[redsniper]

... that isn't in a fantasy setting. I realize this might be a tall order, but anyhow... I've got an itch for something old-school, with crude graphics (not necessarily ASCII, X-COM-style super pixellated graphics will work too). Something where I only have to worry about my own character and that I can play on and off but still see some appreciable progress (ie not a game where you play through the whole thing in 1 hour and just do it over and over, but a game that just keeps going and going). Is there anything like this? Preferably free?

[Centrixo]

like an mmo? they go on and on, people get obsessed with thier character everytime.

[redsniper]

No, not at all.

[aldo_14]

... that isn't in a fantasy setting. I realize this might be a tall order, but anyhow... I've got an itch for something old-school, with crude graphics (not necessarily ASCII, X-COM-style super pixellated graphics will work too). Something where I only have to worry about my own character and that I can play on and off but still see some appreciable progress (ie not a game where you play through the whole thing in 1 hour and just do it over and over, but a game that just keeps going and going). Is there anything like this? Preferably free?

Oooh, oooh, oooh, I remember one like this.........forget the name though, d'oh.

What about http://scourge.sourceforge.net/, Angband or NetHack?

Note - not played any of these, just know them offhand

[redsniper]

Well, those are all fantasy-themed games, which I'll settle for if I can't find anything else. I figured the HLPeople might know of some obscure sci-fi or modern themed roguelike game.

[redsniper]

[Agent_Koopa]

That is something that perhaps should be done. In keeping with Rogue, roguelikes are set in fantasy realms...

And Aldo, shame on you for not having played NetHack! 

[Davros]

similar
http://www.dunjax.com/silmar/

dont know anything about rogue games whats the appeal ??

to me they just look like crpg's with retro graphics, wouldnt you be better playing nverwinter nights or something ?

[Agent_Koopa]

They're fun. In NetHack, for instance, there's all sorts of amusing (read: infuriating) ways to die. If you throw an object up in the air, it will land painfully on your head. If this causes you to die, you are listed in the log as being "killed by elementary physics."

[At]

doomrl!  http://doom.chaosforge.org/

[Agent_Koopa]

Holy ****!

[phatosealpha]

similar
http://www.dunjax.com/silmar/

dont know anything about rogue games whats the appeal ??

to me they just look like crpg's with retro graphics, wouldnt you be better playing nverwinter nights or something ?

The underlying mechanics of combat are similiar, but the genres are vastly different in actual gameplay.  When you start a typical cRPG, it's reasonable to expect you can eventually win.

While most Roguelikes can be won, theoretically, 99.999999% of the time that ain't gonna happen.  They're much more 'how long can you go before something kills you' then they are typical rpg.  We're talking pure dungeon crawling survival bliss. 

[Vasudan Commander]

Morrowind : The Elder Scrolls.

Definately old school. It got boring a bit sometimes for me, but for the most part, i enjoyed it. Especially making my own spells (hehe...cheating ftw).

[neoterran]

Morrowind : The Elder Scrolls.

Definately old school. It got boring a bit sometimes for me, but for the most part, i enjoyed it. Especially making my own spells (hehe...cheating ftw).

Morrowwind is "old school" ! LAF ! hardly..

Try Ultima V : Lazarus for some old school action with a fairly modern twist.