Rogue Calculator: Math Roguelike on Retro Calculator Engine
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Executive Overview
Attribute Details Status 📦 Pre-Release (Feature-Complete & Store-Ready · 163+ Commits) What It Is Turn-based mathematical roguelike game played entirely on the LCD screen and keypad of a simulated 1980s scientific calculator. Core Problem & Solution Math games often feel like dry homework. Rogue Calculator turns arithmetic into tactical equipment survival: each keypress causes mechanical wear, forcing players to improvise equations as keys shatter and break. Tech Stack React 18, Vite, Capacitor (iOS & Android), Web Audio API, Tailwind CSS Key Highlights Procedural key degradation mechanics, authentic 7-segment LCD rendering, custom keyboard binding matrix, browsable screenshot gallery.
Rogue Calculator is a feature-complete mathematical roguelike built in React, Vite, and Capacitor. Players must produce target numbers through calculations while their calculator hardware physically degrades—keys jam, crack, and fail, demanding tactical algebraic improvisation.
1. Core Mechanics: Equipment Degradation Roguelike
- Key Wear & Mechanical Failure: Every button press increments a wear counter. As keys break, players lose access to specific digits or operators (
+,×,^), forcing non-linear algebraic solutions to reach required targets. - Shop & Repair Upgrades: Earn internal compute units to solder broken circuits, purchase scientific functions (square roots, logarithms), or reinforce high-frequency keys.
- Turn-Based Encounters: Enemy algorithms introduce electromagnetic interference, inverted LCD displays, and arithmetic curses.
2. Technical Craftsmanship & Aesthetic Simulation
- Authentic LCD 7-Segment Simulation: Custom CSS and SVG rendering accurately models vintage LCD ghosting, viewing angles, and segment bleed.
- Web Audio Sound Synthesis: Every button click, relay trigger, and short circuit is synthesized via the Web Audio API without external audio asset bloat.
- Cross-Platform Responsive Ergonomics: Supports physical desktop keyboard remapping, touch haptics on mobile, and responsive aspect-ratio scaling.
3. Technical Stack Summary
| Component | Technology |
|---|---|
| Frontend Framework | React 18, Vite |
| Mobile Bridge | Capacitor (iOS & Android) |
| Audio Engine | Procedural Web Audio API sound generators |
| Styling | Custom SVG and CSS 7-Segment Displays |
| State | Feature-complete, awaiting final store submission |