Best Roguelikes Made By Indie Developers

Summary

• Hades redefines roguelikes with fluid combat and stunning art, offering endless replayability through different playstyles.
• The Binding of Isaac captivates with its dark themes, unpredictable runs, and diverse gameplay mechanics.
• Dead Cells blends roguelike elements with Metroidvania exploration, offering varied builds and fast-paced combat.

Indie roguelikes have taken the gaming world by storm. They offer endless replayability, interesting mechanics, and unique art styles. Whether you're diving into fast-paced action, strategic deck-building, or punishing dungeon crawls, these games push you to adapt and overcome overwhelming challenges.

This genre continues to evolve with fresh ideas and new mechanics. If you love challenging runs, slow progression, and even the thrill of permadeath, here the best indie roguelikes you might want to consider adding to your library.

9 Hades

Supergiant Games’ Hades redefined the roguelike genre with its blend of fast-paced combat and stunning art. You play as the rebellious son of Hades who is trying to escape the Underworld. Each new run introduces new boons from Olympian gods, leading to different playstyles.

Death is not an end, either. Instead, it's an opportunity to unlock upgrades and try again. The game's fluid hack-and-slash combat makes it fun and simple to play, but mastering the mechanics can take a lot longer.

8 The Binding Of Isaac

The Binding of Isaac is a dark, twisted roguelike dungeon crawler that has captivated players for years. This game leans heavily on procedurally-generated rooms and a nearly endless supply of power-ups. You control Isaac, who is trying to escape his fanatical mother. The game's item combinations lead to unpredictable, often chaotic runs. Just as you think you know how to play, something else is thrown at you.

With many characters to get to know, tons of secrets, and challenging bosses, the game doesn't feel redundant like some other roguelikes.

7 Dead Cells

Blending roguelike elements with Metroidvania exploration, Dead Cells offers fluid combat and an interesting pixel art style. You take control of a reanimated prisoner attempting to navigate a continuously changing castle. You'll fight brutal enemies and unique bosses. Weapons, skills, and mutations allow for varied builds, from ranged tactics to melee.

Death resets your progress each time, but you do get to keep some upgrades, which help you make it even further the next time. The game has very fast-paced combat, and the controls are very easy to pick up.

6 Slay The Spire

Slay the Spire is a deck-building roguelike that combines strategy with procedurally generated encounters. You choose one of several unique characters, each with their own playstyle and card pool, to ascend a mysterious spire filled with enemies and tough decisions.

Each run requires you to think carefully about deck construction and the strategic use of your abilities. Because each run is randomized, you must evolve constantly.

5 Enter The Gungeon

Enter the Gungeon is a bullet-hell roguelike where every run is an over-the-top shootout. It feels a bit like an old arcade game, full of unique weapons and plenty of enemies. You'll have to learn enemy attack patterns and master the game's controls to make it through the procedurally generated floors.

The game’s arsenal is ridiculous, featuring guns that shoot sharks, rainbows, and even literal bees. It's quirky sense of humor makes it stand out from all the other countless roguelikes out there.

4 Noita

Unlike traditional roguelikes, Noita features fully simulated pixel-based physics. Every element of the game is interactable and destructible. You play as a wizard exploring vast, procedurally generated caves and use spells to interact with the environment and create all sorts of changes. For instance, you can set everything on fire or use explosives to change the landscape.

All that said, this game is incredibly unforgiving. A single mistake can lead to instant death, so make sure you're ready for a tough challenge.

3 Spelunky

Spelunky includes procedurally-generated caves filled with traps, enemies, and secrets. Your aim is to reach the deepest level of these caves without dying. Every run introduces new challenges, so you'll have to adapt constantly.

This game has tons of mechanics, like branching paths, rideable mounts, and dynamic lava mechanics. There is a lot to grasp and use to your advantage. However, all of these rules also make Spelunky notoriously difficult. It takes a while to get it right.

2 Rogue Legacy 2

Unlike most roguelikes, Rogue Legacy 2 incorporates persistent progression through its lineage system. You don't play the same character over and over again. Instead, you play the descendant of your last character, inheriting unique traits that you must adapt to. Some traits are beneficial, while others introduce new challenges.

The combat is similar to many roguelines - fast and satisfying. You'll do a mix of platforming and slashing. As you progress, you'll upgrade your home and unlock permanent upgrades that will help you go further.

1 Cult Of The Lamb

Cult of the Lamb blends roguelike dungeon crawling with interesting cult management. You'll take control of a possessed lamb, who was resurrected by a mysterious deity and tasked with building a cult. Between fast-paced dungeon runs where you battle heretics, you recruit followers, construct buildings, and perform rituals to keep your cult thriving.

The game is a unique balancing act. You'll need to progress in the dungeons while also managing your cult. The game's aesthetic is cute but eerie, leading to some very interesting scenery.