I couldn’t blame you if you didn’t know about this year’s 7 day roguelike challenge. However, with 50 completed roguelikes this year there were more than a few people who did know about it, and that’s a lot of games. As a quick primer see last year’s 7DRL Reviews. This year I was unable to participate to the same degree as last time. I didn’t make a game or review each of them, but I did review some of them in a coordinated effort with others in the roguelike community, and the results can be viewed here.

Annotated 2010 7DRL Challenge Reviews on Temple of the Roguelike.

Well that’s good if you want a fair and balanced review of all the games, but some of those are way too low on the scale and feel, I deserve, some special attention. So here’s my list of the best of the 2010 7DRL challenge, with no appologies for those that didn’t make it:

#1. Math: The Roguelike.

Starting at the top of the list because I don’t trust you not to get bored before the end and I do not want anyone to miss this one. Even if you don’t like text graphics, I don’t care. Play this game. This is the one game this year that I felt needs to be remade with graphics and sold by scholastic. School children across the world should be playing this game in class.

You’ll need to have at least basic Algebra under your belt to win this game, or at least to play it well, but manipulating the formulas of the game to maximize the damage you do feels so good. I found myself really thinking if a 3D6 was better than a 6D3 and whether I’d be better off if my roll was less than 8 doubling the damage or linking it to the turn number. I almost pulled out my graphing calculator to do some analysis a few times. This game is GREAT.

Did I mention I like this one?

If you don’t play roguelikes then you’re brain is no doubt going to waste, atrophying with every episode of Lost and every round of Farmville. Save your brain and play Math: The Rogulike. And if you do playing roguelikes you have no excuse not to play this game. Roguelike’s are nerdy enough. Revel in it. There, no one has any excuse. Go play it. Go, now. Come back later and see the rest, but go play this.

You back? Good wasn’t it?

2. ASCIIDash

This is a randomly generated turn-based Boulder Dash clone with text graphics. If you’ve never heard of Boulder Dash, here’s a quick primer… seriously? You’ve never heard of Boulder Dash? Boulder Dash has been made for just about everything since the beginning of computing. The only game that might have wider scope is Tetris. You’ve never heard of Boulder Dash? Alright, here’s a synopsis: a more puzzy sort of Dig Dug game with boulder physics. Drop boulders on enemies to turn them into gold, collect gold, get to the exit, try not to get crushed or eaten.

True the screen looks like alphabet soup at times, but if this were given a graphical polish it’d shine like a star. If you’re here, that shouldn’t bother you.

3. Dungeon Sweeper

Alright, graphics, for those of you who can’t stand text. And mouse input. This should appeal to everyone. But more importantly than aesthetics this game is truly innovative and you’re going to die a lot before you get the idea.

The idea is that like minesweeper you get an inkling of the enemies around you, but you can’t be sure if that “4″ you’re seeing is one monster of level 4 or two of level 2. There’s a definite puzzle aspect to this one. Fans of Desktop Dungeon should really give this a try.

Frustratingly this game seems to put you in unwinnable situations many times. If you’re clever you can sometimes extend your experience somewhat, but often times a game ends before it begins. it’d be nice if this didn’t happen, but it’s not worth skipping this one over. For innovation alone this deserves a look.

4. A Quest too Far

Maybe it’s just because I’m getting old, but a roguelike where you’re losing your youthful vigor with every step just resonates with me. This mechanic definitely brings something new to the Roguelike table in the form of forced inventory management. You’re going to use your stuff because if you don’t you’re going to have to drop it as old age takes it’s toll. A fantastic game on many levels.

5. Princess RL

Made by the same guy who made the excellent DDRogue last year, Princess RL is in many ways a sequel. This year he’s combined a stat management mini-game with DDRogue. You’re raising a princes to either be a little lady or a little amazon, sneaking out once a month to adventure in the hills surrounding the school. It takes a few games to get the hang of it but it’s not one to pass up, especially if you’re into roguelikes.

6. Toby the Trapper

Darren Grey is another one returning from last year and his game this year is well worth a look. You don’t have any direct attacks against your opponents and instead have to lay traps for them to fall into. It’s a simple mechanic that works surprisingly well and does much to change the way you play the game.

And that’s all I’m gonna feature. If you wanna play more go ahead and hit the annotated list. You can sort the list however you think is important and hit the top few and you’ll probably not go wrong.

Did I miss one? Was there a game in this years 7DRL challenge that you felt deserves mention. Let me know below.