I've never played a roguelike, so I started with the original Rogue (1980)

The article explores the experience of a newcomer to the roguelike genre, starting with the original Rogue game from 1980. Rogue is recognized as the progenitor of the roguelike and roguelite subgenres, known for its core features such as permadeath and procedurally generated dungeons. The author, who had never played a roguelike before, decided to delve into the original Rogue to understand the foundations of the genre. The article discusses the game's challenging and unforgiving nature, where a single mistake can lead to the permanent loss of the player's character. Despite its age, the author finds that Rogue still maintains an engaging and addictive gameplay loop, with the procedural elements providing a sense of unpredictability and replayability. The article also explores how Rogue's design principles have influenced the evolution of modern roguelike and roguelite games. Overall, the article provides an insightful perspective on the enduring appeal of Rogue and its impact on the broader gaming landscape.