Supergiant Games has become one of the most respected names in independent gaming. Every release carries its own mood, art, and rhythm, yet they all share the same attention to detail. When Bastion debuted in 2011, it set the tone for what Supergiant games would be like with its strong atmosphere, tight design, and reactive storytelling. Transistor shifted to a slower, more strategic pace while exploring themes of loss and memory. Pyre broke away from traditional combat turning battles into sports about freedom. Then came Hades, which reshaped the roguelike genre by combining quick action with ongoing relationships and story progression. Hades II builds on that same foundation with a darker tone, and new mythological focus.
Ranking these games is not only about naming the best one. It also shows how the studio and its ideas have grown over time. Each title pushed the boundaries a bit further, testing new combat modes, systems, and storytelling. From its first release to its latest, Supergiant has always tried to show that storytelling and gameplay can grow together, as you’ll see below.
Best Roguelike Games For Fast-Paced Gameplay, Ranked
For roguelike players who like things fast and frenetic, these games will be a perfect fit.
Bastion
Introduced Supergiant’s Voice, Visuals, & Foundations For Greater Things
Bastion
- Released
- July 20, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Bastion occupies this position, not because it’s a bad game, but because it feels like the rough draft of everything Supergiant would later perfect. This was their debut, the game that put them on the map. Players control the Kid as he rebuilds a shattered world, each piece of land rising beneath his feet as he explores. That mechanic was great in 2011, and still holds up as one of its most memorable features.
Combat in Bastion is simple but satisfying. The Kid can carry melee and ranged weapons, swapping them out as the journey unfolds. Enemies come in waves, and while the action is fun, it lacks the depth or variety of what came later. Compared to Hades or Transistor, it’s straightforward, almost barebones.
Transistor
Turn-Based Sci-Fi Where Red Uncovers The Camerata’s Plot
Transistor
- Released
- May 20, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Transistor is fun, stylish, and clever, but not as approachable as the higher-ranking games on this list. The story follows Red, a singer who loses her voice and carries the Transistor, which houses the consciousness of someone close to her. The weapon speaks throughout the game, guiding her where necessary. Where Transistor really shines is in its atmosphere. The city is drenched in neon lights, full of art-deco detail. The soundtrack mixes haunting vocals with electronic beats, fitting perfectly with the futuristic setting.
Top 10 Cyberpunk Video Games
Seeking out a game to suit some particular science fiction needs? Look no further than The Best War Games's rundown of the best cyberpunk video games of all time.
Combat is turn-based, which lets players map out complex combos and then watch them unfold in rapid execution. It’s flexible and creative, with abilities that can be slotted into different roles for endless experimentation. The only issue is that it can feel a bit slower and more cerebral than other action-focused Supergiant titles.
Pyre
Teams On Exile Compete In The Rites To Earn Their Freedom
Pyre
- Released
- July 25, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Pyre lands in the middle of the ranking because it’s both fascinating and divisive. Instead of fast action, it combines narrative choices with a mystical sports game. Players control exiles who compete in the Rites, which are basically ritual matches where the goal is to carry a glowing orb into the opponent’s pyre. Win, and you may free an ally from exile. Lose, and someone stays behind.
The Rites sport itself is unusual. It mixes positioning, teamwork, and quick decision-making, but it doesn’t have the immediate appeal of swinging a sword or firing a bow. Some players loved the slower, more strategic pace, while others bounced off it. That’s why Pyre doesn’t rank higher. It’s brilliant in its ambition, but harder to recommend universally.
Hades 2
Melinoë’s Battle Against Chronos Features Expanded Magic & Larger Worlds
Hades 2
- Released
- September 25, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Hades 2 earns second place because it expands the formula while giving players a fresh perspective. This time the focus is on Melinoë, Zagreus’s sister, who fights against Chronos, the Titan of Time. Her style is more magical than her brother’s, leaning on spells and sorcery instead of pure weapon mastery. That change alone makes the game feel different while keeping the foundation of what made the first so strong.
7 Roguelike Games With The Best Graphics
The Roguelike is primarily an indie genre, and rarely has graphics to write home about, but these games buck that trend with their excellent visuals.
The loop remains familiar: explore new areas, collect resources, push through tougher enemies, and return home to progress the story. But Hades 2 adds more layers. There are bigger skill trees, more complex crafting systems, and expanded environments. These additions give long-term depth, but they also slow down the pace compared to the tight, focused design of the first game. It’s still excellent, but a little less sharp.
Hades
Greek Gods Shape Every Run, And Death Pushes The Story Forward
Hades
- Released
- September 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Roguelite
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Hades sits at the top of this ranking for good reason. It took a genre that is usually considered tough, punishing, and niche (roguelikes) and made it enjoyable for a wider audience without removing the challenge that makes those games exciting. Roguelikes usually punish failure harshly, but here, dying is part of the experience. Every time Zagreus falls in battle, he returns home to find new dialogue, character growth, and upgrades that carry into the next attempt. Instead of frustration, players get curiosity.
This is one of those roguelikes where the classes and weapons all feel different, from the quick fists to the slow, heavy bow. And that’s why the combat works so well. Add in godly boons that change how each weapon behaves, and no two runs are ever the same. One attempt might have a shield that reflects projectiles, while another might give Zag's sword attacks a damage-over-time effect. The variety keeps it exciting, and the flow of combat is fast and responsive without being overwhelming.
The Best Roguelike RPGs, Ranked
With so many new ones coming out every month, it's been a tough debate between the fans of the genre to see which one stands at the top.