Roguelite Games Just As Good Or Better Than Hades

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Roguelite games have become incredibly popular recently, largely thanks to fantastic titles like Hades and its highly anticipated sequel. What makes them so appealing is that they keep players engaged through repeated playthroughs, with consistent progress towards a final objective. Unlike traditional roguelikes which completely reset after each attempt, roguelites allow players to earn currency and resources to become stronger and improve their chances on subsequent runs. The simple, core gameplay also allows for a lot of variety within the genre; some roguelites emphasize challenging gameplay, while others focus just as much on systems and progression outside of the main runs.

Many consider Hades to be one of the best roguelite games available, and it’s easy to understand why – it’s visually stunning, incredibly fun to play, and features a captivating story. However, there are plenty of other roguelites that offer equally enjoyable, or even better, experiences. The genre has evolved so much in the last ten years, resulting in a wealth of excellent games with unique art styles and gameplay. Some have even created entirely new types of games! So, if you’re looking for something different, or Hades isn’t quite hitting the spot, you’re sure to find another fantastic roguelite waiting to be discovered.

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BALL x PIT

Welcome Back Brick-Breaker

Details:

  • Satisfying ball combinations and evolutions
  • Constant progress loop

Ball X Pit offers a nostalgic experience for fans of the classic BlackBerry game Brick Breaker, but with a modern twist. It takes the original concept and transforms it into a highly engaging and addictive gameplay loop. Players begin with one character and launch balls at enemies, earning upgrades and special effects along the way. These can be combined to create even stronger abilities. While the basic idea stays consistent throughout, each level introduces increasingly challenging enemies, dangerous obstacles, and unique boss battles, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.

Beyond simply throwing the ball, players can build and improve different structures – some house their players, others gather resources, and some offer advantages for future attempts. It’s really satisfying to progress because you’re not just increasing stats with a click; you’re building and strategically placing a network of buildings to get the most out of them. There’s a lot to do and replayability is high, with over 10 levels, each with multiple difficulty settings—including an endless mode—and more than a dozen playable characters. Unlocking everything will take a considerable amount of time, even if you don’t spend extra hours just enjoying the core gameplay. While it doesn’t try to compete with games like Hades, it delivers a remarkably fun experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

Cult Of The Lamb

Collecting Loyal Followers Across The Land

Details:

  • Base-building mixed with roguelike action
  • Randomly generated world full of enemies and bosses

Unlike many similar games, Cult of the Lamb connects each dungeon exploration directly to building and growing your cult. The combat is quick and easy to learn, focusing on skillful weapon use and being aware of your surroundings, rather than complicated mechanics. Each successful run feels meaningful, not just because you gain upgrades, but because it helps your cult thrive back at your base.

When you’re not actively playing, the game transitions into managing your settlement. The choices you make about faith, offerings, and beliefs have lasting effects, keeping you engaged for many attempts. Your followers will respond to your decisions – and might even leave if you don’t manage them well – meaning your progress is directly tied to how you treat the people in your world. This creates a strong connection between the fast-paced action and the strategic planning, making it stand out from other games in the genre. While Hades excels in quick, aggressive gameplay, COTL focuses on building a lasting connection that extends beyond just the stories of individual characters.

Vampire Survivors

An Entirely New Genre Of Its Own

Details:

  • Bullet-heaven gameplay style
  • Small stat upgrades that help over time

Vampire Survivors simplifies the roguelite genre by completely removing direct combat. Instead, the game focuses on how you move, where you position yourself, and the upgrades you choose. While it seems simple, each attempt requires learning what weapon and upgrade combinations work best, as those choices often decide whether you’ll survive even before enemies become overwhelming.

The game truly shines due to its consistently building intensity. It starts with a feeling of vulnerability, but quickly ramps up into exciting, controlled action without rushing the player. As you progress, you unlock new characters, each with a unique starting weapon, and new systems that fundamentally change how you play, rather than just giving you simple stat boosts. Similar to Hades, it’s incredibly engaging and easy to understand, proving that a game can be both polished and deep without being overly complicated.

Dead Cells

Addictive And Fluid Unlike Anything Else

Details:

  • Metroidvania platformer
  • Slight progress carries over for more consistent runs

Dead Cells is a standout game that rivals Hades in terms of how it feels to play. The game heavily emphasizes skillful, precise control, making every movement and attack feel smooth and immediate. Enemies demand quick reactions and reward players who master the game’s systems. Plus, each weapon is unique, letting players try out different playstyles without making fights feel unfair or confusing.

This game focuses on skill-based challenges rather than letting players become overwhelmingly powerful. Unlike some similar games, you can’t grind your way to victory – no matter how much you play, the game will always be tough. When the difficulty increases, the enemies and challenges change, instead of just dealing more damage. This means getting better relies on learning the game and improving your skills, not just repetitive grinding. The final boss fights require precise timing and skill, and achieving victory – which feels even more rewarding than in games like Hades – is a true accomplishment, even after many attempts.

Rogue Legacy 2

Beginning A Lineage Of Heroes

Details:

  • Class and effects chosen at the start of a run
  • Castle construction outside of the main gameplay

Okay, so I’m totally hooked on Rogue Legacy 2. The coolest thing is that every time I die – and I die a lot – I play as a brand new character. It’s tough, seriously skill-based, and it takes ages to get comfortable with how everything moves and feels. But here’s the really clever part: the castle changes every run, but you can actually lock sections of the map you’ve already beaten. This means you can skip a bunch of levels and go straight for the boss, which is a huge help when you’re trying to progress. It’s a really smart way to balance the randomness of a roguelite with a sense of progression.

Dying is a frequent occurrence in this game, but it’s not a setback. Each time you fall, you return with the coins you’ve earned to improve your character’s overall stats, which carry over even when you switch to different weapons or playstyles. It’s a tough but satisfying metroidvania roguelite that motivates you to keep exploring and progressing as far as possible, without feeling overly punishing. The core gameplay loop is surprisingly captivating, even feeling a bit more engaging than Hades, though the combat itself is simpler. Ultimately, it’s an outstanding roguelite that delivers on all fronts, and even introduces some unique elements of its own, making it a great experience for most players.

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2026-02-10 06:12