Tired of how some modern games give you too many second chances or make the challenges too easy to overcome?
Enter the world of roguelikes: a genre of PC games that promises character development, difficult trials and challenges, and a unique experience each time you play.
To help you decide where to start with these awesome games, here is a list of 15 titles that you can start playing today.
15. Risk of RainThe premise of the game is simple -- find the teleporter home. To do so you will need to slash your way through this 2D action platformer, either alone or with up to three friends. The game will challenge your skills as enemies and bosses become stronger the longer you survive. Choose from 100 tools to give yourself the best chance of making it home. The game is sure to stress you out but keep you coming back for more.
Watch out! Enemies spawn unpredictably and level up alongside you.
Unlock different characters as you go.
14. Slay the SpireBlending elements of deckbuilders and rogelikes, Slay the Spire ventures you into dangerous dungeouns with only a deck of cards. This is no ordinary deck of cards, as you are able to draft as you go and create a deck strong enough to defeat even the strongest beasts. Each run will give you unique monsters, bosses, and relics. Whether you are a fan of deck building games or just looking for a unique roguelike, this game will keep you delving again and again.
A colorful deck-building experience.
Each run gives you a unique deck
13. Into the BreachThe last dying remnants of human civilization are at the mercy of gargantuan underground beasts, and only you can save them. Take command of cutting-edge mechs as you fight this menace in turn-based combat. Counter enemy moves in each battle to emerge victorious. Unlock new mech pilots and weapons to bring more firepower and excitement to each deadly alien encounter. Do not fear failure too much, though; you can always assist humans in another timeline if you fail to save humanity in your previous one.
Horrors beneath: Use your mechs to protect humanity from the subterranean monsters
Pay close attention to enemy moves so you can counterattack and seize victory
12. Dungeons of DredmorEvil Lord Dredmor is once again growing in power after being imprisoned under the earth for centuries. A new hero foretold by the prophecies must venture into the Dungeons of Dredmor to defeat his malicious minions that threaten the upper world. With the help of powerful tools and magic created by ancient forces, races, and characters, delve through each randomly-generated dungeon and push your luck until evil forces overwhelm you. Select from an extensive list of useful skills to create your own unique character who must survive through all the unpredictable forces and events that lie beneath.
Venture through randomly generated dungeons filled with unique experiences and loot
Sweet, sweet customization: With a wide selection of skills, you can craft a unique character experience with each playthrough.
11. CrawlCrawl is a unique multiplayer roguelike that turns your friends into foes as they control monsters to demolish you in your quest. When you die, the friend that killed you must now take the place of the adventurer and is now at the mercy of player-controlled menaces. Gather as much XP and gold as possible before you get betrayed by who you thought was your friend. A challenging AI adds a solid single-player experience to the package.
Battle together: Fight dozens of monsters alongside your friends and gain XP, loot, and items.
Friends to foes
10. Dead CellsDead Cells combines Metroid sidescrollers with the difficulty of roguelikes. You will enjoy exploring the vast landscape as you slash through enemies. Upgrade your character after each run to gain access to over 50 unique weapons and spells. You will also unlock new areas to explore. You will die often and be challenged, but don’t give up; each run will improve your reflexes
You bet there's loot: Face unique entities that gift special weapons, items, and powers
Become a skilled combat veteran to overwhelm many different enemies
9. Crypt of the NecroDancerAs you move through the dungeon, you will notice that each enemy (skeletons, ghosts, among others) has a unique movement pattern. Attack them in rhythm for a successful encounter. Clearing each area will unlock more areas, items, and characters. Each time you play the map is randomly generated, keeping the replay value high. The game offers a two-player mode and a daily challenge map. Be prepared for frustration, frequent death, and a catchy soundtrack
The game includes remixes of the original soundtrack and the ability to play your own songs
8. SpelunkyThis tough platformer offers challenging randomized levels. Blast, shoot, and delve your way through a completely destructible underground cavern. Unlike other 2D platformers, you are offered choices which impact gameplay, such as whether to kill the shopkeeper or agree to his prices, to take on the deadly beast or run away. However you play, Spelunky offers a unique, choice-based platforming experience.
Choice based interactions:Will you agree to purchase, or kill and steal from the merchant? Save the maiden, or leave her to the snakes? Either way, the choice is yours.
Navigate quickly through this tricky terrain
7. Nuclear ThroneStand your ground against vile, mutated monsters to last another day. Humanity is extinct, so you must do whatever you can to preserve conscious life. Unlike other post-apocalyptic games, in this one the radiation will help you to unlock new abilities and appendages that will aid you..
In the dark: you must use apocalypse to your advantage, mutating yourself to gain new, helpful abilities
To survive, improve your reaction times and dodge through the onslaught of bullets
6. DownwellYour pet has fallen down the well, and he needs you to save him! Venture down into the dank, dark well with only your projectile-firing shoes to help you. Find different guns, upgrades, and precious gems that allow you to buy special items from shops carved into the side of the well. Each upgrade affects your character, so try to choose ones that fit well together.
Longer playtime unlocks new color pallettes and characters. Find your style.
Blast downwards with the aid of powerful weapons you gain as you fall
5. FTL: Faster Than LightTake on the role of an adventurous and foolhardy spaceship captain as you struggle your way through depths of space.
Make the best decisions for you and your crew as you’ll be faced with difficult, unique challenges with unclear consequences.
Travel through friendly and hostile galaxies each with over a dozen star systems to explore
Taking heavy damage, captain: Use quick decisions to guide your crew to the next level
4. The Binding of Isaac: RebirthAn exciting remake of a beloved classic, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth brings back the same wonderful mix of RPG, 2D action shooter, and brutal roguelike that keeps fans coming back for more. When your faithful mother starts hearing the voice of God demanding a sacrifice, you must escape to the basement and fight for your life. Face over 100 different enemies with the items you find along the way. Change yourself too; unlock a total of 10 different characters with unique skills and attributes. With an absurd amount of content and unique runs each time, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth will keep you saying “just one more run” again and again.
Find handy items and abilities to assist you
Like a boss: Show your faith by destroying multiple randomly spawned enemies
3. Rogue LegacySharing its name with the game that created the genre, Rogue Legacy switches it up and calls itself a rogue-lite: each death ensures that your next character is technically stronger but with deficiencies. Must be all that royal inbreeding. l To win, you must overcome your current character’s shortcomings to confront over 60 unique enemies in randomly-generated castles. Avenge your father with the help of powerful weapons, armor, and abilities with a massive skill tree and eight classes.
Create the perfect warrior to suit your tastes
Slash your way through the castle and overcome your handicaps to avenge your family
2. Enter the GungeonVenture to the depths of the gungeon equipped at first with only your weak starter weapon to shoot, dodge, and loot your way through hordes of gun-inspired enemies in each handmade room. Gain formidable, unique, and outrageous weapons and items to survive the incessant hellfire surrounding you as every moving thing aims to murder you. Don’t forget to explore; powerful secrets await in each floor that gift you special characters and shortcuts that’ll help you with future delves.
Each floor guarantees a tricky, semi-randomized boss battle that you must win to move on to the next floor.
Dodge and blast your way through the native gungeon dwellers and survive on to the next room
1. Darkest DungeonSprinkled with nightmarish Lovecraftian creatures, Darkest Dungeon literally drives you insane. Death is permanent for your characters, but as you progress new areas unlock and stronger characters become available, so you don't truly start over. Expect to die, though. This is not an easy game. Gather a team of up to four characters (of 16 different classes) each with physical and mental weaknesses. Face incredible challenges both physical and psychological as you desperately struggle through each other-worldly, grotesque region each with different creatures and obstacles awaiting every turn. Refresh and prepare for each uncertain journey with weapon and ability character upgrades as well as places for them to heal and de-stress. Testing your strategic abilities, Darkest Dungeon will push your heart and mind to the very edge. You’ve been forewarned!
Always prepared: Create the perfect team and choose the ideal location to emerge from the venture with a full sack of treasure and a crew that’s still breathing.
Battles of stress and terror: Know the strengths and weaknesses of each of your team members to create perfect synergy.
