Welcome back, you awesome lot, for the latest round-up of new roguelike releases, and February starts with a real banger…
Rift Wizard 2 | Dylan White | Feb 1 | PC (Win) | The month is kicking off with my personal highlight, Rift Wizard 2. This turn-based roguelike is all about building a unique spellbook and then using it to defeat your enemies. Playing as an amnesiac wizard, each new run has you create a fresh build, and this is a great option for anyone who likes their rogues with a strong puzzle element.
Wild Rumble | Mean Mink | Feb 3 | PC (Win) | I have always enjoyed multiplayer football (soccer) games, and that’s why Wild Rumble caught my eye during my research this month. This 3v3 game lets you evolve your team as your progress, using new abilities to get the edge over your opponents. It might be a closer look if you’re a big fan of local multiplayer.
Rogue Monster Rush | Ghost Vibes | Feb 5 | PC (Win) | I do like a good roguelite tower defense game, and another game that is on my radar this month is Rogue Monster Rush. What’s interesting here is the way you get to build the map around yourself using randomly chosen tiles, and then defend them with a selection of roguish monsters.
Rift of the NecroDancer | Tic Toc Games, Brace Yourself Games | Feb 5 | PC (Win) | While not strictly a roguelike, Rift of the NecroDancer is descended from roguish royalty. This brand new rhythm game is very much on our radar and you can expect a review here on the site very soon indeed.
Luck be a Landlord | Trampoline Tales | Feb 6 | PS, Switch, Xbox | One of my favourite games of 2023 was an unassuming slot machine roguelike that delivers a truly unique blend of deckbuilding, strategic synergising, and neo-capitalist political commentary. Now Luck be a Landlord is following up on its initial release on PC and mobile with a cross-platform console launch!
Sworn | Windwalk Games | Feb 6 | PC (Win) | The format in Sworn means that the Hades comparisons are inevitable, however, I think there’s much more to Windwalk’s Arthurian action-RPG than a simple reskin of Supergiant’s formula. The big difference here is the emphasis on co-op gameplay, which might make this a good option for people who enjoyed Ravenswatch too.
Keep Driving | YCJY Games | Feb 6 | PC (Win) | This is an interesting pick because it’s not your typical roguelike. In fact, while there is procedural generation, this is more of an inventory management sim with a rock solid road trip theme. I played the demo and, if I’m honest, it wasn’t for me, but I also thought it was super interesting and well executed, and the theme is so strong that I think I may be in the minority on this one.
Stray Path | chx games | Feb 6 | PC (Win) | The latest roguelike deckbuilder to leave the Yogscast stable is Stray Path, and it looks like another game with genuine potential thanks to the fusion of FreeCell gameplay staples and general roguishness. My first impression is that this one is quite charming, but we’ll have to wait and see when it drops on the 6th.
Genome Guardian | Stingbot Games | Feb 6 | Nintendo Switch | I’ve not played Genome Guardian on PC, but by the looks of it I’ve been missing out. Now the turret shooter is out on Nintendo Switch and, based on the bright and vibrant visuals, I think I might have missed out again. But you don’t need to make the same mistake…
Everwarder | qLate | Feb 6 | PC (Win) | For what it’s worth, both Kinix and myself caught wind of Everwarder ahead of release, and we’re both intrigued by the game’s fusion of tower defense, roguishness, and survival. It’s got really cute pixelart, too. That sounds rather interesting, doesn’t it?!
Astral Throne | Zero Sun Games | Feb 7 | PC (Win) | Old school strategy RPGing with a party-focus: that’s the pitch in Astral Throne. I not only like the low-fi PSX-era visuals, but also the reverence to ye olde party-based gameplay, and the emphasis on finding synergies between the characters in your party. One to take a closer look at, methinks.
Reality Break | Element Games | Feb 10 | PC (Win) | Top-down time loop space shooter Reality Break blasted its way onto my radar last year when I played the demo, and I’m eager for more looting and shooting (and dying, no doubt) when the finished version of this engaging sci-fi ARPG takes off this February.
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North | KillHouse Games | Feb 10 | PC (Mac, Win) | This late addition to the article forced its way into my attention when I discovered that there is a roguelike-inspired Tour of Duty mode with a procedurally generated campaign. I’ll get around to playing this as soon as I can, because the first Door Kickers was excellent, if my somewhat knackered memory serves.
Novus Orbus | Seizo Games | Feb 10 | PC (Win) | With quirky pixelart visuals, this stylish and vibrant combo-based deckbuilder is all about stringing together powerful attacks to make the number go up. Out of all of the undiscovered games that I didn’t know about before writing up this month’s round-up, I reckon this is the one I think I’m most looking forward to trying out, for what it’s worth.
Darkblade Ascent | PST Games | Feb 12 | PC (Win) | If your favourite part of Skyrim was twatting bandits on the head with a big sword, then Darkblade Ascent looks like the action-roguelike for you. There has been a recent spike of challenging first-person, melee-focused rogues in this is one trend I’m here for, even if I pretty much suck at games like Chivalry.
Sancticide | Red Square Games, Sylen Studio | Feb 12 | PC (Win) | Where Darkblade is fantasy first-person, Sancticide is a punishing third-person adventure sent in the midst of a biblical apoclypse. Futurism, religion, magic and post-apocalyptic destruction come together in an unlikely cocktail that has well and truly caught my attention.
Warriors: Abyss | Koei Tecmo Games | Feb 12 | PC (Win), PS, Switch, Xbox | I must be getting old and/or rusty, because the first I heard of Warriors: Abyss was its surprise announcement and launch this month. As such, its inclusion here is after the fact, but it’s also a no-brainer for a write-up here when a studio as prestigious as Koei Tecmo gets into the roguelite game. Expect more on this one in due course, because the fusion of roguish gameplay and Warriors/musou combat certainly has huge potential.
Gunforged | Firebelley | Feb 17 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win) | I skipped past Gunforged at first, but a closer inspection revealed a broken-build roguelike shooter with some truly chaotic gameplay. This is certainly worth tracking if you’re a fan of madcap shooter such as Nuclear Throne and Voidigo.
Sodaman | Tape Corps | Feb 17 | PC (Win) | It’s hard to make a splash when you’re putting out a bullet heaven. These days, potential players have nearly all played a lot of Vampire Survivors and tried many more besides. For me, Sodaman’s striking, minimalist pixelart and the futuristic sci-fi setting caught my attention, and so I’ll consider giving it a shake when it lands on PC this month.
Necrocat | Noct Paradox | Feb 18 | PC (Win) | I’m a big fan of creative card games, and Necrocat looks like it has real potential thanks to some innovative sounding mechanics. Simply put, it looks like you’ll be playing on a field of cards, reacting to whatever cards are turned as you move around. The art is charming, the theme looks strong – this is one to watch, then!
Spellhack! | Computer Dream | Feb 19 | PC (Win) | It is the unique presentation of Spellhack! that has me really intrigued. There’s something captivating about the old CRT style of the monitor that frames the retro gameplay. There’s also a bit of personality for players to discover as they level up their collection of technospells. Simply press K to continue, friend!
Jupiter Hell | ChaosForge | Feb 20 | Nintendo Switch | If you’re a Doom fan, as I am, and also a liker of rogues, then Jupiter Hell needs to be on your list of things to play. This fusion of grim sci-fi action and turn-based tactical combat is executed to perfection, and I’m delighted to see it getting another lease of life on console.
Star of Providence | Team D-13 | Feb 20 | Nintendo Switch | Not only did Star of Providence get an update on PC this month, but the game also saw release on Nintendo’s hybrid console. Both Kinix and I have played plenty of this one, so expect a gushing review here at some point in the very near future because this one is excellent.
Die in the Dungeon | ATICO | Feb 21 | PC (Win) | There are several developers exploring the space where roguish design and dice intersect, and the next game looking like it could roll a six is Die in the Dungeon. This fusion of deckbuilding and turn-based dice rolling is charming as heck and looks like it could be a real time-sink when it lands later this month.
Fish Fear Me | Heather Flowers | Feb 21 | PC (Win) | I’m adding this after the fact and as part of the March update, because I found Fish Fear Me too late for inclusion the first time around. This quirky little action-roguelite is all about catching and killing fish, and then using your haul to level up, all with an Eldritch twist. Simple but addictive stuff from the dev that gave us Snake Farm.
The Archives!
January 2025: The year has kicked off with a decent selection of games, so hit the link for highlights that include a gritty shooter called Cruel, bullet heavens such as Jotunnslayer and Pinball Storm: Lokanta (both very different games), and OMG Words, a fun little word rogue that have quire enjoyed. There is also the not-so-small matter of the new campaign mode for Darkest Dungeon II, Kingdoms, which also released in January along with new DLC.
November and December 2024: This double bill of archived articles is crammed full of excellent games. The standout game is undoubtedly Caves of Qud, which is finally ready after years in Early Access. However, there’s more going on than just that, with Battle Shapers, Ballionaire, Uncle Chop’s Rocket Shop, and Magicraft all launched, too.
October 2024: This was a really solid month thanks to the release of [REDACTED], the Early Access launch of Windblown, and a surprising little gem by the name of DICEOMANCER. Lots of caps lock in October, and there’s even some roguish robots in the disguise.
September 2024: What an excellent month for new roguelike games, with the highlights including deckbuilders Shogun Showdown and Pyrene, the FPS blaster otherwise known as Wild Bastards, and there was the mobile release of Balatro. Rogue Waters delivered pirate-themed turn-based tactics, and I also really enjoyed both Realm of Ink and Halls of Torment (the first which landed in Early Access and the second which just left it).
August 2024: The August archive boasts highlights including the blackjack-themed deckbuilder Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, a co-op update for Cult of the Lamb, plus excellent games including Peglin, Terminus: Zombie Survivors, Knock on the Coffin Lid, and Nova Drift all left Early Access. Plot twist: Risk of Rain 2’s latest DLC launched to very mixed reviews.
July 2024: Headline acts this July included the console release of Darkest Dungeon II, and Lost Castle 2 releasing into Early Access. The original Epyx version of Rogue has finally been ported to Nintendo Switch, with one or two improvements that no doubt explain the delay. Finally, shout outs to Arc Seed, because I do love a giant mecha battle, and Wastelander, because I’m a sucker for sci-fi strategy games.
June 2024: This month got better as it went on. June closed out with a tetromino-powered tower defense roguelite by the name of Emberward, a turn-based western rogue called Guncho (wanted dead or alive, apparently), the quirky auto-battler otherwise known as Million Monster Militia, and the early access exit of Champion Shift. All of them landed in the back nine of the month, so keep on scrolling.
May 2024: Hit this link for some of the very best launches of the year, including the Early Access release of Hades II, the wonderful turn-based roguelike Path of Achra, and a big crossover as Contra comes to Vampire Survivors. Plus stellar shooters Robobeat and Mullet MadJack both dropped in May, and there’s a certain Prince from Persia who arrived before the end of the month, too. Phew.
April 2024: One of my favourites in April was peaceful puzzler Planetiles, which certainly contrasts the grimy first-person horror of Buckshot Roulette. Traditionalists will note the release of Story Mode in Dwarf Fortress as a milestone, while console owners finally got to savour the delights of Dave the Diver. Finally, I want to highlight Against Great Darkness and Inkbound; two indie gems out this month.
March 2024: Mortal Glory 2 dropped in March and it’s an excellent tactical turn-based roguelite about fantasy gladiators. The always brilliant Crypt of the NecroDancer got a big multiplayer update by the name of Synchrony. Two very different magic games were released into Early Access this month, with third-person actioner Vellum landing alongside turn-based spell-simulator Rift Wizard 2. Finally, the wonderful dice roller Slice & Dice made an appearance on Steam.
February 2024: An earlier iteration of this format – February’s round-up is a bit of a mess. Nevertheless, it was a good month for games with the release of Balatro on PC and console, which has been my most-played game of the year by far, and Shiren 6 finally arrived on Nintendo Switch. Other highlights include the full release of Inkulinati, and the Early Access launch of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivors.
January 2024: The first month of the year is usually pretty quiet across the industry (except for at Capcom for some reason) but we did get some good rogues, too. Lonestar is my personal pick, but Go Mecha Ball landed on PC and console, and the unofficial Indiana Jones parkour simulator otherwise known as Phantom Abyss left Early Access. Finally, BlazBlue Entropy Effect also left EA.
November and December 2023: It was still early days for Rogueliker and the formatting is all over the place, but if you want even more games, I’ve got a few from late 2023 to tell you about. Picayune Dreams is one of the highlights, as is Against the Storm, two of the year’s best games, in fact. Other top-tier titles to drop before the end of the year include Cobalt Core, Roboquest, and Risk of Rain Returns.
