Hello Dear Readers and welcome to yet another installment of our monthly roguelite and roguelike round-up.
It’s now been four months since I took the reins on this series, and I can say with absolute confidence that this is the strongest month I’ve covered yet. April is packed with heavy hitters, including the Returnal spiritual successor Saros, the Vampire Survivors spin-off Vampire Crawlers, and the long-awaited PlayStation and Xbox ports for Hades II.
Other titles that have long been on my wishlist are also landing this month, such as the Mega Man-inspired Super Alloy Crush, the Temtem spin-off Temtem: Swarm, and Minos, published by Devolver Digital.
As always, I’ll be sticking to our usual guidelines: steering clear of AI-heavy projects, demos, and anything that feels overly derivative.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in with our first pick: Cursed Blood.
Cursed Blood | David Marquardt Studios | April 2 | PC (Win)
First of all, please give me a round of applause for resisting the urge to post a cruel April Fool’s prank about something like Enter the Gungeon 2 launching at the start of the month.
Our first real game does sound like something I could have made up, though, as it follows the antics of a group of bloodthirsty samurai apes. This melee-focused co-op roguelite sounds absolutely bananas (sorry, I couldn’t resist), as you set out on a quest for revenge, hacking foes to pieces with katanas and harvesting their blood to restore your health.
Interestingly, Cursed Blood also features World Mutations that shake up the rules, introducing new katanas, powers, and plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more.
Temtem: Swarm | Crema, GGTech Studios | April 2 | PC (Win), PlayStation
The original Temtem was a huge breath of fresh air compared to how stale and repetitive recent Pokémon titles have become, so I’m excited to see whether Swarm can bring the same sense of innovation to the Survivors-like genre.
I haven’t played the game in Early Access, but from what I’ve seen, Swarm looks like a delightful nostalgia trip for fans of the original. Its maps are themed around the game’s six main islands, and the unrelenting swarms you face are populated with Temtem from throughout your journey. A neat twist is the ability to evolve your creatures mid‑combat, boosting their stats and unlocking even more devastating abilities.
Cursed Words | Buried Things | April 2 | PC (Win)
Rounding out three incredible-looking games landing on April 2nd is Cursed Words, a word-focused roguelite that we spotlighted as a must-play demo during February’s Steam Next Fest.
Deceptively simple at first, the game quickly spirals into chaos as players craft powerful synergies using stamps, stickers, and clever word combinations. It features eight unique characters, each with their own playstyle, and 16 bosses determined to sabotage your streak.
The demo we highlighted back in February is still live, so if Cursed Words catches your eye, be sure to give it a download.
Nullpoint Protocol| Everbloom Games | April 6 | PC (Win)
Next up is Nullpoint Protocol, another game with a demo you can check out right now.
This co-op action roguelite pits you and your teammates against wave after wave of bosses, with combat inspired by the thrill and strategy of high-level MMO raids. Each boss keeps you on your toes, changing up its bullet-hell-style attack patterns with every run.
Fortune Seller | Kiwick | April 6 | PC (Win)
Also opening its stall on April 6th is Fortune Seller, a gothic shopkeeping game where every deal could be your last.
Inheriting a dusty storefront and a mountain of debt, you’ll negotiate with customers, listening closely to their needs while managing your inventory by slotting items together in a Tetris-like manner. Between days, you’ll also draw tarot cards to unlock powerful new abilities, some that can save you from the brink, and others that risk spiraling you even further.
Eko and the Bewitched Lands | Twin Studios | April 8 | PC (Win), Switch
I’ll confess: I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with my Switch 2 at the moment, so I always keep an eye out for roguelites I can take on the go.
Our first game this month to hit the hybrid console is Eko and the Bewitched Lands, a randomly generated action-adventure RPG blending roguelike and puzzle elements.
Playing as the titular Eko, you embark on a quest to rescue your friend and the princess of the realm from a shady figure known as the Dark Queen. The game’s combat has been described as dynamic and fast-paced, with you being able to wield elemental abilities such as fire and water.
Super Alloy Crush | Alloy Mushroom | April 8 | PC (Win)
I mentioned this one up top as one of my most anticipated picks for the month, as it looks like a genuinely awesome love letter to Mega Man X.
This side-scrolling beat ’em up looks downright gorgeous, and its action sounds explosive too, letting you string together combos and unleash powerful burst attacks.
Players can choose between two Cosmic Hunters: Muu and Kelly, each with their own unique combat abilities. Muu excels at close-quarters combat using its energy claws, while Kelly is a ranged specialist, combining firearms with tactical martial techniques.
Samson | Liquid Swords | April 8 | PC (Win)
Samson might stick out like a bit of a sore thumb on this list, but I can assure you it still contains roguelite elements.
Playing as the titular character, you quickly find yourself drowning in an ungodly amount of debt to some very dangerous people. Your only way out is to take on jobs around town, using your judgment and a limited number of action points on missions that matter. Miss your daily quota, however, and your interest rises the next day, piling on even more pressure.
The story looks to be full of tense encounters, and I like the freedom it offers for clearing your debt and shaping your character.
Beyond Words | MindFuel Games | April 9 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
An unlikely project from the creators of GoldenEye and TimeSplitters, Beyond Words bills itself as a genre-defining roguelite strategy and word-crafting hybrid.
Playing across several unique boards, players can build powerful word combos, unlock game-changing upgrades, and experiment with over 300 unique modifiers and abilities.
These tactics will be vital when facing off against the game’s 30+ bosses, each designed to bend the rules in devious ways.
Minos | Artificer | April 9 | PC (Win)
Playing as the fabled Minotaur, you defend your labyrinthine home from waves of bloodthirsty adventurers.
In true tower defense fashion, you can rig deadly spike, fire, and boulder traps, chaining them together with pressure plates for devastating reactions. You can also shape your maze however you like, splitting up groups and leading them straight into the path of danger.
With it all unfolding on a maze-like map from a top-down-perspective, the action here just looks so satisfying to watch.
Hexical | ArchDrone Games| April 9 | PC (Win)
I have to thank our very own Kinix for this next pick, as he brought it to my attention and is even in the process of reviewing it.
In this retro twin-stick shooter, you play as an unnamed program navigating a hostile digital world to rescue a librarian and restore order to the system. Along your journey you’ll solve puzzles, face powerful bosses, and find and equip gameplay-altering modifiers.
The world evolves the more you play, with new puzzles and traps permanently unlocking based on your discoveries.
Skull Horde | 8BitSkull| April 10 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
I’ll admit, I’ve been feeling pretty burnt out on Survivors-likes recently. While some games manage to shake up the formula, the vast majority I’ve played feel far too derivative.
Skull Horde, however, looks set to bring some fresh ideas to the genre. Playing as a flying skull necromancer, you can summon an army of skeletons to fight for you. With your undead minions holding the front line, you’re free to explore, hunt for treasure, and claim powerful boons to upgrade your builds.
You can purchase a variety of unit types, each with its own special abilities, allowing you to create powerful synergies.
Cascadou | Mattis Folkestad | April 14 | PC (Win)
Along with Cursed Words, this is another game I know Mike has been eagerly anticipating for a while (you can find his review here).
Cascadou is a deckbuilder that challenges you to trigger explosive chain reactions by cleverly arranging a screen full of cards. With a limited pool of moves, you’ll need to plan carefully to build straights, full houses, and other powerful poker hands.
Watching the combinations topple like a line of dominos looks incredibly satisfying, and I’m a big fan of its parrot mascot. If you check out the game’s Steam page, you might even spot a mention of a very familiar website!
Hades II | Supergiant Games | April 14 | PlayStation, Xbox
After six long months of waiting, PlayStation and Xbox owners can finally get their hands on one of the most critically acclaimed roguelite sequels.
Bigger and bolder than its predecessor, you play as the immortal Princess of the Underworld on a journey to face the Titan of Tian. Along the way, you’ll encounter a vibrant cast of new characters, explore exciting new locations, and wield powerful new weapons.
Interestingly, Supergiant has teased that bonus content and quality of life improvements will also be coming soon for all available versions.
Never Ending Beyond | One More Dream Studios | April 14 | PC (Win)
We all love games that let us pet cute animals, so it’s easy to see why Never Ending Beyond has made it its central mechanic.
As waves of rogue androids approach, you can pet animals, dinosaurs, and mythical creatures to inherit their abilities and have them fight alongside you. Each animal comes with their own weapon and passive, and these can be combined together to create unique builds.
Don’t Lose Aggro | Oren Koren | April 15 | PC (Win)
Along with Nullpoint Protocol, Don’t Lose Aggro is another roguelite this month that is inspired by MMO-style raids.
This one has more of a single player focus, however, and the emphasis is on tanking enemy attacks to defend the rest of your group. Whilst alive, your allies provide powerful abilities that can be upgraded for a successful run. There’s even the chance to sacrifice them if you’re feeling brave.
Lucky Tower Ultimate | Studio Seufz | April 16 | PC (Win)
I haven’t played Lucky Tower Ultimate yet, but I love how much it reminds me of the early Flash games from my youth.
Already generating a Very Positive response in Early Access, it’s easy to see why, as its slapstick humor and crude visuals give it an undeniable sense of personality.
In your quest to escape a dangerous, randomly generated tower, you’ll encounter hilarious traps such as banana peals and can use everything from broccoli and dead enemies as weapons.
Smash it Wild: Tactical Volleyball Roguelike |
Goblinz Studio, Ernestine | April 16 | PC (Win)
Mixing volleyball, dodgeball, and roguelite mechanics, Smash It Wild is another addition to my ever-growing Steam wishlist.
You play as a squad of animal athletes, each with unique abilities that can be combined to create powerful synergies.
Actions off the pitch matter just as much, as you can upgrade your players, collect objects, and complete secondary objectives to unlock additional rewards. It’s a quirky, genre-blending title with plenty of personality that manages to stand out in an already crowded month.
The Ember Guardian | Ratbit Games| April 17 | PC (Win)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, The Ember Guardian is a roguelike strategy game with stunning pixel-art visuals.
As a Guardian, your task is to carry the last embers of a dying world and protect them from the horrors that threaten them. At your camp, you can strengthen your defenses by crafting ammunition, refining resources, and setting traps to slow the advance of approaching waves.
Beyond these tower-defense moments, you can explore the surrounding world to scavenge for new weapons and supplies. But if you fail to return before nightfall, you risk having to rebuild from the ashes left behind.
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors| poncle | April 21 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
We knew Vampire Crawlers was coming sometime in Q2 2026, but its arrival just one month after the release-date reveal was a real surprise.
This spin-off of the wildly popular Vampire Survivors lets you build busted decks, explore familiar dungeons from the series, and unleash world-ending combos.
You can learn more about the game’s post-launch support, demo, and platforms in our handy everything you need to know guide.
Below the Crown | Misfits Attic | April 21 | PC (Win)
A love letter to chess, roguelikes, and dungeon crawlers, Below the Crown is a new roguelite strategy game from the creators of Duskers and A Virus Named TOM.
Rather than starting with 16 pieces, you begin with just one and gradually expand your party, adding new pieces with exciting abilities. Use powerful spells and flashy explosions to shake up the board, and rely on undo tokens when your strategy doesn’t go as planned.
One aspect I particularly appreciate is the community features. You can tackle daily challenges, issue challenges to other players, and watch replays from the top competitors.
Lunchbreak Tactics | Borealys Lab, Borealys Games | April 28 | PC (Win)
As a ’90s kid, I can’t help but be reminded of the Beyblade and Digimon anime when I see the art style of this next game.
As its name suggests, this chaotic autobattler unfolds amid your mostly mundane shifts as an Anymart employee. You start by selecting a hero and two clans, then battle through 12 rounds of chaos, assembling a squad that’s entirely your own creation.
The gameplay is said to be simple to grasp with there being an near infinite combo-variety for highly replayable quick runs.
Demon Lord: Just a Block | YuWave | April 29 | PC (Win)
After a successful demo that drew 40,000 players and earned a 98% positivity rating, Demon Lord: Just a Block is releasing later this month.
You play as a demon lord who’s been revived after being decapitated. Now just a severed head, you seek revenge in blocky, turn-based strategy battles where the world moves whenever you do.
A fun touch is that the boss fights are inspired by classic puzzle games like Snake, Tetris, 2048, and Minesweeper.
Mini Tank Mayhem | Algorocks| April 29 | PC (Win)
You might remember that we featured Mini Tank Mayhem on a previous list, but it was hit with a slight delay. Developer Algorocks has pinky-promised that it’s arriving in April, so no need to worry about further disappointment.
In the game, alien hordes have arrived, and you must defend humanity using your mini-tank and a one-of-a-kind deck. Several different commanders are available, each with their own starting deck, playstyle, and unique strengths and weaknesses.
It promises players hundreds of ways to break the game by combining an array of cards and artifacts.
Saros | Housemarque | April 30 | PlayStation
Fans have been waiting five long years for a follow-up to Returnal, and that wait is almost over.
Not a direct sequel but a spiritual successor, Saros shares much of the same DNA as its predecessor while offering more accessible gameplay and a bolder story. You play as Soltari Enforcer Arjun Devraj, performed by Rahul Kohli, on a mysterious off-world mission to uncover the fate of a lost colony on the shape-shifting planet Carcos.
The gameplay has evolved as well, featuring a persistent resource and upgrade system that lets you permanently enhance weapons and suit abilities. A forgiving Second Chance system revives you instantly on your first death, throwing you straight back into the action.
We recently rounded up everything you need to know about Saros in a handy guide covering its platforms, various versions, and pricing.
MulletMad Jack | Hammer95 | April 30 | Switch
Switch players will finally be able to get their hands-on this high-octane shooter right before the very close of the month.
The game’s wild concept is that in its world, the internet and humans have merged, requiring a hit of dopamine every 10 seconds to survive. To keep going and continue your quest to save the world’s most popular influencer, you must eliminate enemies every 10 seconds.
MulletMad Jack is one we’re pretty fond of here at Rogueliker, with Mike calling it “batshit but brilliant” in our Game Pass feature.
The Archives!
Late March 2026: Whilst March was a admittedly a pretty front-loaded month, the latter stretch did still include some noteworthy titles. My personal highlight was the Steam Next Fest breakthrough hit RACCOIN: Coin Pusher Roguelike. Other highlights included the Switch 2 port of Deadzone: Rogue and The King is Watching’s Crowns of History DLC.
Early March 2026: This was a very special edition indeed as it saw the release of the biggest launch of the year so far, Slay the Spire 2. My other highlights from the first stretch of March included Switch 2 ports of Blue Prince and Rotwood, as well as Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse.
February 2026: February saw the release of Mewgenics which one of our most anticipated releases of the year and has become one of the biggest rogue launches of all time on Steam. Other standouts included Caves of Qud heading to Switch as well as BlazBlue Entropy X.
January 2026: The year kicked off strongly, with Cult of the Lamb’s first paid expansion, Woolhaven, headlining the month. It might have been the most high profile release of the month by far, but we still saw the release of a few hidden gems including Lort, Hungry Horrors, and Blightstone.
December 2025: Reflecting on the final month of 2025, it was The Rogue Prince of Persia landing on Nintendo’s consoles that was my personal highlight. Some other fun additions included the mobile version of CloverPit as well as the soulslike deckbuilder, Death Howl.
November 2025: Scanning back through this article reveals a great line-up of games, including Forestrike and a winning DLC for Risk of Rain 2. I’m going with Dog Witch as my personal pick for the spotlight, though, as I found this quirky little deckbuilder to be most enjoyable.
October 2025: When we look back it’ll probably be Ball X Pit that we remember as the standout game of October, but the new beat ’em up, Absolum, was also really good. In fact, there were loads of fun games out this month, so hit the link and find something awesome to play.
September 2025: Thanks to the release of two massive indie games, September was one of the busiest imaginable. Silksong dominated the headlines in the first half of the month, but it was Hades II that had my attention for most of September. On top of that there’s Towa, Moros Protocol, Ratatan, CloverPit, MegaBonk and Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor – truly one of the best months ever for roguelike enthusiasts!
August 2025: I’m mentioning it here because Jupiter Hell Classic isn’t actually in the August round-up – it dropped late in the month. However, it’s bloody great and I wanted it to get a mention here one way or t’other.
July 2025: An eclectic month by any measure, with the standout games including co-op platformer Neon Abyss 2, the well-received action-roguelite Hell Clock, strategy games like He is Coming and Lost in Prayer, and even a Pac-Man inspired survivors-like (Maze Mice).
June 2025: There were several big announcements this month due to Summer Game Fest and all that, but one or two great rogues slipped out at the same time, including Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Battle Train, and Soulstone Survivors. The port of Against the Storm for consoles also proved quite popular, at least based on the activity I saw here on the site.
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 quite 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 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 of which landed in Early Access and the second of 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
