Roundguard

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Wikipedia

Roundguard
DeveloperWonderbelly Games
PublisherThe Quantum Astrophysicists Guild
EngineUnity
PlatformsiOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Android
Release
  • iOS, Switch, Windows, Xbox One
  • March 13, 2020
  • PS4
  • March 17, 2020
  • Android
  • April 24, 2023
GenreRoguelike
ModeSingle-player

Roundguard is a roguelike video game developed by Wonderbelly Games and published by The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild. The game was released in March 2020 for iOS through Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, later releasing for Android in 2023. The game is set inside of a play, in which a castle is under attack. It was originally created with a Puzzle Quest-like structure before being turned into a roguelike.

The game received generally favorable reviews from critics, with praise for its roguelike elements and dialogue. Roundguard received several content updates after its release.

Gameplay

A boss level in Roundguard

Roundguard is a roguelike[1] that takes place inside a play, in which a castle is under attack. The player can choose between three characters, who have different characteristics and abilities. Dungeons are procedurally generated, and every enemy in a dungeon has to be defeated to progress.[2] Clearing a level earns the player a weapon, armor, abilities, and gold, which can be used to make their character stronger.[3] The player can either equip it, and lose their held item, or sell it for extra gold.[2] Runes can be obtained, which affect the difficultly of a run. A run lasts three acts. Near the end of an act, the player will face a boss. A run ends when the character's health points reaches zero.[3]

Development and release

Roundguard was developed in Unity by the Seattle-based Wonderbelly Games,[4] consisting of Andrea Roberts, Bob Roberts, and Kurt Loidl. They worked with The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild to port the game to Apple platforms and consoles. Andrea stated that it started from a brainstorm. They liked to play with physics, and started writing pages of their ideas. She remembered saying "Peggle RPG", then the group made the foundations for Roundguard.[5] The original concept was structured like Puzzle Quest[6] and Grindstone, with set challenges throughout a campaign, but transitioned to a roguelike with randomized dungeons. After around three months of work, they brought their first playable prototype to a Seattle show and tell.[5]

In 2019, the game was displayed at the PAX West Indie Megabooth and MomoCon's indie showcase.[7] Roundguard was released for iOS through Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, Windows, and Xbox One on March 13, 2020.[4] A PlayStation 4 version was released on March 17.[8] Roundguard received its first content update, the "Treasure Update" in July.[9] The next update, the "Gift Giver" update, was released in December.[10] The "Druid Update" added a new character, Sprig, in July 2021.[11] In May 2022, the "Encore" update was released, adding two modes to the game.[12] Wonderbelly announced that Roundguard would leave Apple Arcade and relaunch on Android and iOS on April 24, 2023.[13]

Reception

Roundguard received "generally favorable reviews", according to review aggregator Metacritic.[14][15][16]

Game Informer's Matt Miller wrote that inclusion of roguelike elements made Roundguard "rewarding", and gave it its own identity. Miller felt that it became easy for the choice of class to become "stale" without a larger selection of heroes. He expresses his frustration toward the challenge of making an optimized build.[17]

Stephen Tailby of Push Square praised the execution, presentation, and gameplay.[18] iMore recommended Roundguard as a "must" for those who enjoyed Peggle.[19] Pocket Gamer's Will Quick wrote that the roguelike and puzzle mechanics were combined in "fun, interesting, and challenging ways". However he believed it could be "difficult and unforgiving" at times.[1]

TouchArcade's Sergio Velasquez wrote that the music was "good", but wasn't as "great" as the art style. He commended the character design, dialogue, and gameplay.[2] Writing for Nintendo World Report, Bryan Rose wrote that the game was a "well-executed" idea, complimenting the dungeon crawling and "witty" dialogue. Rose felt that the graphics and audio were fine, but mundane, concluding that the gameplay was Roundguard's "strongest suit".[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Score based on 4 reviews.
  2. ↑ Score based on 5 reviews.
  3. ↑ Score based on 5 reviews.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Quick, Will (April 25, 2023). "Roundguard review - "Bouncing into roguelike randomness"". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Velasquez, Sergio (April 22, 2020). "Apple Arcade: 'Roundguard' Review – Ah Shoot, Here We Go Again – TouchArcade". TouchArcade. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rose, Bryan (March 17, 2020). "Roundguard (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Wilde, Thomas (March 13, 2020). "Review: Xbox vets debut 'Roundguard,' an accessible blend of the most addictive games". GeekWire. Archived from the original on November 25, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Denzer, TJ (May 9, 2020). "Roundguard on Apple Arcade Game Designer Andrea Roberts interview". Shacknews. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  6. ↑ Carless, Simon (April 21, 2020). "The design of Peggle-like dungeon crawler Roundguard". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  7. ↑ Devore, Jordan (March 11, 2020). "Roundguard is a smart roguelike twist on Peggle". Destructoid. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ Elston, Brett (March 13, 2020). "The Drop: New PlayStation Games for March 17, 2020". PlayStation.Blog. Archived from the original on April 21, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  9. ↑ Sullivan, Dann (July 24, 2020). "Pinball-RPG Roundguard's imminent Treasure Hunter update adds seeds, daily runs and a new enemy". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  10. ↑ Smith, Olly (December 17, 2020). "Dungeon crawler Roundguard gets free Gift Giver update". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ Dellosa, Catherine (June 21, 2021). "Roundguard adds new hero Sprig into the roguelite dungeon crawler with Druid Update on June 24". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  12. ↑ Haslam, Oliver (May 14, 2022). "Roundguard update adds new Endless and Encore modes plus tons more". iMore. Archived from the original on August 15, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ Dellosa, Catherine (April 18, 2023). "Roundguard is leaving Apple Arcade and re-launching on iOS and Android as a premium title on April 24th". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Roundguard critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Roundguard critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  16. 1 2 "Roundguard critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  17. 1 2 Miller, Matt (March 13, 2020). "Roundguard Review - Roundguard Review – Roguish Charm". Game Informer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Tailby, Stephen (March 27, 2020). "Review: Roundguard - Peggle and Dungeon Crawling Makes for Unusual But Potent Mix". Push Square. Archived from the original on March 24, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
  19. ↑ Chan, Christine (March 25, 2020). "Apple Arcade: Roundguard review — the Peggle RPG mashup we need right now". iMore. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved September 14, 2025.