When comparing Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) vs Rogue Legacy, the Slant community recommends Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) for most people. In the question“What are the best roguelikes/roguelites on PC?” Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) is ranked 17th while Rogue Legacy is ranked 18th. The most important reason people chose Ancient Domains of Mystery (ADOM) is:
The game has been around for a dozen years or so, most of that time went into adding and expanding features. There are lots of ways to play the game, and you can dive into it literally for years and still be surprised by unexplored options.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Really, really deep
The game has been around for a dozen years or so, most of that time went into adding and expanding features. There are lots of ways to play the game, and you can dive into it literally for years and still be surprised by unexplored options.
Pro Surprisingly well balanced
Older roguelikes tend to have all of the things including the kitchen sink, and so does this. But the game feels cohesive and whole, and feels vast and expansive for its kitchen sink design rather than cluttered and messy.
Pro A true classic
It's one of the four games that really defined the genre, and it still is relevant today. A great addition to any roguelike fans' library.
Pro Lineage affects gameplay in an interesting way
Rogue Legacy has an interesting mechanic where each play-through is with a new descendant from the previous character, and they each have various traits and disabilities they inherit that effect how they play.
Pro Tons of replayability through procedurally generated levels
Rogue Legacy has procedurally generated levels, which means every time a player restarts the game it will be a different experience that plays out making for a ton of replayability.
Pro You don't lose purchased loot
The upgrade system in Rogue Legacy works by spending the money you gained in the last level (you lose all your money when you start a new one), with upgrades passing down through generations by being either upgrades to the family manor, or family heirlooms. This way even when the player dies (which happens a lot) the player will not loose their purchased items allowing them to continue without starting completely over.
Pro Lots of upgrades to buy
The upgrade system in Rogue Legacy works by spending the money you gained in the last level (you lose all your money when you start a new one), with upgrades passing down through generations by being either upgrades to the family manor, or family heirlooms.
Cons
Con Complex interface
A common complaint is that there are a lot of commands to learn, although the devs have been working hard to simplify and streamline the interface (both graphical and ASCII)
Con Upgraded version only available via Steam
You can't buy the upgraded version, with all the extra features, from the developer or through DRM-Free sites like GOG, Itch.io, or Humble.
Con Generic and plain setting and story
About as generic fantasy as you can get.
Con Grinding
Con Repetitive gameplay
Upgraded monsters are just palette shifts of old monsters that throw more projectiles. Even with the upgrade tree and armor/runes, the game always feels the same.