Summary
The rogue-like is one of the biggest genres in indie games, even creeping into larger-budget titles such asReturnal. The genre has become so saturated that it’s spawned an abundance of subgenres, now a far cry from the classic roguelikes that started it all.
One of the most popular of those subgenres is the action rogue-like, typical for its action-packed gameplay that often involves real-time control (as opposed to classic turn-based gameplay) and bullet-Hell elements.
10One Step From Eden
This fast-paced, real-time deck-building action game has players moving along a square grid, shooting at enemies on the opposite grid and simultaneously avoiding relentless attacks. At the same time, players manage a hand of two cards that act as abilities and are switched out for new cards (from the player’s deck) once played.
One Step From Edenrequires intense focus and multitasking to succeed in its combat, but it’s also extremely strategic thanks toits deck-building elements, which allow players to create a variety of builds to give them an edge in the game’s chaotic combat encounters.
This psychedelic fast-paced FPS has players practically speed-running through tight corridors and taking out enemies with lightning-fast reactions to make their way through a series of deadly randomized levels.
In the game, players must carry a liquid-filled idol to the finish line of each maze-like level. The idol slowly drains even without players taking damage, forcing players to go as fast as possible.Post Voidfeatures plenty of enemy variety, a unique and hypnotic aesthetic, and an array of weapons and upgrades that help to make every run feel a little different.
8SYNTHETIK
This tactical top-down shooter features unforgiving gameplay and a ridiculous amount of build variety with its loadout system, featuring a wide array of weapons and classes. The game has an abundance of unique gadgets, eight customizable classes, and even online co-op.
SYNTHETIKis perhaps most revered for its gunplay featuring a headshot system that accounts for the top-down perspective, a reload system not dissimilar toGears Of War, and movement-based recoil. The game also features a variety of distinct bosses to shake up the tactical chaos in between.
This FPS rogue-like combines elemental gunplay similar to that found inBorderlandsandvarious characters with unique abilities, making for an action game with a lot of build variety and replay value.Gunfire Rebornalso features a charming art style, procedurally generated levels, and four-player online co-op.
Gunfire Rebornalso features RPG-like character progression that helps to add depth to its fast-paced gunplay, and the game rarely feels stale thanks to its abundance of unique and distinct weapons. Furthermore, managing ability cooldowns and combining abilities in online co-op is integral to success against some of the game’s harder bosses.
This 2D platforming rogue-like combines classic action-roguelike gameplay with the structure of a metroidvania, tasking players with battling through a variety of environments through different paths, fighting a variety of bosses, and attempting to track down key items to access other areas. However,Dead Cellsstill features permanent death, forcing players to retread their steps with a potentially different build the next time around.
Dead Cellsalso has players collecting in-game currency from enemies to add new items to the pool and upgrade existing items. Furthermore, the game features simple RPG progression in the form of three stats, all of which are reset between runs and can have a major effect on weapons.
This sequel to the indie hitRisk Of Raintakes the slow-burning gameplay structure of the original and brings it into 3D.Risk Of Rain 2features a striking aesthetic, looming 3D environments, and the overpowered builds thatRisk Of Rainis known for.
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InRisk Of Rain 2, players choose a character with their unique move-set, darting around each open stage in third person to farm better equipment by defeating enemies and finding chests, all to defeat a boss.Risk Of Rain 2also features a time pressure that makes the game harder the longer players take, adding a sense of urgency to each run. Runs ofRisk Of Rain 2tend to be on the longer side, but there’s rarely a dull moment, especially when playing in online co-op.
4Nuclear Throne
This post-apocalyptic top-down shooter was developed by Vlambeer and featuresa cast of playable characterswith their own mutations, including an anthropomorphized fish, a walking crystal, and a melted blob. In total, there are twelve characters (and three secret characters) to play as, each with its distinct playstyle.
Nuclear Thronefeatures ridiculously fast-paced action in which players can die in a matter of moments, a variety of unique environments with their own sets of enemies, and a loop system that allows players to continuously play through the game (similar toRisk Of Rain) while being chased by the “Inter-Dimensional Police Department.”
This hack-and-slash game by Supergiant Games, the developers ofBastion, is a dungeon-crawling rogue-like with a distinct painterly art style and gripping narrative that’s peppered into the game in and between runs.Hadesfeatures a charming cast of characters, each of which is fully voice-acted and helps bring the game’s character-driven narrative to life.
The game sees the player take on the role of the Prince of the Underworld, fighting to escape and defeat the titularHadesat the end of the line. Each of the game’s unique weapons and an abundance of distinct God-inspired “boons” make each run ofHadesfeel tremendously unique, preventing the game from getting stale.
Published byDevolver Digital,Enter The Gungeonis a 2D top-down shooter wherein players are tasked with battling through semi-randomized dungeons using a wide array of weaponry in bullet-Hell combat, defeating various challenging bosses along the way and even working towards one of several unique “pasts” that feature unique bosses based on the player’s character.
Enter The Gungeonhas a high replay value thanks to its massive variety of unique weapons, enemies, bosses, and unique characters. While the playable characters inEnter The Gungeonmay not be as special as in games such asNuclear Throne, their distinct end-game bosses help to give players a reason to beat the game with every character.
Possibly the greatest rogue-like of all time and arguably responsible for popularizing the action-roguelike genre,The Binding Of Isaacstarted its life asa Flash gamebut has since evolved over several updates, a remake (in the form ofRebirth), and DLCs to become a hyper-polished multi-platform rogue-like experience with multiple endings, a heap of challenging bosses, and near-endless build variety thanks to its plethora of passive and active items.
The Binding Of Isaacis arguably one ofthe most influential gamesof all time, especially in the world of indie games, and helped transition indie titles from the Flash era into the mainstream. The game’s primary creator, Ed McMillen, is also responsible for the influential indie platformerSuper Meat Boy.
