Roguelike and roguelite games, both inspired by the 1980 game Rogue (Epyx Inc.), are built on procedurally-generated levels getting as far as possible in one run.

The key distinction lies in progression: roguelikes typically feature no meta-progression, meaning players begin every run with nothing carried over, while roguelites incorporate meta-progression, allowing players to retain certain upgrades or abilities between runs, making subsequent attempts more manageable.

The rising popularity of these genres is likely due to their inherent replayability, in fact, replaying is built into the game’s design. This creates an evolving challenge in which you’re trying to beat your personal best. The sense of mastery you get from learning and adapting is very rewarding, as you’re literally improving yourself, culminating in an addictive, ‘one more run’ effect.

Some developers may favour these genres for the efficiency of procedural generation. Meaning they can design the overall parameters of how levels are generated, then players get an almost infinite variety of new levels. This is obviously more ‘efficient’ than manually designing every inch of every level.

Where do I go with this article, now? Perhaps, I need to give my opinions faster. Let’s try another run at it. Think conversational, concise. I can do this…

Roguelikes were originally inspired by the game Rogue (1980, Epyx Inc.) but have since taken on a life of their own. In a Roguelike, each time your character dies, you start again from the beginning. Or, in the case of Roguelites, you start from the beginning with some of your progress carrying over between lives. And, in each run, the levels you need to tackle are generated anew. 

But, why are they so hot right now? As computational power has increased, developers have been able to generate more complex levels. But, more than that, replayability is more important than it used to be. Games used to be more disposable experiences, consumed and then forgotten. Occasionally we’d replay old games for nostalgia or for multiplayer but, now, games are expected to be years-long commitments with ongoing content updates. 

Hmm, perhaps, I’m repeating myself too much. I’ll take another pass at it but I’ll look for some kind of shortcut. 

Where did this waterfall come from? Is it a huge, fancy basin? Well, you know what they say: always check behind the waterfall. Ah ha! A portal! Looks like I’m back where I was before in the article. Alright, time to think about where this genre is heading next.

Why do we love them so much? There’s an innate human drive at play here: the joy of discovery. Every run in a roguelike or roguelite presents something new, whether it’s a level layout, a weapon, an enemy pattern, etc. These things keep the game feeling fresh, forcing players to adapt and learn organically.

Plus, many modern roguelikes encourage competition. This sees players share strategies, dissect builds, and trade stories of their best and worst runs. The unpredictability also makes them great games to watch; ideal for streamers and content creators.

Ultimately, the roguelike taps into something primal: the desire to conquer the unknown. And, with each failed attempt, the urge to try again grows stronger.

Freedom! I did it! I finished the article! Now, who do I invoice for this, I wonder? And, how do I spell ‘extenuating circumstances’?