Horror is a genre that spreads its tentacles across all sorts of different subcategories of gaming, whether that be first-person shockers or more calculating, turn-based chillers. There are so many ways that you can scare the living daylights out of someone, and roguelikes typify this potential variety better than anything else I can think of.
That said, I recently put my mind to collecting together a collection of the best roguelikes to play around Halloween. The idea behind that list is to highlight games that play on the tropes of the spooky season. You can read my list of the best spooky roguelikes to see exactly what I mean. However, the best example I can think of to illustrate it here without you clicking away, is to cite a game like Crypt of the NecroDancer, which is great but isn’t overtly scary.
What I have tried to do with this list, on the other hand, is focus on atmosphere and tension. The games detailed below are designed to make you clench your teeth and cross your fingers. The games on this list dare you to take one more step into the unknown. The games on this list will happily kill you when you finally take that step.
In no particular order, here are my favourite horror roguelikes…
Darkest Dungeon
I mentioned Darkest Dungeon in the aforementioned Halloween article because it’s such a spooky and atmospheric game. However, it’s also a bonafide horror game in its own right, and it deserves its spot here, too.
In the meta game, you recruit mercenaries to come to your dilapidated family estate and they are there to help you clear out the dungeons. These mercenaries require attention when not risking life and limb for you, and different characters have different needs to attend to. Fail in this most basic task, and your bandits and badasses will come undone when you need them most.
The enemy designs in Darkest Dungeon are truly terrifying, and some of their special abilities and attacks still send shivers down my spine. The best-laid plans often go horribly wrong, and this is no more true than it is here, when even a well-composed squad can come unstuck.
If their emotional well-being isn’t maintained, the game’s core fear mechanic will cause your minions to panic, lose their cool during combat, and even be taken seriously ill mid-fight. Without careful management across both the strategy and tactical layers, terror can literally unpick your whole campaign.
Developed by Red Hook Studios. Platforms: iOS, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
World of Horror
One of the most unsettling games on this list is a wordy horror RPG / roguelite from developer panstasz, and it’s called World of Horror (you can read my review here, if you dare…)
The game blends elements inspired by both H. P. Lovecraft and also Junji Ito, and the end result is World of Horror’s distinctive 1-bit visual style. As can be seen in the screenshot below, it’s a case of show and tell, with a heavy emphasis on evocative writing. It’s a masterful example of how less can be so much more affecting, unnerving even.
This is a truly original roguelite game that delivers disturbing cosmic horror, driven by punishing and impactful choices. Your new horror obsession awaits.
Developed by panstasz. Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch.
Darkwood
I’m dusting the cobwebs off for this one because it’s a few years since we were properly acquainted. However, given the game, sweeping aside cobwebs is somewhat appropriate.
Darkwood is Minecraft for people who enjoy personal torment. Much like Mojang’s blockbuster, the aim of the game is to forage during the day and gather the supplies you need to survive at night. It makes for a terrifying blend, and the game has no doubt been refined since I played it last.
Theme aside, the most exciting thing about Darkwood is the line-of-sight mechanic, and how it looks and feels from the top-down perspective. I’m a huge Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine fan, and this is a game that takes that core mechanic and runs with it into a dark and twisted wood full of things that are trying to kill you. ARGH!
Developed by Acid Wizard Studio. Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance
I’d get complaints if I didn’t mention The Binding of Isaac in this list, but it’s okay, because I love writing about this twisted little game.
Just like Darkest Dungeon, Isaac appeared in our spooky Halloween list, but Isaac gets the nod in this horror feature because of the sheer depravity of some of the enemy designs that you’ll encounter on your adventures.
The dungeons in The Binding of Isaac are full of things that are out to get you, and this relentlessness feeds into the horror vibes. Knowing that one stupid decision will be enough to undermine your entire run, there’s always pressure to perform in high-stakes action roguelites such as this one.
Developed by Nicalis and Edmund McMillen. Platforms: iOS, PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
Teleglitch: Die More Edition
Another blast from the past, Teleglitch is always an easy recommendation to make to anyone looking for a game that can create and maintain real tension.
Heavily inspired by Doom, this sci-fi game is set in a research facility somewhere on the farthest reaches of colonised space. As you’ve probably guessed by now, this is no party planet, rather the idiots/scientists that were working there did something ill-advised. That’s putting it mildly, because you, the player, wake up in this facility and everything is out to kill you.
Teleglitch is a punishing survival game. It never gives you an inch, and your progress through the game will be hard-earned in every respect. If you’re looking for a game that take no prisoners, you won’t find many more memorable roguelike experiences than this one.
Developed by Test3 Projects. Platforms: PC
Jupiter Hell
Talking about Teleglitch offers us the chance to effortless segue into Jupiter Hell. This is another game heavily inspired by id’s iconic demon-filled shooter, which is the perfect setting for a roguelike if you think about it.
The story of Jupiter Hell started with DoomRL (or DRL), a much more traditional roguelike experience. This game, which you can still play here, was made by Derek Yu (who also made Spelunky) and Kornel Kisielewicz. They’re not directly affiliated as far as I know, but you can’t and shouldn’t talk about this spiritual successor without mentioning it. Anyway, I digress.
Jupiter Hell takes a huge number of design cues from Doom, but these mechanics and thematic elements are introduced with such cleverness that it’s impossible not to appreciate. Turn up the difficulty a notch and a terrifying sci-fi experience awaits.
Developed by ChaosForge. Platforms: PC
Mortal Sin
Another game that owes a debt to Doom is Mortal Sin. Instead of traditional turn-based scares, this one is a twisted first-person slasher that sends you into procedurally generated dungeons full of things that are out to get you.
Of course, you’ve got tools at your disposal, including ruddy great big swords that you can swing around mercilessly. Free-flowing combat is at the heart of the experience, and you’ll benefit from quick reactions and a keen eye.
It’s almost a year since Mortal Sin first launched, and it’s still in Early Access at the time of writing, however, there’s already enough in there for me to confidently recommend it to anyone looking for a more visceral and punishing first-person horror experience.
Developed by Nikola Todorovic. Platforms: PC.
Golden Krone Hotel
It’s time for another proper roguelike, and that’s Golden Krone Hotel. I remember this landed several years ago during the Halloween period, and I have to admit that I spent time playing this for review when I should have been looking at far more traffic-friendly triple-A horror games. Don’t tell my old boss.
It was a great decision though, because instead of writing about a Dead by Daylight collab or something similar, I discovered a fantastic little roguelike game full of vampires and interesting ideas.
The standout feature is the use of daylight as an essential gameplay mechanic, but underpinning those rays of sunshine is a traditional turn-based roguelike with a tremendous amount of heart.
Developed by Vulgat. Platforms: PC.
Empty Shell
If you like your action viewed from above, then please allow me to introduce you to Empty Shell. This top-down survival horror is action-packed and unbelievably atmospheric.
Players are tasked with heading into an abandoned facility and finding out what happened there and why it has suddenly come back to life after years of inactivity.
The low-fi visuals only add to the tension, which is particularly effective during the first few attempts, while you’re still learning the ropes. If you’ve played Teleglitch before, then I think you’ll like this one, too, even if Empty Shell is a bit more forgiving in the long run.
Developed by CC ARTS. Platforms: PC.
20 Minutes Till Dawn
We’re near the end of this round-up and I’ve only mentioned the “L” word once so far (World of Horror). Well now it’s time to once again revel in fearsome enemy designs inspired by HP Lovecraft.
20 Minutes Till Dawn is a roguelike horror shooter where you’re stalked by an array of fearsome enemies in 20 minute runs where your choices will determine whether you survive until daylight or perish horribly.
You can unlock a variety of different starting weapons, but it’s the abilities that you pick during play that will truly define your run. Live long enough and you might even start feeling overpowered, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, yeah?!
Developed by Flanne. Platforms: PC (Win, Mac), Android, Switch.
Yet Another Zombie Survivors
If what you’re after is an endless horde of the undead coming at you from all angles and trying to munch on your brains, then Yet Another Zombie Survivors is the game you’re after.
What sets YAZS apart from the growing crowd of auto-shooters is its team focus. You start off with a solitary unit, but over the course of a run you’re able to recruit two more. This means you can mix and match the abilities of your soldiers, utilising everything from grenades to bolts of electricity and even helicopter attacks.
It’s still in Early Access with new characters and more maps still to join the fray, but what’s there is already in good shape and I’ve enjoyed playing this one for several hours. You can read my Early Access review right here if you want to know more.
Developed by Awesome Games Studio. Platforms: PC.
Inscryption
Finally, how about a bloody good deckbuilder to while away the night while cold winds blow outside and rain lashes the windows…
There’s an astonishing sense of place and atmosphere in Inscryption, however, the minute you introduce card game mechanics, it somewhat undermines the horror for me.
I know some of you feel differently, and this honorable mention is meant to placate you. Please, forgive me for my crimes against card game kind, I beg you.
Developed by Daniel Mullins Games. Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox.
