Rogue Newbie

[dreamician]

Greetings RogueTemple community,

I was referred to these forums by a poster on angband.oook.cz.

I made a post there, and I'm going to copy and paste it here..

So, a few days ago, I was doing a search for free rpg games and came across a wiki about rogue and roguelike games. I did some more searching, and learned quite a bit about the history of the genre.

Years ago when I came across fallout, I found that it had a predecessor called Wasteland. So I played through that, then played fallout. My enjoyment of the game was doubly enhanced because I had played it's ancestor.

So I'm doing the same thing here. I'm going to start with the original, then work my way up through the games as they came out over the years. I found early versions of Rogue here:

http://rogue.rogueforge.net/

The earliest version I could find was 3.6.3, and I started playing it today. I have a fondness for the old DOS OS, and let me tell you, this brought back some memories! I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

So now some questions.

Does anyone else here have an interest in the original game, is anyone playing it, and if you are or if you have, would you share any tips/tricks/hints/advice you have for someone who is brand new to the genre?

Also, does anyone know of a downloadable, playable, earlier version than 3.6.3?

Thanks a bunch!

[Hi]

there is a walkthrough for it http://db.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/file/rogue_a.txt
There are also later versions than 3.6.3 that you don't have to download to play

[dreamician]

Hey Hi 

Thanks, that was great reading.

Well if anyone is interested, I found an archive going back to Rogue 1.0 plus quite a few versions in-between (for pc and mac, executables and source files).

http://www.roguelikedevelopment.org/archive/index.php

It's weird because rogue 1.0 uses special characters to handle items/creatures/features of the dungeon, but the 3.6.3-5.x uses standard ascii! 

Cheers...

[Vanguard]

We actually have/had a competition where we tried to see if someone could beat rogue in this thread.  There's some good information in there.  Some of it might not be applicable to the version you've got though.

Just so you're forewarned... Rogue will murder you.  It's merciless and unfair even by roguelike standards.

[elwin]

Welcome to the Rogue world!

I recently set up a server where you can play Rogue online via ssh, and watch other people play.  It's at rlgallery.org.  There are several players who are rather good, so there are definitely people with an interest in it.

Rogue 3.6 is indeed the oldest version that can be downloaded and played.  The Rogue 1.0's on Dungeondweller are later ports to other platforms; the version numbers started over.

For tips/hints/etc., you should start by reading the "Vade-Mecum" on rogue.rogueforge.net.  For an overview of the genre, read through the @play column on GameSetWatch.

Have fun with roguelike history!

[dreamician]

We actually have/had a competition where we tried to see if someone could beat rogue in this thread.  There's some good information in there.  Some of it might not be applicable to the version you've got though.

Thanks, I really enjoyed reading that thread, and picked up a few tips!

Just so you're forewarned... Rogue will murder you.  It's merciless an unfair even by roguelike standards.

You are NOT KIDDING. I think the deepest I've manage is level 9? Just when I think things are going to work out, something happens that blows that theory all to hell...

Elwin--thanks!

So, the internet is pretty neat. I found some sites with other neat stuff...

This guy has a great page all about the precursors to Rogue--DND! As well as a few other old programs. Worth a look if you're into nostalgia..

http://rancourt.tripod.com/default.htm

Daniel had a link for a guy with some other "mainframe games" but it was defunct. But--google came to the rescue, and I found his new page. Neat stuff here...

http://www.digital-eel.com/files/dndpage_files/classic_mainframe_games.htm

[getter77]

That last link is very interesting....even moreso if that link within it to DEC Machine emulation actually works at some point as I've a particular interest, to say the least, in a certain Roguelike trilogy only released on that format....

[Top Dog]

Hey Elwin, what is SSH, and how do you play?
Thanks

[Top Dog]

Does anyone else here have an interest in the original game, is anyone playing it, and if you are or if you have, would you share any tips/tricks/hints/advice you have for someone who is brand new to the genre?

Also, does anyone know of a downloadable, playable, earlier version than 3.6.3?

Thanks a bunch!

I'll give you a link to an old file I helped write back in the early 80s.
(I was stunned to see it posted online recently, how it ever survived to see the light of day 28 years later is unreal!)
It may be tied to a different version, but the info contained in it can easily be used for any version (a different scroll or two, a different couple of monsters)

http://www.roguelikedevelopment.org/archive/files/misc/ROGUE.BOO

Change the file name to rogue.txt, open it as a text file, that should do it for you.
Most of your questions should be answered.

And yes, the game CAN be beaten. I've done it a number of times, but it's VERY difficult to do. (if you can copy save files it's simple, but then that's cheating).
The amulet is on L26, you can keep going down indefinitely however. Please note that the same monsters become increasingly tougher as you descend, so that by L30 they are at least 2x as tough, but L35 they are nigh impossible.

If I had one suggestion to give, it's this - HIT POINTS RULE.
Lousy HPs will kill you every time, period
The last time I won I had around 150 hp at the end. It's MUCH easier surviving a dragon with 150hp than 70hp... I've never seen anyone win without loads of HPs.
If you have low HPs in the first few levels, quit and start a new game.

One more suggestion - for most of the game, explore every room, kill everything you find. You need the EPs.
Once you hit around L20, turn that tactic off and start running down to L26.
At that point, the critters get about as tough as they're gonna get, and you're not going to gain more than maybe 1 new level. OTOH, each of those critters could easily kill you. You only have a small number of "lifesavers" (which hopefully you've hoarded through the easier levels), so the more tough fights you get into, the less likely you'll have any left later on when you need them.