Roguebook

Lore & Background

Roguebook takes place within a magical book that consumes everything from its surroundings into its pages. Players traverse an overworld map styled as a lore book from Faeria, the game's shared setting. Combat is turn-based and uses deck-building mechanics, with players combining the decks of two characters, each possessing unique skills and tactics. The overworld map is revealed using ink acquired from winning battles, and brushes can uncover larger portions. Players also accumulate money and gems, the latter used to enhance cards with unique abilities. Each playthrough can permanently unlock new characters, cards, and other elements, making subsequent runs easier. Victory requires defeating a boss, randomly selected from avatars of the book itself.

Reader's Guide

Roguebook's significance lies in its attempt to differentiate itself from established deck-building roguelikes, particularly Slay the Spire. The open-world overworld map, revealed through ink and brushes, was a deliberate design choice to move away from the branch-based progression of its predecessor. The involvement of Richard Garfield in the game's design added a notable pedigree. Reception was generally positive on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One, though the Switch version received mixed reviews due to long load times. Critics noted that while Roguebook introduced clever twists, such as the dual-hero deck combination and the gem-based card enhancement system, some found the overall experience overstuffed with ideas. The game's balance and depth were praised, and its handheld playability on Switch was seen as a strength despite technical issues. The connection to Faeria provided a narrative framework for characters who disliked each other to cooperate against a greater evil.

Did You Know?

• Roguebook was crowdfunded via Kickstarter in June 2019.
• The game's overworld map is revealed using ink earned from battles.
• Gems can be used to enhance cards, giving them unique abilities.