Roguebook Reviews
Roguebook has everything it needs to set the genre on fire. A gorgeous visual feast, combat as deep and challenging as any CCG, rewarding roguelike mechanics – it has it all. If you're a fan of the genre, this one is quickly setting up to be a GOTY contender.
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.
I am a sucker for this very type roguelike deck building game, and in RogueBook I have found a worthy successor to my favorite in the space, Slay the Spire. While I might think Slay the Spire has that edge on the given mechanics and strategies of a single run, I believe RogueBook excels at world building, game progression, and re-playablity as new power-ups, characters, cards, map items, and challenges are unlocked not just on every run but especially after successfully completing the core game. Each is excellent, each game deserves to be enjoyed. To prefer one over the other is to prefer chocolate syrup over caramel, but in both you are treated to a delicious dessert of fun and strategic gaming.
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.
Honestly, I could go on. About the exploration and how exciting it is to not know what you’ll find. About combat and how mechanically beautiful it is. About how beautiful the game itself is. About how gratifying it is to pull together a crazy set of cards and come out on top. About how there’s little narrative but each attempt becomes a sort of micro-story through the shaping of the team and deck. About the way each character’s distinct strategies and personality are built into their cards. But really it comes down to this; if you like deck-builders or ever have, you should give Roguebook a chance. Tainted Grail: Conquest isn’t for everyone and I knew that right away, even if I loved that game in its own way. Roguebook is one that everyone with even a passing interest should try. You may get your ass kicked but I doubt you’ll regret it.
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.
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.
Honestly, I have very little criticism for Roguebook. You can feel the inspiration from earlier deck-builders, but it’s very much its own thing. Unique combat mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and addicting exploration make for a roguelike deck-builder that’s polished and keeps you going back for more. And you’ll definitely want to go back for more and more, as you’ll unlock additional cards and skills that will help your future runs. I’d also like to note that the developers received some pretty heavy criticism for making what seemed like a fairly significant chunk of game into DLC that was available the same day as release. In what I thought was an integrity move, they announced that they’ll be releasing the Apex Predator Pack for free, and anybody who purchased it can request a refund. Just something to keep in mind if you’re seeing this particular criticism of the game.
An excellent game that provides a solid twist to the deck building genre. Needs only some minor polishing to get it close to perfection.
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.
Roguebook is a solid game with strong Card battle elements with a twist of RPG, and a slice of tabletop mixed in. Who would have thought it would be so addictive? I should have known, with company names Abrakam and Nacon, which already sound like prescription drugs. Yea, I am now thoroughly addicted to Rougebook.
Roguebook mixes elements just right to create a competent and enjoyable deck building roguelike. Its big difference is its focus on a pair of heroes, whose unique abilities are used in tactical combat with cards and positioning — there are lots of synergies and strategies available, and it's fun to test the various possibilities. The world captivates with its elaborate fantasy setting, and the mechanics of drawing paths on the map bring freedom to matches. The title invites us to play it constantly with unlockables and customization options, but the limited variety of content makes things a little tiring after a while. In the end, Roguebook turns out to be a unique and engaging deckbuilder roguelike.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Roguebook is a game that will feel crushingly familiar at first, but reveals itself to be more nuanced and interesting the more you play it. It's definitely a fun game, and while it feels like there have been more original roguelike deckbuilders recently, Roguebook is still good fun, and there's enough here to keep you going for a long time if it clicks with you.
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.
If you have the patience, Roguebook is an interesting adventure, worth exploring. Players will be treated to a multifaceted strategy title, that keeps you guessing constantly. Why not have them deal you a hand?
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.
Roguebook is a refreshing take on traditional card games. With its original map and combat mechanics, it delivers engaging roguelike elements that keep things interesting run after run. While the game might not contain the world’s most ground-breaking story, card game aficionados are sure to find something to their liking in this Faeria-themed release.
Review code provided by the publisher.
Like other great roguelikes, the more of Roguebook you play, the more you want to play. Each death is simply a nudge to continue; to assess your strategy and try something new. Exploring the game’s world is a joy, and combat is easy to get to grips with while still being deep and engaging. There’s a lot to love here, all wrapped up in a package of sumptuous art.
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.