Best FPS Action Roguelikes & Roguelites

Key Takeaways

Few FPS roguelikes offer the unique gameplay experience seen in titles like Heavy Bullets.
Sentry combines FPS and tower-defense elements to create a frenetic gameplay loop.
Gunfire Reborn offers a dynamic blend of RPG and Borderlands-style looter-shooter gameplay.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that the current crop of First Person Shooters (FPS) is nothing short of astounding. The fusion of roguelite mechanics with traditional FPS gameplay has breathed new life into the genre, offering an exhilarating blend of challenge and excitement.

Different types of roguelikes and roguelites exist, each unique in their own way, but it’s uncommon to find games from either genre adopting the fast-paced action of a First-Person Shooter (FPS). In fact, the FPS genre often clashes with conventional roguelike mechanics, which are typically turn-based and have roots in historical gameplay.

Nevertheless, there are several cases where this doesn’t apply. These games offer a unique blend of real-time first-person action, spanning from obscure options like Heavy Bullets to the user-friendly experiences found in games like Roboquest.

1 Heavy Bullets

A Somewhat Aged But Truly Unique FPS Roguelike

Platform(s): PC
Released: 2014
Developer(s): Terri Vellmann, Doseone
Genre: FPS

Unusual yet retro, with a completely distinctive flair, “Heavy Bullets” is an early blend of a first-person shooter and the roguelike concept. The game’s standout trait is not just its lively, stylistic low-poly visuals, but rather its innovative gameplay mechanics.

In the game titled “Heavy Bullets“, players navigate vibrant, distorted stages armed with a reliable, sturdy revolver. This revolver contains six hefty bullets, as indicated by the game’s name. Players are required to physically collect their bullets, an innovative twist that necessitates strategic thinking every time they shoot, encouraging careful and thoughtful play.

2 SENTRY

An FPS Tower-Defense With Roguelite Elements

Platform(s): PC
Released: 2024
Developer(s): Fireblade Software
Genre: FPS

SENTRY blends first-person shooter and tower defense gaming mechanics, drawing equal enthusiasm from fast-paced shooters like it and games such as Orcs Must Die. The game’s roguelike/roguelite features enhance its replayability, even though at the time of writing, the game is in an early development stage, available for purchase on Steam as Early Access.

The game boasts a sleek, dark color scheme and sharp 3D graphics, which some players might find unappealing, but they undeniably lend an elegant style to the game and make the action clear through smart highlighting techniques. Additionally, the game incorporates a map system reminiscent of FTL, with nodes that segment the action, offering a robust framework for gameplay.

3 Gunfire Reborn

A Diverse FPS Roguelite With Strong Co-Op Gameplay

Gunfire Reborn is a first-person shooter game that blends Role-Playing Game (RPG) features along with looter-shooter mechanics reminiscent of Borderlands, combined with the random level generation, player advancement, and mission-based design typical of roguelites. With multiplayer functionality, Gunfire Reborn is particularly enjoyable when played in groups, and some characters prove to be more effective in cooperative play.

In simpler terms, the game’s animated design might not appeal to all players, but it maintains a consistent look that helps the rapid action be easily understood. One of the standout features of Gunfire Reborn is its diverse selection of weapons and characters to play with.

4 Ziggurat 2

An FPS With A Sword-And-Sorcery Theme

Platform(s): PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Released: 2021
Developer(s): Milkstone Studios
Genre: FPS

Fans who love both sword-and-sorcery games and first-person shooters will find excitement in the new game titled “Ziggurat 2“. This game echoes the thrill of classics like “Hexen“. The fast-paced, arena-style combat and striking art style provide plenty of vibrant action for enthusiasts of fantasy-themed shooter games.

Regarding the fantasy setting, Ziggurat 2 offers an engaging FPS experience due to the diverse array of ranged weapons it provides. This makes it an ideal choice for newcomers to the genre. The game’s vibrant visual style sets it apart, and those who appreciate a strong fantasy theme will be captivated by its dungeon-crawling gameplay.

5 Wild Bastards

Gunfighting In A Vivid Sci-Fi Wild West

As a game enthusiast, diving into the vibrant, futuristic Wild West world of “Wild Bastards” is an exhilarating journey! This roguelite gem offers a one-of-a-kind gameplay experience that blends fast-paced first-person action with strategic depth. The game’s distinctive art direction and deliberate gunplay make it a must-try for fans of sleek, cartoonish aesthetics, sci-fi Westerns, and first-person shooter games.

As a passionate gamer, I find myself utterly captivated by the thrilling, close-quarter battlefields, the tactical hide-and-strike gameplay, and the vividly animated special skills that keep the combat engaging. Yet, it’s the wide variety of playable renegades in Wild Bastards, each with their distinctive traits, that prevents the game from becoming monotonous.

6 Witchfire

An FPS Roguelite That’s More Extraction-Shooter Than Rogue

Witchfire is a meticulously crafted first-person shooter, blending role-playing game elements and a captivating dark fantasy backdrop. The graphics, considering it’s an independent studio production, are quite striking. You’ll find yourself assuming the role of a witchhunter in Witchfire, engaging in combat against various foes using a distinctive gameplay mechanism that merges the mechanics of roguelites and extraction/looter shooters.

In simpler terms, you might say that “Witchfire” could be referred to as a game with extraction-style shooting mechanics. However, its roguelike features, such as permanent character death and continuous progression, are particularly attractive to enthusiasts of this genre. What truly sets “Witchfire” apart, though, are its high production quality and smooth gunplay, which are among its most impressive aspects.

7 SULFUR

An FPS Roguelite Extraction Shooter

SULFUR is a freshly released indie game that’s jam-packed with cartoonish aesthetics and reinforced by an array of finely tuned gameplay systems. The blend of cooking, gun customization, and robust gunplay provides a varied gaming experience, even though the game is still in its Early Access phase.

Sulfur captivates with its charming, victorious cartoon aesthetic and enigmatic, moody environment, creating a deeply engaging experience for exploration. Despite noticeable gaps in its present form, the fundamental gameplay of Sulfur shows great potential.

8 Roboquest

A Stylish Fast-Paced FPS Roguelite

Roboquest is an energetic, first-person shooting game built with a roguelike framework and boasting a graphic design reminiscent of games like Overwatch. This speedy shooter offers both single-player and two-player online cooperative play.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that Roboquest delivers a thrilling gaming experience, thanks to its swift-moving action that flows seamlessly with intuitive control mechanics. The game’s striking aesthetic, wide range of gameplay dynamics, and meticulous attention to detail create an immersive journey that’s sure to captivate fans of the roguelite genre.

9 Post Void

A Brutal Fast-Paced Shooter With A Psychedelic Style

Playing Post Void offers an experience akin to being propelled from a cannon without letup, thanks to its incessant music and breathless speed, which is sustained by a steadily depleting health bar that pushes players to keep moving relentlessly. The chaotic, vibrant visuals of Post Void might not appeal to all gamers, but they harmoniously complement the game’s trippy vibe.

The “Post Void” game offers a straightforward yet challenging structure based on roguelike mechanics, ideal for brief gaming spells. What makes it stand out are its expressive control schemes for movement, distinctive style, and user-friendly first-person interactions.

2024-11-11 04:35