Roguelites continue the roguelike tradition of challenging gameplay, permadeath and procedurally generated stages but with modern twists. Roguelites cover everything that includes the three elements previously mentioned here. Today, let’s talk about 15 of the best roguelites that are out in the world right now.
15. Inscryption (PC)
A horrific experience (in the good way)
A game created by the twisted minds who brought you Pony Island and The Hex, Inscryption is a dark card-based roguelite that combines strategy with blood-curdling psychological horror. It’s an incredibly unique experience and best played in the dark while all alone.
That’s totally a good idea for your mental state, trust us.
Pick a card, any card……
14. Deathloop (PS5, PC)
Let’s give that another go, eh?
Deathloop is a refreshingly crazy new direction from the developers of Dishonored. While we still control assassins, the premise is directly tied into the roguelike gameplay. Everybody on the island, including the player, are stuck in an eternal time loop, forced to repeat the same day over and over again.
The player controls Colt, and it’s up to you to kill all eight targets before the day resets. Every loop teaches you new skills, knowledge and equipment. Deathloop is a bloody good time all around.
Repetition is literally a gameplay feature
13. Hades (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
The hypest Greek hero since Kratos
Hades is the newest game from indie darling devs who created Bastion, Transistor and Pyre. You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, and Zagreus aims to escape from the Underworld and make his own name on the surface.
However, a whole host of Greek legends and monsters will be blocking your way. That being said, the gods themselves are helping you on your journey, and if you have the grit, you might just make it out.
But more than likely, you’ll be meeting Hypnos at the start again sooner rather than later.
Let’s try that again, Zagreus…..
12. Gunfire Reborn (PC, PS4,Xbox One, Switch)
Fun guns for everyone.
Developed by Duoyi Games, Gunfire Reborn is a stylish first-person shooter that incorporates RPG and roguelite elements. With a variety of unique heroes to choose from, the game can be played by yourself or with up to three other friends. Each death incentivizes you to try out a new hero and loadout, ensuring no one playthrough feels the same.
Guns are more fun!
11. Risk of Rain 2
World’s riskiest raincheck
Hopoo Games brings us the massively different sequel to Risk of Rain. Instead of being a platformer, Risk of Rain 2 takes on a much more action-packed third person shooter. With 12 locales filled with procedurally generated areas, Risk of Rain 2 expects you to loot areas until you feel confident defeating the final boss. It’s a different take from the fist game, but it is just as, if not even more fun than its predecessor.
There are riskier things out there than the rain
10. Dead Cells (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
Roguevania at its most radical
A game the devs lovingly call “Roguevania”, Dead Cells was developed by the studio Motion Twin and brings its speedy action to the roguelite scene. Exploration, difficult combat and of course, speed are the most important aspects of Dead Cells.
With a framing device of a cluster of cells possessing a decapitated corpse, you know that death is going to be a part of the experience. Hundreds of builds, powers and weapons at your disposal, ensure that you stay glued to Dead Cells till the final stage.
However long that takes.
Metroidvania on caffeine!
9. Noita (PC)
Pixel destruction.
Noita is a roguelite developed by Nolla Games with a strange hook: physics. In Noita, a complex physics engine ensures that every single pixel in the game is physically simulated. You can carve your way out of tunnels, evaporate large bodies of water, and burn fields of dirt to make your way to the end of the stage. If you can see it, you can probably destroy it.
Not to mention, your spells are yours to command. Combine elements and the arcane to dominate the world around your character. Best of all, every playthrough is different, so you won’t be exploding the same chunk of dirty every time.
Pixels are still pretty to this day
8. Wildermyth (PC)
Your choices matter.
Wildermyth is one of the most unorthodox games on this list. Where a lot of modern roguelites delve into action-packed gameplay or clever tactics, this roguelite delves deeper into player choice. Its aim is to simulate the experience of a tabletop RPG like Dungeons & Dragons.
It does this by giving your choices real weight, and every hero you take comes with their own backstories. However, you decide where they end up, and how they will be remembered.
If you’re missing the freedom of D&D but not in a position to have online sessions, Wildermyth is a worthy alternative.
Many heroes, many stories
7. Slay the Spire (PC, Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
No princesses to rescue, only evil to defeat.
Developed by Mega Crit Games, Slay the Spire is one of the forerunners of the deckbuilding roguelite genre. For those who love the complexity of deck building, and randomness of roguelites, Slay the Spire seamlessly blends these elements together into an intuitively fun game.
You can choose from four characters who each have their own set of cards, and with over 350+ cards and 200+ items to choose from, every single playthrough will truly have the same feel.
One of the less wacky creatures you encounter, actually.
6. Tribes of Midgard (PS4,PS5, PC)
It’s time to get Norse!
Tribes of Midgard, developed by Norsfell, is a survival simulator mixed with the action of modern roguelites. Much like the fantastical men and women of old Norse mythology, you start with nothing but a few furs and your fists to explore the world.
As you explore and encounter legendary monsters and creatures, your experience and equipment become stronger. Every playthrough makes your journey to stall Ragnarok a bit less difficult than before, and your tribe becomes stronger.
If you’re looking for some Norse goodness to hold you over until God of War: Ragnarok arrives, then Tribes of Midgard is the game for you.
Frost giants need to chill out (I hate myself for making that pun)
5. Skul: The Hero Slayer (PC, Switch)
Someone’s got a bone to pick
Most games have you playing the role of the hero, on their way to defeat the great evil. What if instead of that, the heroes already defeated the great evil, and now it’s up to a lone evil henchman to take back everything they have lost.
That is what the developers of SouthPAW Games have brought us. This unique twist on the “hero’s story” is loads of fun, and it’s just plain adorable seeing your equipment literally replacing your entire skull.
If you like playing as a skelly boy fighting good guys, then this game is right up your alley.
It feels good to be the bad guy.
4. The Last Stand: Aftermath (PC,PS4,PS5,Xbox One)
What happens after the end?
From humble beginnings as a flash game on nostalgic sites such as Armor Games, the Last Stand series reaches its thrilling modern evolution with The Last Stand: Aftermath, courtesy of Con Artist Games.
Pick a survivor and explore the ravaged, undead-filled ruins of civilization with limited supplies. In the post-apocalypse, there are no second chances.
For those looking for a tense survival shooter with an emphasis on looting for supplies ala DayZ, this game should keep you glued to the screen like a zombie.
That car accident is only the first of many problems.
3. Despot’s Game (PC)
I prefer the term "benevolent master"
In a post-apocalyptic labyrinth of monsters and hazards, you find yourself in command of a group of naked survivors. Developed by Konfa Games, this army battler challenges your wits and your apathy to killing off large numbers of your own men. In fact, your opponents could even include the armies of other players!
Transform your worthless, naked survivors into ninjas, wizards, soldiers and stale pretzel throwers(?) to defeat the evils that lie within the maze.
Well, evils besides yourself, of course.
If I throw enough people at the problem, it will go away!
2. For the King (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch)
Avenge your lord!
The king is dead, and no, it isn’t Elvis (I think). The kingdom of Fahrul has been thrown into chaos, and only the queen with a ragged squad of misfit heroes can stop the tides of doom.
For the King seamlessly blends elements of JRPG combat with a procedurally generated world. Every playthrough, as expected, is very unique and with cooperative play, there really is no limit to how you decide to play the game.
If you’re feeling that JRPG itch but don’t want to spend hours in some starting area, For the King throws you into the mix early with its fun, tactical gameplay.
You picked the wrong pole, fools.
1.Loop Hero (PC, Switch)
What if the villain already won?
The world has been thrown into desolation, thanks to a timeless loop cast by The Lich. Even death is not an escape from the ruinous powers of this world. However, determined survivors use their hard-earned experience, wealth and skills towards one goal: save their world from the eternal loop.
Developed by Four Quarters, Loop Hero’s aesthetic and tone is one of the closest to traditional roguelike gameplay, with few but major modern additions to keep things from being too traditional.
A deckbuilding mechanic alongside and an emphasis on strengthening your camp makes this a different beast from just hacking, slashing and looting. If you’re in the mood for some enchanting expeditions, Loop Hero is bound to put you in its spell.
Well, that’s just rude.
