It is time to explain roguelike once and for all. Roguelike is a wide used genre, but many people don’t know what it means. And then there is roguelite! We see both in game tags, description, and even titles from time to time. What does it mean though? Roguelike genre explained:
Roguelike vs Roguelite? Roguelike means games that are specifically like the 1980 game Rogue. (Still available on steam.) It’s a top down, turn based, randomized map, loot, and permadeath game. You see, roguelike is just an analogy. Just like every other Dark Souls like hard games considered souls-like. As for the roguelite, it’s an umbrella term for games using some of the roguelike elements. Not exactly a roguelike but similar. You can even call it subgenre of roguelike.
Now let’s talk about some examples of roguelike genre games.
Best Roguelike Games to Play in 2023
I got 10 roguelike games for you to play in the year 2023. They are all popular, advanced, reviewed positively, and worth playing now.
You probably know some of them as a fellow roguelike enthusiast. If you’re new to this genre, I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
1. Dome Keeper
Dome Keeper is an innovative roguelike survival miner where you defend your base against waves of alien attackers.
Dig for resources, choose powerful upgrades, manage resources, and fight against both time and aliens. Better keep your dome safe because you are the dome keeper!
It’s my favorite roguelike release of the recent years, I highly recommend it.
2. Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG roguelike! It’s considered the best roguelike ever, that’s very hard to disagree.
Recruit, train, and lead a team of heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and the ever encroaching darkness.
You can start the saga with Darkest Dungeon 2016 and then jump straight into Darkest Dungeon II 2023. What’s more, you can also play the Iratus: Lord of the Dead 2020 which is a great roguelike game very similar to the Darkest Dungeon series.
3. Returnal
Returnal is an award winning third-person shooter roguelike. It’s quite unique because roguelike games tend to be 2d and isometric.
After crash-landing on a monster filled shape-shifting world, you must fight tooth and nail for survival.
Action, unique weapons, variety of monsters, and co-op mode makes this game worth playing.
4. Have a Nice Death
Have a Nice Death is a 2D action roguelike where you play as the grim reaper himself.
You’re the boss of Death Inc. However, your employees run rampart and disturb the balance of souls. As a boss, it’s up to you to set things right.
Since Death can’t die, you’ll respawn again and again for a true roguelike experience.
5. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac is a randomly generated action RPG with roguelike elements. Once call it roguelite too. Definition or tags does not matter for a game like The Binding of Isaac. It’s amazing. Anyone should play it whether interested in roguelikes or not.
Binding of Isaac features:
- 500 hours.
- 4 billion seeded runs.
- 20 challenge runs.
- +450 items, +160 unlockables.
- Controller support.
- 2 player co-op.
6. Hades
Are you ready to embark on an epic journey through the underworld of Greek mythology?
Hades is a roguelite dungeon crawler with epic story, combat, and characters. It’s also one of the highest rated games on the Steam. So, don’t think much and delve into it.
What’s more, Hades II is on the way. Better play the first game now to be ready for Hades II.
7. Slay the Spire
You want to know what happens when you mix card games with roguelikes? Exactly. You get this game!
Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!
It’s one of the best deckbuilder games ever. If you don’t believe me just look at the overwhelmingly positive reviews.
8. Deflector
Deflector is a top-down action rogue-lite set in a deadly microcosm. Its graphics are kinda resembling the Hades but can’t say the same for gameplay and story.
The game is very enjoyable if you like mindless hack-slash games to blow off some steam.
9. Noita
Noita is a magical action roguelite set in a magical world with fully simulated physics. Every pixel around you will be affected by your magic.
You’re a witch in this game and your power comes from alchemy, magick, and occult. So, if you like occult video games, give it a shot. You won’t regret playing it.
10. For The King
For The King is a strategic RPG that mixes tabletop and roguelike elements. It takes Unique Dice-Roll Inspired Combat System from tabletop and replayability from rogue-lite. Perfect mix if you ask me.
You go single player or play cooperatively both online and locally.