When comparing Angband Variants vs Shattered Pixel Dungeon, the Slant community recommends Shattered Pixel Dungeon for most people. In the question“What are the best roguelikes on Android?” Shattered Pixel Dungeon is ranked 3rd while Angband Variants is ranked 25th. The most important reason people chose Shattered Pixel Dungeon is:
SPD's gameplay is intuitive, allowing for it to be easy to get into. What is great though is that it's also very challenging, quickly making the experience both rewarding and addictive. Just one more game is a thought many will have before actually turning off their device.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Contains ToME 2.3.5 -- which is a fan favorite
Pro Can be customized
Using the right app you customize the variant through the files.
Pro Based on Tolkien universe
Being based on the Tolkien universe makes for a familiar environment for fans as well as a deep offering of texture that would be hard to match from scratch.
Pro Five variants in one game
There are 5 variants of the original Angband included in this app, Sangband, Steamband, ToME, NPP Angband and Sil. With 5 games in 1 this app offers a robust offering of playtime.
Pro Challenging and fun gameplay that lends itself well to repeat plays
SPD's gameplay is intuitive, allowing for it to be easy to get into. What is great though is that it's also very challenging, quickly making the experience both rewarding and addictive. Just one more game is a thought many will have before actually turning off their device.
Pro Has a reasonable amount of strategical depth where the player can easily plan out their next move
The top-down, turn-based nature of the game gives the opportunity to plan out a complex series of moves. This way there is no time constraint, and the player can leisurely strategize what they would like to do next.
Pro Tons of replayability thanks to the randomly generated levels
In true roguelike fashion, levels are randomly generated each time a new game is started. On top of this mechanic, Shattered Pixel Dungeon goes one step further by randomizing effects of all items as well, so it's impossible to tell if a dropped item will have a positive or a negative effect based on its sprite representation.
Pro Frustrating in a good way
You have to learn in bits & pieces, requiring patience & tenacity. Then you get to do it all over again w/ different classes, challenge modes. Very replayable.
Pro Frequently updated
The creator updates this mod about once a month, bringing TONS of additions including skill trees, bug fixes, and difficulty tweaks.
Cons
Con You need a physical keyboard to really enjoy this game
You can't select / customize software keyboards, which makes controlling the game more difficult than using a real keyboard that can.
Con Cannot change the game
It always starts with ToME.
Con Enemies can target from off screen
While enemies can target from off screen the player is unable to target them until they show onscreen, which means the player can get hit from enemies they can not see or retaliate.
Con Not recommended for the impatient type of player.
Con Extremely, even maddeningly, difficult
Con Hard to master
SPD's difficulty can be a turn off for some players as it is quite challenging and takes a long time to master. While there will be those that enjoy such difficulty, those looking for something easy may not enjoy the game.
Con Strange graphics
The 2.5D graphics or how to call it is confusing even after days of playing - you tap where you don't want to all the time. Zoom levels are wrongly set - everything is either too big or too small. The smooth paning when moving your character is dizzying for someone's head...