It's Official: Mewgenics Has Beaten Hades 2

Mewgenics has officially become the most played game in its genre, surpassing the previous peak set by Hades 2 and marking a major milestone for its indie developer. Developed by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, Mewgenics had been in development in various forms for years before its release. The project was originally announced more than a decade ago, underwent significant redesigns, and eventually evolved into a turn-based tactical roguelike centered around breeding and battling genetically distinct cats.

While its premise may appear unconventional at first glance, its launch performance suggests strong pent-up demand among both longtime fans of McMillen's work and newcomers drawn to its deep systems. For context, Hades 2, developed by Supergiant Games, previously set the benchmark for roguelike player peaks on Steam. As the sequel to the critically acclaimed Hades, it generated substantial hype upon entering early access and later full release, ultimately recording a peak of approximately 112,947 concurrent Hades 2 players. At the time, that number was widely regarded as a high-water mark for the genre.

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By Chris Jecks

Mewgenics Becomes Steam's Most Played Roguelike Ever

According to publicly available Steam data reported by Insider Gaming, Mewgenics reached a peak of over 115,000 concurrent players shortly after launch. That figure edges past Hades 2, which previously held the genre record with a peak of just under 113,000 concurrent players on Steam, with the difference that Mewgenics' may grow still. The achievement places Mewgenics at the top of the roguelike category in terms of all-time player concurrency on Valve's platform.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Mewgenics surpassing that total is notable not only because it overtook a highly anticipated sequel from an established studio, but also because it did so immediately following launch. Steam concurrent player peaks typically reflect concentrated launch-day interest, but crossing the 100,000-player threshold is rare for roguelikes, which historically have been more niche compared to other genres such as battle royale or multiplayer shooters.

The strong debut indicates that the roguelike genre continues to expand its mainstream appeal. Over the past decade, roguelikes and roguelites have steadily grown in popularity, with titles blending procedural generation, meta-progression systems, and varied combat styles. Mewgenics' cat breeding, combined with tactical, grid-based combat with an extensive genetic system that influences character traits, abilities, and long-term progression, makes it stand out from competitors. This layered design appears to have resonated with players looking for depth and replayability.

Key Launch Metrics for Mewgenics

115,000+ peak concurrent players on Steam
Surpassed Hades 2's 112,947 all-time peak
Achieved record within days of release
Immediately became the most played roguelike by concurrent players in Steam history
Broke past the 100,000 concurrent player threshold, a rare feat for the genre

The game also surpassed The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth's 70,701 player record.

Steam user engagement metrics further highlight the scale of the launch. Breaking the previous record suggests significant wishlist conversion, strong pre-launch marketing, and effective community mobilization. McMillen's reputation, particularly among fans of challenging, systems-driven games like The Binding of Isaac, likely contributed to early momentum. While concurrency records can fluctuate over time, initial peaks often serve as indicators of broader commercial success.

It is also worth noting that concurrent player counts measure how many users are playing simultaneously rather than total sales. However, achieving the highest concurrent peak in a genre as competitive as roguelike games on Steam generally signals a substantial number of units sold in a short timeframe. Industry observers often use these metrics to assess launch performance, market impact, and long-term visibility within the Steam ecosystem.

Whether Mewgenics will maintain long-term player retention comparable to other top roguelikes remains to be seen. Sustained engagement typically depends on post-launch support, balance updates, and community-driven content. Even so, surpassing Hades 2's previous record places the game in a prominent position within the genre's evolving landscape. For now, Mewgenics holds the distinction of Steam's most played roguelike by peak concurrent players — a milestone that underscores both the continued growth of the genre and the enduring draw of inventive indie development.