Summary
- Hades combines emergent storytelling with engaging roguelike gameplay, making each escape attempt rewarding.
- Returnal offers difficult combat mechanics on a hostile alien planet, requiring players to master ranged combat to progress.
- Crypt of the NecroDancer's rhythmic movement and combat create a hypnotic gameplay loop that rewards precision.
Roguelike games require something incredible to keep fans engaged with the repetition that they must go through. A combat loop is the best way to keep players engaged as they strive to master the act of taking down as many enemies as possible without being downed.
6 Best Medieval Themed Roguelikes, Ranked
These roguelike games use their medieval settings to add to the atmosphere and inform how the gameplay works.
While many roguelike titles have implemented their fair share of compelling turn-based combat loops, most people will find it easier to ease themselves into real-time combat as they engage in action-packed battles. Learning how these games work and becoming better with each run is a huge part of what makes these titles such a blast to play through.
8 Crypt Of The NecroDancer
Moving To The Rhythm Of The Beat And Beating Foes Is A Blast
Crypt of the NecroDancer
- Released
- April 23, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
While Crypt of the NecroDancer may seem rather simple at first glance, the rhythm-based movement and combat is something that will grow on players in no time. Players who time their actions to the beat without fail will slowly but surely build up a multiplier that gives them more rewards.
It's a hypnotic gameplay loop where players will push themselves to figure out optimal routes and take out enemies, all while they stick to the rhythm of the beat. Making a mistake is pretty easy and prevents players from getting the best scores possible, which is something they'll be hankering for after getting addicted to this amazing roguelike.
7 Enter The Gungeon
The Ranged Combat Is Fast-Paced And Satisfying
Enter the Gungeon
- Released
- April 5, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Dodge Roll
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Players who want to enjoy some wild top-down ranged combat will love what Enter the Gungeon brings to the table. As the name suggests, players engage in some fun dungeon-crawling while getting their hands on a whole host of varied weaponry.
The bullet hell gameplay becomes mesmerizing after a point as players improve their skills and strive to make as much progress as possible. Death can be frustrating but serves as a learning experience for players to get better as they slowly become masters of the title's riveting gameplay.
6 The Binding Of Isaac
A Hardcore Roguelike Inspired By The Legend Of Zelda
The Binding of Isaac
- Released
- September 28, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Violence, Blood and Gore, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Edmund McMillen, Florian Himsl
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
One of the first roguelike successes in indie gaming that fans love, the dark and brooding atmosphere of The Binding of Isaac unnerves players as they go through room after room of hostiles while trying to survive by any means necessary.
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Roguelike gameplay and horror-themed storytelling make for compelling combination in gaming.
Acquiring powerups and defeating numerous enemies is a blast every single time. All the while, the game's sinister plot lurks in the background as players save Isaac from the clutches of his mad mother.
5 Risk Of Rain 2
Players Must Master The Combat And Acquire Powerful Items To Make Progress
Risk of Rain 2
- Released
- September 11, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Drug Reference, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Hopoo Games
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Risk of Rain 2 is a great co-op roguelike third-person shooter that fans will find easy to sink their teeth into. Players must escape a hostile alien planet and go through numerous zones, acquiring powerful loot and taking down imposing foes in the process.
The gameplay loop is quite engaging and tough-as-nails after a point, meaning that players are bound to lose their lives after a point. However, these failures will just compel players to start another run, mastering the mechanics and eventually reaching the end goal after many grueling hours.
4 OTXO
The Top-Down Gunplay Is Very Cathartic, Especially When Players Gain Access To Certain Modifiers
Otxo
- Released
- April 20, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Shooter, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- PC
Players who want to check out a roguelike version of Hotline Miami will love what OTXO brings to the table. The muted graphics place more emphasis on the action and bloody carnage, ensuring that players can obliterate foes in style.
OTXO can be brutally hard, which is why certain bonuses play a key role in helping players lean toward their strengths as they pulverize enemies. Depending on the modifiers players acquire, their play style can change considerably as they take out the game's numerous challenging bosses.
3 Dead Cells
The Soulslike Combat Works Very Well When Paired With Roguelike Mechanics
Dead Cells
- Released
- August 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Motion Twin
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
While the plagiarism controversy surrounding Dead Cells was unfortunate, it had the positive effect of bringing more eyes to this title. This was much deserved since people fell in love with the excellent gameplay of Dead Cells that combined roguelike progression with 2D Soulslike combat.
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For roguelike players who like things fast and frenetic, these games will be a perfect fit.
The result is a challenging yet rewarding side-scrolling action game where mastering combat moves and making the most of their permanent upgrades for meaningful progress. Dead Cells can be frustrating early on, but the rewarding combat loop ensures that players will fall in love with this 2D roguelike after a point.
2 Returnal
Housemarque's Difficult Yet Engaging Combat Is A Blast To Master
Returnal
- Released
- April 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Housemarque
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Returnal is probably the first major AAA roguelike, which shows just how far this genre has come. Controlling Selene on a hostile alien planet where she dies and revives over and over again makes for a harrowing experience, especially when the game's horror roots kick in.
It's imperative to master the ranged combat if players want to get through all six biomes, which is easier said than done. Thankfully, combat is structured in a manner where players can read enemy attacks, dodge projectiles, and slowly but surely become better at the game once they are familiar with how things work.
1 Hades
Zagreus Gains Access To A Whole Host Of Weapons As He Strives To Escape The Underworld
Hades
- Released
- September 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Supergiant Games are a master of their craft, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Hades. This incredible roguelike action game combines emergent storytelling with the gameplay loop one expects in this genre to make for a tantalizing experience.
Zagreus' attempts to escape the Underworld and meet his mother are met with a ton of resistance every single time, with his father standing in his way at the very end. Taking out Hades and reaching the surface is a rewarding moment that fans won't mind completing over and over again to reach the game's ending.
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Not all roguelikes are purely oriented on combat. A handful of great games also come with robust stealth mechanics.