Obscure, Innovative Rogue-like RPGs

The Philosophical Gamer brings us an editorial in which they look at some of the more obscure yet innovative rogue-like RPGs.

I think it’s probably safe to say that by now, most people know about Dwarf Fortress. Or do they? If they aren’t aware of it, they definitely should know about it. Where else can you dig a dwarven colony out of the side of a mountain, while your multitudes of dwarven workers spend time fishing, practicing archery, smelting weapons and armor, hunting groundhogs, marrying, and putting a stop to the occasional goblin invasion or rampaging dragon. The dwarves establish realistic relationships, can go insane and wander babbling around the map, can have children, and much more. This one gets my nomination for best Roguelike game ever. Is it a roguelike? Perhaps. It’s ASCII-based, what more do you need? Check it out at the Official DF Site.