What is a Roguelike?

Roguelikes are a genre of challenging games (typically for PC) based on three mechanisms: permadeath, turn-based combat, and randomized levels. Permadeath means that when you die in the game, you have to restart as a new character with none of the items or abilities you gained during your last life. And after each death, you begin in a new, randomly generated level. Combined with permadeath, this creates a truly unique, first-time experience every play-through with engaging battles and difficult situations.  

Finally, combat in roguelikes requires you to plan out your attack/defense/next move before you initiate it (think Final Fantasy and other JRPGs). Hardcore fans of the genre will tell you that a true, traditional roguelike requires these mechanics, but there are similar, more modern games that put a twist on this classic formula. These games are known as roguelites.

What is a Roguelite?

Roguelites have some, but not all of the essential characteristics of a roguelike. Roguelites usually take design influence from different games like platformers, dungeon crawlers, and 2D shooters. While combat in roguelikes is strictly turn-based, combat in roguelites is typically much more fast-paced and engaging.

Another common difference is that roguelites often include unlockables, achievements, or characters that are not lost when the game restarts. Different roguelites put a twist on the classic roguelike formula in various ways, but their wide variety and interesting mash-ups of genres create delightful and frustrating experiences with each new game.

Characteristics of Roguelike Games

• Randomly generated levels
• Permanent death (permadeath)
• Turn-based action
• Dungeon-crawling theme
• Tile-based/ASCII graphics
• Complex, decision-oriented gameplay
• Resource management

Characteristics of Roguelite Games

• Complex gameplay features
• Randomly generated levels
• Gameplay is turn-based, fast-paced, or somewhere in-between
• Combat is optional, but it’s present in most games
• Modern, usually 2D graphics
• Combines roguelike elements with other types of games (shooter, strategy, dungeon crawler, etc.)

Top 10 Roguelike Games of Today

• Dungeons of Dredmor
• WazHack
• Dwarf Fortress
• Caves of Qud
• Dungeon Crawl
• DoomRL
• Tales of Maj’Eyal
• Cogmind
• NetHack
• NEO Scavenger

Top 10 Roguelite Games of Today

• FTL: Faster Than Light
• Spelunky
• Rogue Legacy
• Darkest Dungeon
• The Binding of Isaac
• Risk of Rain
• Dead Cells
• Enter the Gungeon
• Slay the Spire
• Downwell