In general, both words describe games that include permadeath and procedurally generated maps.
The genre of roguelike games has become increasingly popular in recent years. But some of the games are also referred to as roguelites. So where exactly is the difference between roguelike and roguelite? We explain the difference to you.
Roguelike vs. Roguelite
Both genres are subgenres of the rogue genre. Roguelite games have at least the two most important features of roguelike games. These are the permadeath and the procedurally generated maps. Roguelike games must have all eight features in return.
For this reason, most games in the rogue genre are rather roguelite games.
The Rogue Genre
In recent years, more and more games have appeared on the market that include these core elements. This has led to the genre of roguelike games.
In 2008, a definition for the genre was created at a developers' conference in Berlin. This includes a total of eight characteristics that a video game must have in order to be classified as a roguelike.
The 8 characteristics of roguelikes
- Procedural map generation
- Permadeath
- Turn-based combat
- Grid-based movement
- Complexity to allow for multiple solutions
- Non-modal - all actions can be performed at any time
- Resource management
- Hack 'n' slash combat
Since only a few games in the rogue genre fulfill all eight criteria, there is also the roguelite genre. In order to be classified as a roguelite, a game must at least have the permadeath and the procedurally generated maps.
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