Monolith

It might not be as graphically impressive as many other recent roguelikes (although the screenshots and trailer don't do the game justice as it certainly runs at a buttery smooth framerate certainly 60fps or above), but for me, the gameplay loop makes Monolith one of the most addictive roguelikes I've played.

Monolith is a must play for genre fans, and a hidden gem waiting to be enjoyed. The soundtrack is fantastic, the retro design is honest and heartfelt, and the upgrade/weapon/shop system is near perfect. Smooth, fast, electric. The game is just full of energy, and the developers created something fantastic here. I had moments that made me think of Contra, and others that gave me visions of Metroid. Monolith is clearly a game with a lot of heart and it shines through with every moment.

Monolith succeeds in being an accessible yet challenging entry to the rogue-lite genre. Whilst fulfilling all the generic expectations, it remains the right side of punishing and always manages to be fun to play. It is more tightly focused than the likes of Binding of Isaac and Enter the Gungeon which makes it the perfect entry-level choice, and as much as I enjoy those games, I now have a score to settle with that Daemon. This time, it’ll be different. I hope.