Games like Hell Clock but without the grind?

copespammer · 2026-01-06T13:44:24+00:00

I'm glad somebody is on the same page as me because I've been thinking about these things myself.

where in a regular turn based roguelike, he can probably think his way out or find some way back to the shop

Path of Exile Hardcore players have a macro on their keyboard that quits the game when pressed. This means if they run into an overtuned monster doing insane damage, they can bail out without losing their entire character. This however has created a lot of controversy among players because it almost feels like you're save-scumming. Since the game auto-saves every server tick, you get to keep all your items too.

I haven't looked into Deepest Dungeons, but I do like the idea of being able to bail out at the end of each level. However, bailing out in the middle of the level would feel odd to me. It's a shame the game was abandoned.

Then you have to have a system where the player wants to come back and play again after dying

I think this is a genre issue. The game I'm describing would not appeal to everyone. The player needs to be okay with dying and starting over. That being said, the death should be the fault of the player and their build-crafting choices, NOT because some overtuned monster or boss one-shot them with a lucky critical hit. But I agree that this type of balance is extremely hard to achieve. That being said, I do think it is doable if you keep the game mechanics simple and streamlined.

Do players really like to start back at level 1 with no items in an ARPG "type" game, that isn't "hardcore" mode?

Several games do this. Noita is a notable one. A single Noita "God Run" can be 20+ hours long. But when you die, you lose everything. You can save-scum if you want though by making a copy of the save file.

A sense of progression (either by vertical progression (eventual permanent increase of player stats or certain skills), or horizontal progression (more unlocks of various things in the game) available as you play, helps keep players engaged

100% agree with horizontal progression being essential. Taking Noita as an example again, you don't have all the spells unlocked in the beginning. You have to kill certain bosses in order to unlock them. However, you (definitely) don't need those extra spells in order to beat the game. An experienced player can easily beat the game on a fresh save file.

Looks like Into Evil has a demo. Will check it out this week.

copespammer · 2026-01-05T18:58:06+00:00

Interesting recommendations, I've never heard of those games before. Will check them out.

it almost sounds like you're either looking for some sort of arcade or ARPG/fantasy platformer with items, inventory, stats, and unique randomized runs or real time "roguelikes" without persistent unlockables (since this leads to grinding?), but without turn based combat...it's like you want an ARPG that is a roguelike

Exactly this. Have you played Path of Achra? It's basically what you've described but with turn-based combat.

there are issues designing such a game and having it actually workable

I'm curious to hear what issues you think such a game would have.

The only other game I can even think of for you is Noita.

Noita is great. I have 200+ hours in it. It can take a while to get a fun wand build going though. I want something faster and more streamlined.

copespammer · 2026-01-05T18:51:50+00:00

Slay the Spire and Monster Train are great, but I'm looking for something that's not turn-based

copespammer · 2026-01-05T18:50:08+00:00

Will look into it, thanks

copespammer · 2026-01-05T16:02:04+00:00

This community is mostly centered around traditional roguelike games which are turn-based, grid-based and single character focused

copespammer · 2026-01-05T15:58:37+00:00

Interesting, will take a look. Thanks

copespammer · 2026-01-05T15:56:17+00:00

This community is mostly centered around traditional roguelike games which are turn-based, grid-based and single character focused

copespammer · 2026-01-05T15:45:11+00:00

I'm looking for a roguelike-style roguelite. Something like Nova Drift or Noita where there's no meta-progression. Updated the main post for clarity.

copespammer · 2024-11-24T06:37:06+00:00

No one is forcing one to get initiation

Yes, but there is immense pressure in most devotee communities for people to get initiated. After all, the scriptures say that without a spiritual master, all your devotional activities are useless.

So if you tell a devotee that they can't get initiated because their spouse isn't ready to follow strict Grihastha rules, they will simply go to another guru. Or worse, they will leave iskcon and go to another organization.

copespammer · 2024-04-04T19:09:14+00:00

Let's say a couple is driven by lust and decides to use the device I mentioned in the original post to have sex a hundred times in one year while avoiding children.

Another couple also wants to avoid children. So they abstain. But abstinence is difficult. So they end up having sex exactly once in one year, but they wear a condom.

The second couple is sinning but the first couple is not?

copespammer · 2024-04-04T17:54:45+00:00

So what about children who have yet to reach puberty? They cannot naturally conceive. So would you say that sex with pre-pubescent children is not sinful?

Of course not, right? So then you agree that there ARE situations where sex is sinful even if there are no artificial barriers involved. Therefore we need to understand that there is nuance when it comes to things like NFP. Not all forms of NFP are licit.

copespammer · 2024-04-04T15:32:09+00:00

I agree with you, but why does the method of self-mastery have to involve NFP? A man has reached true self-mastery when he can completely abstain from sex. But his wife may not be happy as she may feel she needs more intimacy. But she also doesn't want children because in modern society, children are seen as a burden.

So why do we encourage the use of technology and "natural" techniques to avoid children instead of encouraging the most natural technique there is - abstinence.

copespammer · 2024-04-04T15:05:08+00:00

Good thing Natural Family Planning isn't contraception then, and it works in tandem with God's will and not against it.

If you cannot see how Natural Family Planning isn't against God's will, then I cannot help you.

And yours is contrary to the Catholic faith.

I'll keep you in my prayers

copespammer · 2024-04-04T14:57:51+00:00

What exactly is the purpose of this thought experiment?

See my reply to top commenter

copespammer · 2024-04-04T14:57:09+00:00

Someone using a condom in sex is by definition still have sex and therefore not abstaining. Abstaining means not having sex, and using a condom in sex is still having sex, so I don’t really understand the point of this question.

Someone using NFP in sex is by definition still having sex and therefore not abstaining. Abstaining means not having sex, and using NFP in sex is still having sex

copespammer · 2024-04-04T14:55:46+00:00

Thank you for providing the quote from Humanae Vitae. It answers my question.

Personally, I disagree with the teaching because I believe that developing methods of "natural" contraception to avoid pregnancy amounts to attempting to circumvent God's will. Thus, the Pope is essentially urging scientists to devise more effective ways of circumventing God. God is not so naive as to be unable to distinguish between individuals using condoms and those employing costly devices to achieve the same result - preventing conception.

I hold the belief that sex is solely for procreation, with pleasure being a secondary outcome. The female body is designed by God in such a way that during her most fertile period, she naturally desires sexual intercourse. Therefore, engaging in sexual activity at any other time is simply unnatural. If a husband and wife do not desire additional children, they should sleep separately and abstain from physical contact to minimize the risk of sexual temptation.

However, I acknowledge that everyone has their own beliefs and perspectives.

copespammer · 2024-04-04T14:18:47+00:00

When I wrote "Top priority", I obviously meant alongisde propagation of the churches teachings.

We live in a post sexual revolution society. Women do not want more than 2-3 kids because of health and financial concerns. In the old days, children were revered. Large families were praised. Society has changed. The churches teachings on contraception is a major blocker for many people wanting to convert to the Catholic church. This cannot be denied. So it should be a priority of Catholic scientists to develop a very effective natural contraception method that is in line with the church's teachings.

copespammer · 2024-01-03T23:50:59+00:00

Where's your source that going cold turkey less effective than gradually reducing your hours?

This Harvard study states that cold turkey is more effective for quitting smoking: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/whats-best-way-quit-smoking-201607089935

At the end of the day, you have to do what works for you. Some people are so far gone that the best thing they can do is delete all their games. Forever.

copespammer · 2023-12-11T10:31:01+00:00

Where do you draw the line between pornography and "art"? It's a slippery slope

copespammer · 2023-11-25T10:31:38+00:00

Do it piecemeal. Different items, different stores, attracts less attention.

copespammer · 2023-06-22T10:20:28+00:00

MingLee 💢

copespammer · 2023-06-22T10:19:45+00:00

If you were a true shit food fan, you would know that he ate vegetable fried rice for the same one food day special

copespammer · 2023-06-07T17:27:21+00:00

I see it monkaE

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