https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/hoplite/id782438457?mt=8 Hoplite Douglas Cowley "Blanket recommendation for this one." - Pocket Tactics (5 stars) "It's very simple to learn, but there's a huge amount… TouchArcade Rating: $3.99 Buy Now Watch Media Details"Blanket recommendation for this one." - Pocket Tactics (5 stars) "It's very simple to learn, but there's a huge amount of depth to the game" - Touch Arcade (5 stars) Hoplite is a turn-based strategy game focusing on tactical movement around small maps. This game is designed to be hard, yet fair. You'll need to think before you act if you hope to win. Every move counts! Quest Mode: • Make strategical choices to upgrade your abilities as you dive deeper into the underworld. • Earn achievements and unlock access to new upgrades. • Procedurally generated levels give a new experience every play. • Challenge your friends and see how you rank on the leaderboard. Challenge mode: • Jump straight into the action with a randomized set of upgrades. • Try to beat the daily challenge or play predetermined challenges at two difficulty levels. Information Seller:Douglas Cowley Genre:Puzzle, Strategy Release:Dec 20, 2013 Updated:Sep 01, 2023 Version:2.8.22 Size:35.9 MB TouchArcade Rating: User Rating: (34) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal Bronxsta Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2012 4,698 6 38 http://indiegameenthusiast.blogspot.com/ #2 Bronxsta, Dec 23, 2013 Looks fun. Any impressions of this yet? A trailer would nice, get a feel for the gameplay Red1 Moderator Staff Member Patreon Silver Patreon Gold Patreon Bronze Nov 26, 2010 2,012 6 38 Pre-occupied 42.1 #3 Red1, Dec 23, 2013 Video of Android version: Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel Bronxsta Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2012 4,698 6 38 http://indiegameenthusiast.blogspot.com/ #4 Bronxsta, Dec 23, 2013 Wow, this looks so good. And the IOS version seems like it got a visual upgrade. Bronxsta Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2012 4,698 6 38 http://indiegameenthusiast.blogspot.com/ #5 Bronxsta, Dec 23, 2013 Found the trailer Bronxsta Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2012 4,698 6 38 http://indiegameenthusiast.blogspot.com/ #6 Bronxsta, Dec 23, 2013 Last edited: Dec 23, 2013 Okay, bought So your quest is to embark through the randomly generated depths to retrieve the Fleece and then return to the surface. You tap on a tile to move there, and enemies move when you move. You can leap over tiles and lunge with your spear (or throw it but then you have to pick it back up). You can use your shield to bash enemies away or into lava or knock bombs away. You can pray at various altars (Ares, Athena, etc.) to gain stats buffs and special abilities, like greater throw range, an arcing shield bash, or magic. You can tap on enemies to see their range of motion and range of attack, allowing you to plan out your moves strategically. There are several types of enemies, from archers to bomb-throwing demolitionists, and combined with your own abilities, the game becomes a challenging tactical game with tons of depth PeteOzzy Well-Known Member Oct 30, 2013 4,596 3 0 Norwich, England #7 PeteOzzy, Dec 23, 2013 I obviously posted it because it appealed, but I figured it was a strategy/board game type thing. Got a bit sidetracked with the holiday period so haven't got round to trying it yet. Your impressions and the trailer have got me a lot more interested though, I absolutely love Roguelikes and this looks like it brings slightly more strategic planning to it all. Cheers for giving your impressions, this definitely deserves more attention! miguelteixeira Member Feb 2, 2013 13 0 1 #8 miguelteixeira, Dec 24, 2013 I'm really loving the gameplay but I would apreciate if the orginal artwork (Android's version) would be somehow available on iOS. There is something about the minimal artwork that seems, at least on video, a different experience. PeteOzzy Well-Known Member Oct 30, 2013 4,596 3 0 Norwich, England #9 PeteOzzy, Dec 24, 2013 I'm loving this game, it really is a roguelike chess game! Such a solid difficulty level to it all yet you won't fail unfairly if you really plan every move. Still learning how some of the special moves perform at their most effective but it's a great learning curve. I much prefer the updated visuals but I can see why you might prefer the simpler style, given the distraction from the intense planning it might be. This really could be a forum favourite and certainly deserves to be included in my GotW so I've edited it - there's still hope I guess! ddubois Member Aug 9, 2011 7 0 0 #10 ddubois, Dec 25, 2013 I love this game. It's the distilled essence of a roguelike, without the 20 hour playtime or the boring grinding bits. Very deep tactical decisions, and the process of making those decisions changes wonderfully based on the skills you've leveled. Normally the RPG-esque character progression you'd get in these roguelike games is a bit of "more of the same", i.e., doing what you do but bigger & better, but here the level ups offer significantly different tactical options. It only took me a couple of days to "beat" the game, but I keep wanting to play more, not just for getting a bigger number on my highscore, but because I want to try alternate combinations of skills and see if I can do better with a different build. Also, the achievement system offers the promise of unlocking very interesting sounding-skills for me to try and master and integrate into my play. 10/10, A+++, must play, Game of the Year, etc. . Andre Well-Known Member Apr 11, 2012 3,643 2 38 #11 Andre, Dec 25, 2013 Looks great. Downloading it. ScotDamn Well-Known Member Patreon Silver Jul 8, 2013 1,990 0 36 Wireless Sales Happy Daddy https://twitter.com/ScotDamn #12 ScotDamn, Dec 25, 2013 What is this magic? Today is glorious! Grabbing this! PeteOzzy Well-Known Member Oct 30, 2013 4,596 3 0 Norwich, England #13 PeteOzzy, Dec 26, 2013 Had to update my indie top 10 for this gem, contemplating changing the GotY noms as well. Finding myself playing three or four rounds a day. So beautifully punishing if you get careless but so rewarding as you begin to master it. It is the distilled perfection of the roguelike genre for me and standing that tall on a genre so very dear to me is an incredible statement! Bronxsta Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2012 4,698 6 38 http://indiegameenthusiast.blogspot.com/ #14 Bronxsta, Dec 27, 2013 Hope this game gets more attention, beyond the forums I mean. Definitely deserves it. Got a nice mention on Gamasutra http://gamasutra.com/blogs/KeithBurgun/20131223/207717/Keith_Burguns_Top_12_Games_of_2013.php PeteOzzy Well-Known Member Oct 30, 2013 4,596 3 0 Norwich, England #15 PeteOzzy, Dec 27, 2013 I keep hearing about 868-Hack and now this is being compared with it. When I made a thread yesterday about what to buy it didn't get a single mention so I assumed it wasn't too great, if it's anything like this I feel I should probably trust my instincts! Man I wish the developer for Hoplite were here. Not only to thank them for such an incredible game but also to put out promo codes and draw attention for such a sadly overlooked gem Doug Cowley New Member Dec 27, 2013 1 0 0 #16 Doug Cowley, Dec 27, 2013 Here I am. It's great to see you guys are enjoying it. Thanks for making the thread. I've had a couple of promising responses from review sites so I'm hopeful that word of Hoplite will spread. ScotDamn Well-Known Member Patreon Silver Jul 8, 2013 1,990 0 36 Wireless Sales Happy Daddy https://twitter.com/ScotDamn #17 ScotDamn, Dec 27, 2013 Last edited: Dec 27, 2013 Blasphemy! 868-Hack is an amazing game. I like it more than this one, of course that's subjective. However the point is, yes 868-Hack is an addictive deep experience unlike most others. This game is similar but not equal. I enjoyed playing this but it made me want to play 868-Hack. That said...different strokes. Still did not regret this purchase. <= Put that on the box! lol Bronxsta Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2012 4,698 6 38 http://indiegameenthusiast.blogspot.com/ #18 Bronxsta, Dec 27, 2013 Welcome to the forums! Thanks for making such a great game PBSNellie Well-Known Member Jul 7, 2013 1,372 163 63 Southern CA #19 PBSNellie, Dec 28, 2013 I spent some time with this game and so far really like it. No IAP, progressive difficulty, nice graphics and easy to learn. I hope it gets more exposure. LordGek Well-Known Member Staff Member Patreon Silver Patreon Gold Patreon Bronze Feb 19, 2009 12,279 130 63 Software QA Engineer Saratoga, CA, USA #20 LordGek, Dec 28, 2013 While far from a Hack-868 clone, I agree it has a very similar vibe. Your little hoplite has some pretty basic core moves, step toward an enemy to impale them with a spear, toss same said spear (thus losing all spear options until he picks it up again), walk by a baddy to stab it with his dagger (so not stepping toward the baddy, but walking by it), bash something with his shield to knock it back a space, or jump a space. Your goal each level is to simply make it to the stairs to descend to the next level. Visiting the level's altar or killing any of the baddies is purely optional. Killing baddies does nothing but get them out of your way. The altars are wondrous depositories of healing or refined skills (throw that spear further or reduce the required timeout between shield bashes to name just two ways). The catch, however, is that if going for a highscore you'll get bonus points for leaving a level without using a level's altar). One final fun bit is that the game's many achievements unlock bonuses to their base skill/stats. All in all a neat take on a simple roguelike with the primary emphasis being on tactical positioning. All combat automatically resolved in a pre-determined manner, monsters all move in fairly predictable manners based on type, like a game of Chess, thus it all boils down to a player's ability to read the room filled with baddies to the most optimal outcome. 5/5 (You must log in or sign up to post here.) Show Ignored Content Page 1 of 9 1 ← 2 3 4 5 6 → 9 Next > Share This Page Tweet Your name or email address: Do you already have an account? No, create an account now. Yes, my password is: Forgot your password? Stay logged in
Okay, bought So your quest is to embark through the randomly generated depths to retrieve the Fleece and then return to the surface. You tap on a tile to move there, and enemies move when you move. You can leap over tiles and lunge with your spear (or throw it but then you have to pick it back up). You can use your shield to bash enemies away or into lava or knock bombs away. You can pray at various altars (Ares, Athena, etc.) to gain stats buffs and special abilities, like greater throw range, an arcing shield bash, or magic. You can tap on enemies to see their range of motion and range of attack, allowing you to plan out your moves strategically. There are several types of enemies, from archers to bomb-throwing demolitionists, and combined with your own abilities, the game becomes a challenging tactical game with tons of depth
I obviously posted it because it appealed, but I figured it was a strategy/board game type thing. Got a bit sidetracked with the holiday period so haven't got round to trying it yet. Your impressions and the trailer have got me a lot more interested though, I absolutely love Roguelikes and this looks like it brings slightly more strategic planning to it all. Cheers for giving your impressions, this definitely deserves more attention!
I'm really loving the gameplay but I would apreciate if the orginal artwork (Android's version) would be somehow available on iOS. There is something about the minimal artwork that seems, at least on video, a different experience.
I'm loving this game, it really is a roguelike chess game! Such a solid difficulty level to it all yet you won't fail unfairly if you really plan every move. Still learning how some of the special moves perform at their most effective but it's a great learning curve. I much prefer the updated visuals but I can see why you might prefer the simpler style, given the distraction from the intense planning it might be. This really could be a forum favourite and certainly deserves to be included in my GotW so I've edited it - there's still hope I guess!
I love this game. It's the distilled essence of a roguelike, without the 20 hour playtime or the boring grinding bits. Very deep tactical decisions, and the process of making those decisions changes wonderfully based on the skills you've leveled. Normally the RPG-esque character progression you'd get in these roguelike games is a bit of "more of the same", i.e., doing what you do but bigger & better, but here the level ups offer significantly different tactical options. It only took me a couple of days to "beat" the game, but I keep wanting to play more, not just for getting a bigger number on my highscore, but because I want to try alternate combinations of skills and see if I can do better with a different build. Also, the achievement system offers the promise of unlocking very interesting sounding-skills for me to try and master and integrate into my play. 10/10, A+++, must play, Game of the Year, etc. .
Had to update my indie top 10 for this gem, contemplating changing the GotY noms as well. Finding myself playing three or four rounds a day. So beautifully punishing if you get careless but so rewarding as you begin to master it. It is the distilled perfection of the roguelike genre for me and standing that tall on a genre so very dear to me is an incredible statement!
Hope this game gets more attention, beyond the forums I mean. Definitely deserves it. Got a nice mention on Gamasutra http://gamasutra.com/blogs/KeithBurgun/20131223/207717/Keith_Burguns_Top_12_Games_of_2013.php
I keep hearing about 868-Hack and now this is being compared with it. When I made a thread yesterday about what to buy it didn't get a single mention so I assumed it wasn't too great, if it's anything like this I feel I should probably trust my instincts! Man I wish the developer for Hoplite were here. Not only to thank them for such an incredible game but also to put out promo codes and draw attention for such a sadly overlooked gem
Here I am. It's great to see you guys are enjoying it. Thanks for making the thread. I've had a couple of promising responses from review sites so I'm hopeful that word of Hoplite will spread.
Blasphemy! 868-Hack is an amazing game. I like it more than this one, of course that's subjective. However the point is, yes 868-Hack is an addictive deep experience unlike most others. This game is similar but not equal. I enjoyed playing this but it made me want to play 868-Hack. That said...different strokes. Still did not regret this purchase. <= Put that on the box! lol
I spent some time with this game and so far really like it. No IAP, progressive difficulty, nice graphics and easy to learn. I hope it gets more exposure.
While far from a Hack-868 clone, I agree it has a very similar vibe. Your little hoplite has some pretty basic core moves, step toward an enemy to impale them with a spear, toss same said spear (thus losing all spear options until he picks it up again), walk by a baddy to stab it with his dagger (so not stepping toward the baddy, but walking by it), bash something with his shield to knock it back a space, or jump a space. Your goal each level is to simply make it to the stairs to descend to the next level. Visiting the level's altar or killing any of the baddies is purely optional. Killing baddies does nothing but get them out of your way. The altars are wondrous depositories of healing or refined skills (throw that spear further or reduce the required timeout between shield bashes to name just two ways). The catch, however, is that if going for a highscore you'll get bonus points for leaving a level without using a level's altar). One final fun bit is that the game's many achievements unlock bonuses to their base skill/stats. All in all a neat take on a simple roguelike with the primary emphasis being on tactical positioning. All combat automatically resolved in a pre-determined manner, monsters all move in fairly predictable manners based on type, like a game of Chess, thus it all boils down to a player's ability to read the room filled with baddies to the most optimal outcome. 5/5
