Even the best game can get stale if it doesn’t have a way to keep things fresh.Roguelikesoffer better replay value than almost any other genre thanks to their RNG: the player never knows exactly how the game will go, because powers, items, enemies, and even entire levels are randomized. To win, the player is forced to adapt.Steamhasplenty of amazing roguelike titles, but with so many of them competing for gamers' attention, some of the best inevitably get overlooked.
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Roguelike games feature plenty of unique progression loops that will keep players interested in the long run, which is why so many fans are saddened about the fact that some of these titles simply do not get the time in the spotlight they deserve. If players love unique titles that have their own spin on this genre and manage to execute the same flawlessly, then these games will be right up their alley.
Updated on May 21, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:The rise of indie games has allowed certain genres to thrive in the spotlight, with the roguelike genre allowing players to experience a game with a fresh coat of pain every single time they embark on a run. This structure allows for a heightened sense of replayability as players go through levels that are structured differently every single time, and that’s just a small part of what makes the roguelike game structure so interesting. There are several unique takes on this genre, and it’s so populated that many great games don’t get the attention they deserve some of the time, which is a shame.
The idea of trying to survive a zombie apocalypse by escaping the United States doesn’t really sound like the most original concept around, but it’s the manner in whichDeath Road to Canadaweaves its elements around this gameplay loop that makes it such a blast to play through. The game combines narrative elements with action-heavy survival gameplay as they scrounge around for supplies and try to survive a zombie apocalypse that threatens to take them out every second of the way.
It becomes important to ration resources and keep the survivors happy as they attempt to escape the zombie apocalypse and secure their life for good. The game can get frustratingly hard at times if players are besieged by countless waves of zombies, but this is part of the allure thatmakesDeath Road to Canadasuch a great game to experience!
Curse of the Dead Godscame outaround the same time thatHadeswas becoming wildly popular. With both roguelikes focused on real-time action gameplay with a heavy mythological focus, it was only a given that some players would gravitate more toward one title and ignore the other. SinceHadesended up being Supergiant’s most popular title and one of the greatest indie games of all time,Curse of the Dead Godsended up being forgotten, as a result.
This is a shame since players who did check this title out realized just how engaging the action gameplay of this title really is. There’s a balancing act present in every run courtesy of a Curse meter that players need to manage and deplete by defeating the many in-game bosses. There are more than enough mechanics in the game to keep people interested in the long run, makingCurse of the Dead Godsa deeply underappreciated roguelike game that deserves all the love in the world.
16Into The Breach
Given the work of Subset Games on the laudedFTL: Faster than Light, most people expected their next endeavor to be just as engaging, if not more. The difficulty of this title compelled players to get better and understand how the strategic gameplay worked, allowing players to understand how these mechs worked and struggle to survive in encounters against the Vek time and time again.
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Despite its positive critical and commercial reception,Into the Breachdidn’t really reach the heights of popularity when compared toFTL, which is a shame. The game features some scintillating gameplay that will push players into stressful encounters and tough decisions over and over again, which is part of the reason why so many people love this masterpiece.
15Desktop Dungeons: Rewind
Desktop Dungeons: Rewindis a remaster of a fun, light-hearted roguelike title which was quite fun in its own right. The game’s cute graphics and easy-to-learn mechanics make it accessible to players who may not be familiar with the genre.
InDesktop Dungeons: Rewind, players must navigate randomly generated dungeons, defeat monsters, and collect loot to progress through the game. To make this title even more accessible for the masses,this remaster added a new Rewind featurethat allows players to replay a dungeon from an earlier stage upon defeat… although hardcore roguelike fans may scoff at this addition, and understandably so.
14Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Cataclysm: Dark Days Aheadis probably the ugliest-looking title on this list, which is perhaps the biggest reason why it doesn’t enjoy the popularity it deserves. This is truly unfortunate sincethis post-apocalyptic, open-world survival gameis the best display of what a roguelike game can achieve if its systems are given free rein to experiment and aren’t held down by visual assets, player hand-holding, or anything else along the same lines.
The game takes place in a world overrun by bloodthirsty zombies, sentient plants, giant insects, and other such monsters. The game is known and lauded across the board for its incredibly detailed mechanics and systems, which allow players to craft & scavenge items, build bases, make vehicles, and accomplish almost everything possible. The game’s massive procedurally-generated worlds and the unforgiving permadeath mechanic add a sense of urgency and tension to every decision players make.
13Neon Abyss
Neon Abyssis a fast-paced, action-packed roguelike game that features colorful, neon graphics and a pulse-pounding synth-wave soundtrack that makes its combat feel all the more dynamic and engaging. In the game, players take on the role of a member of the Grim Squad, a group of soldiers tasked with exploring the Abyss, a mysterious underground dungeon.
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The game features a variety of weapons and power-ups, even allowing players to hatch and raise creatures with unique abilities of their own. Players looking for a roguelike side-scrolling game with stylish combat will be more than happy with whatNeon Abysshas to offer.
12Nuclear Throne
Many players might be worried that roguelike games become somewhat repetitive and start lacking any sort of variety after a point. Well,games likeNuclear Throneprove why this notion is incorrect in so many ways.
The game boasts fourteen playable characters that are all pretty interesting to play in their own right. The game has a steep skill curve that players must master if they wish to beat the final boss of the game, the eponymousNuclear Throneitself.
11Synthetik
A roguelike top-down shooter with tactical combat,Synthetikis a great experience that fans of the genre should check out. This title can be played either alone or with friends, with both modes of play being a blast in their own right.
It’s important to choose viable upgrades, get an array of damaging weapons, and use tactics as well as shooting skills to beat the enemies in the game.Synthetikis not an easy game by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s a riveting title that players will become absolutely absorbed with once they understand the nuances of the game’s combat systems.
10Receiver
Receiveris one of the most unique games on this list, turning the very act of shooting itself into a core gameplay mechanic. Simply reloading a gun takes numerous button presses that can be quite tricky to pull off early on.
However, it’s a testament to the brilliant design ofReceiverthat many players will automatically start reloading weapons through muscle memory alone. This is downright necessary since the enemies in the game seem pretty simple but can be absolutely horrifying to deal with if the player runs out of bullets during a particularly challenging encounter.
9Caves Of Qud
Caves of Qudis one of the most unique games on this list, with its graphics being perfect for fans ofDwarf Fortress. The game might not look all that impressive, but it’s the amazing mechanics ofCaves of Qudthat make it such a beloved title.
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Thesheer number of options players have access to inCaves of Qudis simply mind-blowing. Each and every playthrough of the game is unique in its own right, with a single mistake being punished harshly and serving as a learning experience for the player time and time again.
