In a genre that’s full of stiff competition, the success achieved by Risk of Rain and its 2019 sequel is incredibly impressive. The team at Hopoo Games has shown not only a willingness to buck trends but also incredible bravery. Many other developers would have been content to simply rest on their laurels, but the decision to make such sweeping changes in Risk of Rain 2 was one that took a lot of guts. Looking at the end result, it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t the right one.
The series’ wonderful cast of characters and the wide range of unique items that are on offer really help it to stand out from the crowd. As replayable as the games are though, there will eventually come a point where players have had their fill. With no signs of a third game coming anytime soon, many will be forced to look a little further afield when searching for their next adventure. Thankfully, there are some great options out there.
10 Rogue Legacy 2
Rogue Legacy 2 recently entered Early Access and is shaping up to be every bit as good as its predecessor. It builds upon much of the earlier title’s gameplay while still maintaining the same aesthetics and core mechanics. The latter are quite a bit more balanced this time around though, thanks to the greater emphasis placed on weapon types.
Rogue Legacy 2‘s charming visuals are one of its biggest selling points, but the quality of its gameplay isn’t at all far behind. Combat is fast and frantic and there’s plenty of variety in both its stage and enemy design. Even in its current state, Rogue Legacy 2 provides a more than adequate rogue-lite experience, so the final release should hopefully be truly great.
9 FTL: Faster Than Light
FTL: Faster Than Light is a crushingly difficult real-time strategy game with rogue-lite elements. Rather than dungeons, the game takes place in space and definitely makes the most of the setting through its design choices. The top-down view might take some getting used to, but the game’s simplicity makes it an easy one to pick up and play. Just because it isn’t overly complicated though, doesn’t mean that it’s easy. Far from it.
This is a game for those who love a challenge. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the game’s eight species will be vital for success, as too will some razor-sharp reflexes. As with anything though, practice makes perfect, and, thanks to the game’s moreish qualities, players will get their fair share of that.
8 Prey: Mooncrash
Mooncrash is a DLC expansion pack for Arkane Studios’ 2017 title Prey that completely switches up the gameplay. It’s a roguelike that stands out in the subgenre, mainly due to its high production values.
Players are given the choice between five different characters, each with their own stats and abilities. Although the level layout is fixed, the locations of enemies, chests, and obstacles change with each playthrough, requiring players to remain on their toes at all times. As a result, each run is completely unique and, generally, a lot of fun.
7 Slay The Spire
At a glance, Slay the Spire may seem completely different from the Risk of Rain games, and, in many ways, it is. The card-based combat system is not at all what one would expect to find in a roguelike, but it compliments the genre surprisingly well. So much so, in fact, that it has inspired plenty of other roguelike deck-building games since it released.
Elements like procedural-generation and loot are still at the heart of everything that the game does, but the card-based combat provides an experience that, at the time at least, was entirely unique. It won’t be for everyone, but it might just surprise a few players with its charm and incredible depth.
6 Dead Cells
Like Risk of Rain, Dead Cells borrows mechanics from both the roguelike and Metroidvania genres, but it also incorporates some Souls-like elements too. Dead Cells‘ plot may be fairly simple, but its gameplay is anything but. This is a game that will challenge its players but also reward them every bit as much.
The amount of collectible items in Dead Cells is impressive and the cells mechanic adds another layer of depth. Deciding whether or not to spend collected cells or risk losing them in the following stage requires some real strategic thinking. Either that or a lot of confidence.
5 Crypt Of The NecroDancer
Crypt of the NecroDancer takes the bold and bizarre decision to combine elements from the rhythm and roguelike genres. It doesn’t sound like a good pairing on paper, but in execution, it’s a match made in heaven. It is innovation at its best and helps the game stand out in a somewhat crowded genre.
On the surface, Crypt of the NecroDancer plays much like any other roguelike dungeon crawler, but the rhythm elements offer a brand new twist. Actions are most effective when timed to the beats of the music, requiring players to learn not only the game’s tracks but also the movements of the enemies themselves. New music can even be imported, providing near-infinite possibilities.
4 Spelunky 2
It may have taken a bit longer to arrive than many would have liked, but Spelunky 2 was absolutely worth the wait. It’s the perfect sequel, providing the same stressful and chaotic experience that made its predecessor so beloved. The new features like turkey-riding are just a nice bonus.
The caves that the player must traverse are full of traps and treasure, not to mention an army of hostile creatures. Many of the obstacles require near-perfect precision to overcome, but, thanks to the tight controls, this can be achieved with enough practice and planning.
3 Hades
After a few years of Early Access, Hades finally received a full release a few months back and it’s one of the best that 2020 has to offer. It’s a rogue-lite action RPG in which the player controls the Prince of the Underworld, Zagreus, as he attempts to break free from his overbearing father and reach Mount Olympus.
The isometric viewpoint might not be to everybody’s tastes, but the gameplay is fantastic. The combat is well thought out and there’s plenty of loot on offer too, making for a fun and engaging experience. Perhaps Hades‘ biggest strength though is its narrative, which is engrossing from start to finish.
2 Enter The Gungeon
Sometimes there’s so much going on in Enter The Gungeon that it can be a little overwhelming. However, amidst the flurry of bullets is a game that is as rewarding as it is challenging. Its story might not be one to write home about, but with gameplay this good, it really doesn’t have to be.
Enter The Gungeon is an incredibly well-presented game that looks as good as playing it feels. There are plenty of guns to pick up throughout a run, with each offering its own unique firing pattern. This, combined with the fantastic procedurally-generated stages, encourages the player to constantly mix-up their playstyle making it a game that can be played over and over again.
1 The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
For those who enjoyed the roguelike elements found in Risk of Rain, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is an absolute must-play. Given its huge success and the time that’s passed since its original release, it’s likely that fans of the genre will have already picked this one up. Anybody who hasn’t is seriously missing out.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth can at times be incredibly challenging, but its fast-paced gameplay just screams “one more try” and its unnerving narrative will have players gripped. The randomized layouts make the game incredibly replayable just as the tight controls make it surprisingly accessible. Roguelikes just don’t get much better than this.
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