Desecrators – The BEST 6DOF Roguelike You’re Missing!
0Desecrators is a new criminally underrated 6DOF Roguelike. If you’re a fan of classic six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) shooters like Descent, Forsaken, or Overload, Desecrators is a game that should be on your radar. Combining the fluid movement and combat of Descent with the eerie exploration elements of Forsaken, it offers a fresh yet nostalgic take on the genre. With roguelike mechanics, procedural level generation, and engaging combat, it delivers an addictive gameplay loop that keeps you coming back for more.
Gameplay & Mechanics!
At its core, Desecrators nails what makes 6DOF shooters so compelling—tight, responsive controls and silky-smooth movement that lets you weave through enemy fire and unleash destruction with precision. The gunplay is immensely satisfying, with a variety of upgradeable weapons that allow for different tactical approaches.
The game also does a great job of minimizing the common frustration found in similar titles—backtracking to find which door just opened. The well-designed map system points out key locations without holding your hand, striking a perfect balance between guidance and exploration.
Difficulty & Balance!
The difficulty scaling is solid. Playing on difficulty level 2 felt just right, providing a challenge without being overwhelming. However, Desecrators doesn’t shy away from throwing tough enemies at you, particularly the rivals—elite enemies that can be brutally hard depending on their weapon loadout. The sentry mine is a powerful tool against them, though its effectiveness might be toned down in future patches.
Ammo management adds another layer of strategy. Supply crates dynamically adjust their drops based on your current needs—low health means more shield drops, while being low on ammo prioritizes replenishing your weapons. However, if you constantly “trick” the system by taking only a few shots and restocking frequently, you’ll find yourself getting diminishing returns. Understanding how these mechanics work makes a significant difference in how you approach the game.
Level Design & Roguelike Elements!
While the game has procedural generation, the level design doesn’t feel repetitive. Each area has a distinct theme, ensuring a sense of progression and variety. The roguelike mechanics add a layer of unpredictability, forcing you to adapt to whatever weapons and resources you find. This keeps every run fresh and exciting, making each session feel different from the last.
The Controversial Patch (0.9.9e)
While Desecrators was on track to becoming an undisputed 6DOF classic, the 0.9.9e patch introduced changes that have left some fans frustrated.
These include!
Primary weapon slot reduction: Players can now carry only three primary weapons instead of four, limiting strategic flexibility. "Update" this has been added back to four slots as of full release my mistake!
Ammo-based weapon switching restrictions: You can no longer switch to a weapon if you have no ammo for it, making it harder to swap weapons mid-fight or pick up new ones.
Extra life removal: The game removed extra lives earned from points, eliminating a risk-versus-reward system that worked well in Descent.
Dynamic loot drops: Instead of random drops, the game gives you what you need most at any given moment. While this sounds helpful on paper, it removes a key aspect of roguelike design—forcing players to adapt to scarcity rather than being spoon-fed what they need.
These changes reduce player agency, making the game feel less like a roguelike and more like a standard shooter with predetermined resource distribution. The decision to limit choices in a genre that thrives on adaptability is questionable at best.
Verdict!
Despite some questionable balance changes in recent patches, Desecrators remains an excellent game. It’s a passion project and a true love letter to 6DOF shooters, capturing the best elements of Descent and Forsaken while adding its own twist with roguelike mechanics. The combat is fast-paced and rewarding, and the procedural level design keeps the experience fresh.
If you’re a fan of Descent, Overload, or classic 6DOF shooters, Desecrators is a must-play. Even with its recent missteps, it still stands out as one of the best modern takes on the genre. Here’s hoping the devs reconsider some of the latest changes and bring back the depth that made the game so special in the first place.
Highly recommended for fans of 6DOF shooters, roguelikes, and indie FPS games.
Read the latest full patch notes here:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1311570/view/524210308312467285
Desecrators - 1.0 Launched on February 28, 2025!
Platform: PC (Steam)
Price: $14.99 USD
Link:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1311570/Desecrators/
Desecrators is a retro FPS inspired by '90s six-degrees-of-freedom shooters. Plunder your way through the galaxy to destructive weapons and technology powerful enough to take on the ultimate heist: The legendary vaults of the Galactic Treasury.