Until recently I would have considered myself a roguelite/roguelike noob. I had dabbled here and there with popular titles, but it was my best friend’s obsession with Risk of Rain 2 that drove me to the genre.
I won’t lie, at first I was put off by every aspect of the game: “What do you mean I have to re-start the game every time I die? Why did I lose all my items? Ew, it’s a shooter? Where’s the cosy farm and marriageable NPCs?”
However, the game grew on me the more I played it. What started as a forced enjoyment in order to spend more time with my friend slowly grew into late nights playing runs on my own, unlocking characters and abilities, hunting achievements, and overall having a blast.
My question now is, do I like the genre, or do I just like Risk of Rain 2? Hopefully by the end of this article I’ll have a handy list of incredible games to play and find out!
A roguelite is a genre of video game that contains some, but not all, elements of a roguelike.
Does that make it as clear as mud? Thought so. Allow me to clarify.
The roguelike genre is defined by several key aspects such as dungeon crawling, procedurally generated levels, turn-based gameplay, grid-based movement, and perma-death. Typically, each run through the game is independent of the next, and the player must reach the end of the game in a single sitting.
A roguelite, as the name suggests, is a genre that contains some of the above characteristics. It’s the Coke Zero of roguelikes – same great taste without the extreme difficulty (we’re not sponsored, I’m just thirsty as I’m writing this).
With that out of the way, allow us to introduce you to some of Quest Daily’s favourite roguelite and roguelike games.
Risk of Rain 2
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch
Recommended by: Rose Jordan
Let’s start with the one that started it all for me. Risk of Rain 2 is a roguelite game which, if you’re like me, you probably never heard of. It’s not as popular as its cousins Dead Cells or Hades (spoiler alert, those do in fact make this list), but in my humble opinion it is seriously underrated.
Each run has your character crash land on an alien planet, amass equipment to improve your combat, become a havoc-wreaking over-powered warrior, and eventually make your way to the final boss stage in an attempt to escape said planet. The story goal is to try and find out what happened to the survivors from the first game, Risk of Rain, however the story doesn’t reveal its hand easily – it is mostly told through world building. Overall a run for me usually takes about an hour from start to finish.
Just when you think you’ve seen all this game has to offer, it gets even better thanks to community mods! The PC modding community for this game is fantastically diverse; from quality-of-life features to fun skins, and even brand new characters and maps – it always feels like there is something fresh.
And if THAT isn’t enough, there’s more official gameplay on the way! Risk of Rain 2 has two official DLCs: Survivors of the Void (out now), and Seekers of the Storm (release date TBA).
Hades
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS
Recommended by: Shaun Fullard
Arguably the game that pushed rogue games into the mainstream, Hades is an action-packed, isometric roguelite full of deadly beasts and sexy NPCs.
You play as Zagreus, son of Hades the ruler of the underworld, trying to escape his father and reach his mother Persephone in the mortal world. The action is fast and fun, with Zagreus nimbly dodging in and out of the fray, unleashing flashy attacks that look and feel satisfying to execute. Epic boss battles push you to your limits, testing your reactions with devastating AOE attacks.
With multiple weapons, curses, and boons from gods to acquire and choose between, every run feels unique, and evolves with your choices. The brooding dark depths of the underworld are contrasted with pops of bright colour giving the art style an eye-catching and unique look.
Hades is such an exceptional example of the genre, it’s THE game I would recommend if someone asked me which roguelike/lite they should try first. The sequel, Hades II, is due to hit early access later this year.
READ MORE: Nine MORE Eye-catching Indie Games of 2024
Balatro
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
Recommended by: Julian Price
Balatro is a uniquely captivating game that combines the strategy of poker with the excitement of a roguelike experience. Developed by LocalThunk, this game challenges players to build a deck and face off against various blind stages to earn cash and upgrade their hand levels.
The game requires strategic thinking and skill, as every pick-up, discard, and Joker card can dramatically alter the course of your run. Money earned is used to buy dopamine inducing card packs, upgrade hand levels, and unlock unique Joker cards for huge score multipliers. It’s full of stunning animations, pixel art, and satisfying sound effects.
Overall, Balatro is a thrilling and engaging experience that keeps me coming back night after night — a must play for fans of card and roguelike games.
Dave the Diver
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation
Recommended by: Rose Jordan
Aha! So I CAN mix cosy gaming with roguelites – now we’re cooking. Dave the Diver is, despite how it may first appear, a roguelite game. You play as Dave, a diver who ends up running a sushi restaurant on a remote tropical island. Diver by day, sushi restaurant manager by night! You must micro-manage the restaurant and its employees, hunt fish, grow crops, build business reputation, and help the whacky-yet-wonderful characters you meet along the way. The game is interspersed with the most bizarre gameplay and story moments that can be a real treat to discover, and each cutscene is a pixelated masterpiece.
The roguelite elements come into play during the diving segments of the game. During the daytime Dave can dive for fish and ingredients in the Blue Hole, however every time he enters the environment changes. The game does give a story reason for why this happens, but that is for me to know and for you to uncover. Dave can unlock upgrades to make each run a little easier, and to help him dive a little deeper, which is ultimately how the story progresses.
If you’re a cosy gamer looking for a way to dip your toe into the roguelite genre, Dave the Diver is a great place to start.
READ MORE: Quest Daily’s Game of the Year 2023
Vampire Survivors
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android
Recommended by: Michael Rivers
Vampire Survivors is an odd sell. It’s a game where all you do is walk around while your weapons auto-shoot at the monsters around you. And yet, the massive number of on-screen enemies, seemingly endless unlockables, goofy sense of humour, and an overwhelming visual spectacle reminiscent of a pokies machine made Vampire Survivors into an addictive indie sensation.
While it wasn’t the first game of this kind, its mainstream success spawned a sub-genre with other hits like Brotato and Halls of Torment. But the massive amount of content on offer in Vampire Survivors makes it one I’ll always come back to.
Dead Cells
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android
Recommended by: Julian Price
Dead Cells is a roguelite-Metroidvania game I absolutely adore. You play as the Prisoner, an amorphous creature, and must navigate through a diseased island in an effort to defeat the King.
The game shines with its diverse range of weapons, impressive pixel art, unlockable traversal skills and fast-paced combat that keeps me coming back for more.
Since its launch in 2018, four DLC packs have been released, including the latest one featuring a crossover with Castlevania – which I admittedly haven’t played, but it’s on the list.
READ MORE: Five Games To Play If You Like ‘Where’s Wally?’
God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla
Platform: PlayStation
Recommended by: Shaun Fullard
The mix of God of War’s fantastical world, and the addictive ‘one more run’ philosophy of roguelike games, are a match made in heaven.
Sony Santa Monica took the fast-paced, thrilling action of Ragnarok and wove an emotional story of self-reflection around the repetitive cornerstone of roguelikes.
Valhalla presents new story, character development, enemies, weapons and of course, a new way to play the fan favourite game. It holds the title of being the only game/DLC to ever make me tear up after achieving a particular trophy!
Turnip Boy Robs A Bank
Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox
Recommended by: Julian Price
If you’re into games about humanoid vegetables with mafia connections (who isn’t?), the latest game in the Turnip Boy series should get your crop growing.
This time around, Snoozy Kazoo, creators of the beloved root veggie, have taken their lighthearted dungeon crawler and shoved a rocket up it.
The first game was a basic dungeon crawler with a few puzzles here and there, but now Turnip Boy has been given a roguelike makeover — and it hits just right.
READ MORE: Review | Turnip Boy Robs a Bank (Xbox Series X)
FTL: Faster Than Light
Platform: Steam
Recommended by: Michael Rivers
FTL: Faster Than Light is a top-down strategy game where you build out a space station, form relationships with your crew members and experience heartbreak time and time again as your game plan unravels and everything inevitably falls apart.
As you plot a route throughout space, the game throws up randomised events such as meeting new allies, battling enemy ships or mysterious interactions with strangers. You’re constantly making choices that might sink your efforts to travel the galaxy and this constant tightrope walk provides a non-stop source of excitement.
FTL mixes grand space adventuring, small-scale storytelling and the random nature of rogue-lites to create a never-ending sci-fi masterpiece.
The Last of Us Part II: No Return
Platform: PlayStation
Recommended by: Julian Price
No Return is a thrilling must play for fans of The Last of Us franchise. This roguelite game mode offers a fresh, expansive experience with a mix of firearms, melee weapons, and stealth tactics to take on human and infected enemies — all across a variety of familiar levels.
You can play as all your favourite (and least favourite) characters, each equipped with their own unique skills. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed journey that promises plenty of excitement.
While it’s not The Last of Us Part III, No Return is one of my favourite game additions of 2024.
READ MORE: Review | The Last of Us Part II Remastered (PlayStation 5)
Wizard of Legend
Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
Recommended by: Tom Greer
Wizard of Legend is a fast-paced rougelite that emphasizes dynamic magical combat. You assume the role of a wizard partaking in the Chaos trials to become a Wizard of Legend!
Choose your spells from a variety of elements such as wind, water and fire to create devastating spell combinations and flashy movement.
Each run is unique and the Council of mages that serve as bosses all offer their own unique battles and loot! The endless spell combinations will keep you coming back for more!
Special shout out to Cult of the Lamb, an adorable action-roguelike with a blood soaked twist, and Returnal, the first true PlayStation 5 title and chaotic third-person shooter — both of these are must play games.
That’s a wrap!
There’s our handy-dandy recommendations of our favourite roguelites and roguelikes!
Have a recommendation that we didn’t list? Join our Discord and share it with the community!
