, ADHD speeds up your movement, and baldness means your character has no hair on the top of their head.”
Rogue Legacy is a rogue-like, platforming, hack and slash where the player takes on an ever-changing castle and its terrifying bosses. Castle Hamson comprises of 2D sidescrolling levels filled with a variety of horror and fantasy enemies. Battling through the levels involves solid combat using your sword and random magic spell, with upgrades like air dashes and double jumps equippable later in the game. With many close range and projectile threats, navigating yourself safely through has the flavour of a bullet hell game. This action plays out to a soundtrack with some pumped up old school gaming style tracks, making the game really grab your attention for the duration of each run through.
“Challenge rooms and hidden routes exist in every iteration of the castle, there are even rooms with messages from the developers! Hidden journals are also dotted around, the source of Rogue Legacy’s understated plot.”
The big twist of Rogue Legacy comes after your first death. In most rogue-like games, your character remains the same for your next run. With Rogue Legacy however, it is one of your hero’s three children that takes up your mantle and challenges the castle again. These heirs are not born equal, each randomly having different traits which change how best to play them. Gigantism gives you larger reach but makes it harder to dodge, ADHD speeds up your movement and baldness means your character has no hair on the top of their head. As well as traits each character has a class, determining in which attributes they excel. More classes are available to unlock as well as a better version of each with a powerful special ability.
The shapeshifting Castle Hamson comprises of four different zones which remain in roughly the same area. Beating the game requires unlocking a door by defeating the boss of each zone, but as the castle is randomised Rogue Legacy involves as much exploration as monster slaying. The changing walls are not the only mystery either. Challenge rooms and hidden routes exist in every iteration of the castle, there are even rooms with messages from the developers! Hidden journals are also dotted around, the source of Rogue Legacy’s understated plot.
Rogue Legacy is difficult but accessible. Easily frustrated gamers may struggle with the game at first, but improving your skills through play is highly satisfying. Dying nearly immediately will soon give way to breezing through the easier early rooms. Using a rune system, the difficulty can also be lessened or increased at the cost of the amount of gold you can earn. Completing the game unlocks new game plus, followed by new game plus two and so on, allowing the difficulty to match your skill even after you’ve mastered the mechanics.
You also may find yourself aggravated with your frequent deaths less than you thought. The only way to buy upgrades is using the gold collected on your last run, which is taken by the gatekeeper on your next trip into the castle. This means that death is actually the main way to progress, a masterstroke that removes demoralization and induces a powerful “one more turn” feeling.
Rogue Legacy is simple, but challenging. The plot, combined with morbidly looking over your family tree of ancestors sacrificed to your quest, is likewise humble but powerful. If you enjoy 2D platforming, hack and slash, or being challenged; Rogue Legacy is a strong option for your next game to play.
Tom Evans
