Roguelike games famously offer more replay value than any other genre on the market. Their randomly-generated nature and continuous meta progression mean that the player can never predict how their game will go, so the gameplay will never feel stale. Almost everything in roguelikes is entirely randomized, from the weapons and enemies, even down to the level designs!
It's no secret that roguelike games are entertaining and addictive, but some unquestionably have higher replayability than others. Here are the best roguelike titles with the most replay value, all of which are sure to keep players entertained for hours while offering fresh and exciting gameplay.
7 Crypt Of The Necrodancer
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices.
Using rhythm mechanics and placing players directly into the dancing shoes of Cadence, Crypt Of The Necrodancer is a roguelike game with a unique premise. Players get to explore the titular dungeon, battling discoing enemies and finding powerful items, all while moving to the beat of the background music. There's even a chaotic co-op mode for some added fun!
Crypt Of The Necrodancer offers hours of entertainment value. Each level is completely randomized, so no two playthroughs will be the same. If players get bored of the same in-game tracks, the background music can be customized so players can boogie music from their own downloaded MP3 collection!
6 Spelunky 2
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Roguelikes are known for being notoriously difficult to beat while offering a multitude of content to investigate, and Spleunky 2 fits right in with this generalization. The sequel to the original Spelunky offers new degrees of exploration to inspire players. The multi-layered levels, traps, and randomized nature of the game provide a complex and difficult dimension to the 2D classic.
As with most roguelikes, permadeath is a complicated obstacle players must try to overcome. Death is a certainty. But with the addictive gameplay, players can use their deaths to learn from their mistakes and improve each time they delve back into Spelunky 2's mines.
5 Neon Abyss
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Neon Abyss puts players in control of a member of the Grim Squad; a military unit tasked with infiltrating the Abyss to defeat the New Gods. As players venture further into the neon-drenched aesthetic of the Abyss, random items with stacking passive effects will be dropped to aid the player on their run 'n' gun adventure.
The diversity of the weapons ensures that each run will be completely unique as players can discover weapon combinations tailored to their individual playstyle. The best part of Neon Abyss is that death is not the end. After each death, players will find themselves more empowered than before and ready to face the depths of the Abyss once again.
4 Dead Cells
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices.
Dead Cells presents a new iteration into the roguelike genre with Metroidvania elements for players to enjoy. The interconnected labyrinthian world with nonlinear progression allows players to explore the idyllic environments at their own pace, with tons of hidden secrets to discover.
With over 150 different weapons and skills to fit into their arsenal, players can craft their unique build to defeat the five difficult bosses. The ever-looming threat of permanent death lurks with no checkpoints, so players must master the challenging souls-like aspects of the game to conquer the world of Dead Cells and emerge victorious.
3 Risk Of Rain 2
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Risk Of Rain 2 is a third-person shooter with roguelike elements, as players are deposited on an alien world filled with a myriad of enemies and challenging bosses. Featuring eleven unlockable characters with their own unique playstyle and abilities to master, no two run-throughs will ever be the same as the stages, and items are all randomized with over 110 items to discover.
Risk Of Rain 2's unique combat scaling systems means that the player and their foes will immeasurably scale in power over a run-through. Either fight through waves of enemies to reach the final legendary boss Mithrix or continue the run indefinitely until death; the choice is entirely down to the player!
2 Hades
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Hades is easily one of the best action roguelikes of this generation, providing hours of challenging gameplay. With a vivid and action-packed reimagined mythological Greek Underworld, players control the son of Hades, desperate to escape the dark pits of hell.
Wielding powerful weapons of Olympus, the player can hack 'n' slash their way through the ever-shifting Underworld, unraveling more of the lore with each escape attempt. Hades is built for replayability, as the player will be remembered by previously-encountered guardian bosses and get to experience new interactions with the lively cast of characters and legendary gods.
1 The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth
- Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Known for revitalizing the roguelike genre, The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth brings the classic to life with its hand-drawn pixel art and smooth animation. In order to escape Isaac's mother's plans for a ritualistic sacrifice, players must trawl through randomized stages of Isaac's mother's basement as the titular character Isaac or one of the several unlockable characters.
There are more than 450 items available that Isaac can gather to enhance the power of his tears, making each replay a unique experience. Items can also be a hindrance and make Isaac's life more difficult, so players will need to choose their items with care. As the pinnacle of all roguelikes, The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth and its DLC can easily provide over 500 hours of gameplay.