Best FPS Action Roguelikes & Roguelites

Key Takeaways

• Few FPS roguelikes offer the unique gameplay experience seen in titles like Heavy Bullets.
• Sentry combines FPS and tower-defense elements to create a frenetic gameplay loop.
• Gunfire Reborn offers a dynamic blend of RPG and Borderlands-style looter-shooter gameplay.

Roguelikes and roguelites come in many different shapes and sizes, but it’s a rare occurrence for either genre to take on the gameplay of an FPS. In fact, the first-person shooter genre is in direct conflict with traditional roguelike gameplay, which is historically turn-based.

There are, however, a handful of exceptions. Each of these games features real-time first-person action, ranging from niche titles such as Heavy Bullets to the accessible gameplay of titles such as Roboquest.

1 Heavy Bullets

A Somewhat Aged But Truly Unique FPS Roguelike

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2014
• Developer(s): Terri Vellmann, Doseone
• Genre: FPS

Strange, somewhat aged, but wholly unique, Heavy Bullets is an early combination of a first-person shooter and the roguelike formula. Immediately apparent is the game’s vibrant, stylized low-poly aesthetic, but the most unique quality of Heavy Bullets is within its gameplay.

In Heavy Bullets, players fight through twisted, colorful levels with a trusty, chunky revolver. This revolver houses six bullets, each of which are, as the game’s title suggests, heavy. Players must manually pick up their bullets, a simple twist that forces players to think tactically each and every time they fire.

2 SENTRY

An FPS Tower-Defense With Roguelite Elements

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2024
• Developer(s): Fireblade Software
• Genre: FPS

SENTRY is a combination of first-person shooter and tower-defense gameplay, channeling the energy of frenetic shooters and games such as Orcs Must Die in equal measure. The game’s roguelite/roguelike elements help to improve the game’s replay value, though the game is still in an early state at the time of writing, currently available in Early Access on Steam.

The game’s dark color palette and clean-cut 3D visuals may not be for everyone, but they’re perfectly stylish and keep the action readable through the clever use of highlights. Furthermore, the game features an FTL-style node-based map that helps break up the action, providing a solid structure for the gameplay.

3 Gunfire Reborn

A Diverse FPS Roguelite With Strong Co-Op Gameplay

Gunfire Reborn is a first-person shooter that combines RPG elements and Borderlands-style looter-shooter gameplay with the procedural generation, progression, and run-based structure of roguelites. Featuring online co-op, Gunfire Reborn is arguably more fun when played with friends, and certain characters can be more useful when playing cooperatively.

The game’s cartoon art style won’t be for everyone, but it’s a fairly consistent aesthetic that keeps the fast-paced action easy to read. The variety of weapons and playable characters, however, are among Gunfire Reborn‘s greatest strengths.

4 Ziggurat 2

An FPS With A Sword-And-Sorcery Theme

• Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2021
• Developer(s): Milkstone Studios
• Genre: FPS

Players that enjoy sword-and-sorcery games and first-person shooters alike are sure to get a kick out of Ziggurat 2, a title that channels the energy of games such as Hexen. The hectic, arena-based combat and strong art direction offer plenty of colorful action for fans of fantasy-themed shooters.

Despite the sword-and-sorcery theme, Ziggurat 2 features a variety of ranged weapons that facilitate FPS gameplay, making it a perfectly suitable entry to the genre. Ziggurat 2 stands out with its colorful aesthetic, and players that enjoy a strong fantasy theme will find a lot to love out of the dungeon-crawling gameplay.

5 Wild Bastards

Gunfighting In A Vivid Sci-Fi Wild West

Featuring a stylish, vivid aesthetic, a sci-fi Wild West theme, and a surprisingly unique gameplay loop, Wild Bastards is a fresh roguelite experience that combines frenetic first-person action with a strategic layer. With its consistent art direction and intentional gunplay, fans of clean, cartoon art styles, sci-fi Westerns, and FPS games are likely to enjoy this title.

Small combat arenas, duck-and-cover gameplay, and expressive special abilities make for engaging combat. However, Wild Bastards‘ diverse array of playable outlaws, each with their unique aspects, keep the game from getting stale.

6 Witchfire

Witchfire is a highly-polished first-person shooter with RPG elements and a dark-fantasy setting, sporting visuals that are rather impressive for an independent studio. Putting players in the shoes of a witchhunter, Witchfire sees players battling enemies in a unique gameplay loop that combines the structures of roguelites and extraction/looter shooters.

Witchfire can perhaps be more accurately described as an extraction shooter, but the roguelite mechanics (permanent death, permanent progression) will likely appeal to fans of the genre. The surprising production value and fluid gunplay, however, are some of Witchfire’s greatest strengths.

7 SULFUR

Combining extraction shooters with roguelite mechanics, SULFUR is a recently-released indie game brimming with cartoon style and bolstered by a series of well-crafted gameplay systems. Cooking, gun customization, and solid gunplay make for a diverse experience, despite the game currently being in Early Access.

SULFUR succeeds with its winning cartoon art style and unique moody atmosphere, qualities that make exploration an immersive affair. Although there are clearly elements missing in its current state, the core gameplay of SULFUR is promising.

8 Roboquest

A Stylish Fast-Paced FPS Roguelite

Roboquest is a colorful first-person shooter with a roguelite structure and a visual style that will be immediately recognizable to fans of games such as Overwatch. This fast-paced shooter can be played in single-player, but also features two-player online co-op.

Roboquest succeeds with its fast-paced action, facilitated by fluid, intuitive movement controls. The game’s winning sense of style, diversity of gameplay, and attention to detail make for an experience that’s likely to please fans of the roguelite genre.

9 Post Void

A Brutal Fast-Paced Shooter With A Psychedelic Style

Playing Post Void is perhaps the closest players will get to the feeling of being shot out of a cannon, with its relentless music and breakneck pace, facilitated by constantly draining health that encourages players to just keep moving. Post Void‘s messy, vivid visual style won’t be for everyone, but it synergizes perfectly with the game’s psychedelic attitude.

Post Void is a relatively simple experience with a hardcore roguelike structure, designed to be played in short sessions. However, the game is elevated by its expressive movement controls, sense of style, and intuitive first-person action.