---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-01
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-01
lang: en
title: Run structure
summary: >-
  A run combines a sequence of encounters, route choices and conditions for
  victory or defeat.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-01/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-01.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-01.md
aliases: []
tags:
  - Roguelikes and roguelites
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-ea407a6c37045737
sources:
  - id: source-ea407a6c37045737
    title: Monster Train
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: roguelike
    id: family-01
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-01'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Run structure
    description: >-
      A run combines a sequence of encounters, route choices and conditions for
      victory or defeat.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/monster-train-route.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Monster Train
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1102190/ss_622feb3c33c2c6cd07dc8bab01809183e0b9dce0.1920x1080.jpg?t=1779381275
      credit: Shiny Shoe / Good Shepherd Entertainment
      rights: © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.
      caption: The map connects the challenges within one run
      alt: The map connects the challenges within one run
      markers:
        - x: 48
          'y': 53
          label: The fork determines the sequence of upcoming encounters
    tips:
      - Make run boundaries and persistent progress clear.
    examples:
      - title: Monster Train
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
  2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
  preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
  classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
  editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/roguelike
---
# Run structure

id: roguelike--family-01
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-01
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-01/

A run combines a sequence of encounters, route choices and conditions for victory or defeat.

## At a glance

![The map connects the challenges within one run](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/monster-train-route.webp)

[Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) · © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.

1. The fork determines the sequence of upcoming encounters

- Make run boundaries and persistent progress clear.

- [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/)

## How it works

The rules define the boundaries of the attempt, the sequence of tests and the conditions for its completion.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-01-variants"></a>

- Individual attempts: the passage is organized into independent runs <a id="variant-roguelike-01-01"></a>
- Reset state: character, equipment or world returns to starting conditions <a id="variant-roguelike-01-02"></a>
- Sequence of floors, rooms, waves or acts <a id="variant-roguelike-01-03"></a>
- Forks in the passage: the player chooses the next section <a id="variant-roguelike-01-04"></a>
- Midterm Tests: Elites, Mini-Bosses, Act Bosses <a id="variant-roguelike-01-05"></a>
- Final Challenge: Completes a normal run <a id="variant-roguelike-01-06"></a>
- Alternative Victory Conditions: Different Goals for the Same Playthrough <a id="variant-roguelike-01-07"></a>
- Secret continuation: additional stages after the normal ending <a id="variant-roguelike-01-08"></a>
- Returning with loot: it is necessary not only to get the goal, but also to get out <a id="variant-roguelike-01-09"></a>
- Early exit: completing an attempt while saving part of the result <a id="variant-roguelike-01-10"></a>
- Looping: replaying stages with increasing conditions <a id="variant-roguelike-01-11"></a>
- Infinite continuation: game until inevitable defeat <a id="variant-roguelike-01-12"></a>
- Multiple expeditions within one campaign <a id="variant-roguelike-01-13"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide author's map of classic turn-based roguelikes, modern roguelites and hybrids. Families describe options for organizing a run, and not mandatory features of the genre. Constant metaprogression is not found in all roguelikes. Related systems can be combined; the list is not a closed standard.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.

- [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) (id: source-ea407a6c37045737)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors