The Roguelite genre of gaming is currently thriving. For those who don’t know, “roguelite” describes a game that follows certain tropes established by the classic title Rogue. Some of these tropes include randomly generated maps, grid-based movement, and most importantly, permadeath.
However, modern game designers don’t often stick to the rules set up by Rogue. So, they often add twists to the tropes, such as an upgradable, customizable character, weapon changes, and diverse gameplay. This has led to the roguelite genre getting a lot more eyes on it. So, in this article, we are counting down the top 5 roguelite games to check out today.
Balatro
The success of the iGaming market has truly had its impact on video games. While we can’t really confirm, we suspect that the growing popularity of iGaming has had an effect on Balatro’s success. It is true that many online craps sites focus on games of chance rather than poker. But poker fans can still enjoy testing their luck in such a manner.
In Balatro, the player starts out with a standard card deck. However, with each run, they collect enough cash to purchase new cards, and slowly begin to figure out that each card has its own special effect. That is right, unlike regular poker, Balatro encourages you to cheat your way to the top. An excellent, creative, and truly impressive game, it is no wonder that Balatro got nominated for game of the year.
The Binding of Isaac
When discussing roguelites, it is impossible not to bring up The Binding of Isaac. After all, this is the title that started it all. Critics will often praise the Binding of Isaac, whether they love or hate roguelite games. However, pretty soon Ed McMillen was given the opportunity to release it as an actual game. Naturally, him and his team jumped on the chance, and The Binding of Isaac remains one of the best-selling indie games of all time.
The story follows Isaac, a young boy locked in a basement by his abusive mother. There, he has nothing to do but fantasize about a world in which he escapes, using all sorts of strange weapons, including his own tears. The interesting thing about the game is that each run reveals something new, not just about the game’s story, but also about its mechanics. There is a reason why it is a classic.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Often, we see the story of a heroic figure combatting the demon lord’s forces, and eventually slaying the king himself. However, what happens when the Hero is working for a corrupt kingdom, and the Demon Lord turns out to not be such bad of a guy? Well, that is when Skul, the hero slayer, must rise up, and put an end to the corruption.
The game sees the player take control of Skul, a small skeleton, who has the ability to switch out his own skull, for that of an ally. When doing so, the skeleton gets different powers and abilities, making him stronger. In terms of gameplay, Skul: The Hero Slayer is a basic platformer, action/adventure game. But, the addition of the different skulls is what truly elevates it beyond its status.
Vampire Survivors
The image of a warrior facing off against an army of evil is a staple of fantasy storytelling. Vampire Survivors takes this concept, and turns it into one of the simplest, yet most exciting and thrilling games you’ve ever seen. Simply put, the game sees the player being swarmed by a monstrous horde of enemies, without much chance. However, they messed with the wrong devil hunter.
Vampire Survivors lets you upgrade your character before each run, picking up stronger weapons and armor along the way. All the player has to do is move around, as the character automatically attacks any enemy that steps foot near him. While it may seem uninteresting, anyone who has played this game soon learns just how thrilling it is. A lot of strategy goes into deciding when and where to move, to get the perfect combo.
Hades
Finally, no discussion about roguelites is complete without bringing up Supergiant Games’ Hades. In this one, the player takes control of Zagreus, the son of Hades and Persephone. His goal is simple; escape his father’s realm, and meet his mother in the world of the living. However, it isn’t so easy to escape the realm of Hades, and Zagreus must continuously fail, before he can succeed.
Luckily, the son of the God of the Dead is immortal himself. Whenever he fails his run, he is returned to the Underworld, where he tries and tries again. Hades combines hack-n-slash gameplay, with a roguelite premise to great effect. Zagreus can switch between several weapons, each given to him by different Olympian Gods. He can upgrade the weapons after each run, creating a more strategic system.
The original Hades was naturally a huge success, which has led to a sequel. The game follows Zagreus’ sister. However, rather than escaping the Underworld, this time she must fight against the forces of the Titan, Chronos, who has risen out of Tartarus, and is seeking revenge on his children. New weapons, new abilities, and new enemies all await returning players.
Honorable Mentions
We would be remiss if we did not bring up some more titles, that are well worth your time. Of course, the five games we brought up in this article are all excellent. Not only are they great games, but they also have excellent android options. However, there may be more out there for you to try. So, if you prefer turn-based combat, then why not check out Darkest Dungeon.
Bringing Lovecraft together with old-school adventure stories, Darkest Dungeon takes the player on a trip to an old, run down town, plagued by horrors. The player builds a team of adventurers, sending them out on a mission. Can they survive? And if they do, will their return result in madness? Find out, by giving Darkest Dungeon, or its sequel a go.
EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement
