Talk:Roguelike deck-building game

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

Though it is classified as an "action role-playing game" on its wiki page, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is a deck-building game with semi-randomized dungeons, enemies and loot. It doesn’t have all the elements of a roguelike, but since it long preceded the mentioned titles, maybe it’s worth a mention at least?

Slay the Spire Release Date

The StS release date is in conflict with the StS article. While ports were released in 2019, the original beta version was released in 2017. The game has been popular since and since it was released in open beta, the distinction is somewhat unclear. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.186.166.192 (talk) 02:03, 11 July 2020 (UTC)

"First"

Coin Crypt probably deserves a mention as the first videogame to combine deckbuilding and roguelike elements (Nov 2013). It's perhaps not a "true" deckbuilder since you are usually consuming your "cards" (coins) whenever you use them, but certainly drew direct inspirations from Dominion and gives much of the same feel of deckbuilding. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:283:8400:B8B0:1D4F:3300:95:3FAA (talk) 14:41, 19 February 2022 (UTC)

The first deck-builder with rogue-like qualities, being that of semi-randomized drops and dungeon crawling mechanics I could find is Spongebob Squarepants Atlantis Squarepantis Square-off, referenced here on the Spongbob fan wiki: https://spongebob.fandom.com/wiki/SpongeBob%27s_Atlantis_SquarePantis_SquareOff, released in January 2008 - predating all of the other games mentioned in the article. Was wondering where it could possibly fit into the article DrEggLad (talk) 23:14, 19 August 2022 (UTC)

We need reliable sources, none of those I know we have mention of this and we can't use Fandom as a resource. Masem (t) 00:01, 20 August 2022 (UTC)

Quite honestly, I'm surprised Shandalar is never mentioned. It predates most of these games by a decade. 139.138.227.134 (talk) 11:42, 24 April 2025 (UTC)

Neutrality, relevance, and verifiability issues: Missing controversy over "roguelike" and one-sided sources

The article presents "roguelike deck-building" as an established genre without addressing the **ongoing debate** about the term "roguelike". The **Berlin Interpretation (2008, [2])** strictly defines roguelikes (e.g., grid-based dungeon crawling, permadeath), criteria that games like *Slay the Spire* do not meet. Instead, the term **"roguelite"** is commonly recommended (see [ScreenRant, 2025](https://screenrant.com/roguelike-roguelite-difference-permadeath-hades-rogue-slay-spire/)).

• • Issues:**

1. **One-sided sources**: The article relies heavily on **paywalled sources** (e.g., Ars Technica, 2024) that uncritically portray the genre boom. This violates **WP:NPOV** (lack of opposing perspectives) and **WP:VER** (sources not freely accessible). 2. **Lack of criticism**: Communities (e.g., r/roguelites, 2024 thread on "oversaturation") and external reports (e.g., [Rock Paper Shotgun, 2025](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/every-game-is-a-roguelike-deckbuilder-now)) criticize the genre’s oversaturation as mere hype.

• • Suggestions for improvement:**

- **Add a section titled "Controversy and criticism"** that addresses the debate over the genre’s definition and the overuse of the term "roguelike". - **Prioritize paywall-free sources** (e.g., ScreenRant, Rock Paper Shotgun). - **Review notability** (WP:NOTABILITY): Is the use of "roguelike deck-building" sufficiently supported by reliable sources? --MaxJaeger007 (talk) 13:46, 11 September 2025 (UTC)

The issue of roguelike v roguelite is covered in depth at roguelike, and not appropriate here. We do not make any preference for paywall free sources at all. The notability is well established with sources specifically discussion the genre Masem (t) 14:22, 11 September 2025 (UTC)