Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

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Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

Highlights

  • Sequels to popular Roguelikes like
    Hades
    and
    Skay the Spire
    are in the works, showing the genre’s growth and impact.
  • Cadence of Hyrule
    and
    Children of Morta
    offer unique spins on Roguelike mechanics, adding depth and innovation.
  • Developers like Dead Mage and Digital Sun have promising projects on the horizon after successful Roguelikes.

As a long-time fan of indie games, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering some truly unique gems over the years. Among them, there are three titles that have left a lasting impression on me: Flinthook by Tribute Games, Moonlighter by Digital Sun, and The Swords of Ditto by Onebitbeyond.

One type of gaming genre that has gained significant popularity in recent years is the Roguelike genre. Many of these games are created by individual developers or small teams. When a game such as Hades achieves success, the temptation to produce a follow-up can be strong, as this often leads to substantial financial returns.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming releases in the world of Roguelike games. In 2024, Hades 2 made its way into Early Access, joining the ranks of anticipated sequels such as Rogue Legacy 2 and Darkest Dungeon 2. I can’t wait to dive back into these familiar worlds, taking on new challenges and experiencing fresh content. However, there are other promising Roguelikes that haven’t had the same opportunity yet. Games like Slay the Spire 2 and Wizard of Legend 2 hold great potential, but for now, they remain with just a single game to their name. It’s an intriguing contrast – some developers are able to build upon their successes while others continue to make their mark with just one title under their belts.

6 Cadence Of Hyrule: Crypt Of The NecroDancer Ft. The Legend Of Zelda

A Spinoff Worthy Of Nintendo’s Name

Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

Brace Yourself Games, a compact indie studio, were given the responsibility by Nintendo to create the spin-off title “Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer – The Legend of Zelda“. Using the dance game Roguelike mechanics from “Crypt of the NecroDancer“, they integrated Link and Zelda into the action.

From a fan’s perspective, although Cadence is featured in “Crypt of the NecroDancer,” it feels more like an independent Zelda game to me. Brave Yourself Games is currently developing a true sequel to “Crypt of the NecroDancer” titled “Rift of the NecroDancer.” After releasing this new game, there’s been speculation about whether they might return to “Cadence of Hyrule” for another collaboration with Nintendo.

5 Children Of Morta

A Co-Op Roguelike That Focused On Family

Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

I discovered the captivating indie game, Children of Morta, developed by Dead Mage in 2019. Although they had previous projects under their belt, this title marked their major success. The story revolves around the Bergson family, who have been trained to confront a looming darkness should it resurface. Sadly, it does. I was thrilled to find that most family members were playable, each with distinct traits reminiscent of an RPG’s class system. Additionally, a two-player co-op mode was seamlessly integrated, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Although Dead Mage has achieved significant success with “Children of Morta,” they are now working on two new projects. One is called “Tale of Ronin,” and while there is no set release date yet, development is underway. The other project is “Wizard of Legend 2,” which Dead Mage is taking over from Contingent99, the original developers. However, it seems that Contingent99 may have moved on from making this a series.

4 Dead Cells

Divide-And-Conquering The Roguelike Market

Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

Dead Cells is one of the most popular Roguelikes of all time. It was developed by Motion Twin, who have kept the game alive since 2017, when it went into Early Access. They have released big updates, DLC packs, and even crossover events with the Castlevania franchise.

During their ongoing DLC production, Motion Twin’s team was divided into two separate groups. One half is focusing on a new game named “Windblown,” scheduled for Early Access in 2024. The other half, which is Evil Empire, is working on “The Rogue Prince of Persia” for Ubisoft, already available in Early Access. Consequently, both teams carry a substantial workload without any involvement in “Dead Cells 2.”

3 Flinthook

Grappling Into Space

Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel
  • Platforms: PS4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
  • Released: April 14, 2017 (PS4)
  • Developer: Tribute Games

Flinthook is another 2017 game, but it was not an Early Access title. It was developed by Tribute Games, who have released a wide swathe of games across multiple genres. Some of their bigger hits include Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game and Mercenary Kings. Their last game was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge in 2022, which also got DLC later.

After that point, there’s been no news regarding new projects from them, including a potential sequel to Flinthook. Flinthook, an innovative Roguelike game, stood out with its grappling hook mechanic. Players embarked on a quest to capture space pirates, damaging their vessels, and amassing a deck of cards, which enhanced stats and offered special abilities. This title is a well-kept secret in the genre.

2 Moonlighter

Shopping For Success

Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

Digital Sun, the creator of “Moonlighter,” launched this title in 2018. Since then, they’ve been among numerous indie studios contributing to the expansion of the “League of Legends” universe through “The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story,” which came out in 2023. Another original game from them named “Cataclismo” is scheduled for release on Steam Early Access soon.

Digital Sun currently offers this collection of games, which is unfortunate since Moonlighter gained significant popularity. This title brought together shop management and dungeon exploration in an effective way. The blend was successful, and the graphics were captivating, leaving fans eagerly anticipating new releases. However, as of now, there have been no updates announced.

1 The Swords Of Ditto

Another Zelda Roguelike

Best Roguelike Games That Never Received A Sequel

I’ve had the pleasure of playing “The Swords of Ditto” developed by the talented team at Onebitbeyond, which hit the shelves in 2018. Now, they’re working on something new: “The Plucky Squire,” a captivating twist on the classic Zelda genre for Devolver Digital. While “Swords of Ditto” was an intriguing take on a Zelda-style game, it stood out with its Roguelike elements. The world and dungeons evolved as players explored, offering a fresh perspective every time they died and were reborn anew. With its challenging gameplay, the addition of two-player co-op made the experience less daunting and more enjoyable for me.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve played my fair share of Action-Adventure games, especially those in the Zelda series. So when I heard about “The Plucky Squire,” I was immediately intrigued. The game’s traditional Zelda elements, such as its isometric perspective, dungeons, spells, and shops, drew me in. But what sets it apart is its unique storybook aesthetics and the intriguing ability for the main character to pop in and out of reality.

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2024-07-17 04:33