Best PC Roguelikes That You Should Play With A Controller

Many traditional roguelikes are much easier played with a mouse and keyboard, even if they support controllers. This is due to the fact that they're often easier to play with hotkeys due to the amount of potential interactions that players can have with the user-interfaces of these games. Furthermore, many of these hardcore roguelikes feature extensive mouse support nowadays, which is usually the most intuitive way to play these traditional, old-school games.

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By  Ritwik Mitra

Deck-building roguelikes are very similar, as it's much more intuitive to control these games with a mouse, though games such as Slay The Spire and Balatro are perfectly playable with a controller. In fact, both of these deck-builders work great on the Steam Deck. Action roguelikes in particular, however, tend to be much more intuitive and easier to play with a controller. At the end of the day, this all comes down to preference, but each of these examples feature fantastic controller support that allows fans of controllers to enjoy the game just as much as they would with a mouse and keyboard.

7 Undergrave

An Intuitive Grid-Based Tactics Game

• Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2022
• Developer(s): Wired Dreams Studio
• Genre: Tactical Roguelike

This turn-based tactics game tasks players with managing their limited stamina as they dash and jump their way through and into various enemies. Undergrave's simple, grid-based approach to tactical gameplay allows it to be an accessible roguelike, and its full controller support only improves this.

The turn-based, grid-based movement and variety of movement abilities are perfectly suited to the controller. This is due to the limited, simple, and intuitive input commands that Undergrave requires, freeing players from complex controls and allowing them to focus more on their overall strategy.

6 Spelunky

Fast-Paced Action With Limited Controls

This hardcore dungeon crawler has players delving into randomly generated caves packed with deadly hazards and creatures. From snakes and spiders to hidden arrow-traps and one-hit spikes, there are plenty of obstacles that players must overcome to stay alive.

Despite this level of difficulty, Spelunky is remarkably easy to learn and intuitive to control thanks to its elegant design. As a result, Spelunky can be a lot more fun when played with a controller, as there are very few controls to learn. This is all the more true when players use Spelunky's auto-run feature.

5 Jupiter Hell

A Traditional Roguelike With Solid Controller Support

Although Jupiter Hell is a traditional turn-based roguelike, it features extensive controller support that makes it a joy to play even without a mouse and keyboard. This works perfectly with Jupiter Hell's fast-paced, action-oriented combat.

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A spiritual successor to DRL (Doom, The Roguelike), Jupiter Hell is a combination of DOOM's fast-paced shooting and traditional turn-based roguelike gameplay. Jupiter Hell stands out with its stark, 3D presentation and excellent turn-based gunplay.

4 Downwell

An Elegant, Minimalist Experience With A Breakneck Pace

This elegant action roguelike features a wonderfully minimalist, stark visual style that makes the action easy to read at all times. The fast-paced gameplay and simple loop make Downwell a superbly addictive roguelike, despite the lack of complexity in its systems.

Downwell is perfectly playable with a mouse and keyboard, but it's arguably a more tactile experience with a controller. Downwell's excellent controller support makes it easy to maneuver through its constantly moving action. As a result, players used to using controllers will likely have more chance of success using one.

3 One Step From Eden

High-Speed Action And Constant Input Makes Controllers The Perfect Fit

One Step From Eden is an action roguelike that requires constant focus. The game's combat plays at a breakneck pace, forcing players to dodge enemy attacks and time their own, all while managing a cycling deck. This challenging real-time combat requires fast-thinking, constant input commands, and strategy. As a result, the game is arguably much easier (and less painful) when played on a controller, though some may find a keyboard more precise.

Like all action roguelikes, One Step From Eden doesn't fit the strict definition of the genre, as it ditches turn-based gameplay in favor of real-time action. Though, by this logic, every roguelike without ASCII graphics doesn't fit the definition, either. However, the semantics don't prevent One Step From Eden from being relevant here, especially due to its lack of permanent progression; One Step From Eden offers a handful of meta-game unlocks that increase the game's variety, but these don't directly influence the player's power.

2 Wizard Of Legend

Spell-Casting Action With Intuitive Controls

This action-packed roguelike dungeon crawler features real-time action gameplay and spell-weaving. Over the course of several runs, players can unlock new spells to combine with each other, creating their own unique play-style as they progress.

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While this deviates from the roguelike formula somewhat, these upgrades provide more variety than they do power — unlike games that drift closer to the roguelite genre. Regardless, Wizard Of Legend's intuitive controls work great on a controller, making it a perfect fit for roguelike fans that prefer to use one.

1 Streets Of Rogue

Aim Assist And Action-Oriented Gameplay Make Streets Of Rogue Easy With A Controller

Streets Of Rogue is a unique combination of immersive sims such as Deus Ex, sandbox action games such as Grand Theft Auto, and roguelikes such as Nuclear Throne and Enter The Gungeon. The game follows a roguelike structure with an objective-based gameplay loop that encourages players to think of creative solutions that require the least resources.

Although Streets Of Rogue works perfectly well with a mouse and keyboard, it also features full controller support. Since Streets Of Rogue features a solid aim-assist system and an action-oriented gameplay loop, fans of controllers should definitely consider playing with one.

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