Roguebook first launched for PC in 2021. It is technically old now, but still relevant because it finally came to consoles. The first relaunch happened in February of 2022, bringing the card-based RPG roguelike to Xbox and PlayStation platforms. Now, once again, fans of the genre can celebrate as the game is finally available on Switch.
Roguelikes and RPGs in general just seem to fit better on the Switch. Multitasking is something that a lot of gamers adore. That may be true, but is this port the best version out there? Reviews are in the 70s, across all platforms, so prospective buyers would do well to find out what Roguebook does right and what it does wrong.
6 Best: The Art Style
Roguebook has a nice clean art style to it. The game takes place within a magical storybook. The game then is like an Isekai wherein the main characters are trapped within its realm, desperate to escape. An Isekai, for those unaware, refers mainly to an anime genre in which the main character is stuck in another world.
Since Roguebook does take place in a book, the art style works really well. The animations aren’t as fluid as some other indie games, but the heroes and villains still look great despite some choppy frames. There is a lot to see in this game visually and every chapter brings something new to the table.
5 Worst: No Support Settings
Roguebook is missing a plethora of options that most indie games are starting to implement. For example, there are no assist options. This roguelike is tough from minute one and becomes more brutal as players progress through the game. A typical assist option would lower enemy defenses or raise the player’s defenses, for example.
There is no handholding here. There isn’t even a difficulty menu. Most of the options are about the sound. At least Roguebook has something, but it’s probably not what a lot of gamers are hoping for from a new roguelike game.
4 Best: The Card System
Card-based RPGs typically range from feeling too complicated to feeling just right. Thankfully Roguebook falls firmly on the latter end of the spectrum. Every card may have a lot on it, but their rules are as clear as day. The basic breakdown is this.
Players will start with three rounds of energy per turn. Every card uses a set amount of energy. They play the card, use the energy, deplete it, and then pass the turn on to the enemy. It’s simple, but there is still some getting used to the battle system. This is a game that emphasizes defense over offense and that may go against how gamers typically play RPGs like this. Still, within an hour or two everything should start to click.
3 Worst: Not Much Randomization For A Roguelike
Roguelikes come in all shapes and sizes. It’s been a while since a good card RPG has come along. Every run will be different in Roguebook but not different enough to offset the monotony of death after death. Players will spawn at the starting point. They will recruit one ally and then adventure onto the world map. While most of the map will be hidden until players use ink, it will be 90% the same every time.
There may be a new set of mountains blocking an old path. The item placement will differ slightly as well. However, It’s still not enough randomization to keep runs feeling as fresh at hour one as they will be at hour fifty. Other roguelikes, like Rogue Legacy, handle randomization much better.
2 Best: The Flexibility Of The Switch
Roguebook finds a nice home on the Switch. As mentioned earlier, it just makes sense to put a game like this on a portable. There’s not much story to speak of and that’s a good thing for a roguelike.
To keep the monotony at bay, players can multitask. There’s no need to give Roguebook 100% of one’s attention, not that it doesn’t deserve it. The gameplay is turn-based, so there will inevitably be some waiting around. Also, players don’t have to be active in battle, worrying about some kind of clock ticking down. They can be as quick or as slow as they wish. It’s an easy game to pick up and play whenever and wherever.
1 Worst: Delayed Reactions
There is one thing about the Switch version that makes it a bit hard to recommend at times. The performance is not as smooth as butter. The load times are nowhere near as quick as they are on PC or other consoles, but the thing that is truly aggravating is that there is a noticeable slowdown when it comes to picking cards.
Sometimes there will be a delay between hitting a button on a card and the card being activated. It’s not like Roguebook has a lot going on either. The graphics are beautiful but simple and so are the animations. The game shouldn’t have to work that hard to get a card to move. This is a card-based RPG so this is important.
Roguebook is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and Switch.
