The 10 Best Roguelike Games

 

A collection of the best Roguelikes, Roguelites, and "Games Like Rogue"

The title of "roguelike" comes from the game that pioneered this type of gameplay: Rogue, released for various early computers starting in 1980. Rogue is a turn-based dungeon crawler game where you have to fight your way through levels of a dungeon, picking up items and defeating enemies along the way.

The roguelike renaissance has given us great games like Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania, Risk of Rain 2, Hades, Returnal, and more. Here are the 24 best entries in the genre.

Roguelikes are a broad genre of video games in which the gameplay is built around two main features: Random procedural generation: Level designs and gameplay elements are generated randomly and are intended to be different on every playthrough.

TOP 10 ROGUELIKE GAMES :

10. Enter the Gungeon

Summary

Enter the Gungeon is a fast-paced radial shooter fused with a dungeon-crawler lootfest. Players control of one of several misfits, each of whom are burdened by a deep regret. Seeking a way to change their past, these sorry few have made pilgrimage to a distant planet said to be holding the "gun that can kill the past" -- the Gungeon.

Developers: Dodge Roll

Publishers: Devolver Digital

Franchises: The Gungeon

Features: Steam Deck Verified, Local Two-Player Multiplayer, Offline Co-Op Multiplayer

Initial Release: Apr 5, 2016

Platforms: luna // stadia // nintendo-switch // xbox-one // ps4 // pc

Genres: Action, Adventure, Shooter, Roguelike, Twin-Stick

9. Into the Breach

Summary

From the creators of FTL comes the turn-based, single-player strategy game Into the Breach. The remnants of human civilization are threatened by gigantic creatures breeding beneath the earth. You must control powerful mechs from the future to hold off this alien threat.

Developers: Subset Games

Publishers: Subset Games

Features: Steam Deck Verified

Initial Release: Feb 27, 2018

Platforms: stadia // nintendo-switch // pc

Genres: Strategy, Roguelike

8. Rogue Legacy

Summary

Rogue Legacy is a 2D platforming genealogical rogue-lite where anyone can be a hero. You must traverse a procedurally-generated castle to uncover the secrets of your cursed heritage.

Developers: Cellar Door Games

Publishers: Cellar Door Games

Franchises: Rogue Legacy

Initial Release: Jun 27, 2013

Platforms: nintendo-switch // xbox-one // ps4 // ps3 // vita // pc

Genres: RPG

7. Nethack

Summary

Nethack is a direct descendant of Rogue, and retains the same basic rules, but 30 years of development has made it far, far more complex. It's perhaps the ultimate expression of the traditional "roguelike," one that retains a loyal following to this day.

Developers: Shareware

Publishers: Shareware

Platforms: pc

Genres: RPG, Roguelike

6. Dead Cells

Summary

Dead Cells is a roguelike action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle ... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Developers: Motion Twin, Playdigious

Publishers: Motion Twin

Franchises: Dead Cells

Features: Steam Deck Verified

Initial Release: Aug 7, 2018

Platforms: android // iphone // ps4 // nintendo-switch // pc // xbox-one

Genres: Action, Adventure, Platformer, Roguelite, Roguelike

5. FTL

Summary

FTL is a spaceship simulation roguelike-like. Its aim is to recreate the atmosphere of running a spaceship exploring the galaxy.

Developers: Subset Games

Publishers: Subset Games

Features: Steam Deck Verified

Initial Release: Sep 14, 2012

Platforms: iPad // pc

Genres: Simulation, Roguelike

4. Slay the Spire

Summary

Slay the Spire fuses card games and roguelites together -- craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!

Developers: Megacrit

Publishers: Megacrit

Franchises: Slay the Spire

Features: Steam Deck Verified

Initial Release: Jan 23, 2019

Platforms: iPod // iPad // Apple TV // iphone // xbox-one // nintendo-switch // ps4 // pc

Genres: Card, Battle, Roguelite

3. Spelunky 2

Summary

Spelunky 2 is the sequel to the cave exploration / treasure-hunting game Spelunky. Follow Ana Spelunky and her friends on an exciting new adventure as they journey deeper than they could have ever imagined!

Developers: BlitWorks, Mossmouth

Publishers: Mossmouth

Franchises: Spelunky

Features: Online, Online Co-Op Multiplayer, Online Versus Multiplayer, Steam Deck Verified, Cross-Platform Play

Initial Release: Sep 15, 2020

Platforms: nintendo-switch // pc // ps4

Genres: Platformer, Roguelike

2. Hades 

Summary

Defy the god of death as you hack and slash your way out of the Underworld in this roguelite dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion and Transistor.

Developers: Supergiant Games

Publishers: Supergiant Games

Features: Cross-Platform Saves, Steam Deck Verified

Initial Release: Dec 6, 2018

Platforms: iPad // iphone // ps4 // xbox-4 // ps5 // xbox-one // nintendo-switch // pc

Genres: Action, RPG, Roguelite

1. The Binding of Isaac

Summary

In the RPG The Binding of Isaac, you play as a young boy whose mother wants to kill him. Now, he must escape to the basement and find a way to survive.

Developers: Nicalis

Publishers: Nicalis

Franchises: The Binding of Isaac

Features: Steam Deck Verified

Initial Release: Nov 4, 2014

Platforms: New Nintendo 3DS // ps4 // nintendo-switch // wii-u // xbox-one // pc // vita // mac // ps3

Genres: RPG, Roguelite