Roguebook Reviews
In an increasingly-popular subgenre, deck-building games need to find a way to stand out more than ever. Does Roguebook deal a winning hand?
Roguebook offers enough unique takes on gameplay to create a compelling experience for those highly interested in deck building games and a fun experience for those who aren't quite as familiar with the genre. The dual hero system and presentation truly makes Roguebook stand out. However, the usual issues with the deck building game remain. It's the random luck of the draw as to whether you're given good enough cards to succeed in battle. Otherwise, you have to grind your way around to find useful cards or upgrades to help you. It might not be a game for everyone, but Roguebook is definitely worth checking out.
Roguebook is essentially a roguelike- deckbuilder game, with the cards, gems and relics being the loot that players will have to blend into a perfect strategy to escape. While each of the characters will start with a default deck that will be upgraded as they level up; most upgrades players receive will be lost upon death. These games depend on having a tight replay, fun and consistent replay loop and with Roguebook, Abrakam has succeeded here.
While were to the point where there are quite a number of roguelike deckbuilders on the Switch, it's nice to see that newcomers to the space like Roguebook have still tried to keep introducing new elements to the mix...
Roguebook certainly needs some adjustments, between long wait times on cards being played and scaling of difficulty in the later chapters. Those issues aside, however, there’s a lot to love in here. It has some great ideas, beautiful art design, and some fun gameplay… when it decides to run properly. Roguebook has the potential to replace Slay the Spire in this style of game, it just needs some tweaks.
Simple to start, but scratch the surface, and you’ll find hidden depths that reward repeated play. Roguebook has the ‘just one more go’ factor that will keep you playing way too late into the night
Roguebook is an excellent mashup of collectible card game, with exploration and progression elements that keep the experience fresh for subsequent runs. I was almost immediately hooked, playing with different party combinations and structuring my decks to see if I could make it just a bit further on my next run. And the one after that. And the one after that. I’m going to stop writing now and go back for another run now.
Fun and challenging are the two best adjectives that we can give to the game, but above all we are facing a title that lovers of board games, specifically deckbuildings, can approach without fear of seeing our favorite game mechanics prostituted. .
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Roguebook will be right up your alley if you are a fan of Slay the Spire or deck building games in general. It’s got a beautiful fantasy world that is fun to navigate using the ink mechanic and the different playable characters and card variety makes the battles very strategic. Sure, some runs seemed doomed to failure from the start but I always wanted to jump back onto the page to give it another go.
In a genre of some truly fantastic games, Roguebook stands up there with the best of them. Whilst the story is minimalistic and the lack of world variety is disappointing , the engaging combat makes this easily one of the most polished deckbuilders I've played.
While Roguebook may not be my favourite game in this genre, it does offer a lot of variation and a few interesting tweaks to the genre. It's jaw-droppingly beautiful, incredibly creative and the crucial card play is very entertaining. The exploration is a nice addition and creates a risk and reward system to proceedings, as is the card crafting. While you may not be able to create a lean, all-killing deck, what you can create is a heaving bag of frivolity and opportunities.
I've never wanted to play a roguelike deck builder before because, quite frankly, they look really boring. Playing Roguebook proved how wrong I was. This is a devious and delightful slice of turn based card slinging strategy that will win over even the most cynical of deck building haters. I can't think of any finer praise than that.
Despite its flaws, Roguebook is still one worth opening. It’s filled with ink that paints a much different picture than its cover would suggest. It turns many common deck-building conventions upside down making for an enjoyable fresh experience in a crowded genre.
For fans of Slay the Spire and its ilk, Roguebook is a no-brainer. This is a gorgeous, engaging take on the roguelike deckbuilding genre that carves out its own niche without ever feeling derivative of games that came before it. Combining the joy of map exploration and discovery with deep, strategic combat, the result is a game that absolutely nails replayability. If roguelikes are your jam, you’re going to find it hard to put Roguebook down.
To be clear, this is actually really fun and interesting, but at this point it was not ready for release. There are far too many literal game-breaking bugs and errors that freeze RogueBook solid. The second level alone took over 10 reloads to beat. With some patches and balances though, this game could easy be a recommended to CCG or strategy players.
Though the deck-builder is running the risk of being overexposed, Roguebook has enough interesting ideas at play to make it a worthwhile investment of time. It’s not likely to replace Slay the Spire or Monster Train for fans, but it carves out enough of its own niche that I can see it existing side-by-side.
On the whole, Roguebook is an interesting deckbuilder that does a lot of things well. It doesn’t do a great deal that feels new and exciting, but there are flashes of brilliance here and there.
Roguebook is a "good" title in its genre. Do not expect revolution and amazing features from Roguebook, but you can be sure that this game will keep you entertained for hours.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Among many roguelike TCG genres, this one seems to fill in the gaps that the existing games failed to do so. The game’s overall atmosphere is warm and cozy. But due to its warmth, while it may feel too simplistic, the design aspect is heavily committed to this rare genre, thus making it feel like they’re devoted to do their part. Some of the areas still feel incomplete but their efforts in making deck building easier for newcomers is a great feat. We’re hoping for continuous updates which would allow us to reveal new chapters.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Set in a fantasy word, Roguebook is one of the latest entries in the roguelike deckbuilders panorama. Developed alongside Richard Garfield, the Magic: The Gathering creator, Roguebook borrows heavily from the genre's staples, but also introducing fresh elements to the recently booming genre.