8 Best Hack & Slash Roguelikes

Roguelike games can be found in a variety of styles, ranging from card games and town management to sports and twin-stick shooters. However, if you’re craving a repetitive experience of cutting through pixels, then Hack & Slash Roguelikes are the perfect choice for you.

Action roguelikes excel at providing players with a visceral feeling in every delivered hit.

Experiencing great fulfillment is found in battle systems where repeated actions lead to progress, offering the thrill of mastering more complex and spectacular moves over time.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m all about the action – whether it’s side-scrolling or isometric views, as long as the gameplay allows me to take down hordes of enemies using swords, other melee weapons, or even some good old witchcraft! Here, we delve into eight exceptional roguelikes that truly deliver an exhilarating experience.

8. Astral Ascent

Flashy is an Understatement

If you’re particularly drawn to action roguelikes that feature a lot of on-screen effects, then Astral Ascent is sure to meet and exceed your expectations.

In this 2D platformer-action game with roguelike elements, neither the player nor the enemy is timid when it comes to receiving powerful abilities that can fill the entire screen. These abilities vary from lethal death beams to incredibly swift movements.

The design, featuring a neat and skillfully constructed pixel art style, makes it effortless to follow all the action happening on the screen, regardless of how intense the fights become.

As a thrilled enthusiast, I can attest that the combat maintains a swift and seamless pace, while also preserving a sense of equilibrium. Yet, it offers ample room for players to innovate and orchestrate dazzling sequences of enhancements.

7. Ember Knights

Slash with Friends

Sharing the experience of hacking and slashing makes it even more enjoyable, and that’s what Ember Knights does exceptionally well – providing an engaging multiplayer environment.

In this game, which blends action and role-playing elements in an isometric style, you can join forces with as many as three other players to fight your way through vivid realms teeming with hordes of foes and colossal bosses. The battles are quick, thrilling, and offer numerous upgrade paths that complement each other, fostering cooperation and encouraging creative build construction.

The energetic battles are matched by an engaging pixel art design, infused with a captivating cartoony allure. In terms of visual aesthetics, it may evoke memories of Castle Crashers, and this comparison is meant as a heartfelt praise.

Playing Ember Knights on your own is fun, but playing with friends makes it a game that you can enjoy over and over again.

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Ember Knights is a great game even when played alone, but the real pleasure comes when you play it with friends, making it a game you’ll want to revisit time and time again.

6. Children of Morta

Family Matters

Currently, many roguelike games have shown that they can deliver a captivating storyline, with Children of Morta being one of the pioneers in doing so effectively.

The game chronicles the journey of a warden family responsible for guarding a mountain plagued by an ominous darkness within. The tale focuses primarily on this family, offering scenes brimming with heartfelt familial connections and profound emotions. Yet, don’t be fooled; the action remains central to the storyline as well.

Rather than choosing just one family member, you can opt for any of them, each boasting unique fighting techniques. The character you decide on will lead you through waves of monsters lurking in caves, dungeons, and other ominous locales, gradually approaching the story’s end with each attempt.

In the realm of action roguelike games, Children of Morta offers a unique perspective by merging emotional narratives with exhilarating gameplay.

5. Curse of the Dead Gods

The Curse Burns So Good

If you’re seeking a game that offers a roguelike experience with victories that truly feel deserved and power that carries a cost, then Curse of the Dead Gods could be just what you’re after.

At the heart of this game lies an isometric action roguelike experience, filled with ominous dungeons, intense combat encounters, and alluring risk-reward dynamics. You’ll find yourself battling waves of adversaries and navigating treacherous obstacles in near-total darkness.

This game features dark dungeons, tough fights against enemies, and a thrilling system where taking risks can yield rewards. You’ll have to fight off hordes of foes while avoiding deadly traps in dimly lit areas.

In order to endure, you’ll amass potent blessings from the deceased deities, but this comes at a steep price: your growing corruption. Every fresh ability and riches beckons you, yet also demands payment, persistently urging you to wager with destiny.

The corruption system in Curse of the Dead Gods cleverly blends the allure of reward with the danger of risk. Add to this fast-paced combat requiring quick reflexes, critical timing, and strategic choices, plus a captivating art design, and you’re holding an engaging roguelike adventure that’s hard to put down.

4. Skul: The Hero Slayer

Don’t Lose Your Head

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, if you’re ever feeling tired of always playing the virtuous savior of the realm and longing for a chance to give those self-proclaimed heroes a taste of their own medicine, then Skul: The Hero Slayer might just be the perfect game for you.

In this delightful pixel-art action platformer, you control a diminutive skeleton known as Skul, embarking on a mission to rescue his captivated Demon King from the grasp of the imperial army. Despite seeming frail, Skul possesses an immense power that will be crucial in overcoming this formidable challenge.

As a gamer, I’ve got this character named Skul who’s got an incredible knack for swapping heads – yep, you read that right! Each head he dons comes with its own unique moveset, special powers, and strategic interactions. He can rock not one but two skulls at the same time, easily switching between them on a whim, which opens up a world of possibilities for creative combos. As I advance in the game, I’m unlocking new skulls, discovering fresh abilities, and devising even more thrilling strategies to stay ahead of the competition.

As a die-hard gamer, I’ve got to say, Skul delivers an extraordinary blend of dynamic battle sequences, breathtaking graphics, and a dash of wit that sets it apart from other hack-and-slash roguelikes. It’s simply a one-of-a-kind experience!

3. Mortal Sin

Untethered Brutality

Mortal Sin appears to be specifically crafted to have players constantly exclaim, “Wow, that’s heavy metal!” – and it truly is magnificent.

In a nutshell, this close-quarter combat, first-person game doesn’t flinch from violence – instead, it emphasizes it with its intentionally rough, surreal visual style.

In this game, players are highly motivated to release anarchy as they battle infinite waves of adversaries with colossal swords, potent spells, and numerous other means. The immersive first-person view amplifies the intensity of every fierce confrontation.

However, it’s not just about mindlessly pressing buttons. Instead, combat in this game demands a skillful ballet of attacks, dodges, and strategic dismantling to prevent being overpowered. The game, Mortal Sin, rewards courage, accuracy, and adaptability, making every playthrough a heart-pounding sprint through its terrifying procedurally generated scenarios.

Despite being labeled as Early Access, there’s a strong expectation that this game will be fully released within the next twelve months. Frankly, given its current quality, I can confidently suggest giving it a try.

2. Hades

Supergiant Games, You Did It Again!

As roguelike games have been increasingly appreciated within independent gaming circles, Hades stands out as one of those exceptional titles that brought the genre to the attention of mainstream gamers.

In a skillful manner, Supergiant Games skillfully combined a gripping storyline with the rapid excitement of an action-heavy hack-and-slash game reminiscent of a roguelike, set against the enchanting backdrop of ancient Greek mythology.

Engaging in combat within Hades requires continuous motion, skillful evasion, and utilizing divine blessings effectively for maximum impact.

As a gamer, I can vouch that while it might not have the mechanical depth of others on the list, it’s still incredibly satisfying to play. What sets it apart is how every interaction deepens the storyline just as much as the narrative enhances the gameplay itself.

Hades is widely regarded as one of the best roguelikes ever made. What could possibly top it?

1. Dead Cells

When the Action is All You Need

In the context of hack-and-slash roguelikes, Dead Cells is everything a gamer could ever ask for.

Its battles are incredibly swift, boosted by an enormous collection of weapons, abilities, and resources, ensuring almost endless gameplay possibilities.

The game offers a wide range of obstacles, different environments, and numerous rewards that encourage the irresistible urge to play “one more time”, making it difficult to stop playing.

The battles in Dead Cells are both intense and smooth, blending quick and responsive slashing actions perfectly with the intriguing exploration found in Metroidvania-style gameplay that rewards you along the way.

Regardless of being randomly created for each playthrough, the stages continue to conceal many undiscovered mysteries, enhancing the thrill of exploration significantly; not forgetting the game’s breathtaking aesthetics and challenging encounters with formidable bosses.

Despite an increasing number of roguelike games appearing on the market, when it comes to unyielding hack-and-slash gameplay, Dead Cells continues to be the standout option for many players.

2025-03-30 22:10