http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/alltime/roguelike/ascii/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> All-Time Most Popular Games Tagged 'roguelike, ascii' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/alltime/roguelike/ascii/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> en-us Rogue was one of the earliest computer games in any form. Based on materials from fantasy writers and the Dungeons & Dragons gaming system, Rogue took the text display of a console window and converted it into an underground complex filled with creatures, treasures, and constant peril.

Easy to pick up, Rogue soon shows its depth with the variety of items and monsters that await discovery. The dungeons are randomly generated and the amount of material to be uncovered is huge, so there is a great deal of replay value as well.

Rogue has spawn many offspring and imitators in the years that followed, many of which are still in active development today. If you want games that are both challenging and enjoyable, and which rely on imagination more than 3D rendering, start with Rogue and work your way into the realm of roguelike gaming.

]]> 16 Feb 2007 08:37:38 The Dungeons Of Moria, or more simply Moria, was one of the first roguelike games after the eponymous Rogue. Moria took the basic Rogue structure of random dungeons and hoards of monsters and added some notable improvements.

The first obvious upgrade is that there is an actual town over the dungeon. You can shop, rest, and wander the town freely, recuperating and restocking before you return to the depths.

There is also great variety in player types. You can choose from different fantasy races, unlike Rogue's human-only player world, as well as selecting your gender. You'll also be given a random history and appearance upon your "birth", which helps you get closer to your character.

Finally, there's the (now standard) introduction of the Big Quest. In this case, it's what you'd expect from a game called Moria - you have to reach the deepest pit and defeat the Balrog. Much of this game would later inspire and influence the game Diablo, right down to its Balrog-like title character.

Many games, including other roguelikes, descend from the innovations Moria introduced to the genre. Yet for all that, the original itself still remains a rewarding play on its own.

]]> 16 Feb 2007 08:16:48 The Caves Of Larn, or just Larn for short, is an older roguelike game in which you play a parent questing in a dungeon to retrieve a potion that will cure your ailing daughter. Unlike most roguelike games, there is a time limit here. Both the dungeons and the overland areas vary from roguelike norms as well.

The dungeons are labyrinths, instead of rooms connected by halls. Besides monsters, traps, and loot, they can contain interesting features like fountains and altars. They also remain consistent within a game, instead of randomizing into a new layout whenever you leave them like in other roguelikes.

The overland area contains the usual shops, but includes as well more unusual buildings like a bank, a tax office, and the College of Larn, where you can spend precious money (and even more precious time) developing your character.

Larn manages to be both a familiar as well as a significant shift in the realm of roguelikes. Its unique gameplay and more personalised quest make it a refreshing experience.

Visit the Larn Home Page for more, and to download different versions of the game.

]]> 18 Feb 2007 09:07:16 ZZT was created by Tim Sweeney of Epic Games. ZZT allows the creation of your own game worlds with the inclusion of a powerful world editor. The game is powered by boards that include pre-placed objects scripted using a custom language called ZZT-OOP. All graphics in game are done with standard and extended ANSI characters. ZZT comes with some sample worlds demonstrating the unique types of puzzles the game power. A majority of basic ZZT worlds feature elements similar to puzzle games, and Roguelikes. Many other types of game worlds can be created due to the flexibility the editor provides. A large cult-community of followers still supports the game. These supporters have created many additional tricks and tools to help push the limitations of the built-in editor. In addition, hundreds of user-created worlds are available for download.

]]> 29 Mar 2007 05:13:51