Hades 2 has already earned immense praise, sitting at an impressive 96% positive rating on Steam, but it’s not alone at the top of the roguelite genre. Several standout titles have managed to score even higher, each offering its own unique twist on the endlessly replayable formula, whilst remaining true to the roguelite genre.
Some are technically impressive, while others are far simpler games from indie devs looking to make a name for themselves. Regardless, they are all phenomenal games in one of the most competitive genres on the planet. They have captivated players with addictive mechanics, distinct aesthetics, and innovative design, allowing the genre to continue evolving far beyond its original roots.
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Gunfire Reborn
Tactical Intensity Meets Roguelite Progression
Gunfire Reborn
- Released
- November 18, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Duoyi Games
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Score: 96%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Gunfire Reborn combines FPS action with roguelite systems, creating a dynamic, fast-paced experience where every run feels different. Players control distinct heroes with unique abilities, battling through randomly generated levels packed with enemies and loot.
Its seamless mix of intense gunplay, cooperative synergies, and wide build variety has earned it acclaim from players and critics alike. The blend of precise shooting and strategic progression makes Gunfire Reborn one of the most replayable and fun shooters on Steam today.
Brotato
Simple Yet Deeply Satisfying
Brotato
- Released
- June 23, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
- Blobfish
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Score: 96%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Brotato takes the chaos of a bullet hell and condenses it into fast, satisfying roguelite runs. Players control an armed potato battling waves of bizarre enemies, equipping up to six weapons at once while upgrading stats between rounds to help them reach further and further.
The game's deceptive simplicity hides deep strategic potential. Countless combinations of weapons and traits create endless replay value. The game’s snappy pace and addictive loop have made it a fan favorite, boasting an exceptional community rating that even surpasses genre titans like Hades 2.
Cult of the Lamb
Adorable With A Sinister Twist
Cult of the Lamb
- Released
- August 11, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood, Violence.
- Developer(s)
- Massive Monster
- Genre(s)
- Roguelite, Indie Games, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Score: 96%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Cult of the Lamb blends roguelite dungeon-crawling with colony management in one of the most creative genre hybrids ever made. There's so much content, ranging from procedurally generated areas, to a huge variety of customization options that give players all the tools they need to create the perfect settlement.
Its charming art style and dark humor make the game feel both inviting and unsettling at the same time. The balance between exploration and management keeps every moment engaging, which has earned it immense acclaim and praise.
Inscryption
Psychological Horror Combined With Card-based Combat
Inscryption
- Released
- October 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Score: 96%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Inscryption defies easy classification, as this unique game merges deckbuilding, roguelite progression, and psychological horror into one unforgettable experience. What begins as a card game quickly unravels into something darker, filled with puzzles, secrets, and unsettling narrative turns.
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Its layered storytelling and eerie atmosphere have made it one of the most acclaimed indie games in recent years. Every run feels both unpredictable and deeply engaging. Inscryption gives players a huge amount of content to enjoy in a single title, which has led the game to the top of the roguelite review charts.
Dead Cells
Endlessly Replayable Runs
Dead Cells
- Released
- August 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Motion Twin
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Score: 96%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Dead Cells remains a benchmark for roguelite excellence, delivering fluid platforming and satisfying combat that keeps players coming back for hundreds of runs. Though deaths can be frustrating, each one feels like a step forward, with every unlock carrying weight into the next try.
Its tight controls and responsive design glue players to the screen, and feed into the "one more run" idea perfectly. With so much existing content and DLC, Dead Cells has evolved into an all-time great, maintaining a rating that places it among the elite roguelites on Steam.
Balatro
The Card Game Phenom
Balatro
- Released
- February 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Gambling Themes
- Developer(s)
- LocalThunk
- Genre(s)
- Strategy, Digital Card Game, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Score: 98%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Balatro turns poker into a roguelite masterpiece, transforming simple card hands into a game of exponential combos and endless possibilities. Each run challenges players to build the perfect deck through upgrades, Jokers, and clever synergy, with scores growing over time to the point of absurdity.
Its minimalist presentation hides an incredibly addictive core loop. Balancing luck, math, and strategy, Balatro has achieved overwhelming praise for its innovation and replayability, and stands as one of the most well-loved games of the last few years.
Vampire Survivors
Addictive Beyond Belief
Vampire Survivors
- Released
- December 17, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Luca Galante
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Score: 98%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Vampire Survivors redefined the roguelite genre by introducing players to a minimalistic world that they could easily sink hundreds of hours into. With auto-attacks and straightforward progression, it creates a hypnotic gameplay loop that escalates from calm beginnings to screen-filling chaos.
What sets it apart is how rewarding every minute feels, as the simple mechanics are layered into deep strategies through upgrades, relics, and secrets. Its overwhelming popularity and near-perfect rating on Steam reflect its universal appeal, proving that even the simplest ideas can define a genre.
Hades
Redefining An Entire Genre
Hades
- Released
- September 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Score: 98%, Overwhelmingly Positive
Before Hades 2, there was Hades, the game that perfected roguelite storytelling. Its seamless fusion of action, narrative, and replayability set a new standard for the genre, with every run unveiling new dialogue, relationships, and discoveries, on top of being unbelievably fun.
The tight combat, brilliant voice acting, and endless variation made it an instant classic. Even years after release, it maintains one of the highest Steam scores in gaming history, standing proudly near the top of not just the genre, but the entire Steam catalog.
Best FPS Action Roguelikes & Roguelites
Fans looking for more action-packed titles may want to try the following FPS roguelikes and roguelites.