Roguelands (2016)

In *Roguelands*, the galaxy teeters on the brink of annihilation as the monstrous Destroyer consumes planet cores, leaving a trail of cosmic dust. You are a Galactic Cadet, thrust into a desperate race against time and oblivion. Your mission: venture to procedurally generated, hostile worlds, braving exotic creatures and treacherous landscapes to salvage vital resources before the Destroyer claims them. To succeed, you'll need to rely on your wits, your Droids for resource gathering and combat, and a unique crafting system where collected loot transforms into Emblems, which can be combined to forge powerful gear. Gather your allies, refine your strategy, and prepare for a fight for survival that will echo across the stars. *Roguelands* stands out with its "permanent death, permanent progress" mechanic, ensuring that while your Cadet may fall, your hard-earned advancements—new races, augments, ship upgrades, and even saved NPCs—persist. This encourages experimentation with diverse weapon types and their randomized variants, alongside collecting Combat Chips that unlock unique abilities and playstyles. As you delve deeper, you'll uncover the lore behind the Destroyer and the Scourge, piecing together the galaxy's fragmented history. Sean Young's signature approach to deep progression systems, challenging gameplay loops, and rich emergent storytelling is evident throughout *Roguelands*, making it a compelling entry in any list of his best works.