Three games changed the roguelike genre for the better and became phenomenons. Rogue Legacy, Dead Cells, and Hades are three games that most have probably either seen, touched, or played within the past few years. All three of those games are basically led by male heroes although technically players can get female offspring in Rogue Legacy and female skins in Dead Cells.

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Regardless of those examples, Hades 2 is going to flip the script as a female will be in command of the experience via Melinoe. She isn’t alone in the genre though as there have been plenty of other femme fatales that have starred in a roguelike. Let’s take a look at some female-led examples to blast through before Hades 2 comes out, hopefully next year in 2024.

10 30XX

Best Metacritic Score: 86

30XX is a Mega Man-like experience, complete with augments, and it is the sequel to 20XX which tried to combine Mega Man X with a roguelike that mostly worked although it was rough around the edges. 30XX is a more refined experience in terms of the visuals, controls, and gameplay loop. There are also a lot of modes and assist options for the less inclined gamer out there which I always appreciate.

Players can assume the role of the X archetype, Nina, or the Zero archetype, Ace, meaning that players can blast or slice through enemies. Nina is for sure the focus though. There is co-op as well so that this blasting and slicing action can be combined for a satisfying roguelike run. The only thing that is missing is a solid story. Also, the upgrade system doesn’t feel as rewarding as some other roguelikes. But, again, it’s a vast improvement over the original game and the action can be invigoratingly fast.

9 Alina Of The Arena

Best Metacritic Score: 78

Alina of the Arena is a roguelike that is all about the gameplay. Like most modern roguelikes, players will go through a series of rooms but in this case, they are arena pits. Players can decide where to go from monster heavy pits to shops to mystery zones and so on. All moves in combat are card-based from weapons to armor grabs, and it’s very easy to pick up after the first round.

Progression is locked in runs, but new classes can be unlocked as a permanent upgrade track. It’s a simple but effective combat system. The arcade-like approach to the design will thrill players who sometimes just want to play a game and not have to worry about a backstory. That said, the lack of personality could turn others away.

8 Astral Ascent

Best Metacritic Score: 88

Astral Ascent is a much more ambitious roguelike. This game takes place on a planet ruled by Zodiac warriors who trapped others in their quote-unquote paradise. It is beautiful for sure, but oppression can only go so far. Players will begin as the knife-wielding warrior, Ayla, who eventually gets joined by other playable characters like Kiran.

Players can swap between characters at home base or choose to play with a friend in co-op. There are tons of ways to upgrade characters in this hub world from increasing stats to gaining new abilities. Upon death, it should always feel like things are moving forward just like how movement and combat are fast and fluid.

7 Backpack Hero

Best Metacritic Score: 75

Backpack Hero starts players out as a young mouse, Purse, who wants to help rebuild her town to glory. In the dungeons, she will find a mysterious backpack capable of holding many things and even leveling up. Kind of like the suitcase segments from the original Resident Evil 4, players will spend time organizing the backpack as they get more loot in the dungeon.

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They’ll gain consumables, weapons, armor, and so on which is all temporary unless they can make it out of the dungeon’s sector. If players do then they can sell those items at Purse’s store. It’s a novel idea but one done before in another great roguelike, Moonlighter. Still, the more the merrier.

6 Cadence of Hyrule – Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda

Best Metacritic Score: 85

Cadence of Hyrule – Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda is a mouthful and sequel to the original Crypt of the NecroDancer. What made that roguelike special, besides the female lead of Cadence, was that it was rhythm-based. Players had to step and attack to the beat to maximize their potential.

The same is true in this Zelda spinoff which finds Cadence being transported into the land of Hyrule. Players can continue to play as her or take on the roles of either Link or Zelda. It’s one of the few titles in the series that gives fans direct control over Zelda which is quite something. It’s also one of the more accessible roguelikes thanks to some quality-of-life adjustments in the menu.

5 Little Noah: Scion Of Paradise

Best Metacritic Score: 87

Little Noah: Scion of Paradise originally came out in 2022, but it is new this year for Xbox fans. The game stars Noah, a treasure hunter who finds herself in a repeating dungeon full of loot. Players do not attack with her directly as Noah can instead call upon spirits to fight for her like Persona in the Persona series.

These spirits are called Lilliputs and they range from cute mice with swords to mighty giants with clubs. The game’s overall aesthetic makes it look like a spinoff to the Bravely Default series which should appeal to those fans. One of the best things about it, besides the Lilliput system and the art style, is the ability to warp around the map at any given moment. It saves a lot of time.

4 MythForce

Best Metacritic Score: 68

MythForce is framed as a Saturday morning cartoon and the opening movie will hammer that point home. It’s got a great cel-shaded look and the gameplay loop is not bad either. This is a roguelike wherein players can choose to be one of four characters including two females and two males.

Each character has a class that comes equipped with two weapons.

For example, Maggie is a mage that can shoot fire or switch to daggers in close combat. Characters will fight through arenas, get temporary upgrades, and do the whole thing over again once dead. The best part is the multiplayer although it may be hard to get an online game going with strangers now. It’s fun alone, but better if players invite some friends along. It’s better than what the reviews say although it really depends on getting a party together.

3 Returnal

Best Metacritic Score: 86

Returnal is a lot more intense than other games on the list. It feels like a third-person shooter first and a roguelike second. The heroine, Selene, crash lands on a planet that she soon discovers rearranged herself every time she “dies” and restarts.

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Her memories are bleeding into the architecture as well. What’s going and can she escape? Well, players are going to have to put their skills to the test for this one that is for sure. Thankfully, Selene will be backed by a ton of interesting gadgets and weapons to blow the aliens away with.

2 Spelunky 2

Best Metacritic Score: 92

Spelunky 2 follows the exploits of the daughter of the first game’s hero. He’s gone missing so it’s up to her to find out what happened. Instead of exploring ruins on the Earth though, she must travel to the moon. She’s not alone in this experience though as players can unlock other characters for both solo and multiplayer missions.

Like Returnal, this is one of the hardest roguelikes on the list. There are virtually no upgrade systems, so the only way to make it through to the end is through player experience. Even Indiana Jones might have a hard time finishing this adventure.

1 Trinity Fusion

Best Metacritic Score: 83

Trinity Fusion has an interesting idea for a roguelike. The future is doomed and only Maya can save it by branching three worlds together, each being saved by a heroine. Maya can contact Altara, Kera, and Naira who behave mostly the same albeit with a few different traversal abilities and attitudes. Players will go through three distinct biomes, getting temporary weapons and upgrades along with materials to boost stats permanently back at home base.

There are also tanks in levels that can fuse these girls together which will increase powers further. It’s not as fantastical as the Fusion Dance in Dragon Ball Z but it is definitely a helpful mechanic. The best part of the gameplay loop though are the weapons and abilities, which make combat engaging.

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