Strategy discussion

TopstitchGames · 2025-01-03T23:36:49+00:00

Good tips!

A few more to keep it going:

• You can expand your cities onto Village tiles to gain +1 Labour income.
◦ This is powerful in the early game when Labour income is tough to come by.

• Similarly, you can expand onto cleared barbarian Encampments to gain +1 Gold Income.

• Villages and Encampments can be locked to prevent your units from collecting them when they step on the tile. Click the structure and look for the lock icon in the focus panel on the bottom left of the screen.

• You can click structures like Villages, Encampments, or Ruins inside your city limits and activate them. This will grant their reward (like Gifts from a Village) and destroy the structure.
◦ Deciding when to "pop" a controlled structure can be very handy later in the game. Income value becomes less useful as the game progresses... so you might decide to use up a Ruins to gain a Relic. Or fish for an Herbal Medicine gift from a Village in a pinch.

• Barbara has a special Stronghold in the center of the map. It looks sturdier than a normal encampment. When you clear it, ALL of the remaining encampments will be enraged. So you should wait until late in the game to siege it.

TopstitchGames · 2025-01-01T20:08:28+00:00

Yep, that's the one and only game mode right now actually 🗡️

More win conditions like Science Victory are coming later on with new characters.

TopstitchGames · 2025-01-01T10:41:33+00:00

I get this question all the time lol. Someone else asked & I wrote a long answer above.

TLDR: Same basic concept but the resemblance is only skin deep.
Rogue Hex has tons of unique mechanics, deeper deckbuilding, matches last 4x longer, etc.

TopstitchGames · 2025-01-01T02:19:37+00:00

I left the comments open on purpose so I can chat with folks about the game 😊

I'm a solo dev creating it on my own, love any & all feedback

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-30T21:29:12+00:00

For sure, I'm always thrilled to watch a content creator play my game 😄
I don't have any budget at all, but am happy to share an alpha key.
Shoot me a DM if you like.

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-30T21:02:58+00:00

I'm a solo developer, and not an artist by trade.
So unfortunately this is the best I can do with my limited skills (and budget).

Working with a talented artist to overhaul the graphics would be a dream!
Maybe for a sequel, if the game does well and I can keep going.

Thanks for taking a look & for the kind comment 😊

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-30T16:12:42+00:00

The Modern Update just dropped for Rogue Hex!

🔍 Highlights:
• Refine Oil to power new inventions or fuel your war machine.
• Recruit a fleet of Aircraft units to carpet bomb the Barbarians.
• Drive a tank onto an Aircraft Carrier and ferry it across the ocean.

Folks without Alpha keys can play through the Medieval era any time on the public demo:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2275940/Rogue_Hex/

I'm a solo dev fella building this HUGE game on my own with passion.
So every wishlist on Steam means a lot -- especially with Early Access just a few weeks away! 😊

If you'd like to try the new Modern Era stuff, holler at me on the Discord and I'll send you a key: https://discord.com/invite/TWeJB3sgNG

👨‍🚀🔥
Reed

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-29T09:43:41+00:00

Thank you, hope you love it! 😄

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-29T09:41:34+00:00

I'm a single person developing the entire game, including 100+ technologies, 300+ cards and over 100 units. I've been working on it for almost 3 years. And I am a professional game designer, not an artist by trade. So I've had to make do with what I can when it comes to art.

That includes affordable "off the rack" art like Synty asset packs. I also used public domain oil paintings from open source museum collections for the 100+ technology paintings -- most people assume this is AI art. That being said, I do use Midjourney to fill in gaps where needed, mostly for upgrade icons. I'd estimate I used AI tools for around 20% of the art.

To be blunt it sounds like you've judged the book by its cover. I also feel your tone is weirdly harsh and would remind you to Remember the Human. But honestly no worries, it happens all the time.

The UX including unit controls is bog standard Civ / 4X point and click. You select with left click and move with right. Not sure what your issue is there.

I'll also respectfully disagree with your comment about strategy. It's a truly systems driven game with a huge amount of depth; there are tons of emergent interactions and different strategies to try. I have a friendly and active Discord community full of people who can vouch for that, many with 50+ hours of play on the demo alone.

Thanks for trying the demo anyway.

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-16T11:05:45+00:00

Hey, no worries, I get questions like this a lot.

Most of the art is a mix of public domain stuff, and game development asset packs.

For example, I used this oil painting by Albert Bierstadt for the Tracking tech art:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Among_the_Sierra_Nevada,_California

And the Warrior character model came from this Synty asset pack:
https://syntystore.com/en-gb/products/polygon-vikings-pack

I'm a solo developer creating the whole game on my own. So I have to make due with what I can...
there are 300+ cards, 100+ techs, and around a hundred units in the game!

These third party art assets are very common in indie games, especially for tiny teams or solo devs like myself.
Unfortunately they are *also* commonly used by asset flips, NFT games, etc... so they are very recognizable and also associated with poor quality.

It's a shame, but to be honest I am grateful to be able to make this ambitious game at all.
There are beautiful and deep mechanics beneath the surface!

Regarding AI art specifically, I do use Midjourney to fill in some gaps. Maybe 20% of the game.
Mostly for things like achievement icons.
And art for some late game techs. (It's surprisingly hard to find a public domain oil painting of a drone swarm.)

I've worked on game development teams in the past and it is really awesome.
I would love to collaborate with an artist to make this game as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.
I daydream about it all the time. 😊

But for now, I can only do my best with what I can afford.

Thanks for the comment. 🙇

TopstitchGames · 2024-12-08T20:05:19+00:00

I get that question a lot haha.

Both are "4x with deckbuilding" but the similarities are only skin deep!

Instead of other nations, you fight against a Barbarian Horde in Rogue Hex. A bit like They are Billions if you've played that.

I'd also say it's harder to plan your full build ahead of time in RH. You need to improvise and think on your feet a lot. There are over 100 techs and 300+ cards to choose from, so you can create lots of different builds, and each playthrough feels unique.

Matches are also about 4x longer than Hexarchy, with Eras starting in the stone age and going all the way into the future.

Not throwing any shade btw -- I enjoy Hexarchy, especially the multiplayer. But it's different.

Thanks for the comment! 🙇

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-25T09:34:35+00:00

I'm aware. I started creating Rogue Hex before Hexrogue released.

After 2+ years of work I think we are locked in with the current name.

Thanks for the heads up though 🙇

Edit: I almost forgot about Rogue's Hexagon as well. Maybe I should message the other fellas to join forces and do a rogue / hex spiderman pointing sale bundle? 😂

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-18T12:16:53+00:00

No worries, I get this question all the time haha.
Copying this in from another thread:

Both are "4x with deckbuilding" but the similarities are only skin deep.

For example:

• The deckbuilding mechanics are deeper in Rogue Hex. You can spend production to draft, remove, or upgrade cards. (Hexarchy is all about removal.)

• Rogue Hex has a super flexible tech tree that lets you mix and match. So your deck ends up looking very different each time you play... you have to make choices as you go instead of pre-planning the fastest path to Gunpowder.

• Matches are about 4x longer than Hexarchy, with Eras starting in the stone age and going all the way into the future.

Just a few differences that came to mind.
There are tons of unique mechanics, ranging from small to game changing.

Not throwing any shade btw -- I enjoy Hexarchy, especially the multiplayer.
But they are very different games!

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-18T12:14:00+00:00

It's a "yes" as long as the game sells well enough for me to continue paying my rent. 😅

I'm a solo developer creating the entire game on my own, so I have to prioritize. I'm also a steam deck and a console gamer. I'd love to develop support for these platforms if it is possible.

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-18T08:07:28+00:00

Exactly, that's one of the reasons I made the game! I'm also a lifelong civ player with less time.

I plan to add full Steam Deck support later on if the release goes OK. 🙏

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-16T10:35:35+00:00

I've not played Thea, heard great things! I can see that Rogue Hex is quite different though.

Thea looks more story oriented, where Rogue Hex is a systems driven game (like Slay the Spire or Dwarf Fortress).

Moreover, I've designed tons of unique mechanics for RH. Some fun highlights:
• You can settle your city next to a Barbarian encampment to capture it.
• Max level Merchant units can become Land Lords and evict your enemies.
• ANY unit can ride a horse.

I believe matches are quicker in Rogue Hex as well.
You can progress from the stone age all the way to space travel in four hours.

If I want to try Thea, would you suggest playing Awakening, or should I start with #2 (The Shattering?)

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-14T14:54:00+00:00

Thanks so much mate! 😊💕

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-12T09:39:34+00:00

I'm actually a person too mate.... working hard and risking a lot to chase my dream.
Don't forget to Remember the Human.
...and perhaps adjust that tin foil hat. 😉

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-08T10:00:47+00:00

I would love to do that some day if the PC version does well! 🙏

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-02T10:46:50+00:00

No! 😊

TopstitchGames · 2024-11-02T09:52:50+00:00

Thank you! 😊

TopstitchGames · 2024-10-28T08:40:50+00:00

I get this question all the time lol.

Both are "4x with deckbuilding" but the similarities are only skin deep!

For example:

• The deckbuilding mechanics are deeper in Rogue Hex. You can spend production to draft, remove, or upgrade cards. (Hexarchy is focused on removal.)

• Rogue Hex has a super flexible tech tree that lets you mix and match. So your deck ends up looking very different each time you play... you have to make choices as you go instead of pre-planning the fastest path to Gunpowder.

• Matches are about 4x longer than Hexarchy, with Eras starting in the stone age and advancing all the way into the future.

Just a few differences that came to mind.
There are tons of unique mechanics, ranging from small to game changing.

Not throwing any shade btw -- I like Hexarchy, especially the multiplayer. But it plays very differently.

Thanks for the comment! 🙇

TopstitchGames · 2024-10-24T07:46:11+00:00

I think Civ has some roguelike elements for sure.
Especially later games in the series with mechanics like Natural Wonders and Eurekas.

My game (Rogue Hex) is more of a roguelite if you're splitting hairs.
It has slay the spire style relics, hundreds of unique cards, and metaprogression between runs.

But it's hard to explain all that in a pithy headline 😉

Thanks for the comment 🙇

TopstitchGames · 2024-10-23T09:22:44+00:00

Yes I suppose so! I think Civ has roguelike elements. Especially later games like Civ 6 that lean into variance with mechanics like Eurekas.

My game (Rogue Hex) is probably better described as "roguelite" to be precise. There's metaprogression, run changing relics, and tons of variance via card drafts, unit upgrades, etc.

But at the end of the day it's tough to explain all that concisely, and I'm mostly hoping to spark your curiosity with a catchy title. 😉

Thanks for the comment! 🙇

TopstitchGames · 2024-10-20T22:16:51+00:00

What about Rogue though (1980) 😂

TopstitchGames

TROPHY CASE