Roguelike Games With The Best Melee Combat

Roguelike games are a blast to play through, turning the simple act of repetition into a core part of the gameplay loop as players try their hardest to overcome certain hurdles in their quest to become better at the game in question.

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Most roguelike games prefer to take it easy with an emphasis on melee combat that players must master to defeat tougher opponents. This is easier said than done, but players will slowly learn how to maximize their effectiveness with melee attacks to beat down foes who have ended their run time and time again.

8

Darkest Dungeon

Players Must Be Tactical While Using Their Melee And Ranged Characters In Battle

Darkest Dungeon is one of the most addictive roguelike games players can check out, especially once they start making progress and clearing dungeons. At this point, the importance of melee party members becomes abundantly clear in combat.

Players should set up tanks in the first row who can use their melee attacks to great effect while protecting the rest of the party. Other party members should use this character as cover and use ranged attacks to hit enemies from afar without putting themselves in harm’s way. Once this delicate balance is achieved, players will find the turn-based melee combat of Darkest Dungeon to be more intense than other titles with real-time combat.

7

Skul: The Hero Slayer

An Undead Character Decimates Numerous Enemies In Style

A fun ode to the Castlevania series with a roguelike edge, Skul: The Hero Slayer is a simple and tantalizing game that players will have a great time with. The eponymous hero, Skul, uses his Bone to whack enemies from up close.

Players can also throw their skulls as a makeshift ranged attack, allowing them to teleport to it too. As players make progress, they’ll find other skulls for the protagonist to use, enhancing the suite of abilities at his behest.

6

Rogue Legacy 2

A Dynasty Of Adventurers That Get Progressively Better As They Explore Harder Dungeons

Rogue Legacy 2 is the very definition of a perfect sequel, serving as such a major improvement from the first game that there’s no need to check out the first game in the series anymore. Players control heroes in a dynasty who pass on their gold for permanent upgrades that make every run easier.

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Dodging traps, taking out enemies in combat, and collecting Heirlooms for permanent upgrades are a huge part of what makes Rogue Legacy 2 special. It’s a must-play for fans of roguelike games that focus on melee combat, with this aspect of the gameplay being simple yet compelling enough courtesy of the many upgrades players can unlock in their journey.

5

Moonlighter

A Shopkeeper Fights Monsters To Stock Up His Shelves

In Moonlighter, players control Will, an aspiring adventurer who must run his family shop and stack it up with as many worthwhile goodies as possible. This makes for a compelling gameplay loop where players explore dungeons to find artifacts while fending off any enemies in the process.

For a game that balances two entirely different genres, Moonlighter‘s combat is surprisingly competent. Basic combat moves feel great to execute and players can invest their resources to craft better gear and tackle more dangerous dungeons at night.

4

Anomaly Agent

Rogue Agent Mode Lets Players Enjoy The Amazing Melee Combat Of Anomaly Agent With A Fun Randomized Touch

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Anomaly Agent

Systems

Released

January 24, 2024

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Anomaly Agent is one of the most overlooked games on Steam that players should check out if they want to enjoy a goofy time-travel adventure with compelling combat. The base mode of the game follows a linear path that will slowly familiarize players with how the tantalizing hand-to-hand combat works.

This knowledge is a must for players who want to check out Rogue Agent Mode, a roguelike aspect of the game added in a massive free update that changes the way players approach this title. Defeating wave after wave of challenging enemies is a blast as players up the stakes with each stage and try to make the most of the permanent upgrades they get in each stage.

3

Dwarf Fortress

The Melee Combat Is Deceptively Complex And Gives Players A Ton Of Freedom

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Dwarf Fortress

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Platform(s)

Linux
, macOS
, Microsoft Windows

Released

August 8, 2006

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Most players would scoff at the idea of Dwarf Fortress having competent melee combat, but these people have not checked out Adventure mode. This turns Dwarf Fortress into a complex roguelike adventure with its fair share of tactical combat.

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The weapons themselves may not be interesting, but it’s the tactical approach to melee combat that keeps fans coming back for more. Along with regular attacks, players can wrestle their opponents into submission and use underhanded moves to get the upper hand too.

2

Dead Cells

There’s Something Inherently Satisfying About Making Meaningful Progress In Each Run After Mastering The Combat

Dead Cells employs a side-scrolling perspective and challenging action combat to keep players engaged in the long run. Dying to a boss over and over again, only to succeed in a heroic attempt is a huge part of what makes Dead Cells so special.

Players will love collecting Cells and investing in permanent upgrades that lessen the pain of death, compelling them to do better in a subsequent run. The intense combat and exemplary roguelike design help Dead Cells stand out as one of the best video games players can enjoy for themselves.

1

Hades

Zagreus Can Use Numerous Weapons Against His Opponents, With The Vast Majority Of Them Being Melee-Oriented

Hades is one of the best roguelike games ever made, proving once again why Supergiant Games is a master of their craft. The tense action combat is a joy to master as players utilize a wealth of different weapons in each run to keep things fresh and engaging.

While some of these weapons are ranged, the vast majority of Zagreus’ armaments force him to get up close and personal with his enemies. The Stygian Blade, Eternal Spear, Shield of Chaos, and Twin Fists of Malphon are the melee-oriented Infernal Arms that are a joy to master as players help Zagreus escape the underworld and meet his mother.

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