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Rogue (DOS)

100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
5 point score based on user ratings.
Written by  :  Indra is here (19671)
Written on  :  Jul 18, 2003
Platform  :  DOS
Rating  :  4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars4 Stars

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And to think I played this game in 2003...

The Good

Well, as I played this game 2 decades after this game was released, it seems that I can objectively review this game without my usual subjective opinion...hahaha.

Anyway, this is one very cute game. Simple if not prehistoric in the graphics department which is very nice considering. To my surprise, the game is still playable, this is one of those 'rare games' that don't seem to be affected to much by the course of technology. Unless you're on of those 'graphic oriented' people (sigh).

A very simple concept. Your stuck in a dungeon - Fight your way out. During your journeys you will be assisted by random items and pursued by random monsters. The more monsters you whack, the higher your experience and level, the better prepared you are for lower levels filled with more powerful monsters.

The graphics in this game is very similar to games like Star Fleet, of which I don't know if there is a specific terminology used to describe graphics based on letters and numbers. But the developers portrayed the game very well to get that 'dungeon' kind of feel.

The game is completely playable. Each time you play, its a new game. Like a game of chess or cards. Every time its a new game. The random setting of this game is both refreshing (not likely to get bored) and irritating (if you end up with a lousy map and lousy random items).

A strange thing in this game, is that mostly everything is random. From the map to the items. Only the monsters don't seem be random. The items spesifically have random uses. So the first time you come across a Blue Potion for instance, it may be a healing potion. The next time around (a new game) it may be a Sleeping Potion. So not much use in writing item descriptions down.

The Bad

I always like a game that used the keyboard to the maximum length. Meaning that most of the keyboard keys were used. This game introduced a similar concept, however it's quite confusing if you press a key and not sure if it works or not. For example, the search key (S) is used to search for hidden doors, etc. But there is no description if it doesn't work (if there happens to be a secret door). Basically some simple text to tell you what's going on would be nice.

Speaking of some simple text, this game lacks description. Its a fun simple game. But to simple in my opinion. For example, you found this longsword and you find this two-handed sword. Let's say you don't know anything about swords. How do you know which one is better? In this game, you don't. You could (for example) go around using that straw staff, thinking its better than the Magical Platinum Sword with Flame Thrower special attack :p

There are only 2 ways to know what (spesifically) a magic item is for. One, use with a possibility of still not knowing what it does (usually scrolls). Two, use an Identity Scroll. But you don't find many of those either. Basically, you probably wouldn't know what half of the stuff your carrying is for. (Hmmm...carrot...what's a carrot? Nevermind).

I often wonder what code is used for combat. Sometimes I just don't get the fact that after reaching level 7, I can still miss that !@#!@# level 1 Bat 5 times. Irritating really.

The Bottom Line

Overall, this game to my opinion stood the test of time. And more refreshing than playing Solitaire. Hahaha. This game is all about pure luck.