CarrionCrow: First thought - "Well, that
does sound difficult."
Second thought - "We have to install that next."
Should be fun figuring it all out. Between that, FTL, Dungeons of Dredmor and SOTS The Pit, should be set for Rogue-likes for a while.
adaliabooks: It's funny, I wouldn't dream of playing SMB because of the difficulty level, but I adore roguelikes. I think the randomness and the (usually) large choice of classes makes them pretty much my ideal game, it's like a different game every time you play.
I'd recommend FTL as an intro to roguelikes, it's kind of got the whole experience in sort of bite sized form (ie it's actually possible to win the game, and to do so in one sitting)
But ADOM will always be my favourite, and up there as one of my favourite games of all time. It's a gem of a game. It manages to cram some realistic elements into it; your stats improve through use, as do your skills and weapon skills, it's got hunger but it's not too irritating. Plus although largely random it's got a fixed overworld and certain other fixed areas that are part of quests, so it's got a bit of a story and a goal to reach for too.
I'd say it comes down to what a person finds appealing.
You find Rogue-likes appealing, so the learning curve works for you.
I find hurting myself to be appealing, so I play things like Meat Boy.
It all works out. =)
Made sure to bookmark the link to ADOM so it won't get lost in the shuffle of the mountain of crap I have to chew through. You'll probably see me complaining about getting killed in the near future.