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Best Roguelike Games for PC & Other Platforms to Beat

Nasty hack-and-slash games with really merciless fights and tough bosses are your thing? Then you don't want to miss out on these.

Felix Rauhut
By Felix Rauhut
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Here we look at a screenshot from the hack-and-slash game Hades, one of the best roguelike games on PC or Switch. We are looking from above in an isometric perspective at a green-shaded ancient gloomy hall. In the center of the screen, the protagonist Zagreus, dressed in red, is in close combat with an orange-looking enemy and is about to perform a sword attack that creates a round orange tail. Around him are rectangular green-lit columns. At the top left of the image, we catch sight of a chandelier hanging from a ceiling, indicating that the room has a very high ceiling. To our left and right is the same copper-colored figure with a large hood over his head and holding a big red sphere in his hands.
Hades screenshot (Source: Supergiant Games)
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Please try again and again. Many players appreciate perma-death or the lack of possibility to save because once you have passed a difficult stage, these games are exceptionally rewarding. We want to nurture this very special thrill with a ranking of the best roguelike games for PC, Switch & other Consoles.

So you want your next game to be a title without mercy? Then buckle up, and feel free to check out our ranking of ruthless fun below. But please don’t blame us if you damage your hardware out of frustration.

 

10. Rogue Legacy 2

Thanks to games like Rogue Legacy, reward systems found their way into roguelike games, revolutionizing the genre and making it less stressful. In this title, more a roguelite than roguelike (meaning most but not all design elements of a roguelike game are used), you’ll take on the role of a cursed family, and your mission is to protect and expand your parents’ legacy while fighting through many procedurally generated levels. When a daughter or son dies, you continue with a different character, and progress is also largely maintained, making this game a fairly accessible roguelite. Level up the different children of the family, who all have unique abilities, and decide for yourself whether you want to jump right into the fight or take it slowly.

Games like this title have reshaped the genre with the introduction of rewards. In this screenshot, we see the player in a cute 2D look in knight's armor and horned helmet in the wide shot at the bottom left corner of the screen. He is in a boss fight on a dark stage and stands on a horizontal orange platform, which runs completely through the entire bottom frame. We look into the face of a huge dark green dragon, which takes up almost the entire frame's background and looks grimly at the player. The best roguelike games feature nasty boss fights, and Rogue Legacy is no exception.
A boss fight in Rogue Legacy 2 (Source: Cellar Door Games)

 

The game is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and you can purchase it for PC via Steam, or for Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

9. Enter the Gungeon

If you’ve played Enter the Gungeon, the endless amount of bullets shot will stay in your memory for a long time. In this isometric roguelike game, you’ll shoot your way through numerous procedurally generated corridors and rooms as a cute pixel-art character, while the difficulty level keeps increasing. With a variety of weapons, each run becomes a unique experience. Grab a second player for Co-op and shoot your way in this exceptional example of roguelike games.

From an isometric perspective, we see a cute pixel art character that looks like a yellow barrel with a metal lid for a head. In her hands, he holds a pink gun standing pretty much in the center of the screen and is currently aiming at a blue boss-like creature with an octopus head, which shoots red radial bullets. The fight takes place in a very dark corridor, which is only somewhat illuminated by the numerous red bullets that are fired. In your search for the best roguelike games, you should definitely check out Enter the Gungeon, as it's a really special (and also cute) roguelike.
Screenshot of Enter the Gungeon (Source: Dodge Roll/Devolver Digital)

 

This title is available for PS4/PS5, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, and you can get a copy for PC via Steam, or for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

8. Dead Cells

In this bloody hack-and-slash title, you’ll break out of a prison as a science experiment. Fight your way up floor by floor to finally conquer the towers. This roguelite gives you the possibility to keep certain upgrades and progress along your way, making a restart after a hard fight hurt less and new tries more tempting. However, this doesn’t mean that the many fights are a breeze, quite the opposite! But at least it takes the pressure off you to lose everything in one go.

Jump from platform to platform and dodge your opponents in one of the best roguelike games, as shown in this screenshot: The player can be seen in a red combat suit in a long shot in the center of the image in profile. We are looking from the side at a 2D platformer. The level section consists of three floors of a dark basement complex. The playable foreground, on which the player and the enemies move, is shown here almost completely black, whereas the background with a stone wall is lit in turquoise. In the lower right, blue daylight shines through a large hole in the wall, and in the upper right, an orange-glowing round portal is shown. The player is currently on the middle floor, shooting red fireballs at a pink archer with a taut bow, who is on the left on the same floor.
Screenshot from Dead Cells (Source: Evil Empire/Motion Twin)

 

The game is available for PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. For PC, it’s available via Steam or for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

7. Don’t Starve

If you are looking for a game that will cause you real stress and pain, then you get your hand on this roguelike. In this isometric survival game, you’ll try to make a life for yourself in a world that constantly wants to kill you. Explore a cruel map full of uncovered secrets and hideous creatures, but also full of adventure and surprises. A nerve-racking fun can begin that provides a lot of depth. In the successor Don’t Starve Together you can even suffer together with your friends in online multiplayer.

The player is seen here in hand-drawn 2D graphics in the long shot in isometric perspective centrally in the picture. He stands in a heavily snow-covered, dreary snowy landscape and looks in our direction with tired eyes. His head is oversized and he has a white skin color. On his head, he wears a light blue magenta colored bobble hat and in his left hand, he holds a self-made spear with a stone tip. Diagonally left above him blazes a campfire and above it is a kind of metal cauldron. To the left of the campfire, a wooden contraption can be seen with a piece of meat hanging from it. A green bird sits next to this wooden apparatus and looks to the right of the picture, a blue river runs diagonally from the upper center to the lower right of the picture.
Try to survive in Don’t Starve (Source: Klei Entertainment)

 

Don’t Starve is available for PS4/PS5, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, and it can be purchased for PC via Steam, or for Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

6. Spelunky 2

In our ranking for roguelike games, this title can’t be missed: The sequel of Spelunky easily surpasses the first title, because it is equipped with an extremely large number of gameplay options, and the developers Mossmouth have perfected their formula. You’ll play as the daughter of the protagonist from the first installment and search for your missing parents on the moon. This game will once again put your platformer skills and reaction time to the test. On your journey, you’ll go through numerous dangerous procedurally generated cave systems, which will keep your curiosity and excitement even after hours.

In this 2D platformer roguelike, you fight your way through many procedurally generated worlds, as seen in this screenshot: The player is in the center of the screen here, standing in a stone room lit by three red torches. Below him is another corridor, also lit by a torch. Otherwise, the frame beyond these rooms sinks into darkness. The player is a cute little 2D character with an oversized head, a black mask, and a round red helmet. In his hands, he holds a large orange sword. The room is symmetrical and contains another level on the left and right, on which there is a golden trinket on the left and a vase in the corner on both sides.
Spelunky 2 screenshot (Source: Mossmouth)

 

Spelunky 2 is available for PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S. You can purchase the title for PC via Steam, or for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

5. Into the Breach

Into the Breach by Subset Games is a turn-based strategy title with isometric 2D graphics. Here, you’ll have to resist the massive attack of a monster army called Vek. For this, you’ll only have mechs at your disposal. However, use them carefully since it won’t be difficult for your opponents to destroy them. Over time, you’ll find better pilots and weapons on the islands, which will benefit your warfare. Getting into the game is quite thankful, as the first fights are still comparatively easy.

In the foreground on the right half of the image, a mech from the game Into the Breach is shown from behind in a long shot. It stands on a rocky outcrop and is illuminated from the front by the dark evening sun so that a long black drop shadow runs to the lower right corner of the image. The mech is looking down on an isometrically laid out playing field, which consists of equally shaped square snow and ice-like tiles, shown in the background on the left half of the image. On the tiles, there are different futuristic fictional buildings or units, some of which can be seen in the same way on other tiles. In the middle of the game field, we see the text "+3xp” in white capital letters in quite a small size. In the background, we can see a huge futurist city in purple color, which is displayed frontally and goes horizontally through the image. The sky is brown-red. With this game, you'll experience one of the best roguelike games for Switch, PC & other platforms.
Screenshot of Into the Breach (Source: Subset Games)

 

The game is available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Linux. It’s also available for PC via Steam, or for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

4. Children of Morta

In this hack-and-slash roguelike, you’ll have to protect the Bergson family, the guardians of Mount Morta, from Corruption and stop the emerging evil by any means. Slip into the role of any family member. Each of the members embodies a different class, for example, a strong mage or a nimble thief, which contributes to success in this game. Besides a singleplayer mode, Children of Morta also includes a two-player Co-op, which increases the challenge at the same time. A game about heroism and family cohesion and, in our opinion, one of the best roguelike games ever created.

In Children of Morta you play a member of an honorable family, as shown here in this screenshot: In an isometric perspective, the Bergson family can be seen in the center of the image in a long shot, sitting around a wooden rectangular vertical table in a wooden house. Each family member represents a distinct class, which also makes them all have different medieval clothes, hair color, and hairstyles in this screenshot. At the top of the screen, there is a fireplace, which warmly illuminates the family members. Below them is a huge carpet with colorful historical-looking motifs. At the top right of the picture, there is a wooden staircase leading to a higher floor. On the left edge of the picture, two more rooms can be seen in the crop. At the top left we see a table with a glass carafe and below it a wooden chest of drawers in the other room. Play one of the best roguelike games for PC, Nintendo Switch and other platforms with this title.
The Bergson family in Children of Morta (Source: Dead Mage/11 bit studios)

 

Children of Morta is available for PS4/PS5, Xbox One, macOS, and Linux. Grab it for PC via Steam, or for Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

3. Hades

This isometric hack-and-slash dungeon crawler puts you in the role of Zagreus, the prince of the underworld and son of Hades. Do your utmost to get out of hell, but it won’t be easy, of course. Since there are innumerable enemies, the battles are very intense. You’ll definitely die a lot, but you’ll also learn a lot about the world and your fighting skills and always improve. The game has a gripping storyline embedded in procedural sequences with fitting dialogs and very nice graphics. A great example of a good roguelite, and in particular, also one of the best Switch games.

In this screenshot of Hades, we once again see the protagonist in his red clothing in the center of the picture. He is once again in a large gloomy hall with a high ceiling. At the bottom and on the right of the image, two square basins can be seen, from which green steam rises. At the top of the picture, there is a stone wall repeating the same angular dark spiral patterns and behind it, there are more basins from which green steam is coming out. Our hero has just shot a red flame in through an enemy, causing it to turn to a black slime and explode. four glowing orange skulls with glowing red eyes hover around the main character. This Roguelike is one of the best Switch games.
The Roguelike Hades (Source: Supergiant Games)

 

You can play Hades on PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, macOS, and it is available for PC via Steam, or for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

2. ScourgeBringer

ScourgeBringer is a free-roaming and very fast-paced roguelike platformer. If you love an extremely challenging and intense hack and slash, as well as nasty boss fights, this game is a must-play. At the same time, it also offers an easy entry, in which you’ll be able to activate the invincibility option and thus easily play and get to know the game. Help Kyhra master her way through ancient machines and complete her mission. Slow down the bullets fired by your opponents and always be faster than them.

This screenshot shows the game Scourgebringer as a 2D platformer from the side. We see a stage consisting of magenta organic shapes and bubbles that takes up almost the entire frame. The graphics look deliberately pixelated and the atmosphere is rather gloomy and oppressive. The stage consists of various square and rectangular blocks placed on the sides of the room. Several ulcer-like enemies float around the room. At the top of the screen, the protagonist is currently performing a combo attack, causing three giant bright-yellow beams to emanate from him in different directions. Beyond the stage, the player interface including a minimap, life meter, and weapon menu is displayed in orange-red colors in the corners.
Scourgebringer screenshot (Source: Flying Oak Games/Plug In Digital)

 

The title is available for PS4/PS5, PS Vita, Xbox One, macOS, and Linux. Grab a copy for Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Store or for PC via Steam.

 

1. Skul: The Hero Slayer

This game is a very accessible and well-balanced 2D sidescroller equipped with a sophisticated skill tree. In our number one of roguelike games, you experience the adventures of “Skul”, who fights alone against the imperial army to free his king. Fight on challenging and constantly changing maps where you never know what to expect next. As a hero, you’ll be able to transform into numerous other classes with special abilities that will be useful in combat.

Skul: The Hero Slayer is a 2D sidescroller and roguelike, as illustrated in this screenshot: You can see a bright game world with a grassy landscape seen from the side. In the wide shot, we see the protagonist on the left half of the image, standing in the grass as a skeleton armed with a bone and looking to the right. In front of him are two knight-like opponents armed with swords, who are running towards him. Behind them is a much larger opponent in the same knightly armor, armed with a huge steel hammer. On the right edge of the image, there is an elevation of the game world with another small knight opponent standing by. In the background, you can see an imaginative forest with wedge-shaped bushes and large trees with thick trunks.
Gameworld of Skul: The Hero Slayer (Source: SouthPaw Games/Neowiz Games)

 

Skul: The Hero Slayer is available for PS4/PS5, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, and you can get it for PC via Steam, or for Switch via the Nintendo Store.

 

If roguelike games are too stressful for you

If you’d rather take it easy but still want to slay monsters, get some inspiration with our list of Best Platformer Games. To wrap up, we would like to give you two special game recommendations we’re currently playing:

You probably know Among Us and how much fun it can be with friends. There is a new king in town, and he’s awesome. If you haven’t yet, definitely check out Goose Goose Duck.

If you are more into FPS and hyper-realistic war simulations, you shouldn’t miss Hell Let Loose.

 

Why are you so attracted to roguelike games? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.


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Felix Rauhut
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