Roguelike games are all the rage in modern times, given how indie developers love the ingenuity of this genre. Not only does it make repetition more bearable than ever, but developers are also able to recycle and reuse assets without being accused of laziness.
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The 2020s have seen their fair share of excellent roguelike games that fans would love to get their hands on. While the decade still has a long way to go, these titles make it clear that players will love mastering the challenging mechanics of these games to secure victory over and over again.
8
Darkest Dungeon 2
A Great Roguelike Game In Its Own Right, Even If It Pales In Comparison To Its Predecessor
- Released
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May 8, 2023
- ESRB
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t
Ardent fans of Darkest Dungeon were somewhat disappointed by its sequel, which lacked a proper hub area and felt trimmed down compared to its predecessor in some aspects. However, given how many people consider Darkest Dungeon to be one of the greatest roguelike games ever made, holding its sequel to the same standards was bound to lead to disappointment.
On its own merit, Darkest Dungeon 2 is a great sequel that tries something different. Fans appreciate the experimental nature of this title, with its tough turn-based gameplay and chilling gothic aesthetics helping Darkest Dungeon 2 stand out as a standout roguelike game from the 2020s.
7
World Of Horror
A Junji Ito-Inspired Roguelike Game With Challenging Combat And Interesting Storytelling
- Released
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December 8, 2023
- ESRB
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T For Teen Due To Blood, Use of Alchohol and Tobacco, Violence
With Junji Ito becoming more popular than ever before, it’s easy to see why fans were hyped for World of Horror. Players celebrated its 1.0 release, letting them embark on chilling adventures set in a small village plagued by Lovecraftian horrors.
The tough gameplay of this title means that players will eventually fall to the horrors that plague them. This is why it’s recommended that players play on an easier difficulty first before upping the challenge.
6
Risk Of Rain 2
Players Explore Alien Biomes And Team Up With Others To Take On Extraterrestrial Threats
Third-Person Shooter
Roguelike
- Released
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September 11, 2020
- ESRB
-
t
Risk of Rain 2 is an amazing roguelike game that fans can’t get enough of to this day. The emphasis on co-op gameplay and third-person shooting encouraged players to team up and deal with the many threats that came their way.
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As players made progress, they unlocked more powerful loot to make their runs easier. However, it’s not until players are experienced with how this game works that they’ll be able to complete a run, which is a massive achievement in its own right.
5
Returnal
A AAA Roguelike With Fun Combat And A Surprisingly Engaging Story
- Released
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April 30, 2021
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
The fact that Sony was willing to dip their toes in the roguelike genre shows just how impactful these games have been. Housemarque’s work on Returnal was excellent and did a great job of combining polished third-person shooting with a roguelike structure.
Players control Selene, an astronaut who has crash-landed on the planet Atropos and finds herself stuck in a time loop. She must make progress in various biomes and deal with the many threats that come her way before eventually reaching the end of a riveting adventure that’s tough yet rewarding.
4
Caves Of Qud
A Massive Roguelike Where The Possibilities Are Endless
Players who want to enjoy an open-world roguelike RPG with endless possibilities will love what Caves of Qud brings to the table. People must keep track of the faction system and excel in combat if they wish to survive for more than a few hours in this hostile world.
Death is a learning experience in this game that is almost always the player’s fault, compelling them to improve their approach in each run. Despite what most people consider to be rudimentary graphics, Caves of Qud is more immersive than other AAA titles, which is why players were enamored by its full release in December 2024.
3
Spelunky 2
A Worthy Sequel To One Of The Greatest Roguelike Games Ever Made
- Released
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September 15, 2020
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes
Spelunky is one of the earliest roguelike successes that won over players with its charming aesthetics and simple yet rewarding gameplay. Death was always a frustrating affair that compelled players to go on another run to make more progress.
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The sequel ended up doing justice to the legacy of the predecessor, which is doubly impressive given the leaps and strides that the roguelike genre has made since the original title’s release. The compelling real-time gameplay loop and satisfying sense of progression in Spelunky 2 make it one of the best roguelikes of the 2020s that will keep fans coming back for more.
2
Balatro
A Poker Roguelike That’s Intensely Addictive
Strategy
Digital Card Game
Roguelike
- Released
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February 20, 2024
- ESRB
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E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Gambling Themes
The fact that a simple game like poker can be combined with a bit of solitaire and a generous helping of roguelike mechanics highlights Balatro‘s brilliance. Players must go through various antes and try to meet the chip score of each round to attain victory with one of several decks.
Jokers aid a player considerably here, with Tarot, Spectral, Celestial, and other booster packs enhancing a player’s chances of reaching the end. This makes Balatro a highly addictive experience where players will sink in a ton of hours without realizing how time has flown by.
1
Hades
Supergiant Games’ Biggest Success With Excellent Combat And Emergent Storytelling
- Released
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September 17, 2020
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Hades broke new ground for Supergiant Games, turning into one of their most popular games and prompting the developer to create a direct sequel for the very first time in their history. Players love the action-packed gameplay as they control Zagreus in a bid to escape the underworld and meet his mother, Persephone.
During his journey, he will encounter several bosses and other NPCs with whom he can interact in the House of Hades following each run. This unique marriage of gameplay and story elements is something Supergiant Games has mastered, making it clear why Hades turned into their most successful game by a country mile.
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