Not long ago, Cellar Door Games released the sequel to its Roguelite and Metroidvania-inspired adventure, Rogue Legacy. Dubbed Rogue Legacy 2, the game aims to expand on the original’s content with a playstyle that’s equally tough and challenging, putting you in the footsteps of an entire dynasty of mostly dysfunctional warriors. As soon as it started I was able to play this second part and although it gave me good entertainment it is clear that it is not a game for the faint of heart. I’ll explain why.
The initial phase is peppered with failures. But you can see that when you start this extreme roguelite adventure and get familiar with the mechanics, the control scheme and what to really expect. Rogue Legacy 2 doesn’t take you by the hand, so your mission is to explore the world and survive while deciphering the story and earning permanent upgrades so you can unlock new areas, reach unusual locations, and generally advance. This is a very rewarding start because although you don’t advance through the main story, it helps you understand the game and even allows you to buy many permanent upgrades with the gold you collect on each playthrough.
For a few hours, this is the dynamics of the game: Earn gold, get upgrades and challenge enemies populating the different parts of the map, and that usually ends with you being dead. If you manage to defeat one of them you will get the next important upgrade that will allow you to move to the next area where you will have to repeat the same cycle.
Advertising:
The disadvantage of this system is that takes a lot of time to get the perfect character, and you need to get a lot of upgrades to be able to do anything in the game. Otherwise you’ll be stuck in an endless loop of getting smaller and smaller upgrades (prices increase each time you buy an upgrade) and you’ll get stuck in the first area of the map. This gets a bit tiring and boring when you realize how this progressive punishment system just turns into punishment.
I know what you’re thinking: this is where your skill comes into play. And yes, you’ll need some platforming and roguelite combat skills to succeed in Rogue Legacy 2, because at some point you’ll just have to prove you’re capable of overcoming obstacles and moving forward. However, due to the large number of random elements, this is not always easy.
Advertising:
For example, there may be times when you start a new game and have to choose between be a chef, an assassin or a ranger. The ranger’s problem is that it has a trait that rotates the screen for a gold multiplier, which makes the game complicated and this class is not a good option. If you choose the cook, you can get a modifier that puts a focus on him, so you can only see part of the environment and the rest is black. All this for another bonus gold, which also makes Chef a bad choice. We’re left with the assassin, who has no ill effects other than clown syndrome, who looks like a circus worker and who’s vegan, and you take him to fight. The problem is that he may not be your best character and you may not have enough practice with this class to get through the more difficult boss encounters and phases.
Mainly, Rogue Legacy 2 suffers a bit from the old roguelike/roguelite subgenre problem. And it is that chance can get you in trouble when it hits you. If you have the will and determination to accept it and see it through, what Cellar Door Games has to offer is very appealing.
Advertising:
It has to be said that Rogue Legacy 2 is an incredibly deep and highly polished title. The gameplay is tight and responsive, and both the graphics and art style are brilliant and outstanding elements. It’s a game where as you gather enough power to keep progressing, you’ll discover new ways to entertain yourself, whether that’s completing tricky fairy chests to get weapon/armor blueprints or spending gold on relics and other items that can help you in your quest. Adventure.
Don’t expect to jump into Rogue Legacy 2 to beat it in a couple of hours, because that won’t be the case. But if you’re looking for a new roguelite experience to go back and rave about, Cellar Door Games’ sequel might be the game for you.
