Summary
- Roguelike games encourage players to learn from mistakes and strategize for tough encounters by experimenting with gameplay.
- Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead challenges players to prepare and strategize for survival against threats in a harsh world.
- Caves of Qud and Dwarf Fortress require players to understand game mechanics and employ strategic combat tactics for success.
Roguelike games have become all the rage with the rise of the indie scene, letting developers toy around with repetitive gameplay loops without outright boring players. The idea of experimenting with the gameplay and figuring out optimal strategies to tackle tough enemy encounters is something fans will love time and time again.
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While death can be quite cruel in these games after players have made substantial progress, it encourages them to learn from their mistakes and strategize better for future encounters. This is especially important in tactical titles where a single misstep can have dire consequences for the player.
8 Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Players Must Be Ready To Tackle The Many Threats Coming Their Way
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
- Released
- March 1, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
There's no denying that Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is one of the hardest roguelike titles to get into. Players are dropped into a world where they have little to no chance of surviving, especially when they have no idea how the game's mechanics work.
Only after a few deaths and a lot of hair-pulling frustration will fans figure out what works and what doesn't. The satisfaction players enjoy after preparing themselves to take out waves of zombies and other hostiles is quite rewarding and shows why a sound strategy is key to making meaningful progress in this title.
7 Caves Of Qud
A Lot Of Things Need To Be Taken Into Account Before Players Can Feel Confident In Battle
Caves Of Qud
- Released
- July 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Caves of Qud finally enjoyed a 1.0 release last year, with fans loving the old-school gameplay of this title. Players are dumped into a randomly generated world with numerous factions, NPCs, enemies, and everything else along the same lines.
Without any prior knowledge of the mechanics, a game over will arrive in record time. This makes it important to figure out the strategies involved in combat so that players can use everything from their equipment to the environment in their favor and take out any hostiles giving them a tough time.
6 Dwarf Fortress
The Adventure Mode Boasts A Deeply Complex Combat System
Dwarf Fortress
- Released
- August 8, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Strategy, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Adventure Mode in Dwarf Fortress lets players interact with the gameplay mechanics in ways they could've never imagined. Players explore a procedurally-generated world full of numerous dangers that must be surpassed using a surprisingly in-depth combat system.
Players have so many options in battle that it can boggle the mind, to the point where following a guide is recommended for beginners who don't want to be overwhelmed. Strategically approaching battles and using a mix of regular attacks and underhanded tactics is a must to overcome most combat encounters.
5 Slay The Spire
A Deck-Building Roguelike That's A Blast To Play Through
Slay the Spire
- Released
- January 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Tobacco Reference
- Developer(s)
- Mega Crit
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Slay the Spire is hailed by many as one of the best and most popular roguelike deck-building games ever made, and for good reason. Players choose a character and ascend a tower full of hostile encounters and loot to find.
Early runs are bound to end sooner rather than later, but players who get comfortable with certain characters and bolster their decks will be able to make meaningful progress in no time. The compelling gameplay of this title coupled with some impressive mod support makes it clear why Slay the Spire is such a beloved title that fans can't get enough of.
4 FTL: Faster Than Light
Players Will Love Managing Their Spaceship While Dealing With Enemy Encounters
FTL: Faster Than Light
- Released
- September 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Subset Games
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC
One of the earliest roguelike successes that left fans wanting for more, FTL: Faster than Light is surprisingly relaxing despite how tense the gameplay can get. Players must outrun a rebel fleet and hand over valuable information to their allies.
This is easier said than done, especially since players have to maintain their spaceship and handle the consequences of several random events that can either work for or against them. Along with this, combat scenarios can arrive at regular intervals where players are forced into strategic battles with other spaceships. Without a reliable crew or reinforced defenses, players will be toast in a matter of seconds.
3 Synthetik: Legion Rising
A Hardcore Top-Down Shooter With Roguelike Elements Where A Strategic Approach Is Paramount To Victory
Synthetik: Legion Rising
- Released
- March 15, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- Shooter, Indie Games
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC
Synthetik is one of the best roguelike top-down shooters fans can get their hands on. The game is hard-as-nails, with the adrenaline flowing as players are forced into a wealth of tense shootouts time and time again.
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Eventually, players will learn that simple running-and-gunning strategies are a death sentence. Based on the upgrades players have, they must utilize certain playstyles and approach each combat scenario tactically to emerge victorious. Strategic approaches become more important in co-op, where two players must sync up their approach in every combat scenario to come out victorious.
2 Darkest Dungeon
Without A Strategic Approach, Players Will Lose Precious Party Members In No Time
Darkest Dungeon
- Released
- January 19, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
One of the hardest and most engaging roguelike RPGs players can get their hands on, Darkest Dungeon is not for the faint of heart. Players have limited resources to hire adventurers and kit them out before sending them on their first expedition, which is bound to end horribly for most players.
These early failures hammer in just how important it is to preserve powerful fighters and strategize for any possible encounter. Sometimes, going from point A to B in a dungeon is more viable than trying to explore every nook and cranny, which exposes players to even harder encounters that can be a nightmare to deal with.
1 Into The Breach
The Rewarding Strategic Gameplay Loop Will Get Players Invested In No Time
Into the Breach
- Released
- February 27, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
Into the Breach is a game made by the developers of FTL, and this shows in its amazing pixel art and unique progression curve. Players control three pilots with mechs that are meant to deal with the hostile Vek, an alien force hell-bent on eradicating humanity.
Losing a fight is a given, but players have the opportunity to send a pilot back in time with all the experience they gained and start anew. It's a compelling mechanic that adds to the strategy of combat, with battles feeling like chess at times as players acquire advantageous positions and sacrifice weaker pilots for the greater good.