The best roguelike games on PC remain popular well into 2024 and for years after release, and are easy to return to. In fact, roguelikes and roguelites are an equally diverse and increasingly accessible genre that have grown in popularity to the point that a new, promising and often challenging game now appears every week.
Here are the best roguelikes on PC:
With a huge number of quality roguelike and roguelite games to choose from, we're making it easy for you to find your next favorite on this list. You should expect to see a healthy mix of classics and newcomers among our picks, and as we continue to see developers try to open up the genre to new players and create new hybrids, you may see some strategy, shooter, and card combat crossovers. . We also won't get into the details of what is roguelike and what is roguelite, so here is our list of the best roguelike games on PC.
Cult of the Lamb
We open our list of the best roguelike games on PC with the excellent Cult of the Lamb. This is the newest roguelike on our list, cute and demonic in equal measure. Take on the role of a lovable cult leader as you fight your way through a series of dungeons, destroying the very forces that brought you to this world of the undead. I hope you're in luck, as Cult of the Lamb is especially RNG-heavy, and every room, weapon, and reward is randomly generated each time you play through.
However, in a unique twist on the roguelike genre, Cult of the Lamb is also a management sim. Naturally, in addition to fighting demons, you must keep your cult running smoothly, recruit new members, and keep them all fed, happy, and above all, loyal.
Hades
In the latest Supergiant game, you play Zagreus, the son of Hades and the prince of the underworld, as he does everything in his power to escape from Hell itself. This is an isometric hack 'n' slash where the combat is furious and there are many enemies.
Tying together their procedural runs with a compelling story and a likable cast of characters, Hades emphasizes the narrative potential of the cyclical nature of the genre. Each failed attempt results in you being resurrected in your home, the House of Hades, where your old buddies and family members are waiting to speak to you one last time.
Learning a little more about them after each race makes death less daunting, and when you're in the field, you'll have the opportunity to meet and receive experimental upgrades from your Olympian relatives. These squabbling deities are arguably the real stars of the show, and their wonderful artwork and fully voiced dialogue help bring them to life. This is definitely one of best story games for PC and a damn good roguelike.
The Binding of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac, from developer Edmund McMillen, revived the roguelike genre when it hit the scene nearly a decade ago. Since then, a lot of brighter and more modern roguelike games have appeared, but there is still nothing like it.
He remains unwavering in his description of the terrible state of Isaac. In fact, the game is in the realm of horror as you weep as you fight your way through this repulsive world and encounter Isaac's many demons, including his own mother. Ultimately, its enduring popularity is a testament to both elegant design and unique personality.
While The Binding of Isaac Repentance may be the last update, it adds many new enemies, rooms, secret bosses, and even supports up to four players in local co-op. Not surprisingly, on the first weekend only in Steam it managed to rack up 60 concurrent players (although it's also available on the Epic Game Store, so that number is probably a bit higher).
Darkest Dungeon
This is our favorite of the best roguelike games on PC. Darkest Dungeon is the embodiment of suffering. Visually depressing, brutally complex, and utterly dark, never before has a more vibrant game made you feel so bad. He manages to keep you in a constant state of unease as you delve into his dungeons in search of trinkets and gold.
Getting past the grim denizens of each dungeon in turn-based combat is one thing, but you also have to consider that your party members aren't mindless meat shields. The physical and mental toll from your expeditions inevitably takes a toll on them, and that's what gives Darkest Dungeon its spice. The sheer nightmare of contracting a hideous disease or meeting an injured friend—or worse—can send any adventurer into an early grave. Therefore, it is extremely important that you carefully evaluate each of your movements.
Dead Cells
It's hard to imagine anyone who isn't immediately hooked on Dead Cells' bloody action and breakneck pace. As an immortal (not to mention headless) science experiment, you burst out of your prison cell and begin tearing and tearing your way through the vast castle, from the dungeons below to the towers above.
The game allows you to carry over certain improvements between playthroughs, making you feel a constant sense of progress. As a result, returning to square one after a particularly confusing boss fight doesn't carry the same sting as other roguelike games, and makes it even more tempting to start a new playthrough. That's not to say that Dead Cells is a walk in the park - it'll still kick your ass on a regular basis - but taking the pressure off of losing it all makes the experience less intimidating. It also helps that the post-launch support for the game has been nothing short of exceptional.
Do not starve
Don't Starve is an edgy, unnerving shot of gothic horror that gives you pleasure while stressing and hurting you. At its most basic level, this is an isometric roguelike survival game where your task is to create life for yourself in a world that wants you to die.
Developer Klei never seems to be short on new - and often nasty - surprises, and setting out to explore your surroundings is both a terrifying and enticing prospect. No matter how cruel his world is, you will be called again and again to try again, unravel its complex systems and see what lies beyond.
Downwell
Downwell is a furious roguelike shotgun blast that boasts a confident sense of style and a polished design that keeps it going. It turns a XNUMXD platform game on its head, forcing you to dive into a seemingly bottomless well filled with monsters. Luckily, you have a handy pair of camo boots - yes, you read that right - that serve as your primary offensive and evasive tool.
Its downward action is immediately enjoyable, although while the game is easy to pick up and play, achieving mastery in combat is an Herculean feat. Despite this harsh difficulty level, Downwell's satisfying combo system, fast levels, and creative final boss make it one of the best roguelike games out there.
Into the Breach
Another roguelike from Subset Games, FTL, could easily fill that spot, but we think Into the Breach takes the lead with its laser-focused design and layers of hidden depth.
This is a turn-based strategy game where you face off against an army of monsters known as Vek. The only way to counter their devastating attack is to enlist the help of several giant mechs. Unfortunately for you, the Vek are more than capable of destroying your squad, so you'll have to struggle with every decision if you want to keep them safe and sound.
As you progress through the game's islands, you'll discover upgraded weapons and pilots to help you turn the tide of war and save humanity from certain doom. Its simple combat won't put off newcomers - it's one of the most accessible strategy games out there - but you shouldn't expect anything less than Into the Breach's tense, albeit consistently rewarding pastime.
Slay the Spire
In Slay the Spire, you'll have to fight your way up a giant tower that, unsurprisingly, is also home to a plethora of monsters. With pre-combat optimizations, it's the perfect entry point into the single-player card battle genre. It's also a smart roguelike that uses elements of choose-your-own-adventure games to create a more immediate, action-oriented experience.
Experimenting with the potential combinations of cards at your disposal gives each new playthrough a new flavor. But as great as it is to take down a previously unstoppable boss, you can never afford to be cocky - the spire's branching paths are full of deadly surprises.
spelunky 2
And finally, we close the list of the best roguelikes on PC with Spelunky 2. Despite its cutesy cartoonish aesthetic, Spelunky 2 has the ability to infuriate and delight in equal measure. Its predecessor may be one of the best PC games of all time, but it easily surpasses it in every possible way, providing an incredible amount of gaming experience. Yes, you still have to navigate through a series of hazard-filled procedurally generated caverns in search of treasure, but its iterative nature allows developer Mossmouth to refine the Spelunky formula almost to perfection.
You play as the daughter of the protagonist of the first game, who is looking for her missing parents on the moon. To reach them, you must make full use of your platforming and problem-solving abilities. The smallest bugs can have chaotic consequences, but what makes Spelunky 2 so special is how flexible its systems are. Sometimes it can feel like no two runs are the same, and so you'll keep making wonderful discoveries even after you've immersed yourself in dozens of hours.
And that's it for our list of the best roguelikes on PC 2024. With so many new releases out there, staying on top of what's worth playing can be difficult. Think we missed your favorite roguelikes? Do not worry! This list is not set in stone and can easily be added to over time.
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