By Harry Ted Sprinks
Updated
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Please verify your email address.
You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.
Manage Your List
Follow
Followed
Follow with Notifications
Follow
Unfollow
Link copied to clipboard
Risk of Rain 2
Related
Great Roguelikes With The Most Playable Characters
Risk Of Rain 2: Every Character, Ranked
6 Best Open-World Dungeon Crawlers, Ranked

Key Takeaways
- Roguelites incorporate meta-progression or real-time gameplay to differentiate from traditional roguelikes.
- Games like Bravery And Greed creatively blend genres to offer unique cooperative experiences.
- Innovative titles like Inkbound add twists to turn-based combat for fast-paced, strategic gameplay.
The roguelite genre takes heavy inspiration from roguelikes but strips away some of the more classic elements that make them so much like Rogue. Roguelites tend to do this by adding in some form of meta-progression that allows players to progress between runs, or, more often than not, by removing turn-based combat.
Related
9 Games That Have Unusual Multiplayer Modes
Multiplayer modes are common in this day and age, and some games like to push the envelope in their implementation of this feature.
Most of these games feature real-time gameplay that makes them ideal for online co-op, though others use turn-based combat to great effect. Together, these games should provide a variety of solid cooperative experiences that make dying repeatedly a little less lonely.
Updated April 10, 2024 by Harry Ted Sprinks: Roguelikes and roguelites have become increasingly popular with mainstream audiences. However, disputed the semantics may sometimes be, the upside to this surge of the genre's popularity has resulted in a bounty of well-crafted roguelite titles.
Games such as Ravenswatch are pushing the boundaries of the action roguelite/roguelike, while the quirkier indie games like Rogue Star Rescue and Bravery And Greed creatively combine the roguelite formula with other genres.
1 Ship Of Fools
Steam User Rating: 80%

- Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2022
- Developer(s): Fika Productions
- Genre: Adventure, Roguelite
This cooperative roguelite adventure tasks players with sailing across the open sea and defending their ship from a variety of monsters. Ship Of Fools is best played with a friend, as the game is built for cooperative play.
Ship Of Fools is an extremely stylish game, with a fun and distinctive art style, and its unique seafaring theme also helps it to stand out among the crowd. Although its action-roguelite gameplay is fairly standard, Ship Of Fools is elevated by its co-op gameplay.
2 Across The Obelisk
Steam User Rating: 83%

Across the Obelisk
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- April 8, 2021
- Developer
- Dreamsite Games
This turn-based, deck-building roguelite has players taking turns playing through hands of cards in parties of up to four players. The game features a hand-drawn aesthetic that utilizes simplistic animations, but the overall visual style is more than palatable.
Related
11 Of The Best Recent Deck-Builder Games, Ranked
From the iconic Slay the Spire to releases like Griftlands and Signs of the Sojourner, these are some of the best recent deck-builders.
Across The Obelisk makes turn-based combat collaborative by allowing players to see each other's hands while playing, encouraging players to discuss and strategize together. However, each player controls their character throughout the game. It's an unusually social twist on the format and one that works very well. Each player's decisions are of equal importance, and each must take into account the others' cards.
3 Bravery And Greed
Steam User Rating: 77%

- Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox
- Released: 2022
- Developer(s): Rekka Games
- Genre: Beat 'Em Up, Roguelite
This side-scrolling hack-and-slash beat 'em up features crunchy pixel art and online/local co-op with up to four players. Bravery And Greed features four unique classes, several bosses, and options for both PvE and PvP.
Bravery And Greed is a decidedly old-school game, from its hack-and-slash combat and classic fantasy classes to the addition of couch co-op and multiple game modes. While there may be more refined co-op experiences on Steam, Bravery And Greed is a great choice for fans of old-school action.
4 Rogue Star Rescue
Steam User Rating: 93%

- Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox
- Released: 2021
- Developer(s): Chute Apps
- Genre: Roguelite, Tower Defense
This unique combination of bullet-hell action and tower defense strategy makes for a truly distinctive roguelite experience. Furthermore, Rogue Star Rescue allows players to play in both online and local co-op with up to four players.
Rogue Star Rescue is packed with charm, from its quirky characters and dialogue to its pixel art visuals and colorful enemy designs. A light story, multiple characters to play, and an abundance of guns and items make Rogue Star Rescue a cooperative roguelite with plenty of replay value.
5 Ravenswatch
Steam User Rating: 79%

- Platform(s): PC
- Released: 2023
- Developer(s): Passtech Games
- Genre: Action Roguelite
This top-down, hack-and-slash action roguelite can be played solo, but it's arguably more fun when played in online co-op. In Ravenswatch, fans play as one of several heroes inspired by old folk tales and legends, featuring characters such as Beowulf and the Pied Piper.
In the game, players explore a small open area, completing quests and challenges as they farm currency and experience. After a period of time, the game then transports all players to a climactic boss battle, which they must defeat to progress to the next Act. With several distinct heroes to play as, each with their own skill sets and a variety of passive upgrades to find, Ravenswatch is a surprisingly addictive co-op roguelite.
6 Children Of Morta
Steam User Rating: 89%

Children of Morta
Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch , PC , PlayStation 4 , Xbox One
- Released
- September 3, 2019
- Developer(s)
- Dead Mage
This roguelite action RPG tasks players with taking control of a family of adventurers, hacking and slashing through corrupted monsters in varied dungeons as they progress through the game's well-written story.
Although Children Of Morta doesn't feature permanent death (players instead play as a variety of characters in the form of family members, each of which is important to the story), the game is played in runs, with players being sent back to the family's home base upon death. Children Of Morta also features procedural generation that makes retreading dungeons less repetitive, as well as unique boss fights that help to spice up the gameplay.
7 Vagante
Steam User Rating: 90%

- Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Released: 2018
- Developer(s): Nuke Nine
- Genre: Rogue-Lite RPG
This fantasy-themed roguelite features RPG elements and high-lethality gameplay that fans of Spelunky will be no strangers to. Deadly traps, vicious enemies, and platforming gameplay make Vagante an action-packed experience, and like Spelunky 2, Vagante can be played in online co-op.
Vagante also features procedural generation that makes each run feel distinct from the last and keeps the gameplay unpredictable. The game's different classes also help to make Vagante's gameplay varied, especially when adventuring as a party.
8 Inkbound
Steam User Rating: 91%

Inkbound
Turn-Based Strategy
RPG
Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Released
- April 9, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Shiny Shoe
Inkbound is a stylish cooperative roguelite game from the developers of Monster Train. The title's well-crafted gameplay centers around an innovative twist on turn-based combat that keeps things fresh and fast-paced while remaining strategic.
In Inkbound, players can explore the game's levels in real time and transition into a turn-based style of play when entering combat. Although Inkbound's combat is technically turn-based, players are able to move freely during their turns and take turns simultaneously, resulting in a surprisingly fast-paced experience.
9 Barony
Steam User Rating: 92%

- Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch
- Released: 2015
- Developer(s): Turning Wheel LLC
- Genre: RPG
This first-person roguelite RPG features a voxel-based graphical style and gripping dungeon-crawling gameplay. Barony tasks players with rummaging through different biomes, battling enemies, and avoiding traps as they collect loot and level up.
Playing Barony in online co-op almost feels like old-school ; the game features different playable classes, strong RPG systems, and plenty of deadly enemies and traps alike. It may look rather simplistic, but Barony has considerable hidden depth in its action, and there's a good deal of replay value thanks to the various classes.
10 Gunfire Reborn
Steam User Rating: 93%

Gunfire Reborn
- Platform(s)
- Android , iOS , PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 18, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Duoyi Games
This cooperative first-person shooter features a simple cartoon art style and looter shooter gameplay that seems to take heavy inspiration from games such as Borderlands. Gunfire Reborn also shares similarities with the aforementioned series with its focus on elemental effects and large-scale boss fights.
Gunfire Reborn doesn't require much strategic thinking, instead focusing on light build management and frantic looter-shooter gameplay. The multiplayer works well, and the abundance of playable characters allows players to strategize over team building to ensure that their choices complement each other well.
11 Ember Knights
Steam User Rating: 93%

Ember Knights
Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PC , Switch
- Released
- April 20, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Doom Turtle
This top-down action roguelite features hack-and-slash gameplay and a brilliant pixel art visual style. The game tasks players with battling through a variety of distinct locations and taking down challenging bosses.
Related
Great Roguelikes With The Most Playable Characters
When it comes to the sheer number of playable characters or classes, these roguelikes reign supreme thanks to their big rosters.
Ember Knights allows players to tackle the game's challenges in a variety of ways, constructing various builds by choosing from a broad range of unique weapons, skills, and passive upgrades. On top of being an action game, Ember Knights also features meta-progression, which allows players to gain bonuses between runs.
12 Roboquest
Steam User Rating: 95%

Roboquest
Roguelite
FPS
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
- Released
- November 7, 2023
- Developer
- RyseUp Studios
Roboquest has a brilliant visual style and chaotic shooter gameplay that, like Gunfire Reborn, feels influenced by the likes of Borderlands and other light-hearted shooters. Furthermore, the game features a variety of distinct weapons and solid movement controls that make moving around its unique environments a joy.
Although Roboquest does feature online co-op, unfortunately, it only allows for two players. While this is certainly a negative, it also prevents the game from becoming too easy or overly chaotic, making for a more streamlined, fast-paced experience.
13 Risk Of Rain 2
Steam User Rating: 96%

Risk of Rain 2
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One , Nintendo Switch , PC , PS4
- Released
- September 11, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Hopoo Games
This sequel to the hit 2D indie roguelite features unique gameplay elements in the form of fully open levels, an abundance of upgrades to find, and an ever-ticking timer. This timer gradually increases the difficulty of the game and forces players to keep moving, punishing those who overstay their welcome in each level.
Related
Risk Of Rain 2: Every Character, Ranked
Risk of Rain 2 features a fantastic variety of characters to play as, and here is a comprehensive ranking of each one players unlock.
Although Risk Of Rain 2 can be played solo, it's arguably best when played with friends. Communication, threat assessment, and good teamwork are all essential to success, making Risk Of Rain 2 a cooperative experience that constantly draws the attention of its players. Furthermore, Risk Of Rain 2 also has a great visual style and plenty of playable characters to choose from, each of which offers a genuinely different and unique way to play.
14 Streets Of Rogue
Steam User Rating: 96%

Streets of Rogue
Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC , PS4 , Switch , Xbox One
- Released
- March 10, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Matt Dabrowski
This immersive-sim roguelite takes clear inspiration from classic Grand Theft Auto games and similar sims like Deus-Ex, wearing its influences on its sleeve to create a sandbox-style roguelite packed with variety.
Streets Of Rogue facilitates multiplayer shenanigans around every corner, thanks in large part to its immersive-sim nature and level design. In the game, players are tasked with completing a handful of objectives on each floor, which players can tackle any way they see fit. This allows players to create elaborate plans to complete objectives, though this careful teamwork often devolves into frantic chaos.
More
6 Best Open-World Dungeon Crawlers, Ranked
Although the genre doesn't get as much attention as it used to, there are some great open-world Dungeon Crawlers to explore.
- Video Games
- Risk of Rain 2
- Children of Morta
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Please verify your email address.
You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.
Manage Your List
Follow
Followed
Follow with Notifications
Follow
Unfollow