What is a roguelike game?

Roguelike games are a subgenre of role-playing video games characterized by several key features:

Procedurally Generated Content: This is arguably the most defining characteristic. Levels, item placement, enemy encounters, and even sometimes the game's rules are randomly generated each time you play. This ensures high replayability, as no two playthroughs are ever exactly alike.
Permadeath: If your character dies, the game is typically over. You lose all progress and must start again from scratch. This adds a significant element of tension and risk to every decision you make.
Turn-Based or Real-Time with Pause: While some roguelikes use real-time combat, many utilize a turn-based system, allowing players to carefully consider their actions before executing them. Even real-time games often incorporate a pause function to allow for strategic planning.
Exploration and Discovery: A significant part of the gameplay revolves around exploring the randomly generated world, uncovering secrets, and discovering new items and abilities.
Character Progression and Customization (often limited): While you start each run fresh, many roguelikes offer character customization options or unlockable content that can make subsequent runs easier or more strategically diverse.
Grid-Based Movement (often): Though not universally true, many roguelikes use a grid-based movement system, restricting movement to discrete squares or tiles.

Examples of popular roguelike or roguelike-like games:

Hades: A popular action roguelike with a compelling narrative and fast-paced combat.
Binding of Isaac: A wildly popular and influential game that popularized many roguelike elements.
Spelunky: A challenging platformer with roguelike elements.
Slay the Spire: A deck-building roguelike that blends card game mechanics with roguelike progression.
Into the Breach: A tactical roguelike with a focus on strategic planning and puzzle-solving.

Distinction between Roguelike and Roguelite:

The terms "roguelike" and "roguelite" are often used interchangeably, but there's a subtle difference. While roguelikes strictly adhere to the core tenets listed above (especially permadeath and procedural generation), roguelites are games that borrow elements from roguelikes but may not include all of them. For example, a roguelite might have procedural generation but allow for some form of persistent progression between runs.

In short, roguelikes offer a unique blend of challenge, replayability, and emergent gameplay, making them a compelling and enduring genre for players who enjoy overcoming difficult odds and exploring unpredictable worlds.