In the months and years ahead, I’m going to keep coming back with more and more best roguelike games toplists, as I try and help you discover the best that the genre has to offer.
And what a wonderful and varied sub-section of gaming this has become. It goes without saying that we’re talking about both roguelikes and roguelites in this list (check out What is a roguelike? for a more detailed explanation of the key differences between the two).
This list represents the pinnacle of each sub-genre, with the best of each category. That means a couple of big games miss out, however, I think we’ve got a good mix here, backed up by ratings from across the industry via Metacritic and Opencritic.
I’ll also be adding links to relevant coverage of the games listed below as more is written, so make sure to click through for even more insights into the best roguelikes and roguelites!
The Binding of Isaac(the best for top-down action)
I’m going to start with a recommendation that carries with it a fair degree of specificity. There have been several iterations of Isaac’s dungeon crawl through the fecal-encrusted depths of his basem*nt, and all of them are good in their own right.
Repentance is the final DLC expansion and as such it represents the culmination of years of development and it’s the best way to experience this bowel-twisting modern classic. With all of the content present, almost every run throws up a relentless stream of macabre challenges and curios. There are so many item combinations that you’ll never get bored, and when everything clicks together and you’ve got a nice build and the right momentum, there are few games as satisfying to play.
The Binding of Isaac has influenced a huge number of action-roguelikes along the way, thanks to its memorable setting and satisfying gameplay loop. It’s also an excellent entry point into the genre for newcomers, which is why it’s the first game to feature in this indefatigably comprehensive list of the best roguelikes.
Developed by Nicalis and Edmund McMillen. Platforms: iOS, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
Darkest Dungeon(the best for party-based tactics)
From a game that’s best played in its fullest form, to one that I actually prefer to play without any of the expansions. Darkest Dungeon is a sinister strategy game with tactical combat encounters where teams of perishable adventurers are sent into the deepest depths of an old estate that is riddled with monsters.
The key gameplay mechanic, in both the first game and its sequel is fear. Experience too much of it and your once stalwart team of fighters will buckle, their resolve crumbling as blow after blow rains down on them from across the screen. In one more extreme situation brought about by inexperience with the game, I had a whole team die of heart attacks in the same encounter. That squad wipe was made more painful because I’d invested so much time and effort in this particular band of mercenaries.
As mentioned, there are two chunky expansions and both have their merits, especially if you’re after a sterner challenge to test the mettle of the mercenaries who flock to your estate in search of treasure. Both major DLCs add plenty of spice to an already terrifying dish, but in my humble opinion, the first couple of runs are best enjoyed without the extra heat.
Developed by Red Hook Studios. Platforms: iOS, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
Spelunky 2 (the best for platforming)
It was quite tempting to put the first game instead of its sequel, but ultimately the variety and quality of life improvements seen in Spelunky 2 make it my pick for the top list. This gruelling platformer has done more for the popularity of the genre than pretty much every game other than Rogue, and the first Spelunky stands as a true milestone in the genre, one which introduced the permadeath gameplay loop and procedural generation to the masses.
Spelunky 2 picked up the baton where the first game left off and then ran with it. Often into a spike, alas. It introduced more secrets to discover, more characters to play with, and new biomes to explore. With that new injection of content, we also got more of the systemic goodness that typifies Spelunky; it’s really one of those games that can throw up the silliest situations thanks to both the excellent physics and a selection of bonkers weapons/items that can have a truly profound impact on the way you approach each challenge.
The cutesy graphics and Mario-esque platforming make this a great gateway game, and there are a bunch of silly multiplayer modes that will have any group of friends howling with laughter in no time at all. Or punching each other, it depends. That’s because underneath that most palatable exterior is a challenging game with an enduringly sinister streak.
Developed by Mossmouth and BlitWorks. Platforms: PC (Win), PS4, Switch, Xbox
Rogue (the best at being Rogue)
One thing I’ve noticed from these best roguelike lists, and I’ve consulted a few, is that the original Rogue rarely gets a mention. That stops here.
This often overlooked game introduced the world to the gameplay mechanics that we all enjoy so much.Of course, Rogue never went away, and has been released on different platforms over the years. Most recently that meant a return to PC via Steam.
I had previously played via web emulators and there was even a disastrous attempt to learn the complicated hand gestures needed to play a version of the game on mobile. However, the recentish PC release has given me a chance to return to basics and take a fresh look at a game that has made such a huge impact over the years.
You can find out much more about Rogue and nomenclature in our article What is a roguelike?
Developed by Glenn Wichmann and Michael Toy (for starters). Platforms: PC (Lin, Mac, Win), Android, iOS.
Caves of Qud (the best modern roguelike)
If you’re after a more modern take on the traditional roguelike experience, we’re going to nudge you in the general direction of Caves of Qud. Of course, there are several notable genre classics that have landed between this and Rogue. I’m talking about games such as Nethack and Brogue, and other golden oldies that have been given a fresh lick of paint, such as ADOM. For my money, however, Caves of Qud is the best modern interpretation of the original ASCII style – it’s reverent without being held back by tradition – in the sense that its simplistic interface has allowed its creators the space to create a truly impressive game world full of intrigue and adventure.
The dev team recently signed up with publisher Kitfox Games, and thus its protracted stay in early access on Steam is likely to come to an end sooner rather than later, but don’t be dissuaded by its pre-release status; there is already a huge amount of content for players to experience and there’s more on the way.
While I’m being effusive, I should also give a shout-out to the character creation tools, which give the player huge scope to experiment during each new run. There are dozens of gameplay-changing mutations to play around with, and these can profoundly impact the way you experience the world, which itself is absolutely stuffed full of interesting sh*t to do. Caves of Qud is a demanding game, but it’s also a labour of love that gives back so much more.
Developed by Freehold Games. Platforms: PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
FTL Faster Than Light (the best rogue on tablet)
My recommendation for FTL Faster Than Light also allows me to highlight another Subset Games title that lots of people love, Into The Breach. Both games appear widely on toplists like this one, but I’m limiting myself to one game per developer for… reasons. So, with that arbitrary rule firmly in hand, I’m putting my money on the studio’s debut effort.
FTL puts you in command of a small spaceship that is carrying some very important cargo. It’s life or death stuff as you push forward and explore whilst also evading the oncoming enemy fleet that’s chasing you down. As you warp between locations on your sector map, you’re greeted with a mixture of choose-your-own-adventure-style story gubbins and then violent encounters with slavers, pirates, and anyone else who wants a piece of you (that’s pretty much everyone, by the way).
Throughout your journey, your ship is the star of the show, and over each run you’re able to specialise it in a variety of different ways. Thanks to the range of tactics you can deploy, each battle is a flurry of lasers, rockets, and/or drones, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.Although FTL Faster Than Light is certainly starting to show its age now, even after all these years it remains a charming little adventure that plays great on PC and even better on tablet.
Read my review of the game here: Reboot – FTL: Faster Than Light!
Developed by Subset Games. Platforms: iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
Risk of Rain 2 (the best third-person shooter)
This franchise has kicked out two great games with the recent release of Risk of Rain Returns, the masterful remake of the original Risk of Rain, but we’re instead going to say nice things about Risk of Rain 2.
We don’t get too many sequels in the world of roguelikes, so when you do it often means we’re getting something special. This is most certainly the case for ROR2, which took the gameplay of the first game, a side-scrolling platformer with tiny pixelated characters, and turned that into a fantastic third-person shooter.
And we’re all glad that they did! The chaos and manic action of the platformer persists into the 3D realm, and it’s up to you to get to the portal in each level and then survive an onslaught while a timer counts down. Of course, it’s not that simple, and you’ll have to scavenge for new items and strengthen up if you’re going to create a build capable of staying alive during Risk of Rain 2’s most furious moments.
The Survivors of the Void finally made it to consoles, and you can read our review right here.
Developed by Hopoo Games. Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox
Dead Cells (best metroidvania)
One game that I keep coming back to is Dead Cells. Like so many games in this little listicle, it fuses the roguelike core of procedural generation with an array of new ingredients. The most notable of these aspects in Dead Cells is the game’s metroidvania streak, with the player tasked with escaping an ever-shifting castle.
Given the castle setting, the seemingly inevitable Return to Castlevania DLC crossover just made sense on so many levels. It’s not the only DLC pack if you want to stretch out your experience. In fact, Motion Twin has supported the game with a number of updates beyond the paid-for content drops.
The castle, the Prisoner, the various visual effects – it’s all brought to life with some of the loveliest pixel-art that these old eyes have ever seen. Dead Cells has got a wonderful ebb and flow to it and it’s a truly stunning game to behold. That’s a damn good thing because the combat can be punishing at times, especially if you’ve got wonky thumbs like me!
There has been a lot of chatter about the future of Dead Cells and you can catch up on all the gossip in this news feature.
Developed by Motion Twin and Evil Empire. Platforms: iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS4, Switch, Xbox
Crypt of the Necrodancer (best rhythm game)
The bouncing soundtrack and jovial art style of Crypt of the Necrodancer don’t mark it out as a truly punishing roguelike adventure, but appearances can be deceiving. That’s certainly the case here because CotN is a wolf in sheep’s clothing that looks fun and friendly on the outside but can’t wait to chew you up and spit you out – all in time to a funky beat.
Necrodancer sticks surprisingly close to the original template laid down by Rogue, with turn-based combat and grid-based procedural environments ripe for exploration. Where it differs, however, is in the delivery, with the action playing out to a beat that the player is always trying to tap in time to. This duality ensures an engaging experience where you’re constantly trying to move and attack in time the beat. On top of that, there’s a lot to unlock in the overworld, with new ways to play alongside different characters and in-game items to unlock.
There’s a lovely Zelda-themed adaptation of the Necrodancer formula over on Nintendo Switch that I’m also happy to recommend, but I’m sticking to the OG Crypt of the Necrodancer for this list – it’s a lovely game that has aged well and plays great regardless of which platform you’re on.
Want more? Here’s my review of the new DLC expansion: Synchrony.
Developed by Brace Yourself Games. Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS4, Switch, Xbox
Vampire Survivors(best bullet heaven game)
The minimalist gameplay of Vampire Survivors sets it apart from the rest of the games on this list, but don’t assume that the one-stickedness of Poncle’s insta-classic means that it’s a pushover. Each run, which typically lasts roughly half an hour or so, invites a high degree of experimentation around your build. However, you’ll need to make wise decisions from the start or it’s only a matter of time before the relentless horde of crazy beasts and monsters becomes overwhelming, and your hopelessly unbalanced character is chomped on by ghoulish spectres and/or ravenous beasts.
There’s a tremendously varied roster of starting characters, and some of their abilities are downright weird; one time you’ll be romping through a castle as a dog that farts flowers, on another occasion you might be wielding multiple whips and stomping around the place like the Dolph Lundgren version of He-Man in Masters of the Universe (if you’ve not seen that one and you like cheesy movies, treat yourself).
There are tons of unlocks both in-game and between runs, DLC packs that add new maps and characters for when you inevitably want more, and the overarching progression system is designed to keep feeding you interesting little decisions at regular intervals. It’s definitely one of the less punishing games on this list, but with so much to do and discover, Vampire Survivors will keep you coming back again and again.
Read all about the Among Us DLC expansion in this review!
Developed by Poncle. Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (Mac, Win), Switch, Xbox
Enter the Gungeon (best bullet hell)
Bullet heaven games like the one above might be all the rage right now, but Enter the Gungeon was a bullet hell back when that was still cool.Hell, this one remains cool to this day.
The best thing about this pixel-perfect action-shooter is the sense of engagement you feel when you’re fighting through each room. The environments are uniquely reactive to the action, and the table flipping isn’t just for show.In Gungeon you constantly get a sense that you’re in a physical space – that added friction makes it.
Not only does Gungeon feel great to roll around in, but the bullet theme is pulled off to perfection. The pixels are lovely and the overall presentation is utterly delightful.
Developed by Dodge Roll. Platforms: PC (Win), PS4, Switch, Xbox
Downwell(best mobile game)
There’s a purity to the gameplay in Downwell that none of the other games in this list can muster. The concept is simple in that you’re tasked with heading down a giant well filled with horrible beasties that are out to kill you. That might sound rather straightforward, but the intensity of the challenge means that it’s anything but, and you’ll need your wits about you before each and every step that you take.
The real genius of Downwell is in the elegance of the visual design. While the game sports a low-fi monochrome style, the use of contrast here lets you know where each enemy is both vulnerable to attack and likely to hurt you. This means that you’re constantly adjusting your movements on the fly, trying to move yourself into positions where you’ve got the literal jump on your opponents.
When attacking your enemies, you’ll do so using your gunboots. Yes, you read that right. There’s a somewhat limited selection to choose from, but when you find a pair that you like, you’ll have a jolly old time hoofing down giant caverns, stringing together combos as best you can. It’s very challenging, especially if you’ve got slow thumbs, but it’s also one of the best roguelites you can play on mobile even eight-plus years after it was first released.
Developed by Moppin. Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (Win), PS4, Switch
Slay the Spire (the best deck builder)
There are a couple of really strong contenders for the best deck builder spot, but I think there’d be a riot if I picked Monster Train for this place on the list.
Slay the Spire is one of those games that when it gets its hooks into you, it doesn’t let go. Ever. Better still, you can play it on pretty much anything.
This fantasy card battler is stacked full of variety with interesting decisions awaiting throughout, ensuring that no two runs are the same. If you’re after a card game to play on the go or even up on the big screen, look no further than this exquisite dungeon crawler.
Please enjoy this thoughtful review of Slay the Spire, if you need further incentive to check this one out.
Developed by Megacrit. Platforms: Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS4, Switch, Xbox
Against the Storm (best for real-time strategising)
Against the Storm enjoyed an extremely fruitful period of time in Early Access on Steam, and Eremite Games did a great job of working with the community to balance the game and introduce player-wanted features. The end result worked out well for everyone.
If you had to pin down the game’s inspirations, Warcraft is the obvious point of comparison. However, while this is undoubtedly a fantasy city-builder, it has the heart of a rogue. The gameplay loop that holds it together, and the nuances of the different factions you control, ensure that every new attempt is absolutely enthralling.
The 1.0 version of the game came fully equipped with a punishing permadeath mode, for those of you looking for more roguish heart. In fact, Against the Storm caters to players of every level thanks to well balanced difficulty settings.
It was one of our games of 2023 and you can read our Against the Storm review right here.
Developed by Eremite Games. Platforms: PC (Win)
Balatro (the best casino-themed game)
With Slay the Spire a mainstay in lists like these, it doesn’t leave much room for other deckbuilding games, but Balatro is so good that it demands inclusion.
The poker wrapper covers all aspects of the game, however, there’s also a huge emphasis on solitaire play and run variety. With a range of different starting decks, challenge modes, and difficulty settings, there’s so much to do here, and you’ll easily find dozens of hours worth of content shuffled into the pack.
The presentation is pretty lovely, too. The joker cards are powerful, well-designed gameplay modifiers, and there’s a cracking soundtrack too. All in all, I’m extremely besotted with this unassuming poker game and I’d recommend it to pretty much anyone, even someone who didn’t really like poker (although I think that helps).
For more reasons why Balatro needs your attention, check out my review.
Developed by LocalThunk. Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
Shiren the Wanderer 6 (the best Mystery Dungeon game)
The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is the newest entry in the long-running Shiren series, which itself sits within the wider Mystery Dungeon eco-system. These JRPGs are a sub-genre of their own, and I can’t personally claim to have played them all.
However, I’ve done my due diligence, including plenty of review reading and gameplay watching, and I’m happy to call the sixth mainline Shiren the best of the bunch. Why? Because of the many gameplay innovations introduced in the Serpentcoil Island, and the incredible depth on offer.
Every single element in this game has been balanced to perfection, resulting in a harsh but fair dungeon crawl that will constantly have you on edge. I also really like the revive system, so even if you do mess up, you can put up a flare and request rescue from another player, or you can walk in your own footsteps and try and rescue yourself.
A proper Switch classic, this one, and here’s my review.
Developed by Spike Chunsoft. Platforms: Nintendo Switch.
Hades(the best of the best – according to me)
Have I saved the best for last? You can bet your procedurally-generated bum I have. That’s because, for my money, Hades is the best expression of the roguelite formula that has been made so far.
The setting is based on Greek mythology, and that’s undeniably cool all by itself. Supergiant Games took some fantastic stories and wove them together into something new and entirely refreshing. The visuals are great, the writing and characterisation superb, and the music carries the studio’s usual swagger. The whole thing is held together by a brilliant combat system that is built around a selection of distinctive but flexible weapon classes.
The way that the narrative has been built around the gameplay loop makes for a satisfying experience that rewards repeat plays, and yet each individual room is kept fresh and exciting thanks to some truly masterful enemy designs that evolve as you play. To say that I’m excited about the sequel would be something of an understatement (and you can read my primer for Hades II here).
I tried to capture why I love Hades so much in this review!
Developed by Supergiant Games. Platforms: PC (Win), PS4, Switch, Xbox
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