Roguelike games have become quite common in indie gaming, with a ton of developers using this genre as a great way to flex their creative muscles while also adding a fair bit of replayability as well. However, the fact that players lose everything they’ve gained in a single playthrough after death can be quite grating, which is why the roguelite format has become more alluring nowadays.
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In roguelite games, players can retain some of their possessions after a run, which is a welcome change of pace from the usual ruthlessness of roguelikes.Noitais one such roguelite title that has been turning heads recently with its unique premise and engaging combat. Players who love controlling the witch in this game and defeating monsters from Finnish folklore will definitely find the following titles to be worth a look as well!
10Hades
It can be argued thatHadesis the most popular roguelite title of all time. Supergiant Games deserve this success after developing a host of excellent titles that have flown under the radar of most gamers.
Taking on the role of Zagreus and trying to escape the underworld sounds like a tall order, but players quickly learn the mechanics of Hades with each run while also leveling up their character in the process. This makes for a brilliant and unputdownable experience.
9The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaacis another popular roguelike title with an art style that is incredibly deceptive. Most players would assume that this title has a fairly innocuous setting… that is,until they uncover the horrors of this game’s narrative.
The Binding of Isaacis not an easy title in the slightest… but then again, most roguelikes are extremely challenging. However, it’s the brilliant lore and bosses of this title that makes it so beloved among the masses.
Most people considerDead Cellsto be popular simply because of the plagiarism fiasco with IGN. However, these gamers should realize that the solid gameplay andengaging art style ofDead Cellsare two of its biggest strengths as well.
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Players who are up for a healthy challenge should definitely check outDead Cellsfor its amazing gameplay. The roguelite nature of this game leads to fresh runs every single time!
7FTL: Faster Than Light
Gamers who have a thing for titles where they canexplore the vast reaches of spaceto their heart’s content will find themselves bewitched by the charm ofFaster Than Light. The game certainly pulls no punches and makes gamers realize that roaming in space is anything but leisurely.
Failing is a natural part ofFaster Than Light, with players gaining better ships and upgrades over the course of the game. Finally seeing a run all the way to completion is a satisfying moment that makes all previous failures completely worth it.
6Darkest Dungeon
The idea of playing a hard-as-nails RPG might not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, it’s the brilliant manner in whichDarkest Dungeonweaves the brutality of its world into the overarching narrativethat makes it a must-play title.
WithDarkest Dungeon 2’s full and final release seeming quite imminent, there’s no better time to get into its prequel. The game has a steep learning curve but rewards players who manage to power through the game’s punishing content.
5Don’t Starve
Survival games with roguelike mechanics have been warmly received within the indie gaming community. This is perhaps whyDon’t Starvehas been nothing short of a resounding success.
Don’t Starvehas attracted its fair share of fans and established itself as a brilliant game within the industry. Fans ofNoitawho want to brave dangers instead of fighting them will be right at home with this title.
4Returnal
It’s a testament to the amazing success of the roguelike and roguelite genre that AAA titles have started implementing this formula in their video games as well. For what it’s worth,Returnalhas done a brilliant job of carving out a substantial legacy within this genre.
The story of this game is incredibly unique, with each run being extremely challenging yet quite rewarding in its own right. It might take some time, but digging into the heart ofReturnal’s story will uncover a mind-bending narrative that will leave fans reelingall the way to the very end.
3Spelunky 2
Most people considerSpelunkyto be one of the first titles to have popularized the notion of roguelikes. Given the esteemed legacy of this title, it was only a given that its sequel would also be in a class of its own.
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Spelunky 2definitely doesn’t disappoint in this regard. The game is full to the brim with tough encounters, unique puzzles, and clever traps that can take any unsuspecting player for a rather painful surprise.
2Metroid Dread
WhileMetroid Dreadmight not be a roguelike, it’s still a great game that fans ofNoitawill appreciate. The emphasis on exploration, clever enemy placements, and challenging boss fights all makeDreada necessity for fans of Metroidvania titles.
There’s a reason why so many fans of the series were absolutely elated at the idea of playing through aMetroidtitle.Dreadis a worthy entry in the mainline Metroid series, and players can’t wait to see how this franchise will evolve now over time.
1Blasphemous
The amazing pixel art ofNoitais something that is hard to get over… but players don’t really need to. There are several indie titles that use pixel art to great effect in their titles.
Blasphemousis one such game that manages to make anatmospheric, engaging, and mature worldwith the use of pixels. This, coupled with its challenging yet fair gameplay, makes it a great recommendation for fans ofNoita.
Noitawas released on August 10, 2025, and is available on PC.
