I started playing when I was 12 and have gone relatively spoiler free.
I have ascended once. (I was 25 at the time)
I got stuck on the vibrating square many times, the castle many times, and have died on the elemental planes many times. Because I had no idea to do what was expected to me. The first I got to Medusa I died instantly.
Yes, I think some of the final puzzles are a bit too obscure... But I think you can beat it without spoilers.
But I would spend entire days to learn mechanics... IE: day of kicking sinks is a day I remember fondly in my childhood.
I am sure there is tons I don't know. But I have never used explore mode, and I have never looked up spoilers before ascending.
Note, I had some word of mouth friends, and it took me 3 years alone to figure out altars.
Unnethack is probably my favorite fork of nethack. It has a lot of extra dungeons and new stuff without just it being a bunch of unbalanced chaff with breaking fundamental nethack ideas. (Sorry slashem fans).
For the general turn based roguelike games check out caves of qud. It has its flaws but is incredibly interesting.
I have ascended once. (I was 25 at the time)
I got stuck on the vibrating square many times, the castle many times, and have died on the elemental planes many times. Because I had no idea to do what was expected to me. The first I got to Medusa I died instantly.
Yes, I think some of the final puzzles are a bit too obscure... But I think you can beat it without spoilers.
But I would spend entire days to learn mechanics... IE: day of kicking sinks is a day I remember fondly in my childhood.
I am sure there is tons I don't know. But I have never used explore mode, and I have never looked up spoilers before ascending.
Note, I had some word of mouth friends, and it took me 3 years alone to figure out altars.