Ask gamers what a “Roguelike” is, and chances are, you’ll likely get very different answers, but one thing they will all agree on is the charm these genres of games entertain us with, testing our nature to adapt to any obstacle put in our way. Which has hooked many players and helped to keep a healthy player base.
But with so many amazing titles quickly becoming fan-favorites, it can be difficult for a beginner and veterans who have been a way to dive in, so we pick some games that serve as a fantastic point for both new and old to the roguelike genre.
Best Roguelike Games
15.
Crypt of the NecroDancer
- Released: 23 April 2015
- Theme(s): Action, Fantasy, Hack and Slash, Rhythm, Roguelike
- Platform: iOS, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android
The game follows Cadence in her search through the crypt of the NecroDancer for her stolen heart, the fabled golden lute, and missing father. Dance-fighting her way through the crypt’s dungeon with her actions tied to the beat of the music and her heart.
Crypt of the NecroDancer gameplay takes fundamental elements of a roguelike dungeon exploration game and a rhythm game at heart, set to an original soundtrack or select songs from your MP3 collection, and creates a fun and charming game. Though it can be hard at first, learning to execute game actions flawlessly can make you feel like a total badass.
14.
Slay the Spire
- Released: 14 November 2017
- Theme(s): Fantasy, Roguelike, Strategy, Turn-Based System, Trading Card Game
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android
Play as one of four characters attempting to ascend the spire, encountering bizarre creatures, and discovering relics of immense power, as you try to reach the very top.
Slay the Spire mixes card games, procedurally generated maps, and roguelike to create a fun gameplay loop that has you trying repeatedly to use strategies of deck-building games to construct an effective deck to complete your climb.
13.
Darkest Dungeon
- Released: 3 February 2015
- Theme(s): Fantasy, RPG, Roguelike, Strategy, Turn-Based System
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Recruit, train, and manage a roster of very human heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and an ever-encroaching dark. Manage the psychological stresses of your hero as they explore further and fight, affecting their performance either positively or negatively.
Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. A hidden gem that some gamers missed on release but one of the greatest turn-based, once you get past the steep learning curve though hides an amazing game.
12.
Dead Cells
- Released: 10 May 2017
- Theme(s): Action, Fantasy, Hack and Slash, Platformer, Roguelike, Metroidvania
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android
Play as an undying cell that can possess the dead, fight your way out of prison, slay other monstrosities, and get new equipment as you go.
Dead Cells is a mix between a roguelike and a Metroidvania game, taking the best elements from each of the genres. The game requires a lot of quick thinking, skill, and decision-making. The gameplay is smooth and keeps you coming back for another run once you lose.
11.
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy
- Released: 27 May 2022
- Theme(s): Action, Adventure, Fantasy, RPG, Roguelike
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S
Leave the Dungeon of Doom behind and venture into a vast, wondrous world as you embark on a heroic quest to destroy the mysterious Staff of Yendor.
This game will keep you thrilled for the entirety of a playthrough, especially with its cool twist on permadeath and its rich, beautifully procedural generated landscapes, hidden marvels, magical creatures, and dangerous foes. It’s an adventure like none before it.
10.
FTL: Faster Than Light
- Released: 14 September 2012
- Theme(s): Adventure, Roguelike, Simulation, Space, Strategy, Survival
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS
Take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and sometimes bitter defeat.
FTL is a great rogue-like game that more people need to check out. Though taking a lot of skill and time to master even on easy mode, the level of customization that can be done to your ship and crew and the randomly generated universe means you never play the same game twice.
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9.
Rogue Legacy 2
- Released: 18 August 2020
- Theme(s): Adventure, Fantasy, Platformer, Roguelike
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S
Play as a family with a long history of adventuring. Every time your character dies, one of their children and their children’s children will succeed them. Each child is unique in power, personality, and hero class. Making you change how you play through the randomly generated map.
Rogue Legacy 2 is a platform game with a roguelike, Metroidvania elements, and clever procedural generation that makes choices made along the way control the story and outcome of your adventure. Different genetic traits that either hinder or enhance the player’s combat efficiency and heirlooms with permanent ability to collect, no run feels the same.
8.
Into The Breach
- Released: 27 February 2018
- Theme(s): RPG, Roguelike, Strategy, Turn-Based System
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, iOS, Android
Control powerful mechs in the far future to defeat an alien threat known collectively as the Vek. Attempt to save the world with giant mechs equipped with various weapons, armor, and other equipment. The game uses randomly generated challenges in a turn-based strategy game.
Similar to FTL, the game features several scenarios (based on island sectors) to complete; with the scenarios themselves being generated procedurally in a roguelike manner. Though learning to play the game can be a bit tiring in the beginning, once it clicks, you won’t stop until you have every squad.
7.
Inscryption
- Released: 19 October 2021
- Theme(s): Adventure, Puzzle, Roguelike, Strategy, Turn-Based System, Trading Card Game
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
The game starts with your player being forced into a card game with a demonic entity, and from there it only gets more unhinged and weird.
Maybe not for everyone, Inscryption offers a genuinely unique take on the roguelike, deckbuilding, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror formula. It’s a game I recommend everyone should at least try.
6.
Moonlighter
- Released: 29 May 2018
- Theme(s): Action, Adventure, Fantasy, RPG, Roguelike, Simulation
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia, iOS, Android, Netflix
Moonlighter has the player manage their shop during the day and explore dungeons at night. Following the everyday routines of Will, an adventurous shopkeeper that secretly dreams of becoming a hero.
The game is an action RPG with rogue-lite elements, that blends dungeon crawling, organization sim, and shop management refreshingly. It has nice pixel graphics and music that does not get annoying, and it’s not story-heavy, so it’s easy to leave and come back to.
5.
Griftlands
- Released: 11 July 2019
- Theme(s): Fantasy, Roguelike, Strategy, Turn-Based System, Trading Card Game
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Play as either Sal, an adventurer out for profit and revenge. Rook is a double agent with his own agenda. Or Smith, an alcoholic vagrant who might just save the world. Set in a futuristic science-fiction fantasy world, where factions fight to be the ruling body, humans also now live among anthropomorphic humanoid races.
Griftlands is a really fun game with interesting stories. Each playable character’s story takes place in a unique environment, with different factions and locations to explore and exploit. Similar to Slay the Spire, just with more storytelling and a unique combat system where you’re fighting or using diplomacy to win.
4.
One Step From Eden
- Released: 14 November 2017
- Theme(s): Action, Fantasy, Hack and Slash, Roguelike, Strategy, Trading Card Game
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Eden is the last shining beacon of hope in a bleak post-war world. Play as one character attempting to reach Eden, encounter evolving enemies, find allies and collect game-changing artifacts. As you, fight your way to Eden.
Similar to Slay the Spire navigation takes place on a map with branching paths leading to combat encounters, treasure chests, and shops. Though combat is different, both have a fun gameplay loop that has you trying repeatedly.
3.
Enter the Gungeon
- Released: 5 April 2016
- Theme(s): Action, Roguelike
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
Play as one of the eight gungeoneers, each with their own stories and regrets, as they enter the fortress and descend into the Gungeon to find the gun that can kill the past.
Enter the Gungeon is a fast-paced bullet hell shooter with roguelike elements and fun co-op mode. While rooms may look the same as you descend the gungeon, the number of rooms on a floor, the enemies, and loot that appear are all procedurally generated, creating some very interesting playthroughs.
2.
Risk of Rain 2
- Released: 28 March 2019
- Theme(s): Action, Roguelike, Survival
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
Players control a survivor who is stranded on an alien planet with three of your friends, or on your own. Fight monsters and combine loot items to boost each character’s offensive and defensive capabilities. Escape or become the most feared thing on the planet.
Risk of rain 2 is a roguelike with a lot of replay value and might leave you not wanting to drop the controller. All the characters have some sort of similar play style to other games, which makes learning how to play the game pretty easy. The difficulty scale, equipment, and character skills are also fun to use and mess with.
1.
Hades
- Released: 6 December 2018
- Theme(s): Action, Hack and Slash, RPG, Roguelike
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S
Play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape from the underworld to see his mother. Aided by the gifts given to him from the other Olympians and treasures gained, face various enemies that try to put a stop to your journey.
You knew it was coming. Easily one of the best rogue-like dungeon crawlers hack and slash your way out of the underworld in a game that keeps you at the edge of your seat and playing just one more game. Everything seems to be carefully thought of from the soundtracks, voice acting, smooth gameplay, and even deaths. But the focus of the game seems to be how you deal with the randomness of events and power-ups given to you and the increase of challenges.
Bonus Mentions
Loop Hero
- Released: 4 March 2021
- Theme(s): Adventure, Fantasy, RPG, Roguelike, Strategy, Turn-Based System, Trading Card Game
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Spelunky 2
- Released: 15 September 2020
- Theme(s): Action, Platformer, Roguelike
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S
20 Minutes Till Dawn
- Released: 1 May 2022
- Theme(s): Action, Adventure, RPG, Roguelike, Survival
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android
The Binding of Isaac
- Released: 28 September 2011
- Theme(s): Action, Adventure, RPG, Roguelike, Survival
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux
Final Thoughts
And that’s our list. What are your favorites? What do you think of our list? Or what do you think should have made the list? Tell us what you think in the comment section below and don’t forget to subscribe. We release new content every Saturday. The best way to see it first is to subscribe.
Till next time… Have an amazing weekend
Thanks for reading!
