Review - Rogue Eclipse

Roberto Nieves

5 minutes ago

5 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5_VUSiCRKU

Developer: HUSKRAFTS

Publisher: HUSKRAFTS, Outersloth

Available on: PC (Steam)

Reviewed On: Steam Deck

Spaceship shooters are an extraordinarily rare genre these days, save for Everspace 2. I grew up in the days when the genre was a dime a dozen. PC Players had the X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter series, but on PlayStation, there were games like Darklight Conflict, Blast Radius, and my personal favorite, Colony Wars. Encapsulating the epic spirit of space battle in Star Wars, this genre oftentimes puts a single pilot against a massive enemy, all in the depths of space. Rogue Eclipse is one such game in the genre, scratching an itch that hasn’t been scratched in a long time.

A spaceship shooter with roguelike gameplay, Rogue Eclipse is a tight and highly entertaining game, with refined gameplay, solid visuals, and an engaging roguelike loop. There isn’t much else to this unique title, making its appeal a bit limited. As Han Solo infamously said: “She’s got it where it counts.” Rogue Eclipse has got it where it counts.

The Galaxy is on Fire

A universe in turmoil. An evil empire runs amok and puts humanity in peril. A small resistance forms, and a lone woman implores you to help her one last time. With a seemingly impossible task set before you, you set off on your starfighter to fight an entire empire. No backup. No reinforcements. Just you and your lone craft in the depths of space.

However, you aren’t outgunned. Your craft is dangerous, lightning-fast, and capable of destroying even the biggest of capital ships. Using cutting-edge weapons and exceptional maneuverability, your spacecraft is a threat to all those who oppose you. To defeat this galaxy-sized menace, your skills will be tested like no other.

Go Rogue

Players take to the stars to fight a sinister enemy across systems and planets. The goal is simple: Shoot absolutely everything and survive. No complicated mechanics or sophistication to the controls. Simply fly around, shoot, and try not to die. It's a standout from the more overwhelming roguelikes out there, ones that command some dedication. Players go on runs, with each run bringing the player closer to their nemesis. The enemy is fierce and overwhelming, sending everything from small interceptors to large capital craft. Players inevitably die, and die often. The first few runs are undoubtedly rough, but if players stick to it, they are introduced to an exciting and engaging gameplay loop.

Tools of The Trade

Like other roguelikes, players are given the chance to enhance their spacecraft during runs, enhancing shield regeneration and primary weapon power. At the end of each run, different ships with various attributes can be unlocked. Some spacecraft are slower than others. Others excel at offense but lack defense. Whatever your preference is for combat, there is a spaceship for it, ready to go.

Changing parts changes the attributes to the ship. This includes armour, shield capacity, ammo capacity, and other attributes. Players can change the two weapons they can carry, which are the main cannon and the special ordnance. The cannon can be adjusted to several types, such as continuous scattered fire or a more accurate burst shot. The ordnance weapon can be alternated with various selections, such as a railgun and missiles. I preferred the railgun during my time with Rogue Eclipse, as it obliterates enemies in one shot.

Taking Flight

Rogue Eclipse has a simple arcade control setup. Players can control their spacecraft as one would expect, but the key here is the drifting mechanic that the ship can perform. With a simple button press, the ship can “slide” through space, drifting around a target as if it were a street racer from Need for Speed. The key to victory in Rogue Eclipse is learning this drift mechanic to evade enemy fire. However, you can’t rely on this too much, as the laser fire eventually catches up to you.

There is also a special ability that can be customized. This ability charges over time but can mean a difference in battle. The first special ability is using the berserk mode, which supercharges weapons. That can be swapped out for other special abilities as they unlock. I chose the special shield, which made my ship invincible for a few seconds.

Getting Cooked

Rogue Eclipse is a fast and furious game. From the very start, players are sent into the hornet’s nest, with enemies filling the screen and the ship doing everything it can to destroy you. It isn’t long until you see capital ships use heavy firepower to annihilate you. It can become overwhelming quickly, keeping players on their toes and their senses razor-sharp. Early runs are going to end quickly, but the more players play, the better the game gets.

Rogue Eclipse is pure and straightforward. Where most roguelikes have deep and involved systems to customize a build, Rogue Eclipse keeps things understandable. Rogue Eclipse is all about pure arcade space action, with the roguelike builds shaking things up a bit. It’s a sensation I haven't encountered since the days of Colony Wars on the first PlayStation. In that particular game, players flew various spacecraft fighting various battles of a grand and epic war. That same DNA is here in Rogue Eclipse.

Fight or Flight

Rogue Eclipse goes for an easy-to-learn, hard-to-master, and impossible-to-put-down approach. The thrill of downing enemies and eliminating capital ships is thrilling, all set against the backdrop of stunning galactic vistas like planets and nebulae. The scenery is nice, but the gameplay is the biggest focus. Smaller craft swarm and try to pin you down, only for the bigger ships to finish you off with supreme firepower.

What the enemy didn’t count on was your skill as a pilot and the ability to literally fly circles around the enemy. It’s a thrilling spectacle and a sheer thrill. Blasting enemies with a salvo of laser fire brings out that inner Star Wars kid in me, being the hero that fights the evil Empire.

Rogue Eclipse is fun and thrilling, with the roguelike elements adding extra flavor to spicy combat.

An Idea of the Future

If there’s a drawback to Rogue Eclipse, there isn’t quite a lot of depth to the roguelike formula. You can change ships, ordnance, and special abilities, but for the most part, the mechanics are streamlined. This makes Rogue Eclipse a very solid first entry for those new to the genre, and ever a strong choice for seasoned players. However, those looking for something as involved as Dead Cells or Hades 2 may look elsewhere for their next roguelike fix.

Visually, Rogue Eclipse has a strong presentation. The game is inspired by arabesque futurism, which is an art aesthetic inspired by Islamic art. This gives Rogue Eclipse a striking personality in its visuals, from the enemies to the ships you pilot. Having played on the Steam Deck, I can say the game runs well. Just tweak the settings to maintain that 60fps. Sound effects and music do a serviceable job as well, evoking the sensation of fighting for survival in the depths of space.

Behold the Rogue Eclipse

Rogue Eclipse is clearly a passion project of love and hard work from the developer. While it is small and limited in scope, Rogue Eclipse is nonetheless engaging and fun. The game is inspired by the spaceship shooters of the past, and it wears that inspiration on its sleeve in a proud manner. I look forward to more games from developer HUSKRAFTS and what the future holds.

Fast, furious, colorful, and hard to put down, Rogue Eclipse is a solid game that is a solid addition for anyone itching for space action or a roguelike. Its focus on arabesque futurism gives the game a distinct visual identity, and the unique gameplay mechanics are refreshing to see in the genre. Get to your ship. You have an empire to defeat!