Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption uses a classic 2D style, and its gameplay centers on traversing catacombs, defeating creatures, searching for loot, interacting with strangers and gaining knowledge.
The gameplay is divided into day and night. During the day, Shawn can explore the School of Heroes and interact with or compete against fellow students. At night, Shawn explores the catacombs beneath the school where he may run across monsters or obstacles.
Exploration/Combat
The player traverses tiles on various 2D maps, and will on occasion run into creatures who then initiate combat. If the player chooses, it will often be possible to sneak around enemies to avoid combat. In addition, the player may place traps for the enemies to defeat them while still avoiding direct combat.
Combat is tactical and turn-based. On the players turn, they may choose to use a slow, powerful attack, a quick/defensive attack, a tactical movement, or any trap or item that may have been acquired prior to the battle.
Outside of combat, Shawn will often run into obstacles. These will often require puzzle-solving to get around, and may result in either the continuation of the quests or hidden items.
Dialogue
While going on quests, the player will often interact with various characters. The dialogue trees play out like puzzles, and the player must use wit to decide how to properly interact with any given character. The way the player interacts with the characters can either help or hinder their current quest and will affect the way the character behaves around them in the future.
Choice
Shawn begins the game as a rogue, and the player may choose to progress him into either a hero by ranking him through the School of Heroes or a thief by having him join the Thieve's Guild.
Defeating enemies, exploring new areas and completing quests can all allow the player to acquire new abilities and skills. The player can then choose which skills and abilities they want their character to learn. These skills may improve their characters abilities in regards to combat and exploration and will also progress them further toward the final goals.
