Welcome back, Dear Reader, for another batch of roguish video games, with this month’s round-up focused on what is shaping up to be a glorious June filled with interesting new releases (and this is after a really hectic May that was full of action-focused games).
This time the monthly round-up is a right motley crew of intriguing rogues drawn from across a number of different genres. I’ve tried to pull together an interesting blend for your attention, and hopefully there is something in there for everyone.
To that end, this month you’ll find epic-looking shooters, third-person actioners, and some turn-based tactical rogues, too. Throw in a deck-full of card games and plenty of nostalgia to boot, and you’ve got a really fun mixture of games to stick on your wishlist. Let’s get to it…
Void Scout | Adversity Games | June 2 | PC (Win) | The story of Void Scout reminds me a little of a sci-fi movie called Edge of Tomorrow. In both, a seemingly minor player in the grand scheme of things becomes the savior of all by breaking a timeloop. I find this setup to be a compelling wrapper for the roguelite loop, so if the gameplay around the core concept measures up, it could be really interesting.
Seekers of Eclipse | Emilijus Games | June 2 | PC (Win) | Roguelite deckbuilding combines with city crafting in Seekers of Eclipse, which delivers cel-shaded visuals and an intriguing premise. I’ve always been partial to civic planning, ever since I fell in love with Sim City 2000. We’ve seen positive experiments by other developers in this area, and so I’m always optimistic when I see another lining up.
Void War | Tundra | June 2 | PC (Win) | There’s another FTL-like arriving soon, however, Void War is much darker in theme than the game that inspired it. In this moody sci-fi RPG, players must embark on a deadly mission in a fallen empire filled with horrible sorts that are out to kill you. Sounds like fun, right?!
Sweepin’ XS | Fungal Voiid | June 3 | PC (Win) | Okay, I’m really starting to date myself now, because I also grew up playing Minesweeper and Solitaire on the ol’ family PC. It was that sense of nostalgia that prompted me to double take when I saw Sweepin’ XS, and it’s why you’re reading about it now…
Stela Boss | pastro | June 6 | PC (Win) | Pixelart action-rogues can be hit and miss, but even with that caveat in mind, I like the look of the action in Stela Boss, which appears to be controlled and focused in the spirit of Brotato.
Boogey Hunters | Keep the Engine Games | June 7 | PC (Win) | While it might look like a late night cartoon, Boogey Hunters is actually a game about travelling the world, dressed as a cowboy for reasons unclear, and fighting monsters drawn from various mythologies. If you’re game for taking on these boogey men, you’ll have to collect the right ammo and then unleash it at just the right time.
Wizard of Legend II | Dead Mage | June 12 | PC (Win), PS5, Xbox | I think that this sequel might end up being a prime example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The original was widely loved, but this follow-up, from an excellent developer no less, has only enjoyed a mixed reception so far. It’s not over for Wizard of Legend II, but it’s not looking great right now either.
Hellbreak | Double Barrel Games | June 12 | PC (Win) | I love me some DOOM and Hellbreak looks cut from the same demonic cloth.
Vilde | Chaotic Minds | June 12 | PC (Win) | Here’s a new game that makes a solid first impression thanks to its polished visuals, strong theme, and smooth-looking gunplay. Vilde combines guns, magic, and Norse mythology to create a truly tempting proposition for first-person shooter fans, such as yours truly. I hadn’t seen much of this one before today, but I’m definitely going to keep Vilde in my sights.
God of Weapons | Archmage Labs | June 12 | Xbox |To avoid confusion I’ve only mentioned the Xbox version in the listing above, however, there is also a PlayStation release coming too. As for the game itself, I have enjoyed this one PC, with its focus on chaotic gameplay and inventory management.
Backpack Battles | PlayWithFurcifer | June 13 | PC (Lin, Win) | I’m adding this after the fact because I missed the release date announcement and so the launch of Backpack Battles came as a surprise to me. The emphasis here is on PvP battles, with the contents of your respective backpacks deciding things in tense automated battles.
MegaChickens – Deckbuilder Roguelike | SG | June 15 | PC (Win) | This oddball blend of chickens, board game strategy, and roguishness sounds really, oddly, strangely compelling.
Soulstone Survivors | Game Smithing | June 17 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS5, Xbox Series | This high-quality, action-packed, hyphen-filled survivors-like has been on my radar for ages and I really enjoyed the prologue demo when I played it. Kieran also enjoyed the PS5 version that he played for review, which you can read about here.
Ultra Mega Cats | Fallen Leaf, Unseen Silence, Black Drakkar Games | June 17 | PC (Win) | I’ve written about Ultra Mega Cats before. My shoddy short-term memory means I don’t always remember game names, but I didn’t forget this one for obvious reasons. It also stuck in the old noggin because it actually looks really polished. One to watch if you like your Overwatch.
Wartorn | Stray Kite Studios | June 17 | PC (Win) | The creators of Wartorn have some serious credentials (Stray Kite’s Paul Hellquist was BioShock’s lead designer, for example), and as such I’m eager to see what they’re cooking up in this hybrid roguelite. At the moment we’re being promised immergent gameplay based on the elements, and bite-sized strategy battles stuffed with fantasy creatures.
Apocalypse Express | Llamaware Studios | June 17 | PC (Win) | Trains are in style this season, and the latest game to pull into the Early Access station is this interesting-looking offering about keeping your train on the tracks during the end times.
Dachs Hunter | HFBros | June 17 | PC (Lin, Win) | Yet another adorable-looking, novelty survivors-like… this one about a magic-wielding dachshund… I dunno either, but here we are.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die | Stormteller Games | June 17 | PC (Win), PS, Switch, Xbox | Also landing on June 17 is The Eternal Die, a fast-paced action roguelite set in the Lost in Random universe. Kieran was a big fan of the 2021 original and its moody gothic aesthetic, so we’re thinking this one has potential to be something special, if handled with care. Stay tuned for a review in the weeks ahead.
Battle Train | Terrible Posture Games, Nerd Ninjas | June 18 | PC (Win) | While I can’t claim to know much about Nerd Ninjas, I’m a long-time admirer of Terrible Posture Games. The concept behind Battle Train also sounds like a winner, with players deploying cards to inflict damage on rival railways. Choo choo!
Ô | Morphal | June 19 | PC (Mac, Win) | Techno is not my thing, so I almost passed on this quirky-looking title. However, after digging a little deeper, I became intrigued by this musical rogue, and not least about how it expects you to flirt with your opponents…
Netherworld Covenant | MadGoat Game Studio | June 18 | PC (Mac, Win) | Here on Rogueliker we’re old school, and as such, using AI to make your game is a bit of a no-no for us. Netherworld Covenant sits on the line for inclusion, as the statement on Steam mentions that AI was used in the marketing materials. It’s not the game itself, so… AI aside, Netherworld Covenant gets its mention because it looks really good, and if you’re after something soulsy after getting your butt kicked by Elden Ring: Nightreign, this might be the one for you!
Net.Attack() | ByteRockers’ Games | June 19 | PC (Win) | While the auto-shooter sub-genre can feel stale at times, here is one game that is genuinely trying to mix things up with an injection of new mechanics that revolve around coding.
Evercore Heroes: Ascension | Vela Games | June 19 | PC (Win) | Here’s one for the co-op crowd. Evercore Heroes: Ascension is a game for up to three players, and as you can see from the screenshot, it seems to be built around MOBA-inspired gameplay. This hero-infused RPG tasks players with teaming up, levelling up, and then defending the eponymous Evercore from wave after wave of fantasy enemies.
Become the Moon | Feldspar Games, Ben Allen, Mosman | June 19 | PC (Win) | The ongoing rush of auto-battling deckbuilders continues with Become the Moon. To its credit, this one looks seriously polished with great visuals, a strong theme, and tons of character.
Cell Command | Alpherior | June 19 | PC (Win) | Next up from the developer behind Genome Guardian is another eye-catching indie, Cell Command. This stylish little title sounds a bit like roguelite Snake with a turn-based twist and I’m completely up for that!
Dark Fairy Tale: Dreamland Survivors | Bingobell | June 20 | PC (Win) | Another potentially interesting survivors-like landing in June is Dreamland Survivors, which as the name implies, involves twisted incarnations of familiar fairy tale characters.
Rusty Rangers | Fantastica! | June 21 | PS, Switch, Xbox | I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a game drop a three consoles simultaneously, and then follow it up with a PC release a month later – it’s nearly always the other way around! FWIW, Rusty Rangers looks a fun little roguelite platformer, and definitely one for fans of Saturday morning cartoons!
Questwood | Lyrical Games | June 23 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win) | I’m getting fantasy Bomberman vibes from Questwood, not least because “bomber” is one of the game’s playable classes. I’m also including it because it’s another potentially interesting co-op game, for those people out there with friends…
Shuffle Tactics | Club Sandwich | June 24 | PC (Win) | I like pretty much everything I’ve seen of Shuffle Tactics so far. That doesn’t mean that the final game will be brilliant, but I am hopeful and eager to see how it comes together. I particularlly like the isometric viewpoint and the graphics are sweet, too (regular readers will know that I do love characterful pixelart).
Nanostorm | Aslyum Square | June 24 | PC (Win) | Nanostorm reminds me of the old-school side-scrolling shooters I used to play in my youth, but with the promise of incremental roguelite upgrades instead of making you start from scratch every single bloody time.
Conquer Lands | Virtual Fable | June 25 | PC (Mac, Win) | Conquer Lands looks like a cross between Inkulinati and Darkest Dungeon, but infused with the spirit of Crusader Kings. This ancient-looking strategy game challenges players to take control of historical units and position themselves for a shot at the throne.
Against the Storm | Eremite Games | June 26 | PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series | One of the best RTS games, which also happens to have roguelite elements, is coming to consoles this month. Score.
Zombie Rollerz: The Last Ship | Zing Games | June 26 | PC (Win) | I’ve got the original on my Steam Deck, so when I clocked the release date for The Last Ship, I figured it was worth a mention here. Chunky 3D graphics, irreverence, and roguish tower defense look set to set sail together this month.
The Archives!
May 2025: May was an absolute belter of a month, with more games than we could reasonably keep up with. Hit the link for all the latest on a month that ended with Elden Ring: Nightreign and started with Maze Mice, with a stop off at Monster Train 2 and Into the Restless Ruins along the way.
April 2025: I didn’t expect Blue Prince to deliver such an astonishing single-player experience; I finally got to check out the roguelite mode in The Last of Us: Part II after the remaster hit PC; I was surprised when Lonestar left Early Access, but very pleasantly so; Soulslinger and Kiborg both delivered decent mid-budget roguelite actioners; Approaching Infinity made an appearance before the month’s end!
March 2025: This March there was a dizzying array of promising roguelike releases. Highlights included Knights in Tight Spaces, Rogue: Genesia, Schism, Metal Bringer, Voids Vigil, 33 Immortals, Reignbreaker and Nordhold. Phew (and there’s more that I could have included, so hit the link for a healthy selection of new games).
February 2025: With highlights including Die in the Dungeon and Sworn, this February is very respectable with a diverse selection of rogues to choose from. I think my favourite game this month, however, is Rift Wizard 2, a hard-as-nails turn-based roguelike about growing a spell book capable of taking on all sorts of gnarly monsters.
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.
