The roguelike is a unique gaming genre. It blends several components from other kinds of
games—repetitive looping, looting, and RPG elements—to create a gaming experience like no other. One of the biggest games last year was a roguelike named
Hades, that a lot of gamers really loved. But there's obviously a bunch of stinkers out there, and it's not always clear before purchasing one whether it's going to be a good game or not. So if you're in the market for a good roguelike to slash through, here's a definitive list of the
best ones ever made.
1
Dead CellsDead Cells looks like someone took Castlevania, pixilated graphics, and the roguelike genre and blended it together. The final result is greater than the sum of its parts, and it will perfectly scratch any hack and slash itch that you might have.
2
Risk of Rain 2 Got a buddy to play with? Risk of Rain 2 is a sci-fi roguelike with a strong cooperative element to it. And while you can play on your own, it is that much more rewarding to grab this game and settle in for a night of couch co-op
3
FTL: Faster Than Light Most roguelikes focus on fantasy rather than sci-fi. But FTL is an awesome science fiction romp that lets you bring your friends along. And if hitting buttons on a starship and crossing your fingers about the outcome sounds fun, then this is the game for you.
4
Darkest Dungeon Craving a little Dark Souls in your roguelike? In that case, you’ll want Darkest Dungeon, a game that forces you to navigate an unforgiving world even as you try to hold onto your sanity for as long as possible.
5
Spelunky 2 The only reason the first Spelunky is not on this list is that the sequel is better in every way. While the characters and animations are very fluid, the best part of the game is that you have multiple ways to solve even the smallest puzzles.
6
Rogue Legacy In its own way, the casual-friendly Rogue Legacy is a precursor to Hades. While the combat and graphics are solid enough for this title, it’s really learning more about different characters and their personalities that helps this game stand out.
7
The Binding of Isaac The last real roguelike revolution occurred about ten years ago, and it’s all thanks to The Binding of Isaac. This game transforms a harrowing bible story into an entertaining struggle against your character’s inner and outer demons.
8
HadesHades is basically the game that put the roguelike back on the map. This blend of awesome art and awesome characters creates an unforgettable attempt to escape Hades. As a bonus, this is the perfect game to lure your unsuspecting friends into loving roguelikes.
9
Dicey DungeonsDicey Dungeons mashes multiple genres together. One part deckbuilder and one part roguelike, this game stands out due to the unique style of every character and level.
10
Slay the SpireSlay the Spire has the premise built right into the name. You must fight your way through endless monsters as you try to ascend a tower. You get fun roguelike and card battler elements that combine into a perfect roguelike for genre newbies.
11
DownwellDownwell is a weird one because you work your way steadily downward (as opposed to moving up or moving to the right) and fighting monsters with special gunboots. These same boots are the key to finding new ways to explore, and it will take many hours before you can truly master combat in this title.
12
Don't Starve Ever look at roguelikes and say “yes, but what if the genre was goth?” That’s the idea behind Don’t Starve, which transforms bleak survival prospects into a disarmingly charming gothic horror game. Whether you like puzzles, roguelikes, or horror, there is something here for everyone.
13
NoitaNoita is the rare roguelike that lets you do almost anything. You can interact with almost every pixel in some way, giving you a nearly-endless array of new things to discover and new ways to approach combat.
14
Into the Breach From the makers of FTL comes Into the Breach, a game about recruiting mechs to help you fight off waves of alien attackers. The game is relatively beginner-friendly while offering the nail-biting tension you expect from a good roguelike.
15
Enter the GungeonEnter the Gungeon is a mashup of multiple genres. While the roguelike design is firmly in place, this is also an action RPG combined with a modern bullet hell shooter. Every gunfight feels unique, and this entire game is charming from beginning to end.
