Is Witchfire a Roguelike?

April 11, 2024
| Tags: Features
| Author Diana D’Estefano

Is Witchfire a roguelike? When diving into the world of gaming, terms like “roguelike” and “roguelite” can sometimes feel as perplexing as navigating a labyrinthine dungeon. Recently, the upcoming game Witchfire has sparked discussions about its genre classification. While it’s not exactly a roguelike, the developers have clarified that it does incorporate some roguelite elements.

In this article, we will unravel this intriguing distinction in simple terms. This way, you can have a better understanding of what this game is, taking into account the fact that it also incorporates some soulslike mechanisms.

Is Witchfire a Roguelike? Explained
The short answer is no. Witchfire is not a roguelike, but it has roguelite mechanics within it. The developers have in fact stated that many do not like this genre and therefore roguelites are already games for those who do not like roguelikes. They dislike losing everything when they die and only improving at the game as a reward. That’s why roguelite games were created. They allow players to retain some progress after death, preventing them from losing everything.

In Witchfire, death isn’t necessarily the end. While it’s challenging and demands skillful play, you won’t lose all your progress with each defeat. Instead, you might retain some upgrades or knowledge gained from previous attempts, allowing you to inch closer to victory with each successive try. This blend of challenge and persistence creates a gameplay experience that’s both thrilling and rewarding.

The developers aim to enhance roguelites further. Typically, players struggle to learn and conquer each challenge because they’re random. It’s akin to trying to memorize a constantly changing racing track. However, the developers are exploring new approaches while maintaining the randomness that distinguishes each game. Though it may seem impossible, they’ve discovered a viable solution.

Moreover, there’s a common belief that one needs exceptional gaming skills to enjoy roguelites. The developers seek to challenge this notion. While skillful gameplay will still be acknowledged, they aim to provide alternatives for players with different preferences. This adjustment doesn’t imply the game will be easier, but rather, it will offer diverse ways to test oneself.

In essence, Witchfire occupies a unique space between roguelikes and roguelites. While it doesn’t adhere strictly to either genre, it borrows elements from both, resulting in a gameplay experience that’s familiar yet distinct. By blending intense first-person combat with procedural generation and persistent progression, Witchfire offers a fresh take on the genre that’s sure to captivate players seeking a thrilling challenge.

Diana has been a huge fan of video games since she was a child. She started her “career” with Nintendo and then moved on to other platforms as well. She is a computer engineering student. She is passionate about everything related to the gaming industry and writes for various websites in the sector. Although she is a big fan of horror games, she plays almost all genres fearlessly.