Highlights

  • VR has made roguelike games more accessible than ever before, allowing players to immerse themselves in challenging gameplay loops.
  • Hellsweeper VR and Sweet Surrender VR are two intense, action-packed roguelike games that offer satisfying experiences for players who are up for the challenge.
  • The Light Brigade and Until You Fall are adrenaline-fueled VR roguelike games that combine realistic gunplay and sword-fighting action, providing an engaging and intense gameplay experience.

Roguelikes have become all the rage after indie gaming popularized this genre. Now, big studios like Sony are putting their eggs into these baskets, with games like Returnal and God Of War Ragnarok: Valhalla exploring this genre with AAA budgets. Another form of gaming that utilizes roguelike video game design to great effect is VR.

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The Meta Quest 3 has opened the floodgates for VR being more accessible than ever before. Players can check out a wealth of great roguelike games that let players get lost in this immersive medium as they come to grips with the gameplay loops of these challenging games. After learning and mastering moves, players can turn what was once an impossible experience into a triviality, which is a huge reason why roguelike games are so satisfying to play.

6 Hellsweeper VR

Meta Store Rating: 4.2/5

Hellsweeper VR
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Meta Quest
  • Release Date: September 21, 2023
  • Developer: Mixed Realms

If players love Doom to bits and want a more cohesive experience than what VFR provided, then Hellsweeper VR should be right up their alley. This game utilizes a roguelike structure with an action-packed combat system to force players to learn how its systems work or give up. Be warned — this game is not for beginners to VR, since motion sickness can rear its head pretty frequently.

With enough upgrades and an understanding of the game, players can ace Hellsweeper VR in no time at all. The journey is worthwhile and players will attain a great sense of satisfaction after finally conquering this tough-as-nails title.

5 Sweet Surrender VR

Meta Store Rating: 4.6/5

Sweet Surrender
  • Platforms: PC, Meta Quest
  • Release Date: September 30, 2021
  • Developer: Salmi Games

A simple art style and compelling gameplay make Sweet Surrender a blast to play through. Players must climb a tower and battle against numerous adversaries along the way. Attaining new weapons and upgrading combat abilities are imperative to get to the end of this tantalizing roguelike experience that never fails to ramp up the challenge when the situation calls for it.

There's a beauty to Sweet Surrender's simplicity that makes it perfect for quick and engaging gameplay sessions. The game doesn't overstay its welcome and doesn't frustrate players with the shooting action being so fast and engaging.

4 The Light Brigade

Meta Store Rating: 4.6/5

The Light Brigade
The Light Brigade

Platform(s)
PS5 , PC
Released
February 22, 2023
Developer
Funktronic Labs

If players are seeking out a pure adrenaline fix set in the roguelike genre, then The Light Brigade should be right up their alley. Players need to fight against monstrous humanoids as they engage in surprisingly realistic gunplay. As one would expect, ascending the ranks and getting great weapons is imperative to making progress here.

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The combination of World War 1 weaponry with a magic system is pretty unique helps The Light Brigade stand out as an intense and engaging roguelike shooter. Players will be drawn in by the game's world as they strive to better their run with the new upgrades they've unlocked, making it a satisfying entry in the roguelike genre.

3 Until You Fall

Meta Store Rating: 4.7/5

enemy in Until You Fall
  • Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Meta Quest
  • Release Date: August 27, 2019
  • Developer: Schell Games

Rhythm action games have become all the rage in modern times, making it easy to see why Until You Fall has garnered such a loyal fanbase. Players seeking a workout will love this game's combination of rhythm gameplay and sword-fighting action that makes every encounter a tantalizing one.

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Players will have to take care of several things as they once as they slice and dice through waves of enemies while bumping their heads to the tune of a great soundtrack. Until You Fall can be quite overwhelming at first glance, but it won't take long for players to get into the groove of the game and use their swordsmanship skills to wreak havoc in style.

2 In Death: Unchained

Meta Store Rating: 4.7/5

In Death Unchained
  • Platforms: PC, Meta Quest
  • Release Date: July 23, 2020
  • Developer: Superbright

Aiming with two hands can feel rather finicky in VR, but that doesn't mean games shouldn't experiment with this control scheme at all. In Death: Unchained is a hard-as-nails roguelike that will force players to get good at aiming a bow if they wish to survive against the many enemies that stand in their way.

It helps that the game does make two-handed aiming feel slightly more natural than other games that attempt it, which is an achievement in its own right. As players become more adept with this game, the sense of satisfaction that is achieved by overcoming the game's many obstacles is a blast.

1 Ancient Dungeon

Meta Store Rating: 4.8/5

Ancient Dungeon VR
Ancient Dungeon

Platform(s)
Microsoft Windows , Meta Quest
Released
April 7, 2020
Developer
Eric Thullen
Genre(s)
RPG , Indie Games , Shooter , Fighting , Adventure

One of the most impressive action-oriented roguelike games that fans can check out, Ancient Dungeon keeps it smooth and simple without losing players with what they may assume to be a boring gameplay loop when it's anything but.

Ancient Dungeon will put players through the works, and unlocking new weapons to tackle enemies is always a blast. The game does a lot with very little, making it infinitely clear just how immersive the medium of VR can be.

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