Roguelike News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Manor Lords is obviously this week's big survival-citybuilder game release, but I suspect Diluvian Winds is more my pace. It's a "relaxing management game" about building a town for anthropomorphic animals around the foot of a lighthouse, although exactly how relaxing will depend on your ability to prepare for tsunamis and other weather emergencies which can strike and destroy your buildings. It's out now.

Publisher Apogee Entertainment and developer Fuzzy Sock Studios announced Rising Heat, a shoot ’em up / roguelike action game for PC (Steam). A release date was not announced.

Cooperative roguelike hack-and-slash game Rotwood is now available in Early Access for PC via Steam at a 10 percent-off launch discount price of $9.89, developer Klei announced. The price will change to $10.99 after May 8.

Earlier this week Hades 2 developer Supergiant announced its technical test, which players can sign up for now ahead of the game hitting early access.

Red Hook Studios will release turn-based roguelike RPG Darkest Dungeon II for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on July 15 for $39.99, the developer announced. A bundle that includes the downloadable content “The Binding Blade” will also be available for $44.99. Pre-orders are available now via PlayStation Store.

Today's Nintendo Indie World Showcase event has now wrapped up, after bringing us more than 20 minutes of intriguing Nintendo Switch games from independently-minded studios.

Super Evil Megacorp will release roguelike action game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate for Switch in July as a timed console exclusive, the developer announced.

Is waiting for Hades 2 to release starting to feel like a sisyphean endeavor? If so, push that boulder no longer. Supergiant announced yesterday that fans of the action roguelite can sign up now to be considered for an upcoming technical test, via Hades 2’s Steam page.

Nintendo's next Indie World Showcase — the cooler, more rebellious sibling to the average Nintendo Direct — will air today, Wednesday 17th April, at 3pm UK time.

Thunder Lotus Games will host a closed beta test for cooperative roguelike action game 33 Immortals from May 24 to June 2, the developer announced. It will run across Xbox Series and PC (Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store). Users can sign-up via the official website. Beta players will be able to unlock an exclusive skin in the full game.

Publisher Humble Games and developer Dead Mage have released a new gameplay trailer for Wizard of Legend II focused on combat.

We first learned of Spiritfarer studio Thunder Lotus' latest endeavour 33 Immortals at last year's Summer Geoff Fest. They showed off some brief snippets of its 33-player cooperative roguelike-ing, where you'd beat up hellish monsters in a miniature take on MMO raids. If you were intrigued by it back then, I have good news. The Triple-i Initiative gave us more of a glimpse at how the game would look in the hands, with precious UI markers and the promise we'll uncover new "Torture Chambers". Lovely. No seriously, it does look quite lovely, if a touch predictable.

The roguelike deck-builder to end all roguelike deck-builders is finally getting a sequel. Slay the Spire 2 is gearing up to release in early access in 2025.

Action roguelike UnderMine is getting a numbered sequel. That number is two. The follow-up to 2020’s action roguelike is UnderMine 2. It was announced today as part of the Triple-i Initiative, which is a silly name that I’m writing with the correct stylisation out of respect to UnderMine 2’s slimes.

Roguelike action game Rustil: Eternal Labyrinth Castle will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam on April 26, developer Shinden Games announced.

Goblin Stone released almost a month ago, but we haven't written about it yet, and it feels like you should know about it. It's a turn-based RPG, it's a roguelike with permadeath, it's got XCOM-style base-building, its got card-based combat; it is extremely your sort of thing, if you're the exact statistical average of Rock Paper Shotgun readers.

Dead Cells developer Motion Twin has released the first gameplay trailer for Windblown, its upcoming roguelike action game due out in Early Access for PC via Steam later in 2024.

Valheim publisher Coffee Stain has announced a deck-building roguelike from a couple of developers previously at Stunlock Studios, the outfit best known for V Rising.

Publisher Coffee Stain Publishing and developer Box Dragon have announced strategy roguelike deckbuilder As We Descend for PC (Steam). Closed beta registration is available now via the official website.

Publisher Chucklefish and developer Deadpan Games will release tactical roguelike deckbuilder Wildfrost for iOS and Android on April 11 for £6.99 / $6.99, the companies announced.

New co-op action roguelike, Sworn, will release on PC and consoles later this year, and it's running an open playtest next week.

Roguelike rhythm first-person shooter ROBOBEAT will launch for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on May 16, publisher Kwalee and developer Inzanity announced.

Before a month of my life vanished into customising cards and rigging decks in Balatro, my desire to conquer dungeons by fixing gambling tools came from playing Slice & Dice. First released in 2020, it's a gauntlet of fantasy turn-based battles where most attacks, abilities, buffs, debuffs, and items are very cleverly handled by mapping them onto the faces of dice. Oh, you're going to make your dice so much better! Now Slice & Dice has finally arrived on Steam in search of a wider audience, accompanied by an update adding oodles of new heroes, enemies, items, and more. For newcomers, hey, it has a demo.

The PlayStation 4 version of roguelike action game Ancient Weapon Holly will launch on March 25, publisher Aniplex and developer ACQUIRE announced.

Publisher KRAFTON and developer Striking Distance Studios have announced Project Birdseye, a tentatively titled roguelike action game set in The Callisto Protocol‘s Black Iron Prison. Platforms and a release date were not announced.

Nine Dots Publishing and developer Nine Dots Studio have announced grid-based roguelike game Lost in Prayer for PC (Steam). A release date was not announced.

Back in 2014, KeeperRL had a handful of alpha releases and a successful IndieGogo funding campaign, and was due to be finished that year. Then the ambitious Dwarf Fortress-lite or Dungeon Keeper-heavy made its way through the player-voted Steam Greenlgiht process, at which point its developer decided, hey, why not work on this game for longer.

Cult classic strategy game revival Solium Infernum is now available on Steam, as its developer League of Geeks continues to face an uncertain future.

Crema and GGTech Studios have announced Temtem: Swarm, a roguelike action game that combines the strategic elements of Temtem combat with the frenetic gameplay of classic survivor games. It will launch first for PC via Steam in Q3 2024, followed by unspecified consoles at a later date.

Publisher Amata Games and Japanese developer yondray will release roguelike deckbuilder the World According to Girl for Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Switch on February 15, the companies announced. It will support English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese language options.

This week’s Famitsu review scores are in.

When I first saw Never Grave: The Witch And The Curse rising up the Steam Next Fest charts at the end of last week, I thought, "Oh! That's a neat Hollow Knight-looking Metroivanida roguelike, I'll definitely give that a go." And having played its demo over the weekend, I can confirm: it's certainly an intriguing little thing that I'll be keen to keep an eye on when it launches into early access, possibly sometime next month.

First spotted when James and Liam (RPS in peace) covered the PC Gaming Show 2023, Mullet Mad Jack is a roguelike FPS with a Steam Next Fest demo out right now. And my goodness me, it rules. The retro anime aesthetic is cool, sure, but I particularly love its setup, which forces you to blast through corridors as fast as you possibly can. Yeah, this is extremely a bit of Edders, and it's gone straight on the wishlist.

Palworld developer Pocketpair has dropped a new Steam demo for its upcoming Metroidvania, Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse.

As far as bread goes, I'd say those unlimited top-ups you get with fancy meals can sometimes supersede the actual meal itself. A little swirl in olive oil and balsamic? Mwah, delicious. For a more regular transaction, I do love a multi-seeded loaf for the added texture. Now, would I say I like bread more than… anime? That's tough. But thankfully I don't need to decide, as there's a demo of a game out right now that combines both interests. In Aeruta you play as an anime girl who defeats monsters and uses their innards to fuel her bakery business. Perfect.

The PlayStation 5 version of Yohane the Parhelion: NUMAZU in the MIRAGE will feature a collaboration with Sony Interactive Entertainment‘s Doko Demo Issyo series in the form of the free downloadable content “Toro Hat,” which will be available to claim from launch until May 21, developer BeXide announced.

Nippon Ichi Software has released new information and screenshots for roguelike strategy RPG Bar Stella Abyss introducing patrons Maia, Kaji, Kilka, and Saotome, a selection of cocktails, dungeon survival tips, and the digital mini soundtrack.

Hey! How would you like to contribute to the downfall of society? I do so by regularly tuning into Love Island and/or Married At First Sight. For those of you who'd like to do your part in videogame form, dev_hell looks to be the answer. It's a first-person deckbuilding roguelike where you play as a software developer employed by a shady corporation to "reshape the future", and it's giving off strong whiffs of Inscryption. As much as I know dev_hell will be incredibly unsettling… I'm in.

A demo for roguelike deckbuilder Yohane the Parhelion: NUMAZU in the MIRAGE is now available for PlayStation 5 via PlayStation Store and PC via Steam, developer BeXide announced.

Publisher Alliance Arts and developer Unknown X have released the second official trailer roguelike dungeon builder Touhou Dungeon Maker: The Labyrinth of Heart.

A second limited-time demo for roguelike deckbuilder strategy RPG C.A.R.D.S. RPG: The Misty Battlefield is now available for PC via Steam, developer ACQUIRE announced. It is playable until January 21 at 6:59 a.m. PT / 9:59 a.m. ET.

Side-scrolling roguelike action game Oblivion Override will leave Early Access and launch for PC via Steam on January 25 for $17.99, publisher Paleo and developer Humble Mill announced.

Asynchronous multiplayer roguelike game Phantom Abyss will leave Early Access and launch for Xbox Series and PC via Steam and Humble Store on January 25, publisher Devolver Digital and developer Team WIBY announced.

Dead Cells developers Motion Twin and publisher Kepler Ghost have announced Windblown, a wholesome yet bloodthirsty new roguelike action game in which heavily-armed cartoon animals set out from a floating village to brave the horrors of the Vortex. It’s due in early access on PC in 2024, and we’ve got the first trailer for you below.

Ah, man, this one really stings. League Of Geeks, the developers behind Armello and the upcoming Solium Infernum remake, have announced they've had to pause the development of their spaceship colony roguelike Jumplight Odyssey "indefinitely" as the studio faces mass redundancies. Over 50% of staff have been affected, including the entire Jumplight Odyssey team, and part of their publishing and operations teams.

League of Geeks has paused development on Jumplight Odyssey «indefinitely», as the studio cuts 50 percent of its workforce.

A limited-time demo for roguelike deckbuilder strategy RPG C.A.R.D.S. RPG: The Misty Battlefield is now available for PC via Steam, developer ACQUIRE announced. It is playable until December 16 at 6:59 a.m. PT / 9:59 a.m. ET.

Roguelike action game Petit Petit Petit will leave Early Access and launch for Switch and PC via Steam on December 7 for $12.99 / 1,700 yen, developers Data Art and MOSS announced.

YUKIKAZE, STUDIO WILDROSE, and Natsume Atari have announced Penny Blood: Hellbound, a roguelike companion game set in the world of the upcoming RPG Penny Blood. It will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam in February 2024, followed by a full release in the summer. A closed beta version featuring around 10 hours of gameplay will launch for Penny Blood backers via Backerkit on December 14.

MyDearest has acquired global publishing rights for Ming Studio-developed virtual reality roguelike action game Mecha Force, the company announced. It will launch for SteamVR, Quest, and Pico in 2024 with English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean language support.

Publisher FuRyu and developer Matrix Software have announced Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami, a complete edition of the Japan-only PlayStation 4 roguelike RPG Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs: The Thrilling Steamy Maze. It will launch for PC via Steam worldwide with English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese language support. A release date was not announced.

Hades is one of the many GOTY award winners I feel extremely guilty about barely spending any time with. I think I've played a couple of hours tops. Nobody must know! Oh drat. Anyway, despite my lack of expertise, the Supergiant action-roguelite was the first comparison that came to mind while watching the trailer for Realm of Ink, which has just been announced.

C.A.R.D.S. RPG: The Misty Battlefield, the new roguelike deckbuilder strategy RPG from ACQUIRE, will launch for PlayStation 5 and Switch alongside its previously announced PC (Steam) version in 2024, the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu reveals.

Roguelike management game Backpack Hero has left Early Access and is now available for Switch and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Itch.io at a launch discount price of $16.99, publisher and developer Jaspel, and publishers IndieArk and Different Tales announced. The price will change to $19.99 on November 22.

The original Risk Of Rain was a chaotic, 2D sidescroller about turning a tiny character into a wandering projectile swarm. It's sequel mimicked the systems but switched from pixel art to 3D - and in my eyes lost a little of its readability in the process.

Roguelike action game MISTROGUE: Mist and the Living Dungeons has exited Early Access and officially launched for PC via Steam for $14.99, developer Polyscape announced. It is currently available at a 35 percent-off launch week discount price of $8.44. A Switch version is planned for release this winter

Risk of Rain Returns will launch for Switch and PC via Steam for $14.99, Gearbox Publishing and developer Hopoo Games announced.

Publisher Marvelous Europe and developer Nao Games will release side-scrolling roguelike action game Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun for Switch via Nintendo eShop on November 1 for $14.99 / £13.49 / €14.99, the companies announced. Pre-orders are available now with a 10 percent discount.

ACQUIRE has announced roguelike deckbuilder C.A.R.D.S. RPG: The Misty Battlefield for PC (Steam). A release date was not announced.

crim has announced STARNAUT, a roguelike action game in which you play as an astronaut who fights against endless spawns of enemies. It will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam in February 2024.

Roguelike action game 9th Sentinel Sisters is now available in Early Access for PC via Steam for $4.99, developer Live Wire announced.

For The King II will launch for PC via Steam on November 2 for $24.99 / £19.99 / €24.99, publisher Curve Games and developer IronOak Games announced. Pre-orders are available now at a 10 percent-off limited time discount price of $22.49 / £17.99 / €22.49.

Roguelike action game MISTROGUE: Mist and the Living Dungeons will leave Early Access and launch for PC via Steam in October for $12.99 / 1,500 yen, developer Polyscape announced. It will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Language options. A launch discount is also planned.

Roguelike first-person shooter GUNHEAD will launch for PC via Steam on November 8, developer Alientrap announced. A demo is available now for PC.

Roguelike first-person shooter The Foglands will launch for PlayStation 5 with PlayStation VR2 support and Quest 2 on October 31, developer Well Told Entertainment announced. The PlayStation 5 version (no headset required) is newly announced. A PC version is due out via Steam at a later date.

BeXide has announced roguelike deckbuilder Yohane the Parhelion: NUMAZU in the MIRAGE for PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC (Steam). It will launch on February 22, 2024 with English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language support.

Live Wire has announced 9th Sentinel Sisters, a roguelike action game with roguelike elements. It will launch first in Early Access for PC via Steam. A release date was not announced.

Roguelike action shoot ’em up IRA will leave Early Access and launch for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG on October 3 for $19.99, publisher Nicalis and developer ABShot announced.

SUNSOFT will release a Switch version of 16-player roguelike action game Ikki Unite in 2023 in Japan, followed by early 2024 worldwide, the company announced. It will feature cross-play with the existing PC (Steam) version.

Developer Zenmai has announced Helltrench, a roguelike action game featuring detailed pixel graphics coming to PC via Steam. A release date was not announced.

Cuisineer will launch for PC via Steam on November 9 for $24.99 / £20.99 / €24.99, publishers XSEED Games and Marvelous Europe, and developer BattleBrew Productions announced. It will be available at a 10 percent-off discount price for the first week of release.

SUCCESS Corporation has announced HEAVEN SEEKER, a single-player twin-stick roguelike shooter currently in development for PC (Steam). A release date was not announced. It will support English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese language options.

Acquire has announced Ancient Weapon Holly, a roguelike action and the second game in its self-published games portfolio. It will launch for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam in 2024.

Publisher Vertigo Games and developer Mixed Realms have released a new trailer for Hellsweeper VR introducing the game’s cooperative mode.

Roguelike deckbuilding strategy game Phantom Rose II Sapphire will launch for PC via Steam on October 30, publisher PLAYISM and developer makaroll announced. It will support English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese language options.

Publisher Alliance Arts, and publisher and developer Unknown X have announced roguelike dungeon builder Touhou Dungeon Maker: The Labyrinth of Heart for PC (Steam). A release date was not announced.

How do you create a large audience for a game's spiritual sequel? Make sure everyone has played the original. Sega and Amplitude Studios have made Dungeon of the Endless available for free on Steam before its follow-up, Endless Dungeon, arrives on October 19th. You have until July 27th to grab the freebie. You can also download both DLC packs through the community hub "while supplies last," according to the developers. The older game is available for both Mac and PC, although it won't work with Macs running macOS Catalina or newer.

There are currently 3,946 games with the «roguelike» tag on Steam, but I don't think there's a single one quite like Dungeon of the Endless. If there is I certainly haven't played it, and that's pretty remarkable considering just how saturated this genre has become in just the last decade. Dungeon of the Endless's hook is that it's a little bit RPG, a little bit strategy game, and very much a tower defense game, with the randomization of a roguelike to keep it interesting.

Two years after a smashing Kickstarter campaign, this roguelike cat-girl game is back with one of 2023's best trailers so far.