The roguelike games genre has become increasingly popular over the years, with countless titles out there that take their own spin on the genre.
Roguelikes have been around for quite some time, but only in recent years have they become a staple of the gaming world. The concept of procedurally generated levels, characters, and abilities is nothing new. But usually, such a game’s success depends on how deep the developers want to go down that rabbit hole while also ensuring a fun and engaging gameplay. Here are some of the best roguelikes that you can try right now.
Loop Hero
Developed with the help of Devolver Digital, Loop Hero is an interesting spin on the classic roguelike recipe. You’re put in control of a knight who finds himself in a strange limbo-like land. From the looks of it, the world has been somehow magically unravelled, and it’s up to you to remember and rebuild it. Gameplay has you starting off levels with a predetermined path already laid out. You then have to use tiles to build the surrounding area to your liking. All the while, your character advances through the level automatically, fending off any enemies he encounters.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch
Launch Date: March 4, 2021
Risk of Rain 2
Coming hot on the heels of the first Risk of Rain, Risk of Rain 2 takes things into the 3D space. Gameplay is mostly the same, tear apart any enemies you encounter while picking up upgrades for your character. With multiple characters to choose from and many upgrades, Risk of Rain 2 never gets boring. Add a varied roster of enemies and bosses to face off against, and you have an excellent roguelike that will keep fans of the genre invested.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: March 28, 2019
Slay the Spire
One of the best deckbuilding roguelikes out there, Slay the Spire offers simple and easy-to-learn gameplay with plenty of complexity to keep things interesting. Currently, the game offers four playable characters, each with its own deck of abilities that you can choose from. Advancing throughout the game is done with a map with multiple paths, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Slay the Spire might feel pretty tricky when starting out, especially for players who are new to deckbuilding mechanics. But with enough perseverance, things will start to click.
Platform: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release Date: January 23, 2019
Enter the Gungeon
Another classic roguelike, Enter the Gungeon plays like a twin-stick shooter with plenty of customization options at your disposal. The world the developers have built is very tongue-in-cheek. Everything, including enemies, is fashioned after a gun or a bullet, hence the name. The game offers hundreds of guns and upgrades to customize your character as you navigate endless waves of enemies and challenging bosses. It has multiple endings that keeps you playing until you finally unlock them.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Rogue Legacy 2
A follow-up to a roguelike hit, Rogue Legacy 2 brings back the same character creation mechanics that turned the first game into a hit. There are multiple classes to choose from, each with its own abilities and weapons. When you die (and you will die), your next character will be the heir of your fallen hero. This means he will share some abilities with his ancestor. But not all those traits and abilities are positive, with plenty of them making things more difficult for you. Choosing your next character is half the battle as you take on hordes of enemies and very difficult bosses.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Dead Cells
A perfect mix of Metroidvania-styled exploration with a very fast-paced combat system, Dead Cells offers tons of replayability. Every run you finish will increase the difficulty while unlocking new weapons and abilities for your character. With tens of weapons to choose from, you can experiment with plenty of builds. Even though it’s one of the most difficult roguelikes out there, finally getting the hang of things and finishing a run is very satisfying. The developers are constantly adding new DLC to the game, ensuring it has a bright future for the foreseeable future.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Vampire Survivors
An indie darling that came out of nowhere, Vampire Survivors is inspired by the arcade classics of the 80s. Gameplay is very simple, with you controlling your character while all the weapons he has fire on their own. Endless waves of various baddies will try to end your life as you dash around the map, gathering experience bubbles along the way. While it looks very basic on the surface, there is a surprising amount of depth in this game. Finding the right combination of weapons and weapon upgrades to ensure success is easier said than done, and plenty of runs will end in tears before you get the hang of things.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: March 31, 2021
Spelunky 2
Taking inspiration from the likes of Indiana Jones, Spelunky 2 has you take on the depths of a mysterious and ancient temple once again. You will have to jump and rappel your away across countless levels filled with enemies and traps. But make no mistake, this is one of the most difficult roguelikes on this list. You will need plenty of practice before getting past the first level. But once you do, the game really opens up, and there’s nothing quite like finally mastering the intricacies of this roguelike.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: September 15, 2020
Hades
With a follow-up just announced, Hades is still one of the most popular roguelikes out there. Combining the classic run-based system of roguelikes with an actual complex story, Hades puts you in the shoes of Zagreus, son of the titular god of the Underworld. Taking plenty of inspiration from Greek mythology, you will have to face various mythological beasts on your path to the surface world on your quest to meet your long-lost mother. Along the way, gods from the Greek pantheon will offer you their assistance in the form of different upgrades and special abilities. Learning to mix and match these boons is the only way to succeed in this game, especially once you finish a few runs and the difficulty starts ramping up.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: September 17, 2020
The Binding of Isaac
One of the first roguelikes to bring the genre into the mainstream, The Binding of Isaac is still played by millions of fans to this day. Over the years, the developers have added countless DLCs to the game, with Repentance being the last. This final iteration of the game has hundreds of items that can synergize with each other, ensuring that no run will indeed be the same. And those synergies are what keep things interesting, leading to runs that are hard to explain to someone who has never experienced the insanity of The Binding of Isaac.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: November 4, 2014
So there you have it, some of the best roguelikes money can buy. There are plenty of titles worth trying out, with countless more coming out every year. But if you’re looking for the best of the best, look no further than this list. And if you’re interested in knowing more about this genre, maybe our roguelike vs roguelite article might help.
