The intriguing nature of roguelike games is what makes these titles popular and since players are being rewarded for the repetitions, it's difficult to get bored. Even though roguelikes started growing in popularity in the last decade, all of this started with the original 1980 Rogue which paved the path for newer roguelikes that have seeped into several genres adding a lot more fun. Survival is one of them and perhaps the most compelling genre that keeps players hooked for several hours.

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The core elements of roguelikes such as permadeath, dungeon-style combat, and procedural generation are already challenging enough. However, adding the element of survival not only demands resilience but also adaptability if players want to survive the ever-changing landscapes. So, whether players are seasoned roguelike veterans or newbies eager to dive into the survival nature of roguelikes, the following roguelike survivals will keep them hooked for the whole night.

10 Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead

Steam User Rating: 92%

Cataclysm: DDA, developed by CleverRaven in 2013 for various platforms and released on Steam a decade later, is one of the most immersive roguelike survival games that puts players in a post-apocalyptic world where chaos reigns. This turn-based game will force the player to survive by crafting tools, building a strong home base, and defeating monsters.

It's perhaps the most complex roguelike that provides a lot of depth and content which is hard to find in any other roguelike survival title. The game's depth extends beyond its storyline and features an insane level of crafting which alone is enough of a reason for getting into the game right away.

9 Risk Of Rain 2

Steam User Rating: 96%

For players who are looking for a difficult survival roguelike game that can also be played in single-player as well as co-op mode, then they have just stumbled upon a gem. The team behind developing this game is Hopoo Games which created the popular Risk of Rain title in 2013. The game now has a lot to offer in terms of visuals, gameplay, and storyline.

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The fast-paced action, procedural generation, permadeath, and the option for a cooperative mode add an extra layer of tension that will force players to make decisions critical for their survival. With an active player base of thousands of concurrent players, players are surely going to spend several hours in every session.

8 NEO Scavenger

Steam User Rating: 89%

Developed and published by Blue Bottle Games, NEO Scavenger sets players up in a wasteland where they face critical challenges like dehydration, fatigue, and drastic environmental changes. One of the standout features of this game is its extensive crafting system that allows players to make weapons and improvised armor from a variety of items found in the wasteland.

It's quite impressive that the game goes beyond crafting and survival. Unlike most roguelike games, players get to witness the desperation of what it would feel like to be in an actual wasteland including seeing realistic wounds, metabolism, and inventory all while keeping in mind the permadeath nature of the game.

7 Wayward

Steam User Rating: 85%

While the game is still in Early Access since its release in 2016, it's a must-try roguelike survival game due to its nature of being a simulation. The game has no levels, and no classes but players still get to explore however they want. This makes it a pretty solid choice for beginners who are getting started with roguelikes and can prove their survival skills.

With over 750 items to craft, 60+ creatures and animals to defeat and harvest, and an online PvP mode, this game will easily consume hundreds of hours if players are looking beyond completing the storyline.

6 Unreal World

Steam User Rating: 93%

If players are looking for a pure wilderness survival experience, then they don't need to look any further. Originally released in 1992, the game has been receiving regular updates and is widely known for its depth and roguelike RPG-style gameplay.

To survive challenges like hunger, harsh weather, and injuries, players must learn the art of crafting, hunting, and fishing. But that's not all! players have their own path to explore as they become a part of one of the nine available cultures. Perhaps the best part is that this game can easily run even on a potato PC.

5 Muck

Steam User Rating: 94%

Musk is a pretty straightforward roguelike survival game that comes with a multiplayer mode to play the game with friends. The colorful visuals and the vibrant world are appealing to the eyes and its hack-and-slash combat system against wild creatures and giants makes it pretty entertaining.

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Players need to work together to gather resources and build structures to avoid hordes of aggressive enemies. While the first day might seem like a vacation, it can become a nightmare with each night passing. Released in 2021, Muck is available to play on Steam for absolutely free!

4 Caves Of Qud

Steam User Rating: 95%

It's a big accomplishment to be called "the best roguelike game ever made" by the creator of Dwarf Fortress. Caves of Qud features a traditional roguelike survival gameplay which is currently in the early access mode. The game has endless options to explore the world where players get to choose the character of their choice each with distinct attributes, skills, and mutations.

The expansive worlds allow players to navigate through the procedurally generated environments where they encounter mutated creatures and NPCs, each of them having their own levels, skills, and equipment. So, players must decide carefully as each decision will change the character's destiny and influence the course of the game.

3 Stoneshard

Steam User Rating: 75%

Stoneshard brings an innovative health and injury system that directly affects the health bar. It would be devastating if the character is injured because it will impact its combat prowess and hinder its movement and affect accuracy. Hence, the game can be unforgiving where players have to manage their resources in order to progress further.

The way it allows the character development that gives players the choice to experiment with hundreds of abilities and equipment in the vast world that is procedurally generated will keep every gameplay a unique experience. While still in the early access mode since its release in 2020, the game has managed to attract a large player base of roguelike lovers due to giving out a lot of replay value.

2 Death Road To Canada

Steam User Rating: 93%

Going against a swarm of 500 zombies all at once is a real survival challenge. But the randomization after every death where the locations, events, and survivor personalities change every time takes the difficulty to the next level. The game is pretty unique compared to other roguelike survival titles where players can do some crazy stuff like teaching a dog to drive a car and making the character so strong that it can throw big sofas.

Moreover, players can play it along with three of their friends in a local co-op mode to witness insane chaos. The level of insanity in the battle will force the players to level up their character which is why lifting that heavy barbell in the gym is crucial.

1 Dungeon Of The Endless

Steam User Rating: 88%

Developed by Amplitude Studios and released in 2014 on Steam, Dungeon of the Endless is essentially a one-click game that looks easy to play but is hard to master. The classical ever-changing scenarios will keep the players active in adapting and strategizing in order to save a crystal from waves of monsters.

Players must gather life-saving resources as every time they open a door, a new wave of enemies awaits. So, it's crucial to build strong defenses if players want to hold off hordes of monsters as this pixel-art roguelike survival game is unforgiving and doesn't excuse mistakes.

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