No permadeath? Compare the parent comment:

>>> Dark Souls lacks permadeath.

>>> Diablo 2 could erase weeks of work by one monster spawning an unfair combination.

But more than that, even Rogue itself didn't have permadeath if you didn't want it. My dad taught me to shut off the computer just as you died. Turn it back on and your save is preserved. Other roguelikes will just let you turn on a cheat option.