As I sit and contemplate whether or not to get Galak-Z, it makes me think of a recent addition to the collection of my favorite video game genres: the rogue-like. From what I understand, Rogue was the progenitor of this whole genre, being randomly generated in most aspects. I believe that particular classic, as well as the ones that take after it more traditionally, only let enemies move when you move. Something like Pokémon mystery dungeon took cues from that. Games that follow that random and generated structure would be considered rogue-likes.
The name itself I adore, because one game was so defining and different that it became the shorthand for an entire style, a genre. You don’t call platformers Mario-likes, which goes to show the ideas in Rogue were so unique they merited their own, specific title. I liken it to the rise of the Souls series, including Bloodborne. There often referred to as “like Dark Souls” or something along those lines.
I’m getting a little off base, but as anyone who knows me could tell you, I think gaming history is fascinating, especially when we created the buffers that the styles, concepts and genres of gaming live within. I fell in love with Rogue-likes with a special little game I call Spelunky. I adore than game, and with the 1000+ hours I’ve put into it, across four different systems, I have learned to love and appreciate the formula that strictly defines its variables. It’s smart, and the core mechanic of playing the game, running and whipping, is just super fun to me. I love to explore, I love to get loot from boxes, and all these things just naturally transcend to Spelunky.
Saying that I like it more because it’s forever going and forever random isn’t entire true. I’ve beaten Seplunky several times, and see all it has to offer. But, it’s a satisfying gameplay experience wrapped up in its own random elements. Other Rogue-likes haven’t stuck to me, but I’ve adored trips like FTL and been really into a few other, like Rogue Legacy and Risk of Rain. I’ve definitely become ‘way into’ the genre, and now I stare at Galak-Z, wondering if I should take the plunge.
We’ll see how long my staying power holds.
