Hello, Dear Reader, and welcome once again to our monthly round-up of exciting new roguelikes and roguelites.
Just as February brought us the long-awaited launch of Mewgenics, March is set to deliver another of the year’s most anticipated roguelike games: Slay the Spire 2.
What’s more, the month also features the surprise mobile release of Ball x Pit, alongside a host of other exciting titles that are well worth keeping on your radar.
With March absolutely packed with roguelike releases, we’ve decided to split our list in two and cover each half of the month separately. That way, we can spotlight even more titles than usual, so be sure to check back around March 13th for part two.
As usual, I’ll be following our typical guidelines of avoiding all the AI-heavy projects, demos, and anything that looks too derivative.
Let’s get right to it then, with our first pick: Nauts…
Nauts | Jorge A. García González, Carlos Álvarez-Nava González | March 3| PC (Win)
This space action roguelike recently crash-landed in our subreddit, and it will very soon be taking to the stars.
The hostile universe of Nauts is filled with unpredictability, as each run has randomised environments, enemies and progression paths. To defend yourself from alien threats, you’ll equip one of seven unique weapon types and evolve them at your will to discover powerful synergies.
Echoes of Red | TERMAX Studios | March 3| PC (Win)
With a rock-and-roll soundtrack that hits as hard as DOOM, Echoes of Red is a blisteringly fast roguelite shooter that lets you carry up to 11 unique weapons at once. Every run looks delightfully chaotic, with the screen constantly swarmed by enemies and projectiles flying in every direction.
Tin Lord | LegionSword | March 3| PC (Win)
Our final March 3 release is Tin Lord, a game that reminded me a lot of Starship Troopers from its screenshots alone.
Channelling the spirit of ’90s PC classics, this dark strategy game sees you step into the role of the last surviving AI after civilisation’s collapse.
Commanding an army of robots, you’ll fight to reclaim and restore fallen planets, pushing back against the monstrous creatures that have since claimed them as their own.
Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse | Frontside 180 | March 4| PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
The first and currently only game on this list launching across all current platforms is Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse.
This metroidvania-roguelike hybrid introduces a standout possession mechanic, letting you use your cursed hat to take control of enemies and unleash their unique combat abilities against the forces around you.
Beyond the dungeon crawling, it also features light life-sim elements. You’ll rebuild your village, construct new facilities, and cultivate crops to strengthen your world between adventures.
An especially welcome addition is co-op multiplayer for up to four players, giving you the chance to conquer its dungeons alongside friends.
Homura Hime | Crimson Dusk | March 4| PC (Win)
I’ll admit I’m not the biggest anime fan in the world, but I can’t deny that Homura Hime looks absolutely awesome.
This story-driven 3D bullet hell is set within a world where demons and humans co-exist. Playing as the titular Homura Hime, you’ll fight to purify the world from five extremely powerful demon girls.
The action looks fast-paced and intense, and the production values are impressive, with a striking cel-shaded visual style and a full voice cast.
Slay the Spire 2 | Mega Crit | March 5 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
The follow-up to the most influential deckbuilder of all-time is arriving earlier than I first expected, when it drops early this month.
Slay the Spire 2 looks to be the next evolution of the beloved original, with it featuring an all-new co-op mode for four players, a cast of new and returning characters, and upgraded visuals thanks to the Godot Engine.
The team at Mega Crit has got an especially solid foundation to build upon, and we can’t wait to see how it develops over the course of its Early Access journey.
Card Cultivation | DarkIndex | March 5| PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
First of all, you have to admire the bravery of a deckbuilder launching on the same day as Slay the Spire 2.
Boasting a Japanese ink wash art style reminiscent of the Capcom classic Ōkami, Card Cultivation, as its name suggests, lets you craft and customise your own cards. The 500+ card combinations represent everything from characters to monsters and magic artefacts.
Genome Guardian 2 | Alpherior | March 5| PC (Win)
This psychedelic twin-stick shooter lets players construct their own biomechanical death machine from hundreds of unique parts.
Design anything from stationary auto-turrets to psychic, water-sprinkler motorbikes, or even a dual-wielding, fidget-spinner Gundam.
Building on the original, it has new weapons, upgrades, mutations, and an improved endless mode to put your skills to the test.
Breaching Harkon | 8x8BitGames, Connor Langan | March 5| PC (Win)
If you’re getting impatient waiting for a release date for Streets of Rogue 2, Breaching Harkon is a good one to keep on your radar.
This pixelated top-down shooter sees you embark on a Taken-style quest for revenge after your daughter is kidnapped by the ruthless ruler of your state. With more than 65+ weapon upgrades and legendary gear to be found, each run offers new and exciting gunplay possibilities.
Trials of Valor | bermrad | March 5| PC (Win)
We decided to sideline several games on this list from our recent Steam Next Fest article, with their release dates being so close. One title that would have easily made the cut, however, is Trials of Valor.
This real-time roguelike fighter places a strong emphasis on the intricacies of melee-focused combat, with players having to carefully time their blocks, dodges, and attacks to take down foes.
Chickenauts | SneakyBox, Kautki Cave | March 5 | PC (Win)
A personal highlight for me this month is the Enter the Gungeon-inspired Chickenauts. Stepping into the boots of an angry farmer, you blast your way through evil alien chickens that have abducted your beloved flock.
Hilariously, you can bring chicken companions along for the ride and mutate them to receive different perks and upgrades. These companions are inspired by pop culture icons, with one I saw called John Chick and another named Mary Chickens.
Drift Survivors | Kickflip Games | March 5 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
In this vibrant Survivors-like, your car is your weapon, and you’ll drift across neon arenas, mowing your foes down with bullets. Your ride can be equipped with a range of upgrades and weapons, including homing rockets, tron lines, ricochet guns, and bombardments.
It’s a brilliantly simple twist on the formula and one that feels surprisingly fresh.
Sushi Cat – Tower Defense | OverPowered Team | March 5 | PC (Win), Switch
Showing the Switch some love, Sushi Cat – Tower Defense is a fresh roguelite take on a series I’m not personally familiar with.
Here, you’ll deploy cat-themed towers to fend off hordes of evil sushi, all corrupted by the sinister sorcerer-cook Broccolinni. Along the way, you can collect boon cards with unique effects, unlock permanent upgrades, and expand your arsenal with new traps and towers.
Here Comes the Swarm | CableHook Games | March 5 | PC (Win)
I’m starting to see a pattern emerge! Following last month’s Hold the Mine, Here Comes the Swarm also takes its name from one of my personal favourite tracks.
This survival RTS sees you defend your settlement against an army of alien creatures known as the swarm. To protect your borders, you’ll need to invest in upgrades, keep your army well-fed and also take the fight to their backyard by leading expeditions to their hive mind.
An appreciated touch for strategy novices like me is a pause button. This allows you to take a moment to reflect on your crucial next move.
Heart of the Machine | Arcen Games | March 6 | PC (Mac, Win)
March 6th happens to be my birthday, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t paying special attention to the releases landing that day.
Heart of the Machine might not strictly fit the roguelike label, but its sheer ambition earns it a spot here. You play as the first sentient AI, born in a crumbling futuristic city, expanding your consciousness across machines and structures.
Build armies, hack systems, manipulate humans, and pursue countless goals from saving the city to establishing machine dominion.
Buster Breaks Out | Nose Corporation | March 6 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
The second rogue landing on the most important date of the year is Buster Breaks Out.
As its name hints, this block-breaking roguelite takes clear inspiration from Breakout, but with its own playful twist. You guide the titular Buster — your ball — as he attempts to escape prison, ascending 25 floors while facing five wardens along the way.
Along your journey, you can collect and upgrade balls to unlock powerful combinations and synergies, while keeping track of your progress in the in-game Ballpedia.
Alchemist’s Alcove | Nefarious Brew Games | March 6| PC (Win)
Fight, Craft, Discover, and Die. This is the mantra of our first traditional roguelike, Alchemist’s Alcove (we interviewed the game’s nefarious creator right here).
This exploration-focused take has an open world, and it allows players to craft their own spells and tools using the remains of their fallen enemies.
Its crafting system is also said to be easy to learn and difficult to master, with it stretching your resource management to the limit.
Hive Blight | OptizOnion | March 9 | PC (Win)
Focused on the unseen wars unfolding in our own backyards, Hive Blight shrinks the autobattler formula to insect scale.
Fighting back against a corrupting fungal threat, you start by choosing an alliance between two clans that are comprised of 30 unique units. Each clan has its own playstyle, and you’ll need to combine them cleverly to ensure you address your strengths and weaknesses.
Dice Goblin’s Den | babachoo | March 9 | PC (Win)
Taking a unique and oddly sympathetic approach to goblins, Dice Goblin’s Den lets you command an army of these green-skinned misfits, defending their home from “heroes” on the hunt for treasure.
There are many classes you can unlock and experiment with by defeating party leaders, and you’ll also need to allocate your gathered resources between your workers and upgrading your defences.
The game’s roguelite elements also include randomised levels, loot, and upgrades, making each playthrough a different experience.
Temporal Titans | Lost Tower Games | March 9 | PC (Win)
A tower-defense game with mechs and time travel? Okay, count me in! That’s the unique elevator pitch for our next entry, Temporal Titans.
When facing overwhelming swarms, you can send your mechs back in time to help even the odds. This will enable you to have double the mechs when revisiting waves to provide additional reinforcements.
It’s a fascinating concept, and I’m curious to see how it unfolds in gameplay.
Pluto | Siege Wizard Interactive | March 9 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
I’m not ashamed to admit that this roguelike deckbuilder made me feel pretty uncomfortable at first.
With its grotesque, hand-drawn art style, the game throws you into a wacky premise: battling horrific monsters and breaking out of prison just to make it to your niece’s birthday party.
You play as an unheroic wizard, casting spells from your fingers using elemental patterns. Recipes can overlap and combine, creating strategies that reward clever thinking and experimentation.
Galactic Vault | MeepMeep Games | March 10 | PC (Win)
Set in a dystopian future where corporations hoard all technology, Galactic Vault is a fast-paced FPS with a roguelite twist.
Players can upgrade and customise their arsenal with a variety of attachments to tackle the challenges each run throws at them.
The game even lets you craft your own vaults using an in-game editor, tailoring their length, difficulty, encounters, and enemies for a fully personalised experience.
Ball x Pit | Kenny Sun and Friends | March 12 | Android, iOS
Surprise! Ball x Pit is joining the growing number of rogues to land on mobile devices.
The brick-breaking, ball-fusing roguelike was a breakout hit when it landed on PC and mobile devices last year, and Mike was among the critics singing its praises. Interestingly, it’s also releasing for free with ads and can be purchased fully with an in-app purchase.
Vespera Bononia | Power Up Team | March 13 | PC (Win)
I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love seeing a bullet hell adapted to 3D, and Vespera Bononia makes the leap beautifully.
This fast-paced shooter demands lightning-quick reflexes as you face nightmarish foes across a sprawling network of procedurally generated dungeons.
A standout mechanic lets you switch between four characters on the fly, each with unique abilities, giving you the freedom to adapt your strategy mid-battle.
Shuffles ‘n Scuffles | Sour Circuit Studios | March 13 | PC (Win)
Shuffles ‘n Scuffles had my interest piqued right from the start thanks to its cardboard cutout visual style.
This deckbuilding roguelike strategy game has a card-altering mechanic, where you can literally redefine the cards in your deck by tweaking the wording of their effects. Using your wits, you’ll battle your way through waves of dangerous enemies and encounter quirky characters.
That’s all for now, but there are a whole bunch of games coming in the next part of this update. in a couple of weeks!
The Archives!
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
