If you’re a fan of card-based roguelikes, you simply need Roguebook.
We’ve written about Roguebook before, upon its PC and PlayStation releases. Like Slay the Spire, it’s a deckbuilding combat roguelike, whereby your hand of cards can either attack your opponent or defend you from an incoming attack. But there’s more to Roguebook, including a map to explore and unlock by using inks on it. By exploring, you’ll find useful new items; either cards to add into your hand, or relics which can enhance a character’s skill.
You’ll also play with two characters simultaneously, each with their own cards and their own abilities. It means if one of them dies, it’s not instantly game over; you’ve still got a chance to revive them and fight on with the remaining character. It also means pairing up characters with skills that complement each other is important. Pairing Sorocco’s tank-like attacks and defences with Aurora’s healing abilities might be a sure-fire win for some, while others may see the benefit in teaming up the critical-hitting Sharra with Seifer’s rage-powered skills.
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After being available on PC for over a year and on Xbox and PlayStation for a few months, Roguebook has now made its way to Switch. And it feels right at home on Nintendo’s handheld. This is the sort of game that’s easy to pick up and play for a few minutes, or get stuck into for a few hours at a time. And being able to do that anywhere – whether it’s in front of the TV, in bed, or on the long commute to work – is a boon.
Roguebook plays great on Switch, but suffers from one problem: some of the text is hard to read on a smaller screen. Card descriptions, for example, appear in tiny text. More could have been done to make these a little easier to parse on Switch. It’s a minor problem, though. The fact remains that this card-based roguelike is a great addition to the Switch’s store. And whether or not you’ve played it before, you’d do well to add it to your library.
If you’re a fan of Slay the Spire, we’re very confident you’ll also love Roguebook. But even if you’re new to the genre of deckbuilding games, this is a great place to start. Fun exploration, engaging turn-based combat, and wonderful visuals: what more could you want?
