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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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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