Explore the Explosive Growth of Rogue Gaming: A 2024 Rewind
The Rise of Roguelikes: A Thrilling Genre in 2024
The roguelike genre has come a long way from its humble beginnings. What was once a niche category has now become a staple in the gaming world. In 2024, roguelikes have proven themselves to be more than just a fad. They’re here to stay, and we’re excited to explore what this genre has to offer.
A Case in Point: Balatro
Take, for instance, Balatro, a game that’s full of poker, strategy, and a touch of luck. This game is easy to pick up due to its roots in building traditional poker hands, but each round feels wildly different thanks to the clever use of joker cards. It’s a perfect blend of skill, risk, and a dash of luck, making it an incredibly fun experience. I can see myself playing Balatro for years to come, especially with the upcoming major update and its new mobile release.
Hades II: A Worthy Successor
Another game that’s been making waves is Hades II, which is still in early access. It’s shaping up to be a worthy successor to its predecessor, Hades, and is already more fully fleshed out than many finished titles. I’ve put in over 30 hours so far, and I still feel like I have so much to unlock and master. With the latest major update, I intentionally slowed down my progress to avoid burning out before the game reaches v1.0.
Other Exciting Roguelikes
Of course, there are many other roguelikes that caught my attention this year. Shogun Showdown, for example, makes you feel like a genius by showing you the future. I enjoyed mastering its weapons and items to pull off well-planned combos against hordes of enemies. Windblown, the new roguelike from Dead Cells creators Motion Twin, takes what makes Dead Cells great and translates it to 3D. The game’s biomes are creative and fun to explore, with plenty of nooks and crannies. Its multiplayer feature is particularly noteworthy, allowing for a new level of cooperation and competition.
More to Explore
These are just a few examples of the many amazing roguelikes out there. I still have a long list of games I want to check out, like Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment, and The Rogue Prince of Persia. Some of these, like The Prince, are already in early access, while others are just around the corner. With big publishers like Ubisoft jumping into the genre, we can expect even more exciting developments in the future.
The Future of Roguelikes
The sheer number of great roguelikes just this year shows that the framework of the genre offers a lot of ways to create interesting games. I appreciate how they’re generally more digestible than blockbuster epics. Next year has some promising roguelikes like Slay the Spire 2 and Hyper Light Breaker, but I know I’ll be returning to many of 2024’s excellent roguelikes again and again – as soon as I’m done with one more round of Balatro.
