The hex-grid navigation works well on phone displays.

The game introduces new moves step-by-step.

Minimalistic and tactical combat mechanics. Positioning is important.

Someone called it "Chess, the roguelike". You have all the information before you move, every time. Enemies follow a simple ruleset, with no variation. There is almost no randomness. You know that you will die the turn before you do, and you will die because you painted yourself into a corner.

This game is different every time, but losing or winning doesn't have anything to do with the game providing you with good number rolls. It depends on you making good decisions.

You must plan your movements and attacks, paying attention to all enemy positions and their attacks. This makes for a game that the player can pour over their options, for as long as they like, which can be pretty enveloping.

Starting on level 16, the altars get replaced by a portal. The player has the choice to "win" the game by exiting through the portal, or to ignore the portal on that level and venture deeper, aiming for higher scores on progressively more difficult floors. This is great for those that enjoy more challenge and extra content past the regular ending.

There is a wide array of enemies to encounter and fight, which keeps encounters fresh as well as the strategies needed.

There is a good list of achievements, which creates a high replay value. It encourages the user to play very differently in subsequent replays. Which is great for keeping the game fresh.

Hoplite is a turn based game, making for something that people can take their time with, deciding on their strategy for each move.

The gameplay is simple enough for anyone to understand but it does not detract from how good the strategy elements of the game are.