roguelike
Die, restart, repeat
A roguelike is a video game genre characterized by procedurally generated levels, permanent death, and turn-based gameplay.
The name comes from *Rogue*, a 1980 dungeon-crawling game.
Modern roguelikes often relax the strict original formula—adding real-time action or persistent upgrades between runs—leading purists to call these "roguelites." I've been playing a roguelike where every death sends you back to the beginning with nothing.
Subterranean prison chamber
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- randomizationIntroducing chance systematically
- ASCIIElectronic character encoding standard
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
inventory · loot · traps · exploration · crawling · top-down · single-player · monsters
Intricate passage network
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- monstersFrightening imaginary creatures
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
- trapsDevices for catching prey
maze · darkness · torch · loot · chamber · corridor · crypt · underground
Subterranean prison chamber
- dragonLegendary fire-breathing reptile
- wizardPractitioner of sorcery
- goblinMalicious folklore creature
- necromancerSummoner of the deceased
lich · quest · artifact · rune · mana · potion · scroll · cursed
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- resource managementAllocating available means efficiently
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- decision-makingProcess of choosing actions
positioning · inventory · builds · synergy · min-maxing · risk-reward · optimization · loadout
State of being hard
- punishingExtremely taxing or severe
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- hardcoreUncompromisingly devoted
- unforgivingShowing no leniency
demanding · tough · relentless · consequence · mortality · finality · game-over · irreversible
Extremely taxing or severe
- unforgivingShowing no leniency
- challengingHard to accomplish
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
- steep learning curveDifficult initial skill acquisition
mastery · skill ceiling · pattern recognition · adaptation · failure · retry · grinding · progression
State of eventual death
- finalityState of conclusive completion
- game overFinal failure message
- consequenceResult of an action
- irreversibleCannot be undone
hardcore · restart · death penalty · corpse run · ghost · tombstone · legacy · bloodstain
Electronic character encoding standard
- pixelatedComposed of visible squares
- indieProduced outside majors
- pixel artImages built from visible squares
- top-downDirected from highest level
grid-based · text-based · terminal · command line · classic · old-school · tiles
Produced outside majors
- retroEvoking recent past
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- roguelitePermadeath game with carryover
- hack-and-slashAction genre emphasizing combat
Introducing chance systematically
- procedural generationAutomated content creation via algorithms
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
- infiniteHaving no bounds
variability · replayability · unpredictable · emergent · modular · endless
Introducing chance systematically
- variabilityTendency to change
- unpredictabilityState resisting forecasts
- emergentNewly come into existence
- dynamicActive and changing
nonlinear · endless · discovery · adaptation · synergy · unlockables · secrets · branching
dungeon
Subterranean prison chamber
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
- randomizationIntroducing chance systematically
- ASCIIElectronic character encoding standard
grid · inventory · loot · traps · exploration · crawling · top-down · single-player · monsters · items
labyrinth
Intricate passage network
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- monstersFrightening imaginary creatures
- treasureValued wealth or keepsake
traps · maze · darkness · torch · loot · chamber · corridor · crypt · underground · descent
dungeon
Subterranean prison chamber
- dragonLegendary fire-breathing reptile
- wizardPractitioner of sorcery
- goblinMalicious folklore creature
necromancer · lich · quest · artifact · rune · mana · potion · scroll · cursed · enchantment
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- resource managementAllocating available means efficiently
- turn-basedPlayers alternate actions
decision-making · positioning · inventory · builds · synergy · min-maxing · risk-reward · optimization · loadout · ability
difficulty
State of being hard
unforgiving · demanding · tough · relentless · consequence · mortality · finality · game-over · irreversible · learning
punishing
Extremely taxing or severe
- unforgivingShowing no leniency
- challengingHard to accomplish
- brutalSavagely harsh or severe
steep learning curve · mastery · skill ceiling · pattern recognition · adaptation · failure · retry · grinding · progression · unlockables
mortality
State of eventual death
- finalityState of conclusive completion
- game overFinal failure message
- consequenceResult of an action
irreversible · hardcore · restart · death penalty · corpse run · ghost · tombstone · legacy · bloodstain · resurrection
ASCII
Electronic character encoding standard
- pixelatedComposed of visible squares
- indieProduced outside majors
- pixel artImages built from visible squares
top-down · grid-based · text-based · terminal · command line · classic · old-school · tiles
indie
Produced outside majors
- retroEvoking recent past
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
- roguelitePermadeath game with carryover
randomization
Introducing chance systematically
- procedural generationAutomated content creation via algorithms
- seedEmbryonic plant capsule
- algorithmFinite problem-solving procedure
infinite · variability · replayability · unpredictable · emergent · modular · endless
randomization
Introducing chance systematically
- variabilityTendency to change
- unpredictabilityState resisting forecasts
- emergentNewly come into existence
dynamic · nonlinear · endless · discovery · adaptation · synergy · unlockables · secrets · branching · modular
- gamingvideo games, buff, games, PlayStation 4, gameplay
- video gamesvideo games, gameplay, Fortnite, mobile game, arcade
- retro gamingretro gaming, 8-bit, NES, SNES, 16-bit
- gaming lingoNPC, HP, GG, AFK, PvP
- dungeon crawlersdungeon, loot, treasure chest, monster, trap
- replay featuresreplayability, replay value, new game plus, multiple endings, replay mode
roguelikeRPG
Explosive launcher or fantasy genre
JRPG · Metroidvania · CRPG · autosave
roguelikeMMO
Huge shared gaming world
narrative-driven · MMORPG · sandbox game · open world · career mode