Finally finished Rogue Legacy today (NG+ awaits), and I think I can confidently say this is on my shortlist for 2013 Game of the Year whenever GAF runs the thread. It has so much I look for in a game

- Gameplay
- Humor
- Soundtrack
- Infuriating Difficulty
- A tickling of Childhood Memories

Rogue Legacy draws upon a lot of what made the NES and SNES such a popular console, at least in the Lucha-Household. It takes a basic concept (platforming) and twists into a complex hazard filled world that slowly builds up in infuriating difficulty as you die and reborn.

Abilities are gained and unlocked with each generation, depending on the bounty you collected in a previous life - double/triple jump, dash, flying, etc. Those skills might first appear trivial, but they become almost essential as the game progresses. If not only to kill and avoid mobs, but to unlock some of the hidden chests, and the challenge chests.
You see, Cellar Door have been clever with this game, and are aware of what abilities it has given the player and makes sure that the player WILL have to use them at some point. They're not just window dressing.

The simple nature of the game carries over to the 'fighting system' too. 1 Button for Sword, 1 for Magic, 1 for special ability and another for jump. However, it's how you link these simple buttons together that can cause chaos, panic and eventually joy.
Why?
Well, it's the mobs. The assortment of mobs again are simple and have simple attacks, but it's the pairings and timings of the mobs when grouped together that become a headache, a frustrating headache that is rewarding to dodge and kill without being hit.

However, it's not a game that takes itself seriously, as there are ton of humor in this game too, as can be seen from the game's trailer. It promotes flatulent heroes, dwarves, colourblind heroes and so many other insane combinations of flaws and gift-like-traits.
This traits can make or break a generation run through the castle.
What's more is the game has a progression system, linked to a castle which you build up with Gold you gain with every run. As you unlock new classes, or boost your attack/health, the castle grows, and new traits and classes start to appear in your gene pool.

Words can't really do the game justice, as reading this back I'm making it sound like a really basic game, but it's so much more. If this had been released in the 90s on the SNES it would be regarded today as one of the SNES' greatest games.
I found it to be a hugely enjoyable and fun game, and despite the nature of the beast (it's a game that WANTS to kill you and WILL kill you), I never really felt the enjoyment dissipate.

(as a side this is the first game I've actively sought to buy the OST for).

Finally finished Rogue Legacy today (NG+ awaits), and I think I can confidently say this is on my shortlist for 2013 Game of the Year whenever GAF runs the thread. It has so much I look for in a game - Gameplay - Humor - Soundtrack - Infuriating Difficulty - A tickling of Childhood Memories Rogue Legacy draws upon a lot of what made the NES and SNES such a popular console, at least in the Lucha-Household. It takes a basic concept (platforming) and twists into a complex hazard filled world that slowly builds up in infuriating difficulty as you die and reborn. Abilities are gained and unlocked with each generation, depending on the bounty you collected in a previous life - double/triple jump, dash, flying, etc. Those skills might first appear trivial, but they become almost essential as the game progresses. If not only to kill and avoid mobs, but to unlock some of the hidden chests, and the challenge chests. You see, Cellar Door have been clever with this game, and are aware of what abilities it has given the player and makes sure that the player WILL have to use them at some point. They're not just window dressing. The simple nature of the game carries over to the 'fighting system' too. 1 Button for Sword, 1 for Magic, 1 for special ability and another for jump. However, it's how you link these simple buttons together that can cause chaos, panic and eventually joy. Why? Well, it's the mobs. The assortment of mobs again are simple and have simple attacks, but it's the pairings and timings of the mobs when grouped together that become a headache, a frustrating headache that is rewarding to dodge and kill without being hit. However, it's not a game that takes itself seriously, as there are ton of humor in this game too, as can be seen from the game's trailer. It promotes flatulent heroes, dwarves, colourblind heroes and so many other insane combinations of flaws and gift-like-traits. This traits can make or break a generation run through the castle. What's more is the game has a progression system, linked to a castle which you build up with Gold you gain with every run. As you unlock new classes, or boost your attack/health, the castle grows, and new traits and classes start to appear in your gene pool. Words can't really do the game justice, as reading this back I'm making it sound like a really basic game, but it's so much more. If this had been released in the 90s on the SNES it would be regarded today as one of the SNES' greatest games. I found it to be a hugely enjoyable and fun game, and despite the nature of the beast (it's a game that WANTS to kill you and WILL kill you), I never really felt the enjoyment dissipate. (as a side this is the first game I've actively sought to buy the OST for).