1-Bit Rogue is a humble, dungeon-crawling adventure that’s as straightforward—and rewarding—as a game can get.
As with other roguelike games, 1-Bit Rogue’s concept is easy to grasp: Play. Die. Power up. Repeat. Each round eventually ends in defeat, but on your next run you start where you left off. Here, progress comes in the form of coins, which upgrade your heroes and unlock new ones. Invest your hard-earned loot in the weapon-wielding Swordsman class, or opt for a more magical approach with the Witch and make use of powerful spells. The choice is yours.
Maneuvering in the game is simple: A single swipe controls the action, allowing you to navigate and battle with one hand. But be warned; after each move you make, the enemy takes its turn. Only the wiliest warriors will prevail. Eliminate your foes, gather treasure, and head to the next level of the dungeon. It’s both quaint and satisfying.
Keeping with the theme of simplicity, 1-Bit Rogue doesn’t let you fast-track your progress with in-app purchases. In fact, you can play the entire game, beginning to end, for free. The only option that costs money is the delightful 3 Bit mode, which upgrades the grayscale visuals to a simple color palette.
One parting tip: When you start, unlock the Cleric first. He heals each time he attacks, which makes him ideal for harvesting those oh-so-precious coins. Earn enough and the rest of the warriors will be yours before you know it.