The 8 Greatest Roguelike Deckbuilder Games Of All Time, Ranked

Roguelike deckbuilders are incredibly popular right now – so much so that some people get tired of hearing about new ones. While there have been a lot of these games released lately, that’s because they’re really appealing to players who love building and refining their card decks, discovering all the game has to offer, and making steady progress with each playthrough. If you enjoy that kind of gameplay, these games are a great fit.

Many top roguelike games don’t bother with a central storyline, instead prioritizing replayability and each individual playthrough. A lot of these games also use a deckbuilding system. If you’re specifically interested in roguelikes with deckbuilding, here are some of the best ever made.

7. Inscryption

A Fascinating, Horrifying Experience That May Be Too Cryptic For Some

Most players recommend going into Inscryption knowing as little as possible. The game has a captivating and mysterious story, full of unexpected twists and truly memorable moments that are best experienced firsthand. What starts as a simple story about a man named Luke Carder and a strange card game called “Inscryption” quickly becomes much more complex and impactful.

This isn’t your typical horror game, but it creates a genuinely creepy mood through its unique design – from the animated cards to the unsettling way you score points. The game cleverly traps you in a cabin setting, letting you explore and interact with objects like you’re in a dark escape room, which adds to the tension. It constantly mixes different game styles, keeping you on edge and unsure of what’s coming next – exactly what the creators intended. However, this focus on atmosphere does mean the core deckbuilding aspect isn’t as prominent, which might disappoint players who are primarily looking for that experience.

6. Griftlands

A Huge Amount Of Intrigue To Get Lost In

Many games in the roguelike and roguelite genres don’t prioritize strong stories or well-developed characters. That’s what made Hades and its sequel so popular – they added emotional depth to the relationships between Zagreus, Melinoe, and the other characters they meet. Similarly, Klei’s Griftlands focuses on narrative, letting players choose one of three distinct adventurers, each with their own goals in the world of the Griftlands.

Each playthrough lasts several days, and you’ll manage two card decks: one for combat, similar to Slay the Spire with attacks and defense, and one for conversations. In negotiations, cards damage your opponent’s arguments or protect your own, with the goal of reducing their health to zero. This gives you choices in how you approach challenges. You can fight your way past obstacles, like a guard, or try to talk your way through. Throughout your journey, you’ll meet interesting characters with their own relationships and feelings. Your actions will influence how they feel about you – helping one character might earn you the favor of another, but also create an enemy of someone loyal to a villain you defeat.

Griftlands is a complex and rewarding game where your relationships with other characters unlock unique benefits. However, it can be overwhelming to keep track of everything, and early choices can have unexpected consequences later on. While the game looks great and offers diverse combat, its unpredictable nature might sometimes be frustrating.

5. Monster Train 2

Be Sure You’re Ready For The Ride Before You Board

Released in 2020, Monster Train is a highly praised deckbuilding roguelike. While many games simply copy elements from the popular Slay the Spire, Monster Train and its sequel took a unique approach. It features a train carrying the pyre – the last of the underworld’s heat – and you must defend it from heavenly forces trying to destroy it. You do this by strategically placing your monsters on different levels of the train and battling the incoming attacks.

In Monster Train 2, you choose a main clan and a supporting clan, each with its own unique style, to build your army. Your units will automatically engage enemies attacking the Pyre when they come within range. The game offers a lot of customization options and exciting, fast-paced battles. However, it can be complex to learn, as there are many different effects and strategies to master. It takes time and effort to fully understand the game and play it effectively – it’s not a title you’ll pick up and immediately excel at.

4. Shogun Showdown

Some Of The Most Vicious Combat You’ll Find In the Genre

Don’t mistake this game for the fighting game Samurai Shodown. This is a challenging deckbuilding game where you play as a samurai constantly facing dangerous foes. While many games of this type use turn-based combat and show you enemy attack timers, this one is unique. Both you and your enemies move along a horizontal plane, allowing for forward and backward movement. Your cards represent various attacks, from simple arrow shots to quick melee maneuvers that let you dash around the battlefield. Because turning around also takes a turn, you need to carefully plan each action and anticipate what your enemies will do.

The game throws a lot at you at once – managing various potions with different effects, keeping track of move cool-downs, and dealing with enemies that appear instantly. It’s fast-paced and demands quick thinking, forcing you to react to unexpected challenges. The controls are a bit unusual and may take some getting used to, but once you master them, the game can be incredibly engaging.

3. Cobalt Core

Tangling With Unfriendly Lifeforms In Space

Cobalt Core is a deckbuilding game with a strong emphasis on story. You play as three pilots trying to break free from a strange time loop. Gameplay involves spaceship combat where strategic positioning is key – you need to line up your ship’s weapons to hit vulnerable points on enemy vessels. A big part of the fun comes from customizing your spaceship and experimenting with different attacks and abilities based on your crew’s unique combination (represented by your deck).

What makes this game so engaging isn’t just getting stronger and unlocking new abilities. Each new pilot you recruit also adds to the story and reveals more of the overall mystery. This keeps you invested, not just in improving your deck, but in finding out what happens next. Hades did a fantastic job with this approach, although it didn’t use cards. Cobalt Core is an excellent game in this style, and it’s only because it doesn’t have quite as much content as others that it doesn’t rank even higher. Ultimately, the top two games on our list are truly exceptional.

2. Balatro

It’s Poker, Jim, But Not As We Know It

Many roguelike games don’t bother with a central story, and Balatro is no different. It’s all about playing cards and chasing unbelievably high scores – nothing more, nothing less. At first glance, Balatro might not seem impressive based on screenshots. But once the game’s captivating effects take hold, and numbers start multiplying across the screen, you’ll discover its appeal. When Balatro grabs you, it really grabs you – you might even find yourself playing until 5 in the morning!

Balatro is a fantastic example of excellent game design – everything feels intentional and useful. There’s nothing unnecessary cluttering the screen. While it takes time to master the nuances of how cards interact, when to save money, and other typical challenges found in roguelike games, the effort is well worth it. The game created a lot of excitement when it launched, and for good reason. Even if you’re not a poker player, if you enjoy the roguelike genre, you should definitely give Balatro a try.

1. Slay The Spire

Still The Genre Great To Beat (If Possible)

We already know a sequel to Slay the Spire is coming, even though the first game isn’t fully finished yet. Fans of the genre are eagerly awaiting its release, as the original was incredibly popular. While it plays very differently from Balatro, both games share a key strength: a clear, focused design. Slay the Spire knew exactly what it wanted to be, and every element feels intentional and necessary.

This game has set the standard for roguelike deckbuilders, inspiring countless imitators. It features four distinct characters (with a thriving modding community adding even more), each offering a completely different playstyle and a unique deck of cards. The game is beautifully balanced, rewarding players who master each character and uncover surprising combinations as they progress through the Ascension. It’s easy to learn the basics, but offers incredible depth, with new strategies and tricks to discover even after months or years of play. The upcoming sequel is incredibly exciting, but this game remains the gold standard for the genre.

2026-01-14 14:39