Dying is the fastest way to victory in roguelike games, so I look forward to discovering new ways to perish in 2024. Grab your trusty weapon and prepare to fail often by playing some of the best roguelites and roguelikes in 2024.
Best Roguelikes and Roguelites to play in 2024
10. Wild Bastards
Wild Bastards is a co-op roguelike set in a space-Western world overrun by monsters. Choose from a crew of antiheroes, each with unique skills and personalities, and work together to defeat enemies while getting stronger after each run. Its cartoonish visuals are deceiving—you may think Wild Bastards is easy when, in fact, you'll have to give your best just to survive.
9. Streets of Rogue 2
If you're not sure how to explain what your game is about, just put in the title, like Streets of Rogue 2 does (for the second time). In this street-level isometric adventure, dying is part of the process, so get used to it quickly. The good news is that the game has multiplayer so you can fail with your friends!
8. Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core
The dwarves from Deep Rock Galactic return for more, this time in a roguelike spinoff, Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core. Dive into the heart of Hoxxes IV, confront deadly new enemies, destroy everything in your path, create powerful builds, and die gloriously. Rogue Core is a co-op multiplayer, so you can create a four-dwarves demolition team and destroy everything in your path.
Related: The Difference Between Roguelike and Roguelite Games
7. Roots of Yggdrasil
If you think developers are out of ideas these days, take a look at Roots of Yggdrasil. This is a roguelike city-builder with cards set in a world after Ragnarok. I must admit, I've never played a city-builder where a deck of cards determines my options. While the visuals may not be everyone's cup of tea, the mechanics are worth giving this game a chance.
6. Mewgenics
At least one game on this list should be something different than you'd expect. Mewgenics is a black-and-white, hand-drawn, turn-based roguelike with genetically modified cats. That's a sentence I thought I would never write—but the game is actually based on a fun concept! Cats get new mutations by defeating enemies, breeding, and creating new cat species.
5. Sons of Valhalla
To enter Valhalla, you must die in battle as a true Viking. At least that's not so difficult in Sons of Valhalla, where dying is part of the process. This sidescroller is like old roguelikes, not just visually but with brutal difficulty. You'll need to show your skills and use all the moves you learned to prove yourself worthy to the Norse gods.
Related: What is a roguelike game? General features and examples
4. Windblown
Windblown places you in a world of floating islands where you move with supersonic speed (pun intended). The game has everything you can ask from a roguelike—speed, skill, difficulty, and failure. If that's not enough, this multiplayer game has gorgeous, anime-inspired visuals. What else do you need, a Silksong to inspire you?
3. Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
Developers of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor combined dwarves from The Lord of the Rings, space, and vampires to create a chaotic mining experience. Although Vampire Survivors heavily inspired this game, it has more to offer, especially regarding visuals, activities, and items to upgrade. I especially like the importance of mining resources as it gives me some purpose during missions instead of the walking-simulator feel of most survivor-like games.
2. Pacific Drive
Although Pacific Drive is, first and foremost, a great survival game, it leans heavily on roguelike mechanics. Developers even call it "road-lite," implying you'll need multiple runs to succeed. Unlike other titles, your companion is a custom-built car you use to move across the map. While you'll receive orders from strangers via car radio, the car is your only friend during missions.
1. Hades 2
In Hades 2, a new heroine emerges in the form of Melinoë, immortal Princess of the Underworld, daughter of Hades, and sister of Zagreus! Explore this modern interpretation of Greek mythology, face legendary gods, and use dark sorcery to destroy everyone standing in your way. I adored Hades, so there was no way any other game from the list could surpass Hades 2.
For more roguelike action, check out Hades 2 stops time and revives the hype on Pro Game Guides.
Published: Jan 10, 2024 09:17 am