Roguelike games are known for their brutal difficulty, randomly generated levels, dungeon exploration, and the threat of permanently killing a character during a failed playthrough. High stakes games make this challenge even more rewarding once you learn how to overcome them, so it’s not surprising that the roguelike subgenre has made a name for itself on several platforms, including Android. But not all roguelike games are created equal, so we decided to break down which top tier roguelikes deserve your money, time and storage space on your favorite Android gaming phone.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon
Shattered Pixel Dungeon was once a mod for Pixel Dungeon, another roguelike game, and turned into a standalone title. You can play as four different heroes, all with unique classes/subclasses, where you can collect items, defeat monsters/bosses and complete missions. It is a fantastic game for introducing players to the roguelike genre as it emulates classic RPG mechanics mixed with classic roguelike elements: randomized levels, dungeon crawling and permadeath. So if you’re looking for something a little more traditional, Shattered Pixel Dungeon is a perfect choice, and it’s free!
Pathos: Nethack Codex
Another excellent entry into the roguelike subgenre for beginners is Pathos, as it respectfully shows what a classic tile-based roguelike experience really is. Pathos: Nethack Codex is based on the 1987 game Nethack, where you create a custom class and descend into a dungeon to see how long you can survive – the only difference is that you choose from 13 classes instead. Pathos: Nethack Codex will see you loot, check for traps and carefully plan your combat encounters to ensure your survival. The best part is that the game is free with no ads.
Soul Knight
Now we are moving towards the modern interpretation of roguelike games where real-time mechanics such as dodging and shooting are introduced into the mix. A magic stone holds the key to balance the world, and it just so happens that there are high-tech aliens who can’t keep their grubby, greedy hands off this key, leaving it up to you to retrieve the lost magic stone. In Soul Knight, you fight in random dungeons, recruit NPCs to fight by your side, and gain access to over 270 weapons. As you play through the dungeons, the difficulty increases, so you’ll get plenty of challenge as you play (even if this game is a little more forgiving than other entries). Soul Knight offers controller support and you can also play online multiplayer (up to four players).
Cardinal Quest 2
Sometimes, to motivate ending a playthrough, you want progression and an achievable (well-defined) goal. There’s only so much randomization you can handle on the go, which is why Cardinal Quest 2 is a perfect adaption for roguelikes on mobile. You have three acts to work through, and it takes patient grinding to build your character to become strong enough to defeat the final boss. The game is short but offers a lot of replayability thanks to the game’s seven different classes. Each class feels unique and you can customize your pick with weapons and loot you find in your playthrough. So if you want to complete a game with shorter bursts, Cardinal Quest 2 is a good choice.
Beyond: Omega Edition
If you’re a sci-fi enthusiast and want to get your feet wet in roguelike games, the award-winning Out there: Omega Edition is the perfect fit. Your task is to survive the atrocities of space with your trusty ship. You must manage your ship’s hull, fuel and oxygen levels and gather resources on habitable planets. The game breaks with tradition by focusing on survival and item management, so don’t expect to take on aliens/monsters in this sci-fi adventure. Be warned that Out there: Omega Edition has a high skill cap upon entry, so it may not be the best starting point for casual players/new players in this subgenre. Also note that this game requires a premium purchase but is free if you subscribe to Google Play Pass.
Kill the spire
Slay the Spire is a roguelike deck builder; it is a single player game where you create a custom deck to climb the top of an unforgiving spire. You depend on the power in each map to guide you through the dangers that lurk as you roam the randomly generated areas in the Spire. Graphically, Slay the Spire strays from the older pixilated-style roguelike dungeon crawlers and instead relies on a freshly modernized UI and clean design for all the cards (hundreds of cards are collectible) you’ll be using. The game is easy to learn but difficult to master, and it is also available on multiple platforms.
Dead cells
Dead Cells miraculously creates a top-level gameplay loop by mashing elements from roguelike and Metroidvania games. You play as a prisoner, a failed alchemical experiment that can possess human corpses. Now it’s up to you to explore the ever-changing castle and unravel the mystery behind the island’s (imminent) inhabitants. Dead Cells teaches you to think carefully about your choices, and each death shows you which path to follow to improve the choices you make. Overall, this game is a masterpiece and always makes continuous updates and improvements for mobile; added controller support and the option to save in the middle of your session (a feature we’re encouraging to use more single player games). If you start playing now, you’re just in time to experience the free update on November 29.
wayward souls
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play Legend of Zelda in hard mode or a pixelated version of Dark Souls, Wayward Souls is probably the closest. It’s a story-driven, traditional roguelike (including perma-death but with carried over progression in subsequent playthroughs) high stakes experience. How you decide to play can mean life or death, and measures your ability at blocking, dodging and positioning in battle. The combat is exceptional, with commendably tight controls on mobile, taking action 2D gameplay to the next level. Not only do the controls feel great, but there’s a lot of replay value as each class plays differently. You need to buy or play the app through a Google Play Pass subscription.
Dive into roguelikes
Getting your feet wet with a sub-genre of games you’re not too familiar with is daunting, especially the ones with brutal difficulty; it can be a total turn off for the whole sub-genre if you don’t know in advance what you’re getting into. So hopefully today’s recap is enough to get you started, serving as an introductory guide for newbies while allowing veterans to expand their Android gaming library. And remember, if you prefer regular RPGs over roguelikes, our best RPG roundup might be just what you’re looking for.
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