Die, restart, get better: games with randomly built runs where every attempt plays out differently and you grow stronger bit by bit.
How to find games that really suit you: Select up to 5 games you have played and enjoyed. Playalike compares 36 traits such as combat, story and atmosphere and suggests games that hit exactly the same spot, even across genres.
Escape from the underworld as a roguelike with fast-paced combat and a story that grows with every run.
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
The genre-defining hack-and-slash: you descend floor by floor through randomized catacombs beneath Tristram all the way into Hell, chasing ever-better loot. Its oppressive gothic atmosphere and iconic soundtrack remain legendary.
Action-packed real-time combat
Escape from the underworld as a roguelike with fast-paced combat and a story that grows with every run.
1 Hades
Escape from the underworld as a roguelike with fast-paced combat and a story that grows with every run.
Action-packed real-time combat
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
A fast, fluid 2D roguelite with Metroidvania structure, where tight, punchy combat and a huge arsenal of weapons make every run feel different. Permanent unlocks and new routes give you a real sense of progress even as you die again and again.
Dark, serious atmosphere
The genre-defining hack-and-slash: you descend floor by floor through randomized catacombs beneath Tristram all the way into Hell, chasing ever-better loot. Its oppressive gothic atmosphere and iconic soundtrack remain legendary.
3 Diablo
The genre-defining hack-and-slash: you descend floor by floor through randomized catacombs beneath Tristram all the way into Hell, chasing ever-better loot. Its oppressive gothic atmosphere and iconic soundtrack remain legendary.
Cards and deck-building
A deckbuilding roguelike in which every run demands new card combinations and strategies.
A deckbuilding roguelike in which every run demands new card combinations and strategies.
Shooting and gunplay
Housemarque's spiritual follow-up to Returnal: a frantic third-person bullet-hell shooter on the eerie world of Carcosa, where each death feeds persistent progression and pushes the cosmic-horror mystery forward.
5 Saros
Housemarque's spiritual follow-up to Returnal: a frantic third-person bullet-hell shooter on the eerie world of Carcosa, where each death feeds persistent progression and pushes the cosmic-horror mystery forward.
Runs that play out differently every time
A frantic top-down roguelike shooter where Isaac fires tears through randomly generated basements. Hundreds of items stack into wild combinations, making every run different and grotesquely strange.
6 The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
A frantic top-down roguelike shooter where Isaac fires tears through randomly generated basements. Hundreds of items stack into wild combinations, making every run different and grotesquely strange.
Turn-based combat
A merciless dungeon RPG where stress and madness are as dangerous as the monsters.
A merciless dungeon RPG where stress and madness are as dangerous as the monsters.
Cards and deck-building
An addictive poker roguelike where Jokers, card upgrades and wild synergies push your scores to absurd heights. Every run plays differently, and the hunt for the perfect build never gets old.
8 Balatro
An addictive poker roguelike where Jokers, card upgrades and wild synergies push your scores to absurd heights. Every run plays differently, and the hunt for the perfect build never gets old.
Cards and deck-building
A creepy card game played against a shadowy figure in a dark cabin, mixing deckbuilding with escape-room puzzles while constantly breaking its own rules. Beneath the surface lies a surprising, fourth-wall-bending mystery.
A creepy card game played against a shadowy figure in a dark cabin, mixing deckbuilding with escape-room puzzles while constantly breaking its own rules. Beneath the surface lies a surprising, fourth-wall-bending mystery.
Strong character progression
A minimalist auto-attacking roguelite where you only steer while your weapons fire on their own, snowballing through clever upgrade synergies into a screen-clearing force against thousands of monsters. Short runs and constant unlocks make it wildly addictive.
A minimalist auto-attacking roguelite where you only steer while your weapons fire on their own, snowballing through clever upgrade synergies into a screen-clearing force against thousands of monsters. Short runs and constant unlocks make it wildly addictive.
Open world
A merciless survival game with a gothic, Tim Burton-esque hand-drawn style, where you scavenge, craft and fend off hunger, insanity and monsters in a procedurally generated wilderness. Death is permanent, but every run teaches you something new.
11 Don't Starve
A merciless survival game with a gothic, Tim Burton-esque hand-drawn style, where you scavenge, craft and fend off hunger, insanity and monsters in a procedurally generated wilderness. Death is permanent, but every run teaches you something new.
Jumping and platforming
A tough 2D platformer where every death passes the sword to an heir with random, often silly traits like colorblindness or gigantism, who then storms the shifting castle again. Gold you collect upgrades the family manor for good, so each generation gets a little stronger.
12 Rogue Legacy
A tough 2D platformer where every death passes the sword to an heir with random, often silly traits like colorblindness or gigantism, who then storms the shifting castle again. Gold you collect upgrades the family manor for good, so each generation gets a little stronger.
Shooting and gunplay
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
A tough, pun-filled bullet-hell roguelike where you dodge-roll and flip tables through procedural floors with hundreds of wildly creative guns. Every run plays differently, and mastering the dense projectile patterns is deeply rewarding.
Co-op or multiplayer
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
A co-op roguelike spin-off of Elden Ring where a trio races across a shrinking map over three days, powering up before facing a towering Nightlord boss. Fast, intense runs with distinct hero classes replace the sprawling solo journey.
Turn-based combat
Compact turn-based tactics where three mechs defend cities from giant kaiju-like aliens. Every enemy attack is telegraphed in advance, so each turn plays like a tightly designed chess puzzle with roguelike runs and time-travel resets.
Shooting and gunplay
A frantic 3D roguelike shooter where random items stack into absurdly powerful builds while the difficulty relentlessly ramps up over time. Fight across a hostile alien planet solo or with up to three friends in co-op.
A frantic 3D roguelike shooter where random items stack into absurdly powerful builds while the difficulty relentlessly ramps up over time. Fight across a hostile alien planet solo or with up to three friends in co-op.
Distinctive, stylised art style
As a possessed lamb you found your own cult, managing a village of adorable woodland followers between fast roguelike dungeon runs. Its charm comes from the clash of cute visuals and gleefully macabre humor.
As a possessed lamb you found your own cult, managing a village of adorable woodland followers between fast roguelike dungeon runs. Its charm comes from the clash of cute visuals and gleefully macabre humor.
Melee combat with weapons or fists
Sifu is a punishing kung fu brawler about avenging your murdered family. Precise blocking, dodging and countering drive the combat, and every death ages you, raising the stakes with each attempt.
18 Sifu
Sifu is a punishing kung fu brawler about avenging your murdered family. Precise blocking, dodging and countering drive the combat, and every death ages you, raising the stakes with each attempt.
Sci-fi setting
As a stranded astronaut caught in a time loop, you fight across a constantly shifting alien planet. Frantic bullet-hell shooting and a dark, enigmatic story make every run intense and punishing.
19 Returnal
As a stranded astronaut caught in a time loop, you fight across a constantly shifting alien planet. Frantic bullet-hell shooting and a dark, enigmatic story make every run intense and punishing.
Jumping and platforming
A punishing cave-delving platformer with procedurally generated levels where every death is final. Traps, enemies and emergent item interactions make for chaotic, memorable runs.
20 Spelunky
A punishing cave-delving platformer with procedurally generated levels where every death is final. Traps, enemies and emergent item interactions make for chaotic, memorable runs.
Fantasy setting
As Melinoë you fight through the Underworld and the surface world of Greek myth in fast, fluid runs, growing stronger with witchcraft, divine boons and weapons. The story unfolds with every attempt, backed by striking art and a great soundtrack.
21 Hades II
As Melinoë you fight through the Underworld and the surface world of Greek myth in fast, fluid runs, growing stronger with witchcraft, divine boons and weapons. The story unfolds with every attempt, backed by striking art and a great soundtrack.
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
A roguelike dungeon crawler where every move and attack must land on the beat of the music. The catchy soundtrack and rhythmic, tactical gameplay turn each run into a demanding dance.
A roguelike dungeon crawler where every move and attack must land on the beat of the music. The catchy soundtrack and rhythmic, tactical gameplay turn each run into a demanding dance.
Action-packed real-time combat
You run a shop by day and dive into randomly generated dungeons at night, bringing back loot to sell for profit. The loop between shopkeeping and action-packed dungeon crawling is what makes it special.
23 Moonlighter
You run a shop by day and dive into randomly generated dungeons at night, bringing back loot to sell for profit. The loop between shopkeeping and action-packed dungeon crawling is what makes it special.
Sci-fi setting
A 2D pixel-art roguelike platformer where you grow stronger on an alien planet by stacking random items while the difficulty keeps climbing over time. Playable solo or with up to three friends, each run feels different thanks to chaotic item combinations.
24 Risk of Rain
A 2D pixel-art roguelike platformer where you grow stronger on an alien planet by stacking random items while the difficulty keeps climbing over time. Playable solo or with up to three friends, each run feels different thanks to chaotic item combinations.
Playing together in co-op
A chaotic online co-op game for up to six players where you haul fragile valuables through procedurally generated levels while monsters hunt you. Physics-driven slapstick mishaps and proximity voice chat blend big laughs with real tension.
25 R.E.P.O.
A chaotic online co-op game for up to six players where you haul fragile valuables through procedurally generated levels while monsters hunt you. Physics-driven slapstick mishaps and proximity voice chat blend big laughs with real tension.
Fantasy setting
Instead of controlling the hero, you shape the world around his endless loop with cards for monsters, buildings and terrain while managing his gear between auto-battles. An oddly addictive blend of roguelike, base-building and loot optimization wrapped in grim retro pixel art.
26 Loop Hero
Instead of controlling the hero, you shape the world around his endless loop with cards for monsters, buildings and terrain while managing his gear between auto-battles. An oddly addictive blend of roguelike, base-building and loot optimization wrapped in grim retro pixel art.
Puzzles and brain teasers
You explore a mysterious mansion whose layout you rebuild each day by drafting rooms, slowly unraveling layered puzzles on the hunt for Room 46. Roguelike planning meets deep discovery and secrets.
27 Blue Prince
You explore a mysterious mansion whose layout you rebuild each day by drafting rooms, slowly unraveling layered puzzles on the hunt for Room 46. Roguelike planning meets deep discovery and secrets.
Economy and management
You live a double life as a shopkeeper and adventurer, fighting through shifting dimensions in real-time combat and selling your loot in your own shop. The loop between dungeon action and shop management is the core of the game.
28 Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault
You live a double life as a shopkeeper and adventurer, fighting through shifting dimensions in real-time combat and selling your loot in your own shop. The loop between dungeon action and shop management is the core of the game.
Strong, story-driven narrative
Rue Valley is an emotional story-driven RPG set in a 47-minute time loop. Its personality system and mind-map puzzles let you work through trauma while unraveling the mystery of the anomaly.
29 Rue Valley
Rue Valley is an emotional story-driven RPG set in a 47-minute time loop. Its personality system and mind-map puzzles let you work through trauma while unraveling the mystery of the anomaly.
Fantasy setting
A roguelike hack-and-slash where you rotate between members of the Bergson family, each with a distinct fighting style and shared upgrades. Between dungeon runs, a heartfelt family saga unfolds in gorgeous pixel art.
A roguelike hack-and-slash where you rotate between members of the Bergson family, each with a distinct fighting style and shared upgrades. Between dungeon runs, a heartfelt family saga unfolds in gorgeous pixel art.
Timing and reflexes matter (parrying, dodging)
You plummet down a well with gun boots, blasting enemies while collecting gems. This minimalist roguelike thrives on fast reflexes, precise air control, and a striking limited-palette look.
31 Downwell
You plummet down a well with gun boots, blasting enemies while collecting gems. This minimalist roguelike thrives on fast reflexes, precise air control, and a striking limited-palette look.
Fantasy setting
A fast side-scrolling beat 'em up with roguelite structure set in the fantasy world of Talamh. Fluid combat, a roster of heroes, varied builds and co-op keep every run fresh.
32 Absolum
A fast side-scrolling beat 'em up with roguelite structure set in the fantasy world of Talamh. Fluid combat, a roster of heroes, varied builds and co-op keep every run fresh.
Lots to discover
An atmospheric survival roguelike in which a tiny wanderer descends into procedurally generated caverns full of hunger, cold, traps and creatures. Death is harsh and punishing, and the mood is lonely and dark.
33 Below
An atmospheric survival roguelike in which a tiny wanderer descends into procedurally generated caverns full of hunger, cold, traps and creatures. Death is harsh and punishing, and the mood is lonely and dark.
Shooting and gunplay
You team up with friends to blast through Purgatory, shredding huge demon hordes with bizarre infernal weapons. It's a fast, co-op first-person shooter with run-based structure and heavy carnage.
34 Painkiller
You team up with friends to blast through Purgatory, shredding huge demon hordes with bizarre infernal weapons. It's a fast, co-op first-person shooter with run-based structure and heavy carnage.
Shooting and gunplay
A snappy arena roguelite where a potato wields up to six weapons at once against waves of aliens. Short runs plus dozens of quirky characters and item synergies make for huge replay value.
35 Brotato
A snappy arena roguelite where a potato wields up to six weapons at once against waves of aliens. Short runs plus dozens of quirky characters and item synergies make for huge replay value.
Strong character progression
As the weak zombie Davy, you devour enemies, steal their powers and transform in a fast-paced action RPG to rescue the frozen Julia. It focuses on rapid power growth and tongue-in-cheek excess.
Distinctive, stylised art style
A frantic smash-'em-up where you play an escaping ape, using guards as weapons and shields. A reactive jazz drum soundtrack and bold graphic style turn every escape attempt into a rhythmic rush.
37 Ape Out
A frantic smash-'em-up where you play an escaping ape, using guards as weapons and shields. A reactive jazz drum soundtrack and bold graphic style turn every escape attempt into a rhythmic rush.
Post-apocalyptic setting
A blisteringly fast top-down roguelike shooter where you blast through an irradiated wasteland with random weapons and mutations on your way to the throne. Runs are short, frantic and unforgiving, yet endlessly replayable.
A blisteringly fast top-down roguelike shooter where you blast through an irradiated wasteland with random weapons and mutations on your way to the throne. Runs are short, frantic and unforgiving, yet endlessly replayable.
Shooting and gunplay
A first-person shooter where time only moves when you do. This standalone follow-up adds roguelike runs with upgrades, keeping the stylish slow-motion combat-as-puzzle feel.
39 SuperHot: Mind Control Delete
A first-person shooter where time only moves when you do. This standalone follow-up adds roguelike runs with upgrades, keeping the stylish slow-motion combat-as-puzzle feel.
Lots to discover
Chasm is a pixel-art Metroidvania with RPG elements where the world's mines and caverns are procedurally generated. You explore dungeons, fight enemies in real time, collect gear and uncover secrets.
40 Chasm
Chasm is a pixel-art Metroidvania with RPG elements where the world's mines and caverns are procedurally generated. You explore dungeons, fight enemies in real time, collect gear and uncover secrets.
Turn-based combat
You breed cats with random mutations, train them, and send them into tactical turn-based fights on chaotic adventures. Its twisted humor and the blend of breeding sim with roguelike structure set it apart.
41 Mewgenics
You breed cats with random mutations, train them, and send them into tactical turn-based fights on chaotic adventures. Its twisted humor and the blend of breeding sim with roguelike structure set it apart.
Playing together in co-op
Ratatan blends rhythm gameplay, roguelike runs and side-scrolling action, letting you lead a large horde of fighters to the beat, including online co-op for up to four players. It appears to focus on chaotic mass battles and rhythm timing.
42 Ratatan
Ratatan blends rhythm gameplay, roguelike runs and side-scrolling action, letting you lead a large horde of fighters to the beat, including online co-op for up to four players. It appears to focus on chaotic mass battles and rhythm timing.
Playing together in co-op
A medieval co-op hack-and-slash roguelike where you cut through hordes alongside a Scottish battalion to retake your island. Along the way you uncover the secret of the Dragon Meteor.
Turn-based combat
A turn-based roguelike RPG where you lead a party of heroes across a hex-based map, solo or in online co-op. Random events, weather and dice-based checks make every run a risky adventure.
44 For the King
A turn-based roguelike RPG where you lead a party of heroes across a hex-based map, solo or in online co-op. Random events, weather and dice-based checks make every run a risky adventure.
Turn-based combat
A turn-based stealth tactics game where you guide a small team of agents through procedurally generated corporate facilities while a ticking clock pressures you. Every move matters, since mistakes can permanently cost you agents.
A turn-based stealth tactics game where you guide a small team of agents through procedurally generated corporate facilities while a ticking clock pressures you. Every move matters, since mistakes can permanently cost you agents.
Post-apocalyptic setting
A raft journey down a procedurally generated river through a flooded, abandoned America, where you scavenge, craft and avoid predators. The survival struggle is backed by a moody folk soundtrack and a bold illustrated look.
A raft journey down a procedurally generated river through a flooded, abandoned America, where you scavenge, craft and avoid predators. The survival struggle is backed by a moody folk soundtrack and a bold illustrated look.
Fantasy setting
A mysterious dealer lays out a tarot-card board-game dungeon, and encounters then erupt into real-time, Arkham-style melee brawls. The blend of luck, choices and combat makes every run tell a different story.
47 Hand of Fate
A mysterious dealer lays out a tarot-card board-game dungeon, and encounters then erupt into real-time, Arkham-style melee brawls. The blend of luck, choices and combat makes every run tell a different story.
Lots of humour
You and your friends descend into spooky caves and film monsters and mishaps to go viral on the fictional SpöökTube. The mix of panic, slapstick and proximity chat makes for plenty of laughs in co-op.
You and your friends descend into spooky caves and film monsters and mishaps to go viral on the fictional SpöökTube. The mix of panic, slapstick and proximity chat makes for plenty of laughs in co-op.
Driving or flying
You drive a car you repair and upgrade into a supernaturally warped exclusion zone in the Pacific Northwest, scavenging resources before returning to your garage. The car becomes your companion and main survival tool, while each run uncovers more of the zone's mystery.
You drive a car you repair and upgrade into a supernaturally warped exclusion zone in the Pacific Northwest, scavenging resources before returning to your garage. The car becomes your companion and main survival tool, while each run uncovers more of the zone's mystery.
Tactical depth
A minimalist real-time tactics game where you defend small islands against Viking raids with a few squads. Charming low-poly visuals and simple controls meet surprisingly deep combat and roguelite runs.
50 Bad North
A minimalist real-time tactics game where you defend small islands against Viking raids with a few squads. Charming low-poly visuals and simple controls meet surprisingly deep combat and roguelite runs.
Fantasy setting
Dark Cloud pairs action combat in randomly generated dungeons with the Georama system, letting you rebuild ruined villages the way you want. Weapons must be upgraded and maintained, giving the combat its own collecting and improvement loop.
51 Dark Cloud
Dark Cloud pairs action combat in randomly generated dungeons with the Georama system, letting you rebuild ruined villages the way you want. Weapons must be upgraded and maintained, giving the combat its own collecting and improvement loop.
Cards and deck-building
A roguelike deckbuilder where you defend a hellish train across three floors against heavenly armies. Clever clan pairings and powerful synergies make every run feel different.
A roguelike deckbuilder where you defend a hellish train across three floors against heavenly armies. Clever clan pairings and powerful synergies make every run feel different.
Action-packed real-time combat
A fast-paced pixel-art roguelike where you play a wizard chaining elemental spells into flashy combos. Each run through the trials rewards quick reflexes and smart arcana picks, with optional local co-op.
A fast-paced pixel-art roguelike where you play a wizard chaining elemental spells into flashy combos. Each run through the trials rewards quick reflexes and smart arcana picks, with optional local co-op.
Cards and deck-building
A fast-paced turn-based deckbuilder roguelite set in the Vampire Survivors universe, where you crawl through dungeons and chain huge card combos with the Turboturn mechanic.
54 Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors
A fast-paced turn-based deckbuilder roguelite set in the Vampire Survivors universe, where you crawl through dungeons and chain huge card combos with the Turboturn mechanic.
Turn-based combat
You're a living die forced into a game show, fighting turn-based duels by smartly assigning your dice rolls to equipment. Each of the six characters changes the rules, all wrapped in plenty of humor and a bright, colorful look.
You're a living die forced into a game show, fighting turn-based duels by smartly assigning your dice rolls to equipment. Each of the six characters changes the rules, all wrapped in plenty of humor and a bright, colorful look.
Sci-fi setting
A comic-styled first-person shooter with a roguelike structure: you raid procedurally generated derelict ships, plan routes through the nebula and juggle scarce resources. The look is like a living comic book, with dry, dark humor.
A comic-styled first-person shooter with a roguelike structure: you raid procedurally generated derelict ships, plan routes through the nebula and juggle scarce resources. The look is like a living comic book, with dry, dark humor.
Fantasy setting
A mobile take on the Elder Scrolls universe with first-person combat, procedurally arranged dungeon runs, and a town you rebuild over time. It favors short sessions and gear progression over a huge open world.
A party of several characters
You lead a mercenary company through a gritty, procedurally generated medieval world, juggling contracts, gear and recruits. The turn-based battles are brutal, and losing your men is part of the experience.
You lead a mercenary company through a gritty, procedurally generated medieval world, juggling contracts, gear and recruits. The turn-based battles are brutal, and losing your men is part of the experience.
Jumping and platforming
A punishing, procedurally generated platformer where every cave brings new hazards, secrets and chaotic system interactions. Mastering bombs, ropes and traps leads to memorable runs, even in co-op.
59 Spelunky 2
A punishing, procedurally generated platformer where every cave brings new hazards, secrets and chaotic system interactions. Mastering bombs, ropes and traps leads to memorable runs, even in co-op.
Shooting and gunplay
A chaotic co-op roguelite shooter for up to five players, blasting through shifting universes while stacking boons and run modifiers into ever wilder builds. Classic Serious Sam enemy hordes meet quick-restart run structure.
A chaotic co-op roguelite shooter for up to five players, blasting through shifting universes while stacking boons and run modifiers into ever wilder builds. Classic Serious Sam enemy hordes meet quick-restart run structure.
Nothing matches this selection.
Roguelikes and roguelites share one loop: you fail, start over, and each new run is built differently. What keeps people coming back is that failure teaches you something. Sometimes you unlock permanent upgrades, and sometimes you simply learn the patterns, enemies, and item combinations well enough to go further next time.
The first thing to check is the type of challenge. If you want fast action, Hades is a stylish, story-driven pick, while Dead Cells adds platforming and parrying in a Metroidvania setting. If you prefer to think things through, Slay the Spire and Balatro are deckbuilders with turn-based decisions, and FTL: Faster Than Light has you managing a ship in real time with pause. Many games on this list are tagged Difficult, so expect to lose a lot early on.
Tone and pace matter too. Darkest Dungeon is a gloomy, party-based turn-based game, and Inscryption mixes deckbuilding with horror and puzzles. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a dark shooter that is easy to pick up in short sessions. For something lighter, Vampire Survivors has a comedic tone and is tagged Co-op. Diablo is the oldest entry here, from 1996, and shows where some of these ideas started.
Roguelikes usually reset your progress fully after a death, while roguelites let some progress carry over. The page data lumps them together, so the list mixes both styles, from Slay the Spire to Hades.
Hades is a good starting point because it is action-focused and story-rich, which gives runs a clear sense of purpose. Vampire Survivors is another easy entry with simple controls and a lighter tone.
Yes. Slay the Spire and Balatro are deckbuilders with turn-based play, and Darkest Dungeon is a turn-based party game. FTL: Faster Than Light uses real-time with pause, so you can stop and think.
Tell us your favourite games and we'll find recommendations that fit you exactly.
Diese Seite gibt es auch auf Deutsch.
Auf Deutsch ansehen
