In the end, 5,512 total upvotes formed a list of 179 games. 

Why did I do this?

Well, it wasn’t my first time doing this. I started with a data-driven summary of Games Like Brotato, then moved to Best Bullet Hell and Best Bullet Heaven. 

My background is in listicle blogging, but I’ve always questioned the authenticity of articles I read online because there’s usually a lack of transparency. 

Many writers say things like, “I play games. Trust me.” 

Yeah, ok (I hate that). 

So I set out to create a method backed by community data that shines a light on what people are actually saying when this topic is posed on Reddit. 

If you’re here just to find a game, feel free to use my quiz below. 

I took all the data and content from my article to create a way for people to quickly spot which game suits them. 

Hope you enjoy!

TL;DR – Best Roguelike Games From 5,512 Upvotes

Below are the top 10 best roguelike games based on real Reddit votes. 

It’s worth noting that The Binding of Isaac and Rift Wizard tied. Also, this short list does not include three honorable mentions, which I highlight in the full write-up below.

The links below will take you to Steam

Top Roguelike Games

1. Slay the Spire (315 votes)
2. Caves of Qud (273 votes)
3. Cogmind (229 votes)
4. FTL: Faster Than Light (200 votes)
5. Noita (188 votes)
6. Hades (182 votes)
7. Balatro (179 votes) 
8. TIE: The Binding of Isaac / Rift Wizard (170 votes each)
9. ADOM (130 votes)
10. Dead Cells (129 votes)

Best Roguelikes By Category

Below is a breakdown by popular categories:

Top Roguelike Games Based on Reddit Votes

Top Value Roguelike Games (Median Playtime per Dollar Spent)

This chart only includes games where we had reliable pricing and playtime data from VGN Insights. Free-to-play titles and games with incomplete Steam data were excluded.

Distribution of Median Playtime Among Roguelike Games

The Data Collection Process

If you’ve read any of my other articles, this process will look familiar. 

The short version: I searched for threads from folks looking for the best roguelike games, collected the top 20, tallied the upvotes, and then pulled VGN Insights data. 

How I Chose Reddit Threads

I started with a Google search for “best roguelike games,” collecting Reddit threads that ranked organically, then went directly to Reddit and ran the same search there to catch anything Google missed.

In other guides I’ve written, such as:

• Games Like Brotato
• Best Bullet Hell Games
• Best Bullet Heaven Games

I chose 15 threads, but given the size/popularity of Roguelikes, 20 seemed well-rounded.

From there, I filtered out threads that were too narrow to be useful:

• Threads asking specifically for mobile-only recommendations
• Threads asking for console-only or handheld-only suggestions

That left me with 20 threads pulled from r/roguelikes, r/roguelites, r/gaming, r/gamedesign, r/gamingsuggestions, r/videogames, and r/iosgaming (to name a few).

How I Chose Games

If a game was suggested repeatedly across threads, it made the list. 

If it only appeared once but had strong upvote support, the upvotes were also counted.

A few edge cases are worth calling out:

• Some games sparked debate in threads: Comments like “that’s not really a roguelike” followed by “yeah, but if they like roguelikes they’ll probably like this.” 
• I only removed a game if another community member explicitly called it out as off-topic. 
• I also excluded any “shameless self-promo” comments that plugged someone’s own game. 

How I Ranked Games

Ranking was based entirely on upvotes, not my opinion. 

After adding a game to the list, the vote count was calculated as the sum of all upvotes across every comment mentioning that game, including duplicate suggestions and replies in support of it.

So if three people across different threads all suggested the same game with 8, 12, and 5 upvotes respectively, that game gets 25 total votes. 

TL;DR: Every mention counts and community support was noted.

Nuances and Notes of the Data

A few things worth flagging before we get too far.

Roguelites in a Roguelike List

Hades, Balatro, Dead Cells, and Risk of Rain 2 all ranked inside or just outside the top 10 despite being roguelites by most definitions. 

This wasn’t a mistake in data collection; it reflects how the community actually talks about these games. 

From what I saw, Reddit users didn’t always draw a hard line between roguelike and roguelite, despite being asked specifically for the top roguelike games.

The Binding of Isaac / Rift Wizard tie

Surprisingly, both landed at 170 votes, but Isaac appeared across 10 threads and Rift Wizard’s votes came almost entirely from a single thread. 

Just wanted to note this because that’s a meaningful difference in how each game is discussed, but they are very different games.

TOME vs. TOME 4

These appeared as separate entries in the data. They’re the same game in different versions, so I treated them as one combined entry.

Business Data From VGN Insights

After the Reddit ranking was complete, I layered in business data from VGN Insights to give a fuller picture of how each game has actually performed commercially.

The four data points collected for each game:

• Units Sold
• Average Cost
• Gross Revenue
• Median Playtime

A few caveats worth calling out: free-to-play titles like Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup and Nethack don’t have meaningful revenue data, and a handful of smaller or older games had incomplete or missing Steam data on VGN Insights. Those gaps are reflected in the table below with placeholder values. If you have better data for any of the missing entries, drop a comment and I’ll update it.

Average Business Stats (Top 10 Roguelike Games):

• Units Sold = 3,510,000
• Average Cost = $12
• Gross Revenue = $39,200,000
• Median Playtime = 8.8 Hours

Top 10 Roguelike Games From 5,512 Real Votes

Below is a breakdown of the top 10 best roguelike games, compiled from reading 20 Reddit threads and adding up a total of 5,512 votes. 

The result that surprised me most wasn’t who won, but more so how dominant Slay the Spire was relative to everything else: 315 votes, 14 of 20 threads, and a 42-vote gap over the #2 game. 

The other thing worth noting before diving in: Hades, Balatro, Dead Cells, and Risk of Rain 2 all cracked or came close to the top 10 despite being roguelites by most definitions. 

1. Slay the Spire

At 315 votes across 14 of 20 threads, Slay the Spire took the cake, no questions asked. 

The next closest game, Caves of Qud, came in at 273 (that’s a 42-vote gap at the top, which is bigger than the entire vote count of some games further down the list).

The reason it keeps coming up is pretty simple: it made roguelike deck-building feel like a genre worth taking seriously. Every run is self-contained, permadeath is always in play, and the card combinations get deep enough that you can sink hundreds of hours in without feeling like you’ve seen everything.

It’s also one of the few games that sits comfortably in both the traditional roguelike crowd and the more casual roguelite crowd, which explains why it showed up in nearly every thread regardless of how the original question was framed.

Available

• PC (Steam, Epic Games Store)
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 4
• Xbox One
• iOS / Android

What Works Well

• Deck-building synergies that reward both experimentation and deep theory-crafting
• Each of the four characters plays completely differently, adding serious replayability
• Runs clock in around 45-60 minutes; long enough to feel satisfying, short enough to do another
• Ascension levels give you a difficulty ladder that keeps the game challenging well past the “win” screen

Common Criticisms

• Some players find the RNG punishing in ways that feel less skill-based than they’d like
• The art style is divisive and functional, but not exactly stunning
• Late ascension levels can feel more frustrating than fun for players who aren’t deep into the meta
• The modding scene exists, but the base game’s content can start to feel finite after a few hundred hours

Quotes from the Threads

“Slay the Spire is probably the best roguelike ever made. The replayability is insane. It might take a second to get accustomed to the different mechanics but once you’re in, it’s the most addicting thing out there.” — u/ACABincludingYourDad

“This is my favorite Roguelike and maybe my favorite game ever. I’ve played thousands of hours. It’s easy to learn and hard to master.” — u/Wookie_Nipple

“Slay the Spire. It is the epitome of deck builders and nothing really comes close… The game just has incredible depth while maintaining simplicity in terms of mechanics. It’s the only game I have over 1000 hours in.” — u/LiveMango418

2. Caves of Qud

Caves of Qud got 273 votes and 2nd place, just 42 votes behind Slay the Spire, which sounds close until you realize the next game after Caves of Qud drops to 229.

Caves of Qud is one of the most ambitious traditional roguelikes ever made. It’s an open-world, science fantasy RPG set in a far-future Earth where you’re navigating mutant factions, ancient ruins, and procedurally generated histories. 

Runs are long, deaths are permanent, and the skill ceiling is genuinely steep, but people kept recommending it because nothing else really does what it does.

It’s also still in active development, which is worth noting. The 1.0 release landed in December 2024 after over a decade in early access, so the version people are playing now is more polished than what many of the thread recommendations were based on.

Available

• PC (Steam)

What Works Well

• Depth of world-building and lore that most roguelikes don’t come close to
• Mutation and skill system gives you genuinely unique characters every run
• Procedurally generated histories mean the world feels alive and different each time
• One of the few roguelikes where exploration feels as rewarding as combat

Common Criticisms

• Steep learning curve that can feel impenetrable to new players
• UI and presentation aren’t beginner-friendly
• Runs can end abruptly in ways that feel unfair until you understand the systems deeply
• PC only, which limits the audience compared to most other games on this list

Quotes from the Threads

“Caves of Qud is an open world traditional roguelike with so much variety, things to do, weird shit, etc. that it is physically impossible to get bored.” — u/no-enjoyment

“Yes, definitely something you can sink days into. It doesn’t look like much graphically, but it’s a fun game.” — u/reality_bytes_

3. Cogmind

Cogmind lands at 229 votes, 44 votes behind Caves of Qud and 86 ahead of number 5. 

In Cogmind, you play as a robot building yourself from parts you scavenge from enemies. You can swap out legs, arms, weapons, and utilities on the fly as your build evolves (or falls apart) run by run. It’s one of the most mechanically distinct games on this entire list and people recommended it specifically because it’s so unique.

It’s also worth noting that Cogmind has a free version, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry for a game that can look intimidating from the outside.

Available

• PC (itch.io – free version)
• PC (Steam – full version)

What Works Well

• The part-scavenging mechanic creates emergent builds that feel earned rather than prescribed
• Incredible depth of systems that rewards players who invest time in learning them
• ASCII-style presentation with strong visual clarity once you’re past the initial adjustment
• Developer has been actively updating and refining the game for years

Common Criticisms

• Presentation is a hard sell for players who aren’t already comfortable with traditional roguelikes
• Learning curve is punishing even by roguelike standards
• Limited mainstream visibility means fewer guides and community resources than bigger titles

Quotes from the Threads

“Cogmind is amazing.” — u/No-Forever7576

“I have heard some great things about Cogmind. It’s like DDA without the tedious elements.” — u/arg_seeker

4. FTL: Faster Than Light

FTL sits at 200 votes, 29 behind Cogmind and 12 ahead of Noita. 

FTL is the game that introduced many people to roguelikes without them realizing it. 

You’re managing a spaceship crew across a procedurally generated galaxy, making decisions that ripple through every encounter. Every run is different, every death teaches you something, and the “one more run” pull is as strong now as it was at launch in 2012.

Fun fact: my wife loves this game It’s one of the oldest games on this list and still ranks 4th.

Available

• PC (Steam, GOG, Humble Bundle)
• iPad (iOS)

What Works Well

• Tight decision-making loop that makes every choice feel meaningful
• Ship and crew variety gives runs genuinely different feels
• Short enough runs (60-90 minutes) to make repeated attempts feel accessible
• One of the best soundtracks in the genre

Common Criticisms

• RNG can feel brutal in the early game, particularly on harder difficulties
• Limited content compared to newer entries on this list
• No Android version, and the iOS version hasn’t been updated in years
• Some players find the late-game difficulty spike frustrating rather than satisfying

Quotes from the Threads

“FTL still slaps. That game gives me actual stress and I love it.” — u/lerox-fz

“I love FTL. Definitely in my top 10 of all time.” — u/ForeignObject_

“FTL is the one I return to the most and I’ve been playing it for years and years.” — u/nebthenarwhal

5. Noita

Noita, at 188 votes, just 12 behind FTL, is the closest gap between any two consecutive games in the top 5.

Noita is a physics-based roguelite where every pixel is simulated. Yes, it’s a roguelite, but again, we followed the votes and tried our best to let the community guide the conversation and voting system.

It’s one of the most technically impressive games on this list and also one of the most punishing. The community loves it specifically because mastering it feels like solving a puzzle that keeps changing.

It’s also genuinely one of the hardest roguelikes here. If your tolerance for dying repeatedly while slowly piecing together how everything works is low, Noita will test that.

Available

• PC (Steam)

What Works Well

• Pixel simulation creates emergent moments that no other game can replicate
• Wand-building system has a depth ceiling that players are still uncovering years after launch
• World is packed with secrets, lore, and hidden mechanics that reward exploration
• Each run can feel wildly different depending on early wand finds

Common Criticisms

• One of the steeper learning curves on this list and early deaths can feel completely random until the systems click
• The wand system is genuinely complex and poorly explained in-game
• Performance can struggle on lower-end machines given the pixel simulation load
• Can feel lonely and opaque without leaning on community resources

Quotes from the Threads

“Noita: I have several hundred hours in this game and it’s one of the most challenging yet exciting roguelikes I’ve ever played. There’s also a huge amount of secret content, so much so that the community refers to beating the final boss as ‘completing the tutorial’.” — deleted user (r/gamedesign thread)

“Noita is a physics-based roguelite where every pixel is simulated… If you liked nearly breaking the game in RoR2, Noita offers that ten-fold.” — u/TypographySnob

6. Hades

182 votes and 6th place, and the first game on this list that’s a roguelite, not a traditional roguelike. 

Something worth calling out directly: Hades has meta-progression, a persistent story, and permanent unlocks between runs. So by strict Berlin Interpretation standards, it doesn’t belong in a roguelike list, but the community kept recommending it anyway.

The reason it shows up in these threads is that the combat, build variety, and run structure scratch the same itch for a lot of players. It’s also probably the most polished game on this entire list, which doesn’t hurt.

Available

• PC (Steam, Epic Games Store)
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 4 / 5
• Xbox One / Series X|S
• iOS (Apple Arcade)

What Works Well

• Combat is tight, responsive, and satisfying in a way most roguelikes aren’t
• Boon system creates enormous build variety across weapons and god combinations
• Narrative actually progresses with each run, which is rare and genuinely well executed
• One of the most accessible entry points into the genre for players coming from action games

Common Criticisms

• Roguelite, not roguelike; Meta-progression and persistent story soften the punishment significantly
• Some players find the narrative focus distracting in a genre they play for mechanical depth
• Late-game heat levels can feel like a grind rather than a skill test
• Less replayability than traditional roguelikes once the story is complete

Quotes from the Threads

“Hades by a wide margin. Nothing else has come close to it yet.” — u/AguyNamedKyle

“I think it’s because it has an actual story and a reason for the whole ‘doing the same stuff again and again’. You want to keep playing because you want to know where the story goes.” — u/photomotto

7. Balatro

Balatro had 179 votes and came in 7th, just 3 votes behind Hades, the closest race on this entire list. 

It also has the same genre caveat: Balatro is a roguelike deck-builder like Slay the Spire, but it’s not a traditional roguelike by strict definition. Permadeath is present, runs are self-contained, and the synergy depth is real. The game is built around poker hands, not dungeon crawling, and there’s no procedural world to navigate.

It ranked because the community that plays roguelikes tends to also play Balatro, and the recommendation threads reflect that overlap.

 It’s an outstanding game; it just sits in its own category.

Available

• PC (Steam, GOG)
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 4 / 5
• Xbox One / Series X|S
• iOS / Android

What Works Well

• Joker synergies create build combinations that feel genuinely broken in the best way
• Extremely easy to pick up, extremely hard to master at higher stakes
• Runs are short enough to make repeated attempts feel low-commitment
• One of the most talked-about indie releases in recent memory (and for good reason)

Common Criticisms

• Not a traditional roguelike. Players looking for dungeon crawling or exploration won’t find it here
• The poker framing is a barrier for players who don’t have any feel for card game mechanics
• Less mechanical depth than the top traditional roguelikes on this list once the synergies are mapped out
• Some players find the difficulty scaling on higher stakes more punishing than fun

Quotes from the Threads

“Balatro. So quick and easy to do a quick run, with lots of variety.” — u/QuietPenguinGaming

“Just played Balatro for 6 hours straight on this flight.” — u/PhilsPhoreskin

8. The Binding of Isaac / Rift Wizard

Surprisingly, both games received 170 votes, resulting in a dead tie. 

The difference is in how that number was built. 

Isaac appeared across 10 of the 20 threads, whereas Rift Wizard’s 170 votes came almost entirely from a single thread. That’s worth keeping in mind when reading these two together.

The Binding of Isaac

Isaac is one of the most influential roguelikes ever made, with twin-stick combat, procedurally generated floors, permadeath, and an item pool so deep that players with hundreds of hours still stumble across combinations they haven’t seen. 

It has meta-unlocks, which pushes it toward roguelite territory by some definitions, but the core loop is punishing enough that most of the community treats it as a roguelike.

Available

• PC (Steam)
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 4 / 5
• Xbox One / Series X|S

What Works Well

• Item synergies create some of the most chaotic and satisfying build moments in the genre
• Enormous content depth, especially with DLC, with hundreds of items, characters, and challenges
• Each run feels genuinely different thanks to procedural floors and item pool variance
• Strong modding community that keeps the game fresh years after release

Common Criticisms

• RNG can produce runs that feel unwinnable regardless of skill
• Dark, religious theming isn’t for everyone
• Steep learning curve for new players, given the sheer volume of items and interactions
• Performance and visual clarity can feel dated compared to newer entries

Quotes from the Threads

“The Binding of Isaac. I have sunk so many hours into that game.” — u/kurokitsune91

“My girlfriend has played the Binding of Isaac literally every day for the last 3 years and still has tons of content to unlock. Bonus: It’s a really damn good game.” — u/smurf_herder

Rift Wizard

Rift Wizard is a traditional turn-based roguelike built around spell-crafting. You pick a starting spell, build out a kit across procedurally generated floors, and the depth of the spell combination system is what keeps the community coming back. 

It’s less well-known than Isaac by a significant margin, which makes its 170 votes notable, with almost all of them concentrated in one thread where it was clearly strong-armed by a small group of players who know it well.

This is one of the more underrated games on the entire list. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s the point. 

Available

• PC (Steam, itch.io)

What Works Well

• Spell combination system has a depth ceiling that rivals the best traditional roguelikes
• Runs are shorter than most traditional roguelikes, making it more approachable
• Strong community of dedicated players who have mapped the meta thoroughly
• Genuinely underrated relative to its quality, low visibility, and high ceiling

Common Criticisms

• Minimal presentation; this is a pure systems game with no visual spectacle
• Almost all of its Reddit votes came from one thread, which suggests limited mainstream awareness
• Sparse documentation and community resources compared to most games on this list
• Hard to recommend to anyone not already comfortable with traditional roguelike conventions

Quotes from the Threads

“Rift Wizard is surprisingly great. Don’t let the old-school graphics fool you — this is an absolute keeper.” — u/Blood_Bowl

9. ADOM

ADOM (Ancient Domains of Mystery) closes out the top 10 with 130 votes, 40 votes behind the #8/9 tie and 1 vote ahead of Dead Cells, our first honorable mention below.

ADOM is one of the oldest and most traditional games on this list. It’s a tile-based dungeon crawler that predates most of what people think of when they hear “roguelike.” 

It has a persistent world with multiple regions, a real narrative, and a difficulty that punishes carelessness without mercy. It also got a significant modernization pass via the ADOM Steam release, which brought a graphical tile set and quality-of-life improvements without gutting the core experience.

Available

• PC (Steam, paid)
• PC (shareware version, free)

What Works Well

• One of the deepest traditional roguelikes ever made, with a world that rewards exploration and experimentation
• Multiple races, classes, and playstyles create enormous replayability
• Steam version modernizes the presentation without compromising the classic feel
• Strong historical significance; playing ADOM is playing a piece of roguelike history

Common Criticisms

• Age shows in some of the design and certain mechanics feel archaic even with the Steam modernization
• Extremely steep learning curve with limited in-game guidance
• Less active development than newer entries on this list
• Niche audience; this is a game for players who already love traditional roguelikes, not a gateway title

Quotes from the Threads

“ADOM is awesome and massive!” — u/Intrepid_Ad_7042

“I always go to ADOM. Always the best one for me.” — u/andysaxton

10. Dead Cells

Dead Cells finished at 129 votes, one vote behind ADOM at 130. 

It also came up in 5 separate threads, which tells you the community genuinely enjoys it.

It’s also worth flagging: Dead Cells is a roguelite, not a traditional roguelike. 

Permadeath and procedural levels are present, but weapons and upgrades carry over between runs. Same genre flag as Hades and Balatro above. It ranked because the communities asking “what are the best roguelikes?” consistently include it, definitions aside.

If you’re coming from the action side of the genre and haven’t played it yet, check it out.

Available

• PC (Steam)
• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 4 / 5
• Xbox One / Series X|S
• iOS / Android

What Works Well

• Combat is fluid and responsive in a way that holds up against anything in the genre
• Weapon variety is enormous, and each weapon genuinely changes how a run plays
• Biome design keeps exploration fresh across hundreds of runs
• Motion Twin’s post-launch support added years of content that makes the base game feel like a starting point, not the whole thing

Common Criticisms

• Roguelite, not roguelike, and carries progress between runs, which is a dealbreaker for strict roguelike purists
• Some players feel the late-game difficulty ceiling plateaus once you’ve mastered the movement
• DLC fatigue is real; there’s a lot of it, and the costs add up fast
• Doesn’t have the build depth of something like Slay the Spire or Binding of Isaac

Quotes from the Threads

“Dead Cells has perfect controls and just feels so good to play. Also love the art design.” — u/Carrotzzzzzzz

“Dead Cells is my absolute favorite roguelike of all time.” — u/richhomiechef

Honorable Mention 1: NetHack

NetHack sits at 124 votes across 7 threads, which sounds modest until you realize this game came out in 1987, is free, has no marketing budget, and most of the people recommending it were doing so to a crowd that had never heard of it. 

On a votes-per-year basis, it probably beats everything else on this list

It earned a spot here for a different reason than Dead Cells: this is the game that the r/roguelikes purists pointed to every single time someone asked what a real roguelike was. 

If you want to understand where the genre actually came from, NetHack is the answer (aside from Rogue, of course).

Available

• PC (Steam — Nethack Vulture’s Eye)
• PC (free download at nethack.org)
• Various fan ports across platforms

What Works Well

• Depth of item interaction and systems that no modern game has come close to matching
• Free, which removes all barriers to entry
• Active community with decades of documentation, variants, and spoilers if you want them
• Every death teaches you something, even after hundreds of hours

Common Criticisms

• Presentation is about as far from modern gaming as it gets: ASCII graphics, no hand-holding, no tutorials
• The learning curve doesn’t just have a steep slope; it has a vertical wall
• Can take years of play before winning a single run, which is either the point or a dealbreaker, depending on who you are
• Item identification systems are so deep they require external resources to fully understand (u/Polisskolan6 wrote a genuinely legendary breakdown of this in one of the threads — go find it if you want a taste of what you’re getting into)

Quotes from the Threads

“NetHack on the other hand… My thoughts exactly. NetHack is a strict upgrade of Rogue, and while young people may struggle with the ASCII graphics, it’s still the most Roguelike of Roguelikes. I’ve yet to find a Roguelike that comes close to it in terms of gameplay depth.” — u/Polisskolan6

“I’m old-school but my favourite one is NetHack.” — u/Azulare

Honorable Mention 2: Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup

DCSS lands at 117 votes and 5 threads, which puts it just outside the top 10 and makes it one of the more consistent traditional roguelike recommendations across every thread it appeared in. 

It also came up repeatedly in the r/roguelikes threads specifically, where the standards for what counts as a real roguelike are considerably stricter than everywhere else.

It’s free, it’s on Steam, and it’s the game the traditional roguelike community most often points to when someone asks where to start. That combination makes it a must-mention regardless of the vote count.

Available

• PC (Steam and free)
• Browser (free at crawl.develz.org)

What Works Well

• Considered the most beginner-friendly traditional roguelike by a significant margin, relative to its peers, anyway
• Quality-of-life features like autoexplore and dungeon-wide search that most traditional roguelikes don’t have
• Free, which makes it the easiest recommendation to make without qualification
• Enormous race and class variety that creates genuinely different runs without requiring years of investment to appreciate

Common Criticisms

• “Beginner-friendly” is relative. This is still a punishing traditional roguelike with a real learning curve
• Presentation is dated even by roguelike standards, which turns off players who haven’t already bought into the genre
• Less depth than Nethack by the admission of its own community
• Limited mainstream visibility means fewer guides and entry points for new players than games half its quality deserve

Quotes from the Threads

“If you want to try a traditional roguelike, the best in the genre is Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup. It’s also my favorite roguelike. It has a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, its QoL features are second-to-none in the genre. Furthermore, it’s free, so there’s no cost to trying it.” — u/beamer159

“DCSS is the best starter. It can seem a bit much at first, but it’s very good at presenting all the required information to you and avoiding completely unfair deaths.” — u/AudaxDreik

All Games Ranked by Reddit With Sales Data

The table below combines the full Reddit ranking with VGN Insights business data. Games are sorted by total Reddit votes.

Where VGN data wasn’t available, entries are left blank. Not every game on this list has a robust Steam presence, and a few predate modern sales tracking entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions: 

What is a Roguelike?

At its strictest definition, a roguelike has no meta-progression: when you die, you start completely fresh. 

In practice, the term gets applied broadly to any game that borrows these elements, even partially, which is why you’ll see roguelites like Hades and Dead Cells described as roguelikes in casual conversation.

What Was the First Roguelike Game?

A roguelike is a genre of game descended from Rogue (1980) that typically features permadeath, procedurally generated levels, and turn-based or real-time gameplay, with each run self-contained. 

Roguelike vs. Roguelite

The short version: roguelikes are strict “start from zero” experiences, while roguelites let you carry some progress between runs. For the full breakdown, check out my Roguelike vs. Roguelite guide.

Is [Game] a Roguelike?

In my research, I noticed a lot of people asking, “Is {Game} a Roguelike?” so I compiled the most popular ones and clarified things once and for all.

Wrapping Up

If you made it this far, thanks for sticking with it. 

This one took a while to put together, and I hope the data was actually useful rather than just another list dressed up as research.

The community consensus was pretty clear at the top: Slay the Spire is the one everyone agrees on. Everything after that is where opinions start to diverge, which is exactly what makes this genre worth writing about.

If you find a game on this list that clicks for you, let me know. And if you think something got robbed, the comments are right there.

Take care and talk soon

The post (Top 179) Best Roguelike Games – 5,512 Reddit Votes appeared first on Rogue Ranker.

Now, in hindsight, I should have just played Rogue on day 1 to understand the origin story, but I didn’t. 

I saw ‘like’ and ‘lite’ thrown around and wasn’t sure if it was roguelite or roguelike. 

Admittedly, I just thought people were saying the same thing at times, but then I went down the rabbit hole.

During my original deep dive to define roguelike and the differences between roguelike and roguelite, information was scattered. 

Don’t get me wrong, there were tons of YouTube videos, Reddit threads, and the like, but I wanted a central guide (hence why we are here).

So now I’m creating the easiest-to-understand guide on roguelike vs. roguelite for any who might follow in those footsteps.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

• Roguelikes vs. Roguelites: Roguelikes are strict “start over from scratch” games, while roguelites let you carry some progress between runs.
• Roguelike traits: Permadeath, procedural generation,  impactful RNG, no permanent upgrades and no game saves.
• Roguelite traits: Permadeath and procedural levels, but softened with persistent upgrades, unlocks, or story progression.
• Overlap: Every roguelike can be called a roguelite (since it shares the core DNA), but not every roguelite can be called a roguelike.
• Examples: Roguelike: ADOM, Caves of Qud, Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup. Roguelite: Hades, Dead Cells, Vampire Survivors, Brotato.
• Other genres: Bullet Hell = dodge everything (Enter the Gungeon). Bullet Heaven = you are the storm (Vampire Survivors, Brotato).
• Like these games? You’ll love our guide on the best roguelikes

What Was The First Roguelike Game?

Subtly linked above is Rogue, the game that started it all. 

To understand the roguelike genre, we need to start there.

Also known as Rogue: Exploring the Dungeons of Doom, this turn-based dungeon crawler welcomes players to a punishing playstyle with arms wide open (I’ll resist the urge to add a meme below).

What’s so punishing? 

Permadeath and procedurally generated playthroughs. 

What does that all mean?

Turn-based: Everything in the game is defined by “turns,” such as your character’s next move, attack, item usage, etc. 

Dungeon Crawler: A style of game where players have to navigate a dungeon, fight off monsters, avoid traps, solve puzzles, and collect treasure.

Permadeath: You play, die, and restart from the beginning with zero offensive or defensive items and weapons you might have collected along the way.  

Procedurally generated playthroughs: Monsters, maps, and treasures are randomized, and just because you achieved X at Y point of the game, it does not mean you will reencounter it.

Now, although Rouge wasn’t the first game to have these features, its popularity grew and soon became a reference to other games that carried similar mechanics.

What Are Roguelike Games?

Before we proceed, we must give credit where credit is due. 

Thanks to the International Roguelike Development Conference in 2008, a group of developers helped define roguelike via the “Berlin Interpretation,” an outline of ‘how roguelike a game is.’

While it is essential to note its origin, the historical depths and nuances are not critical to our conversation. If you would like to learn more, there’s an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to the Berlin Interpretation.

So wait, what is a roguelike game?

 At its core, a roguelike video game embodies:

1. Complexity: Tons of mechanics, items, builds, and strategies.
2. Restricted-Movement: You can expect grids, arenas, and dungeons.
3. No Meta Progression: Each run is self-contained; no permanent unlocks.
4. Permadeath: When you die, your run is over and you restart from scratch.
5. Procedural Generation: Levels, items, and enemies are different each time.
6. Skill-Based: Progress is almost always proportionate to skill level, not play time.
7. Non-modal: All actions (such as combat and movement) happen in the same “mode.”

But as mentioned above, a game does not need to have all of these mechanics to be considered roguelike. 

Also, a special shoutout to Synaptics in this Reddit post for providing a clear explanation of non-modal, which I used in this context.

Why is it Called Roguelike?

A game is called roguelike because it has some (but not all) of the core features of Rogue. Features can include, but are not limited to, permadeath, procedural generation, turn-based, no meta progression, etc. 

However, a common pitfall of the term roguelike is that people hear it and have never heard of the game, Rogue. When really, it’s the combination of Rogue (the game) and ‘like.’

Said differently, “this game is like Rogue”.

Examples of Roguelike Games

I’ll keep this section pretty short, but I thought it might be helpful to list a few roguelike examples (in alphabetical order) and link to their Steam pages.

Now, before you come for me, I know this is not a complete list  

1. ADOM (Ancient Domains of Mystery)
2. Caves of Qud
3. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup (DCSS)
4. Death Must Die
5. Path of Achra
6. Shiren the Wanderer
7. Tales of Maj’Eyal

Adding a few of the big names for quick reference.

What is a Roguelite?

A roguelite borrows elements from roguelikes like procedural generation and permadeath, to name a few, but softens the punishment by granting meta progression across runs.

For me, the roguelite meaning clicked when I realized that you can still make progress in the game after dying (AKA, you get to keep items, positions in-level, or powerups).

Some popular roguelites are below: 

Roguelite examples

1. Against the Storm
2. Balatro
3. Brotato
4. Darkest Dungeon
5. FTL: Faster Than Light
6. Slay the Spire
7. Spelunky 2
8. Vampire Survivors

What is the Difference Between Roguelike and Roguelite?

To recamp, here’s a quick breakdown of roguelike vs. roguelite:

Category	Roguelike	Roguelite
Definition	Strictly modeled after Rogue; includes permadeath, RNG, and skill based mechanics.	Inspired by roguelikes, but way more forgiving. Death resets the run, but you keep some progress.
Permadeath	No doubt, this is the most brutal style of gameplay. You die, you’re done. Time to start over.	Far less punishing. If you die, you get to keep weapons, skills, or perks for the next attempt.
Progression	There is none. If you die, you restart the playthrough fresh.	Players get persistent upgrades and meta-progression across runs.
Gameplay Style	Even the little wins feel massive. These are not idle games, expect to give it your all just to survive. Slow methodic play is encouraged.	Usually real-time. Faster, flashier, and more accessible.
Learning Curve	These games are hard. You only get better by playing more and learning the nuances of the game.	Easy to learn, hard to master. Players can get stronger over time, but skill is still a factor.
Replayability	Endless variety through procedural generation and player mastery.	Still has variety, but with the satisfaction of steady progression and unlocks.
Examples	ADOM, Caves of Qud, Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup, NetHack.	Hades, Dead Cells, Slay the Spire, Vampire Survivors.
Design Philosophy	“When you die, you start over.”	“Before you die, you might grow a little stronger for the next game.”

So is it Roguelike or Roguelite?

It’s both, but not always. 

Let me explain. 

A roguelike can be called a roguelite because it still has permadeath and procedurally generated gameplay, which is the core.

But a roguelite cannot always be called a roguelike because it usually breaks one or more “strict” rules, like no meta-progression.

That said, some games straddle the line. 

They keep most roguelike elements and sneak in one or two roguelite traits.

Let’s take two of my favorite games, for example: 

Brotato: You have procedural waves, permadeath, and runs that force tough build choices, which are fundamental roguelike traits. However, it also gives permanent unlocks and character variety between runs, which are roguelite traits.

Side note: we have a pretty in-depth write up if you’re on the hunt for games similar to Brotato.

Vampire Survivors: Thanks to procedural enemy swarms and permadeath, every run is different, but the gold-based meta progression puts the game in roguelite territory.

So even though both games borrow from roguelikes, their persistent upgrade systems keep them firmly in the roguelite camp.

It’s very similar to how not every rectangle is a square, but every square is a rectangle.

What About Bullet Hell and Bullet Heaven Games?

I also wanted to touch on bullet hell and bullet heaven since these are often thrown into the mix with these games. 

Bullet Hell games like Enter the Gungeon or Touhou are all about dodging insane patterns of projectiles. Bullet hell games often overlap with roguelites because they use permadeath and procedural runs, but the focus is on reflexes and dodging rather than grid-based tactics. If you’re interested, we have a guide on the best bullet hell games.

Bullet Heaven games like Vampire Survivors or Brotato flip the script (read our review of Brotato). Instead of weaving through enemy fire, you become the storm. Most of the time, your screen fills with enemies, and your character auto-attacks while you focus on movement and survival. We also have a guide on the best bullet heaven games.

These genres borrow roguelite mechanics but aren’t roguelikes themselves.

Roguelike FAQ: Is [Game] a Roguelike?

Here are some frequently asked questions surrounding certain games and whether they are roguelike or roguelite.

Is Cult of the Lamb a Roguelike?

Cult of the Lamb is a Roguelite. The dungeon crawling has permadeath, but you return to your base where progression, upgrades, and followers carry over.

Is Balatro a Roguelike?

Balatro is often called a roguelike deck-builder. Each run is unique, permadeath is always present, and the combination creates wildly different outcomes. However, there is some progression in the cards that you unlock throughout your playthroughs. 

Is Nightreign a Roguelike?

Nightreign is a standalone Elden Ring entry and isn’t positioned as a roguelike or roguelite.

Is Fear and Hunger a Roguelike?

Fear and Hunger is a survival horror that borrows from roguelikes. It is brutal, permadeath exists, and runs can end quickly, but it is not a traditional roguelike.

Is Blue Prince a Roguelike?

Blue Prince plays closer to a roguelike because it uses procedural mansion layouts, permadeath, and the house resets every day.

Is Noita a Roguelike?

Noita is a roguelite action game. Runs are procedural and death is permanent, but unlocks move it away from a strict roguelike.

Is Lethal Company a Roguelike?

Lethal Company is not a roguelike. It is a cooperative horror game with procedurally generated maps, but it doesn’t feature permadeath.

Is Risk of Rain 2 a Roguelike?

Risk of Rain 2 is a self proclaimed action roguelike, but does feature a lot of progression. You unlock new items and playable survivors.

Is Sifu a Roguelike?

Sifu is not a roguelike. It is an action brawler with aging mechanics rather than procedural levels or permadeath-driven design.

Is Death’s Door a Roguelike?

Death’s Door is not a roguelike. It is a souls-like game. This is a fixed-world action-adventure with handcrafted environments and story progression.

Is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon a Roguelike?

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a roguelike. It includes procedural dungeons, permadeath, grid-based movement, and turn-based actions.

Is R.E.P.O. a Roguelike?

R.E.P.O  is not a roguelike. It is a cooperative horror game where you complete jobs to satisfy your creator, much like the Corporation in Lethal Company.

Is Inscryption a Roguelike?

Inscryption uses roguelike deckbuilding in parts of the game, but overall, it is more of a hybrid puzzle and horror experience.

Is Spelunky a Roguelike?

Spelunky is a roguelike platformer. Community docs explicitly note it isn’t “pure,” but it is the archetypal roguelike-platformer..

Is Darkest Dungeon a Roguelike?

Officially described as a roguelike RPG..

Is Risk of Rain a Roguelike?

The original Risk of Rain is a roguelite. Like its sequel, it features procedural levels and permadeath, as well as progression systems that carry over across playthroughs.

Is Nier: Automata a Roguelike?

Nier: Automata is not a roguelike. It is an action RPG with a fixed story and progression rather than procedural runs.

Is Witchfire a Roguelike?

Witchfire is a roguelite FPS. It has procedural runs, permadeath, and progression systems that extend beyond a single playthrough.

Is Vampire Survivors a Roguelike?

Vampire Survivors is a roguelite, often called a bullet heaven. Runs are procedural, and death ends the attempt, but permanent upgrades are unlocked with gold.

Is The Binding of Isaac a Roguelike?

The Binding of Isaac is commonly labeled a roguelike action-adventure, but it does have meta-unlock systems, which is why people debate it.

Is Dead Cells a Roguelike?

Dead Cells is a roguelite. Permadeath and procedural levels are present, but weapons and upgrades carry over across runs.

Is Diablo a Roguelike?

Diablo is not a roguelike. It is an action RPG. While it draws inspiration from dungeon-crawling roguelikes, it is defined by fixed progression.

Is Pacific Drive a Roguelike?

Pacific Drive is a survival roguelite. It features procedural runs, permadeath, and long-term progression between expeditions.

Is Side Order a Roguelike?

Splatoon 3: Side Order is a roguelite expansion. It uses randomized runs, upgrades, and progression mechanics, but it is not a traditional roguelike.

Is Deathloop a Roguelike?

Deathloop is not a roguelike. Its loop mechanic is tied to story and immersive sim design rather than roguelike systems.

Is Bastion a Roguelike?

Bastion is not a roguelike. It is a story-driven action RPG with handcrafted levels and no permadeath.

Wrapping Things Up

Roguelikes, not to be confused with roguelites, are a fun and challenging game that will leave you pissed and wanting more all in the same playthrough. 

As mentioned, when I first started my journey, the -like and -lite overlap sent me spiraling.

I hope this guide clarifies things for others in a similar situation and makes everything less confusing. 

Take care and talk soon.

The post (Quick Answer) Roguelike vs. Roguelite – What’s the Difference? appeared first on Rogue Ranker.