Welcome back, Dear Reader, to another archived round-up of exciting roguelikes. Every month I gather together a selection of roguish games of all shapes and sizes – some that I’ve played, others that have caught my eye – and present them in my guide to the Best New Roguelikes. Then, when it’s time for some new games, I archive the previous month’s titles for posterity. Hit the link for all the newest roguelike games, or keep scrolling down for the standout releases from October.
The Best New Roguelikes – October 2024
Wizard of Legend 2 | Dead Mage | October 3 | PC (Win) | Following on from its success with Children of Morta, Dead Mage is preparing to deliver a sequel to a game by a different studio. That game is Wizard of Legend 2 and it takes the spirit of the pixel-art original but reimagines it in glorious 3D. I’m certainly very intrigued about this one and I’ll take a closer look if I can (I mostly enjoyed the first demo). Not long to wait, either.
Duck Paradox | Magic Games | October 9 | PC (Win) | This action platformer boasts a very silly premise and after finding out more about it last month I’d quite like to see if the gameplay lives up to my expectations. The game has you controlling the fate of Dr. Cynthia Paraducks, who is looking throughout the multiverse for her lost duck. To make matters worse, your ray gun’s bullets bounce off of walls, which sounds useful but can also come back to bite you.
Glyphica: Typing Survival | aliasBLACK | October 9 | PC (Mac, Win) | Survivors-likes need to do something different to stand out these days and Glyphica does the trick by stripping things back and presenting a minimalist take on horde survival. The other twist is in the second part of the name: your typing skills will be tested as you try to stay alive!
Simulakros | Sirio Games | October 10 | PC (Win) | This third-person shooter from Sirio Games popped up on my radar very recently, but it looks very polished and I think earns its spot in this feature based on that alone. Set in a futuristic world, you must take down the ominous-sounding CORP from the inside, turning their own robots against them. Also: robo-hair!
DICEOMANCER | Ultra Piggy Studio | October 10 | PC (Win) | It was the painterly art style of DICEOMANCER that first caught my eye (that and the caps lock headline, I guess). The game’s fusion of deck building and dice rolling looks rather charming, and if it can back that up with good gameplay, this might end up being one to watch.
Transformers: Galactic Trials | 3DClouds | October 11 | PC, PS, Switch, Xbox | As a Transformers fan growing up, I’ve always had a soft spot for the so-called Robots in Disguise, particularly the first generation. It’s those classic bots that return in Galactic Trials, a roguelite combat racer starring some of my all-time favourites. It has the potential for endless arcade replayability, but I’ve been burned in the past so… please be good.
Up to Par | It’s Anecdotal | October 14 | PC (Win) | I’m not really a fan of golf IRL but for some reason I’m a sucker for silly golf games like Up to Par. This run-based roguelite features solo play and multiplayer for up 16 (!) people. It sounds like it could be brilliant and it’s certainly one to watch out for this month, especially if you’re me, which I am.
Hell Survivors | Aerilon | October 18 | PC (Win) | Hot-on-the-heels of Halls of Torment, another demonic action-RPG with survivors-like sensibilities, comes Hell Survivors. Yes, this is exactly what the name implies and that doesn’t sound particularly innovative, however, it made the cut thanks to the dingy atmosphere and sombre lighting – I’m a sucker for vibes and this looks interesting in a bleak sort of way.
Parisyte | Quest Nebula | October 19 | PC (Win) | It’s not normally the type of game that I’m drawn to personally, yet I’m still very intrigued by the premise here. Set in the catacombs underneath Paris, players must team up and explore procedurally generated subterranean environments and try to stay alive while spooky things try to make them dead. Sounds scary, and just in time for Halloween, too!
Lynked: Banner of the Spark | FuzzyBot | October 22 | PC (Win) | Based on the graphics and the offer, I think it’s fair to say that Lynked is a game aimed at people younger than I. People with friends, too. If you’re into colourful world building and co-op action, then check this one out as it looks like family friendly roguelite fun.
Wildermyth: Console Edition | Worldwalker Games | October 22| PS, Switch, Xbox | I’ve not played the PC original and that irks me as Wildermyth looks stunning with its papercraft setting, elegant visuals, and an intriguing approach to character development. Now it’s time for console players to dive into this creative deckbuilder, which to be fair looks like it will be a great fit on the big screen.
Windblown | Motion Twin | October 24 | PC (Win) | The developer behind Dead Cells is finally ready to show off its next game, with Windblown offering a very different 3D action-platforming vibe where fast reflexes will be important as you hop around floating islands in the sky. This Early Access launch is to be preceded by a Next Fest demo, so in this instance, you can try before you buy!
Card-en-Ciel | Inti Creates | October 24 | PC (Win), Switch | Music fans take note, Card-en-Ciel is a new roguelite card-based RPG with a rhythmic twist. You play as Neon, a detective in an in-development game world. Apparently there are more than 50 songs to check out, although I can’t speak for their quality. Interesting idea, though, and it looks plenty polished.
dotAGE | Michele Pirovano | October 24 | Switch | Almost a year after it first appeared on PC, dotAGE is making its way over to the Switch. This blend of town building and roguelite survival is board game inspired and undeniably cute, which I think makes it a great fit for Nintendo’s hybrid console.
Warmage | Avenryh | October 26 | PC (Win) | I have it on good authority that Warmage is going to arrive before the end of October. This turn-based tactics game is all about combat in tight urban areas, and using magic to destroy the threat that is attacking the city you call home. Imagine Harry Potter all grown up and with a grudge to bear, and you’ve got Warmage. There’s a playable demo right here.
Nimrods Guncraft Survivor | Fiveamp | October 28 | PC (Win) | Another survivors-like joins the battle for your time and attention, and this one puts a lot of focus on big guns and crafting weapons. Nimrods Guncraft Survivor has you playing as a tester in a futuristic weapons company, trialling out a variety of different guns on an alien planet full of angry locals who’d like you to leave. Could be good.
These Doomed Isles | Triplevision Games | October 30 | PC (Win) | I enjoyed my time the game back when it was still firmly in Early Access, but that time is almost at an end. These Doomed Isles is about building your deck of cards and then using that deck to expand your island empire. There are four different gods to play as in the sandbox mode but, according to my old buds at PCGN, there are campaign and challenge modes on the way when this 4X strategy game exits EA on October 30. Read more about the game here.
Descent from Arkov’s Tower | Saturn91 | October 31 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win) | I’m particularly interested in seeing more of Descent from Arkov’s Tower. Not only does it offer an appealing streamlined traditional roguelike experience of its own, but it includes all the tools you need to make your own procedurally generated adventures. Could this be a platform to help aspiring roguelike developers find their way?
[REDACTED] | Striking Distance Studios | October 31 | PC (Win), PS, Xbox | If you’re into your sci-fi action horror then you’ll be aware of The Callisto Protocol, a big budget game about busting out of a space prison filled with horrible monsters that would quite like to eat your face. This isometric shooter is set in the same universe, which makes this spin-off an interesting proposition, although it’s a very different game from third-person original, so don’t go in expecting a sequel.
Slime 3K: Rise Against Despot | Konfa Games | October 31 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win) | A late addition to the list comes in the gelatinous form of Slime 3K, a survivors-like with a slimy twist. In this quirky little indie you’ll be playing as a giant slime creature that evolves over time and consumes tiny humans along the way. I like the art and overall aesthetic and my first impressions were positive, and I’ll try to return for a deeper look at the end of the month.
Streets of Rogue 2 | Matt Dabrowski | Delayed | PC (Lin, Mac, Win) | One of the most anticipated roguelites of the month – nay, the year – is joining us this month. Streets of Rogue 2 is a top-down action roguelite viewed through the lens of open world adventure. If it’s anything like the original it will create more than its fair share of systemically driven emergent gameplay moments. Patience may be required, however, as this one is still only an Early Access launch.
The Archives!
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.
