UPDATE: May 26th, 2010
100 Rogues has just received an update that addresses some of the bugs mentioned in our review and brings back the challenge levels that were missing in the last version. Has this game gone gold-master yet? Read on to find out.
Let us first focus on the challenges, which we did not have the chance to delve into prior to posting our review. There are 10 in total, each lasting about 10 movements apiece. You are tasked with meeting an objective, which usually consists of killing all the monsters. Each small map is pre-rendered and has very few solutions, meaning that you will need to play strategically to win. However, what is actually given to you to begin with is never stated explicitly and you often fail a challenge due to simply hitting an enemy for one less damage. Overall, the challenges don't do much to enhance the package as a whole.
Some bugs have been introduced as well, including one that prevents you from naming your character, which screws up the leaderboards. Also, since our review went live we found exploits in the game that allow players to get insanely high scores by cheating. To our knowledge these scores still reign supreme online and make the leaderboards next to useless.
We appreciate the developers taking the time to address some issues, but for $4.99 customers shouldn't have to deal with game-breaking bugs. Our score still stands until this roguelike reaches something more akin to release-candidate status.
Roguelikes have a massive following among iPhone gamers. In fact, Sword of Fargoal was the runner-up in our Game of the Year (People's Choice) poll conducted last December. 100 Rogues is the latest dose of one-life dungeon crawling action, but unfortunately it doesn’t live up to other App Store roguelikes due to loads of bugs and some other loose ends that make it feel more like a beta test.
As with any roguelike, the goal is to lead your character through a seemingly-endless, randomly-generated dungeon. 100 Rogues is split up into a five-level Bandit Hole, and then the main dungeon, where you must fight through countless enemies to face off against Satan and reclaim your honor amongst the higher-ups in the feudal government.
There are two classes to choose from: a human crusader and fairy wizard. The big difference is that the crusader specializes in close combat and the wizard specializes in ranged combat. Both have unique skill trees with some awesome powers, our favorite of which is what we like to call the “godfinger”, where God’s finger will touch you or enemies at random moments, healing you and dealing massive damage to them.
Rats go splat.
100 Rogues is full of personality. Most roguelikes give off a much more serious vibe, but 100 Rogues is borderline playful at times. This not only makes it much more approachable for new players, but it offers something that's lacking in other roguelikes.
On the other hand, 100 Rogues is marred by some relentless bugs that cause the game to crash, freeze, have graphical glitches, and on rare occasions kill your character without reason. Controlling your character is done by swiping and holding, but slightly moving your finger causes your brave adventurer to go the wrong way and possibly fall into a trap. The frame rate is also quite low, which makes little sense for a game that doesn't appear to be using the iPhone’s processor to its capacity.
Inventory management is also lacking in 100 Rogues. Items don’t stack correctly, and there is no good method of destroying something other than to throw it on the ground or at an enemy. Plus, the entire system is controlled through buttons, as opposed to a more logical drag-and-drop method.
Halloween's over, buddy.
The most disappointing thing about the game is that the challenges don’t appear. We tried the game on a Wi-Fi iPad, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 3G, and each time the challenge window came up blank. According to the 100 Rogues website, these missions are short puzzle-like levels where you must fulfill a certain requirement. This could have been the most interesting part of the 100 Rogues package. Chances are the developer will address this in an update.
Once you finish a run through the survival level, you are given a stat table that tells you how many of each kind of enemy you killed. However, once you click out of this, you lose access to it. There is also an online leaderboard, but it only displays the top few scores. We think it would be more fun to see where you rank in the grand scheme of things.
With so many issues cluttering up 100 Rogues, it's safe to say that this is one to pass by at the moment, even for hardcore roguelike fanatics. It may have potential, but this version of the game feels unfinished.
12 Comments
I agree with most of these things except for the fact that this is not SoF, you do not move with swipes, you move by tapping, moving in the wrong direction is something that doesn't really happen. Now, walking instead of hitting an enemy long range might.
Wow... I'm actually in love with this game. And I've never played a roguelike before!
The Challenges are missing in version 1.01 but they where in 1.00. It's not as big of a deal as you think since those are more like a tutorial thing. The "survival" level is the real deal.
I hope people still check it out, at least when it gets updated.
Thanks for the review though, people have different opinions :)
I like the bottom line! :)
And a 2 is completely right for the current version.
Why don't you download version 1.0.2 and redo this review, you rarely give the game credit for its underlining greatness .
Ahhh - wow. It's really too bad you guys went ahead and did this review before the 1.02 patch. Sucks, considering the only bad things you have to say about the game are technical details, most of which are fixed right now. Update, and check again.
100 Rogues' software guy here:
I sincerely appreciate you guys taking the time to update the review... even if we haven't fared any better :X
If the life of 100 Rogues approaches even half that of some of the more established roguelikes, then these early issues will seem like the blink of an eye. I hope the reviewer did notice the improvements that our testers and many players have; while I don't deny that crashes still occur, many players are not experiencing them in over two weeks of play. I've not by any means removed their resolution from the top of my priorities list, and those that remain will be removed when doing so provides the largest possible benefit to players.
I qualify this because exploits and the potential for cheating should be and are being addressed with similarly high priority, with a fix waiting for release for all remaining known exploits.
I hope the design speaks for itself. Despite the regrettable stability issues of early versions, many players voiced their frustrations as being entirely exceeded by the joy of playing. Though I expect obviation of neither blame nor consequence for not having these issues fixed for launch, I humbly ask for faith in my claim that I will continue tirelessly until I have overcome the amateurism I have displayed that, clearly, the game's artist and designer have not.
Is this game ever going to be 'finished'? I hope not! So while I'm not sure I'll ever be able to say, 'yes, this is the version you review', I hope that players (and the reviewer :-) ) enjoy the game despite its current and temporary flaws long enough to make that call themselves.
This game is a 3 to 4 for rogue games. Wow what a crappy rating! It is an excellent game
Yes, this review needs revamping.
The game itself is fun and challenging!
I think it's probably worth reviewing this game again, or doing an update to your review. 1.05 is now out and most of the reviews are stellar so far. I'd love to know what you think (plus, there's an iPad version).
signed the 3 comments before this
This review definitely needs an update.
And, seriously, so does Doodle Jump. >__>
It saddens me to see the strange disregard for this game and it's multiple (and definitely game/review changing updates ) on behalf of y'all at slide to play.. I completely understand that you all are busy and don't get me wrong.. Slidetoplay has always been one of the first places I will go before I make an uneasy decision on most games before purchasing ( I know some may consider it lame but I greatly appreciate and honor most all of your reviews before purchase ). Which leads to my main point - if anything take into consideration the massive amount of new players 100 rogues has obtained throughout the 2 years of its initial release. I completely understand if my comments are set aside as bunk but If any of you wonderful beautiful ( ass kissing, so sue me (>")>
Reviewers at slide to play have a little bit of time , please consider giving 100 rogues another play through or two and give the game the updated review it deserves :). I am positive that many will agree when I say the final update as of recent ( which includes the skellyman class , dinoman class , all the new playable monster classes , the plethora of bug fixes (which finally seem to have been taking care of once and for all) and god knows what else ) will have you (slidetoplay) bumping this excellent game up to a possible 4 or at least the minimum 3 it so well deserves .. :)
Love - Matthew Coupe
Ps: Plzzzz forgive my loathsome grammar and overuse of parenthesis :P
Peace
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