Over the last few years,the roguelike genre has become very popular, especially in the indie scene. With countless hours of entertainment and a wide variety of styles, it has become a constant in video games, renowned thanks to its many possibilities.
From first-person shooters to card games, roguelike principles can pop up in just about any type of game, as elements such as randomly generated levels, permanent death, and unholy amounts of combinations are such malleable concepts.
However, some of these games stand out above the rest, and you’re able to discover them on thisranked list of the seven best roguelikes on Game Pass.
Bear in mind that we are actively not including Roguelites in this article. But if you want a list of the best Roguelites specifically,We have you covered.
7Dicey Dungeons
Dice-powered Roguelike
Dicey Dungeons
From the creator ofVVVVVVand Super Hexagon,Dicey Dungeonsis an innovative approach to the deckbuilding roguelike variant, featuring ever-changing dungeons centered around dice.
The game has an enormous personality, subverting tropes like luck or randomness with an authentic approach that makes you feel great just by experiencing it. Between the enemies and the music,the charisma is simply through the roof, making it especially enjoyable on the go.
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Despite not being among the absolute top,Dicey Dungeons is a phenomenal take on the genrethanks to its many creative ideas and concepts, feeling like several games within one.
6Moonlighter
The Economy Is The True Rogue
Moonlighter
Moonlighteris an Action-RPG that combines two of the most engaging tropes of video games: being a hero who slays foes and being a business owner who runs a shop.
Thanks to this duality,the game offers you the best of roguelike action and the best of resource management—a fascinating cycle of looting dungeons and selling the loot.
Helping to build the community of Rynoka forces you to make smart and calculated decisions in both combat and administration, so Moonlighter is a versatile andaccessible roguelikethat can suit many kinds of players.
5Darkest Dungeon
Turn-based Stress
Darkest Dungeon
If you’re interested in suffering psychological stress while venturing into unimaginable horrors and diseases,Darkest Dungeonis what you’re looking for.
This roguelike take on the classic dungeon crawl genre is both awesome and unforgiving, using its turn-based combat and survival mechanics to immerse you into the misfortune of its world and to convey its messages of sorrow and despair.
It’s not a game for everyone, but for those players who are into sensitive dark experiences and exquisite hand-drawn gothic art styles,Darkest Dungeon might be the highest of highs.
4Have A Nice Death
Hades Meets Hollow Knight
Have a Nice Death
Have a Nice Deathis, frankly, exceptional. Its 2D action style feels likeHollow Knight’s fluid combat and tight controls met with the progression system and charm ofHades, and it’s outstanding.
From the faultless level design to the terrific and challenging bosses, the gameplay is astonishingly clean, diverse, andincredibly replayable, thus feeling immaculate as a whole.It’s indeed a roguelike at its finest, a love letter to the genre.
While it’s also accessible thanks to its well-developed learning curve, its fast-paced hack-and-slash style is demanding and satisfying; essentially,a perfectly designed title,appropriate for newcomers and delightful for veterans.
3Inscryption
More Than A Roguelike
Inscryption
So far, the protagonists on the list share the common feature of mixing genres, although none of them comes close to reaching the extraordinary overall experience ofInscryption.
On the surface, the game is another card-based roguelike (a fantastic one, needless to say). At a deeper level,it’s an escape room soaked with psychological horror that will change your gaming life after you have lived it.
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If you’re familiar with the developer’s previous work, you may know what to expect. If not, it’s even better, because you will witness a one-of-a-kind journey that is also one of thebest roguelikes for beginners.
2Slay The Spire
Easy To Learn, Hard To Master
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire, widely known as one of thebest roguelike card games, shifts the focus of the genre from action combat to tactical encounters where knowledge is king.
The game is immensely deep and gratifying, with hundreds of cards and relics that exponentially increase its replayability, and with tons of moments where decision-making is key to success.
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If we talk about quality design, unique interactions, and endless possibilities,Slay the Spire is the pinnacle of its kindandthe best deck-building roguelike.
Roguevania Is The Way
Dead Cells
Dead Cellsgrabs the most remarkable aspects of the roguelike, metroidvania, and soulslike genres to conceive what can only be described as a masterpiece.
More than just thebest roguelikeon Game Pass, Motion Twin’s creation is a firm candidate for the best roguelike of all time, with an experience that holds thousands of hours of high-quality content that never ceases to be superb.
As an action platformer, as a procedurally generated game, and as a combination of Dark Souls' feelings and challenges with the so-called ‘roguevania’ mechanics,Dead Cells tightly bears the crown of the genre.
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