>> In whatever way these terms will eventually crystallize, I think the addition of meta-progression to the permadeath+randomization combo is important enough t

>> In whatever way these terms will eventually crystallize, I think the addition of meta-progression to the permadeath+randomization combo is important enough to call the result a new genre. It’s a very fun and addictive combination. I see it more as an attempt to balance out the harsh penalty imposed by permadeath in the original roguelikes, like Nethack. I remember when I first played Nethack, I was really annoyed by that, and I really didn't see the fun in having to start all over again everytime my character died, even given the procedural generation (which means that you at least don't have to go through the same level every time). And I was really curious to see how the game developed. But I didn't have the time to grind, Grind, GRIND. So... I savescummed. Btw, one very popular game that has permadeath and procedural generation, and where the only between-game reward is unlocking new characters, is Don't Starve. But, somehow, I never see it included in the roquelikes even though it sticks much closer to the original formula than, say, Slay the Spire, Hades or Dead Cells, etc. I don't want to use the word "hardcore" but Don't Starve is fucking hardcore, compared to those other games and I never felt like I wanted to savescum in any of the other games, while I routinely savescum in Don't Starve (I even have a shell script to do it quickly).