Best Roguelikes Games If You Are Not Into Roguelikes

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Summary

  • Returnal offers a polished, addictive roguelike experience with generous save features.
  • Dead Cells combines tight combat with meta-progression that makes failure feel rewarding.
  • Hades turns dying into progress with fun gameplay and warm, witty writing.

The term “roguelike” can be intimidating for some gamers because it often implies frequent deaths, loss of significant gameplay time, and starting over with minimal acknowledgment from the game. However, not all roguelikes are designed to inflict hardship. Some manage to captivate players with their appealing features like smooth combat mechanics, engaging progression systems, or enticing charm that makes players feel they’re making headway in the game.

These roguelike games win over even those who are initially skeptical about the genre. They either make permadeath less daunting or encase their chaotic gameplay within beautiful artwork. Let me introduce a handful of roguelikes that don’t feel like tedious tasks—and could potentially change some minds and turn a few naysayers into fans.

5. Returnal

The Bullet Hell That Feels Like a Sci-Fi Time Loop Opera

Upon its initial release, Returnal received acclaim for its stunning visuals and sound design, but faced criticism due to its challenging gameplay. However, following some updates and considerate save features, it transformed into one of the most refined and captivating roguelikes on console systems. What attracts even skeptics is the extraordinary sensation it provides while playing. Gliding through bullets as you launch homing rockets and finishing enemies midair with a blade offers an incredibly smooth experience.

What makes Returnal unique is its enigma. The divided sections, the chilling messages penned by Selene herself, and the feeling that something sinister lurks behind every tree – all combine to create a narrative that doesn’t merely serve as a backdrop. And with the feature to unlock permanent items and shortcuts, the roguelike cycle becomes more manageable, even for those who typically dislike starting over. Few games present failure in such an elegant manner.

4. Dead Cells

The Pixelated Platformer That Somehow Feels Like Jazz

Initially appearing as a routine side-scrolling action game with hack-and-slash elements, Dead Cells unexpectedly captivates players so thoroughly that they find it hard to stop playing. The game’s combat is dynamic, precise, and offers an abundance of customization options. Are you interested in scorching enemies while freezing them momentarily and then teleporting behind them? There’s a playstyle for you. Prefer using turrets, traps, and abstaining from sword-swinging altogether? That too is possible.

One reason why players who typically dislike this genre find Dead Cells appealing is its progression system beyond the game’s main loop. The cells earned during play can be invested into permanent upgrades, new weapons, or helpful additions like health potions. This means that even if a run doesn’t go as planned (and it usually doesn’t), there’s still a feeling of advancement. Plus, once the daily challenges are unlocked, the allure to play “just for a quick run” can become quite irresistible.

3. Hades

The Game Where Dying Feels More Like Unlocking

In a surprising turn of events reminiscent of an enchanting illusion, Supergiant Games has mastered the art of transforming setbacks into advancements in Hades. While it maintains all the essential elements of a roguelike game – randomly generated dungeons, variable rewards, and frequent demises – failure in this case serves as a stepping stone rather than a dead end. Even players who typically dislike being sent back to the starting point will discover that each defeat grants them new insights: a novel weapon feature, a piece of dialog, or an engaging interaction with one of the gods.

In addition, what makes Zagreus particularly enjoyable is that it’s a blast to play. The thrill of sprinting through the underworld with a versatile sword that transforms into a machine gun or a defensive shield that bounces between adversaries never loses its charm. Moreover, the writing is remarkably heartfelt, clever, and always on-point. It’s the type of game where players might perish for the 80th time but still eagerly anticipate conversing with Hypnos when they return to the House of Hades.

2. Slay The Spire

A Card Game That Somehow Feels Like a Boss Rush

If you’re someone who believes they aren’t fond of card games, I recommend giving the game Slay the Spire a quick try for about fifteen minutes. Unlike many other card games, it avoids lengthy tutorials and unnecessary jargon. Instead, it immerses players right into combat, allowing them to learn and adapt as they go. As you play, the objective is simple: improve your deck, ascend higher, meet defeat, and then start anew with a bit more wisdom than before. This roguelike format is exceptionally sharp-focused.

For those who aren’t fond of roguelike games, Slay the Spire stands out due to its intuitive gameplay. The synergies aren’t obscured within complex spreadsheets; instead, discovering the optimal combination, such as pairing Strength with Flex and Limit Break, feels less like a gamble and more like solving an engaging puzzle. Each defeat offers valuable lessons, and since the four characters each offer unique playstyles, there’s always fresh ground to explore without requiring super-fast reflexes.

1. Cult Of The Lamb

A Cozy Cult Sim With Endless Personality

Cult of the Lamb is a unique blend of roguelike dungeon crawling and cult management simulation games. Surprisingly, both aspects are equally engaging. One instant, players might find themselves annihilating heretics with a fiery sword, only to swiftly return home where they prepare meals for their endearing yet eerie followers and make tough decisions about which one to confine for insubordination.

As a devoted admirer, I’d say the magic lies in its captivating appeal. The visual design seems like a delightful fusion of “Animal Crossing” and “The Binding of Isaac,” yet it manages to maintain a harmonious tone throughout. What truly sets it apart is its leniency. The roguelike structure is broken down into manageable missions, and death doesn’t hinder the cult’s advancement—it merely prolongs the Lamb’s quest to liberate their gods. For those who often find roguelikes daunting, “Cult of the Lamb” presents a loop that surprisingly exudes a sense of calm… even when it involves sacrifice, albeit of a different kind.

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2025-07-22 03:39