If you thought you’d seen every possible spin on the roguelike genre, think again. While we’ve had deck-builders, twin-stick shooters, and rhythm-based crawlers, Roguematch: The Extraplanar Invasion—now available on Xbox—is doing something truly unique. It takes the familiar “one-more-turn” addiction of a Match-3 puzzler and grafts it onto the skeleton of a hardcore, grid-based dungeon crawler.
The result? A “Tactical Puzzle RPG” that is as charming as it is punishing. Here’s why this indie title from Starstruck Games deserves a spot on your Xbox dashboard.
The Pitch: More Than Just a Puzzle Game
At first glance, Roguematch looks like a cozy mobile game. You play as a cast of adorable animal heroes—like Binky the Bungeoneer (a bunny) or the spell-slinging Nekomancer—exploring a vibrant, cartoonish castle. But don’t let the cat puns and bright colors fool you. Underneath the hood is a deep, turn-based strategy game where every step matters.
Unlike traditional Match-3 games, where the board is a static menu, in Roguematch, the board is the dungeon. Your hero is a physical piece on the grid, moving alongside gems (known as mana) and enemies.
Gameplay: Match-3 as a Tactical Weapon
In most Match-3 RPGs, the puzzles and the combat are separate screens. In Roguematch, they are one and the same. You have four main ways to interact with the world: Melee, Magic, Match, or Maneuver.
- Tactical Matching: When you match three or more mana gems, they don’t just disappear; they explode with elemental energy. If an enemy is standing adjacent to those gems, they take damage.
- Elemental Strategy: The game features a robust elemental system (Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and more). Enemies have specific weaknesses, but some can actually be healed by certain elements. A careless match could accidentally top off a boss’s health bar.
- The Hero as a Piece: You can physically swap places with mana gems to set up massive cascades or to position yourself for a melee strike.
A True Roguelike Challenge
This isn’t a casual stroll through a castle. Roguematch stays true to its roguelike roots with:
- Procedural Generation: Every run features different room layouts, enemies, and loot.
- The Nekonomicon Quest: The story follows a group of friends who accidentally trigger an extraplanar invasion while looking for a legendary book. You’ll encounter “Meowter Gods” like Cathulhu and Dog Sothoth in boss fights that require genuine brainpower to overcome.
- Build Variety: With over 170 items and spells, you can lean into different playstyles. Want to be a “Tank” Shiba Inu who ignores the puzzle and focuses on melee? You can. Want to be a “Mana Master” who clears entire rooms in a single chain reaction? That’s an option, too.
Why Play on Xbox?
The Xbox version of Roguematch is the definitive way to experience the invasion. It is Optimized for Xbox Series X|S, running at a crisp 4K Ultra HD and 60+ FPS.
The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning if you buy it on the Xbox Store, you own it on both your console and Windows PC with shared cross-save progress. Plus, with Smart Delivery, you’re guaranteed the best version of the game regardless of whether you’re playing on an Xbox One or a Series X.
Final Verdict
Roguematch: The Extraplanar Invasion is a breath of frfesh air for puzzle fans and roguelike veterans alike. It’s “easy to play, but near impossible to master,” offering a high-stakes tactical experience wrapped in a delightfully pun-filled package.
If you’re looking for a game that will make you think three moves ahead while making you chuckle at a “Birbarian,” head over to the Xbox Store and start your invasion today!
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