I just finished trying out a roguelike—and by roguelike, I mean a traditional roguelike, the kind where every time you move, the entire world moves with you. (Sometimes it feels absurd to have to explain what we mean by “roguelike” every single time…) That said, I was absolutely blown away by what SOG: Vietnam has to offer.
Yes, because while the core concept sticks to the traditional roguelike formula, this title from PigeonMakesGames layers in a wealth of unique mechanics, delivering an experience that’s truly surprising and one of a kind.
In SOG: Vietnam, you take on the role of a stealthy MACV-SOG operative, a highly specialized group formed during the Vietnam War tasked with conducting clandestine and extremely dangerous missions. Here, you’ll find yourself alone in the dense Vietnamese jungles, navigating encounters with Viet Cong forces, wary civilians, and an array of traps scattered throughout the wilderness. Each scenario presents a unique mission objective: earning the trust of the locals, eliminating a set number of enemies, uncovering enemy bases, and more. Once the mission is complete, you’ll need to call in a helicopter for extraction.
To accomplish your objectives, you’ll have access to a broad arsenal, including Napalm, C4, rifles, and more, alongside stealth techniques that will let you feel like Rambo. Careful tile analysis will be crucial to understanding your environment, anticipating enemy movements, and planning your actions. Winning over the locals by providing them with supplies can also prove advantageous, helping you maintain stealth and facilitating smoother movement through hostile terrain.
Successfully completing missions earns points that level up your operative, unlocking perks that can carry over to future soldiers should your current operative face permanent death. The sheer variety of options during missions was a standout feature, making the game an unexpected delight. I highly recommend checking out the demo released a few days ago—it’s genuinely worth your time. SOG: Vietnam is set to launch on PC in Q2 2025, below an overview and screens.
Welcome to Vietnam, son!
Step into the shoes of a MACV-SOG specialist during the Second Indochina War in a turn-based, tactical, old-school 2D roguelite!
Every mission is a brutal new challenge! Each raid demands adaptability and cunning, as you’ll need to develop your character from scratch every time, building an invincible tactic. Use every tool at your disposal to complete your objectives: blend in with the surroundings, establish contacts with locals, explore the dangerous world while hiding in the shadows of the jungle, or wreak havoc, crushing enemies along your path with every available means! Remember, the ultimate goal is to survive and make it back to base, because death wipes out all progress made during the raid!
Crush enemies in the “signature style” of the U.S. Army in Vietnam
Make full use of all the resources the U.S. military has to offer! Air cavalry support, artillery and blazing napalm will not let you or the damn Charlies get bored! Your arsenal includes: a standard loadout of a military specialist, as well as napalm, of course, artillery, C4, combat grenades, tripwires, various types of weapons, and more!
Explore the hostile jungle
The Vietnamese jungle is filled with dangers and mysteries. A helicopter will drop you into a procedurally generated map covered in dense foliage, where each step could be your last. Carefully survey every section of the terrain—you never know what’s ahead: a treacherous trap, an enemy lying in ambush, or a wild animal ready to attack. Missions will require reconnaissance and exploration, so be prepared for a thorough examination of this unpredictable world.
Prepare your soldier and collect trophies
Carefully review your mission objectives, weigh your options, and consider: should you bring more rations to avoid starving, or a charge of C4 for devastating sabotage? Skillfully allocate ability points and choose perks that will help you achieve your operation’s goals most effectively. This will allow you to experiment with different playstyles for each sortie. Sneak through the night, sabotaging enemy communications, or charge into open combat, mowing down everything in your path. It’s up to you to choose the path to become a legendary special forces veteran!
Come back alive, the jungle doesn’t forgive mistakes!
If you successfully complete the operation and evacuate alive, you’ll earn well-deserved rewards: medals and new perks that open up more strategies for future missions. Rest at a cozy fire base, chat with your fellow soldiers, and head back into the cursed jungle, because this war will never end otherwise! Come back alive, son, no matter what…
Key Features:
- High replayability that provides a unique experience in every sortie
- Wide range of actions and equipment for completing tasks
- Dynamic system of progression and rewards, allowing you to develop your character in your own style
- Living, reactive world that responds to your every action
