The Best Roguelike Shooters

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 7, 2024 70 Views 21 Min Read
The Best Roguelike Shooters

Roguelike games continue to be a favorite among indie developers looking for their first breakout hit and AAA developers looking to pack in an extra layer of excitement to their next big title. It’s become pretty commonplace and is experiencing something of a boom in recent years — so much so that it’s almost verging on cliche.

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You don’t need to suffer each new run alone.

But, there are plenty of roguelike shooters out there that stand far above a crowded field. Some of the games on this list come from one-time indie hopefuls, but there are AAA efforts here also. Whether you’re an indie-only type of gamer or you tend more towards big blockbuster releases, there’s something for everyone to love below.

Updated November 7, 2024 by Jacob Whaling: Even more roguelike shooters have come out or been updated since last time, so we’ve expanded this list once again with some amazing new games to try out.

21

Roboquest

Roboquest is a first-person roguelike shooter with a fast-paced playstyle. There are several different classes to choose from, called Guardians, and dozens of guns and other weapons to use. Combined with the randomly generated levels, branching side paths, and build diversity, Roboquest has tons of depth to explore.

Roboquest is also unique in that it can be played in two-player co-op, so you and a friend can blast robots together. If you’re looking for a fast, adrenaline-filled roguelike shooter, Roboquest is one of the best out there.

Deadlink is a cyberpunk FPS with roguelite elements and some seriously stylish combat. You control a “shell”, a humanoid combat mech, and are tasked with covert operations for the Corporate Security Agency.

While Deadlink is more roguelite than roguelike, with the majority of your power coming from upgrades applied between missions, this game has top-notch FPS action that rivals games like Doom Eternal. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, action-packed FPS with that special cyberpunk flair, Deadlink has you covered.

19

Returnal

Returnal is a roguelike shooter with hefty amounts of both sci-fi and horror. You play as Selene, who finds herself in a harrowing nightmare universe where each death means rebirth, and a new chance at taking back the disturbing planets you find yourself on. Returnal feels and plays like a frenetic bullet-hell game mixed with the enticing nature of a roguelike game.

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The most immediately striking thing about Returnal is how the game blends intense third-person shooting action with light exploration. Each new death means you can return to fight again, this time armed with the knowledge of how to beat a certain boss or how to use a certain uber-powerful weapon.

18

Neon Abyss

Neon Abyss is a mostly straightforward roguelike where you play as a character who must navigate increasingly challenging stages and enemies in a creepy cyberpunk world. Neon Abyss is brimming with unique weapons and items, most of which provide some sort of interesting buff, skill, or ability. Plus, the gun-type weapons fire neon-drenched bullets, lasers, and energy balls.

Neon Abyss blends platforming action, melee combat, and plenty of guns. The creative sci-fi and cyberpunk-inspired weaponry in this game is simply a blast to use. Each new run provides new weapons to try out. The melee weapons do pack a good punch, however, it’s the off-the-wall guns that really turn the roguelike energy up to eleven.

17

Strafe

While Strafe certainly has its rough edges, it’s unapologetic about what it tries to be. This first-person shooter dives headfirst into 90’s nostalgia and wraps it into roguelike glory, complete with a chunky, pixelated art style.

The “EXTREME” nature of that period is literally measured by how much blood you spill. Is it over the top? Yes, but it’s meant to be. Is Strafe as good as Doom or Quake? Absolutely not, but it’s a good time regardless of its non-classic status.

16

Tower Of Guns

You won’t find a story of fully developed characters in Tower of Guns, but that’s not the point either. Terrible Posture Games developed this game to be seven floors of randomly generated chaos.

As if it couldn’t get any better, you also get to attempt runs with some of the most unique guns in any FPS. Tower of Guns dives into what it’s trying to be, and it doesn’t apologize for it. While you can beat the boss in around an hour, this roguelike shooter delivers on its infinite replayability promise.

15

Prey: Mooncrash

First and foremost, Prey: Mooncrash deserves to have more attention. Released in 2018 by Arkane Studios, this DLC presents a fascinating take on first-person shooter roguelikes. This additional content to an already solid title perfects the core mechanic. You will feel a spark in your creativity as you problem-solve in each attempt.

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Prey: Mooncrash has five unique classes to choose from, and it’s a solid delivery on the promise of an “infinitely replayable experience.” The decisions that you have to make for each run provide a true sense of investment in your planning.

14

Immortal Redneck

Immortal Redneck skips out on the story in favor of leaning into its intense gameplay and fun aesthetic. But, if we’re honest, most people don’t expect a game about a redneck mummy to deliver an award-winning narrative.

We arrive at these games to enjoy some old-school shooter fun wrapped in a fun new package. In that respect, Immortal Redneck delivers homages to Duke Nukem and other FPS classics on top of the familiar smooth and satisfying gameplay.

13

Ziggurat

Ziggurat has the distinctive label of being a fantasy-based roguelike shooter. It also allows the player to shoot spells so fast it would make Gandalf’s hat spin. It’s a unique take on the genre, albeit a short one. However, the strength of its execution and style will make you want to come back for more.

This game is a love letter to early attempts at a dark fantasy first-person shooter series. The dungeon-crawling aspect of this shooter even manages to conjure memories of the classics like Diablo 2. Ziggurat is a gem that any fantasy fan can get a kick out of for hours.

12

Void Bastards

Void Bastards delivers a first-person roguelike experience in a cell-shaded comic book style. The detail will make you feel like you jumped into a graphic novel with a dark but fun sci-fi feel. A decent explanation would be a cross between The Fifth Element, Alien, and XIII.

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You never know what kind of prisoner you’re going to try and hop across the map. Planning your next step is crucial, and the odds of your survival can take a nasty turn quickly. The difficulty can be steep, but you can also be a comic book hero trying to survive abandonment in the harsh cold of space.

11

The Binding of Isaac

The Binding of Isaac is an extreme, twisted, and brilliant game. But, underneath its horror exterior, there is a twin-stick roguelike shooter with an impressively deep design.

If you dig its humor and themes, that’s all the more reason to dive into its randomized dungeons. There are hundreds of pickups to discover, and Isaac often won’t look remotely the same from one run to the next.

10

Mothergunship

This sequel to Tower of Guns mixes a roguelike first-person shooter with a detailed gun crafting simulator. Grip Digital and Terrible Posture Games build all these elements into a sci-fi environment you’ll look forward to coming back to time and again.

The bullet hell is also strong with this one. If creating weapons to destroy a robotic alien armada with all of the previously mentioned features sounds like fun, you’ll fall in love with Mothergunship.

9

Enter The Gungeon

Enter the Gungeon marries bullet hell and roguelike mechanics in brilliant ways. Moreover, it will make you believe that the stale arguments about the genre don’t always apply. There is no shortage of fun and creative ways to blast through enemies, as well as memorable bosses.

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If you’re a fan of the tried-and-true formula of exploring dungeons and grabbing fun loot to get stronger, you can find something to love here also. Inventive guns, random drops, and its offbeat humor can make even jaded twin-stick shooter fans feel renewed.

8

Crab Champions

Crab Champions is a fast-paced shooter with roguelike elements that delivers all the thrills of running and gunning in short 30-minute intervals. Despite its humorous aesthetic, Crab Champions is surprisingly deep and fun to play, with fast and responsive combat and shooting, and interesting upgrades and unlockables.

Additionally, Crab Champions can be played with up to three other players, allowing you and some friends to fight off hordes of crabs together. If you like games like Risk of Rain 2 or Warframe, you’ll feel right at home in Crab Champions.

7

Gunfire Reborn

Gunfire Reborn is a first-person shooter that incorporates roguelike and RPG elements. There are tons of different characters and builds to try, and diverse build variety to keep things interesting between runs.

Gunfire Reborn also supports up to four-player co-op, allowing you to play with your friends and craft builds that work with each other. With a great co-op experience, tons of builds to try, and interesting upgrade paths, you can’t go wrong with Gunfire Reborn.

6

Nuclear Throne

Nuclear Throne is a top-down roguelike shooter that drops you into a nuclear apocalypse, with your only goal to reach the Nuclear Throne. To do that, you’ll have to use a variety of guns, upgrades, and even body mutations to fight your way through the inhabitants of the wasteland.

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With chaotic and fast-paced gameplay, Nuclear Throne never feels too complicated, but it never slows down for even a second. To succeed, you’ll need to rely on split-second decision-making and adaptability. Things can go wrong at any moment; Nuclear Throne is all about adapting on the fly to overcome every challenge it can throw at you.

5

Vampire Survivors

Vampire Survivors is a reverse-bullet hell where you amass a swarm of projectiles to clear wave after wave of approaching enemies. Vampire Survivors thrives in its unlockables, with hundreds of items, characters, and upgrades to collect and discover.

Although the controls are simple, Vampire Survivors has deep and satisfying combat that is stripped down to just its necessities, allowing for a greater degree of customization and optimization. As you progress, you can direct your RNG slightly, allowing you to perfect your favorite builds against hordes of zombies, skeletons, and other monsters.

4

Risk of Rain 2

Calling Risk of Rain 2 a masterpiece in terms of being a roguelike almost criminally undersells the sum of its parts. Its simple yet immensely satisfying roguelike gameplay loop, apparent allergy to downtime, charmingly minimalist graphical fidelity, and absolutely phenomenal soundtrack just scratch the surface of what makes this game truly special.

Each character you can unlock to take on the perils of Petrichor V manages to be unique without completely alienating you from the game’s core mechanics, lending an angle to the gameplay that differs just enough from the last to keep the experience fresh.

3

Sulfur

Sulfur is an old-school style Boomer Shooter, but with a modern feel. Sulfur is fast-paced, action-packed, and endlessly replayable, with dozens of weapon, gear, and enchantment combinations to make every run unique.

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If you’re looking for a modern take on a classic genre wrapped in a crisp roguelike package, you can’t go wrong with Sulfur. If you decide to delve into the game, keep in mind that it is hard; you will die, and sometimes it won’t be fair. But if you can power through and learn from your mistakes, Sulfur will provide an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss.

2

Witchfire

Witchfire is a first-person shooter that blends roguelike, Soulslike, and extraction mechanics into something truly one-of-a-kind. You play as a Preyer, an undead warrior that is fueled by Witchfire, as you build up your arsenal and develop your character.

Witchfire has an impressive level of depth and polish, with tight, mechanical gunplay and movement that make the endless grind for resources that much more enjoyable. If you’re a fan of live-service shooters like Destiny, Witchfire has a similar gameplay loop, but is entirely singleplayer.

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