Loop Hero is a new global career deck-building RPG released today. It falls you into the shoes of an adventurer, trapped in an infinite loop through an evil Lich. As you wander in endless circles, you can collect items and change the world to try to escape. Over the past week or so I’ve been writing about some new indie roguelikes (because I love it), but I think the one is the most interesting of the bunch.
I’ve been watching Loop Hero for a while now – just like others in the RPS tree house, it’s one of our most anticipated games for March – and it’s really in my alley. Over your walking journeys you will fight with monsters and collect cards with which you can change a part of the loop. This could involve placing a building, enemy or changing the terrain. With a new terrain, for example, you can find new monsters or things that can help you usefully for your expedition.
It looks like a kind of slow-burning roguelike where each run gradually helps you build up your resources. It’s also quite strategic: you can use a terrain-changing map to clear something dangerous on your way, though it could put you at risk of other dangerous dangers. It’s about planning your moves to turn the loop to your advantage. It is also noteworthy that this game is a kind of bus. Once you have moved, placed your cards and gone to print, your adventurer will start wandering on the path you have prepared.
Each time you die (or complete a run), the new loop you enter will be completely different. Between your expeditions, you can choose from character classes and maps that you think will be beneficial. Eventually you will beat some bosses and defeat the evil Lich that holds the world captive.
If you’re interested, you can get a good idea of how the game works, on the Loop Hero website. The whole thing runs endlessly as you unroll, and it shows how the fight works, too.
Loop Hero is currently available on Steam and costs £ 13 / $ 15 / € 15. It is developed by Four Quarters and published by Devolver Digital.