With platformers, shooters, strategy games, and racing titles already covered, we turn our proverbial sight onwards to new victories for Valve’s Steam Deck, and one genre, in particular, that is a natural fit for the device: roguelites.
Roguelites, specifically, are categorically different from full-blooded roguelikes, as genre fans will have you know, as they often feature meta-progression elements and ways to side-step true randomization features. They are a tad less hardcore than Rogue proper, then, and arguably a whole heck of a lot more fun.
What are the best Steam Deck roguelites?
It’s a good thing, of course, that a huge number of roguelite (and true roguelike) games are extremely low-end titles. Graphics aren’t the be-all, end-all here, as it’s all about the core gameplay loop instead, and this plays into the Steam Deck’s stronger features in turn. Whereas we had to focus our attention on lower-spec titles for many other genres, this isn’t necessarily the case for the roguelite niche, with its very pinnacle feeling just about right at home on Valve’s handheld device.
One last note before we begin: games such as Dead Cells and Rogue Legacy 2 might’ve found their way on this list, but as they got featured as part of the previous Deck platformer listicle, we decided it would be a better idea to highlight other awesome roguelites in their place. So, no dedicated platformers here (outside of one small outlier)!
#10: Curse of the Dead Gods
Curse of the Dead Gods epitomizes the modern roguelite. It doesn’t really have anything truly unique to show for, but it’s a remarkably high-quality product with great production values. If you’re in the mood for a contemporary roguelite, you’re very likely in the mood for some Curse of the Dead Gods, and the game knows it.
#9: Cult of the Lamb
Whereas most roguelites have your character go at it all by themselves, Cult of the Lamb lets you grow an entire faction, for better or for worse. In the role of a demon-possessed lamb, you get to go purge the land of false prophets via excessive violence and brutal religious suppression, and isn’t that, truly, what leading a cult is all about? A perfectly tongue-in-cheek choice for the Deck, we find.
#8: Going Under
Every bit as satyrical as it is colourful, Going Under is a roguelite dungeon crawler where you’re tasked with exploring the ruins of an entire city’s worth of failed tech startups. “Make friends with your co-workers! Hire a freelance goblin! Date a slime! Invest in crypto! Set a rideshare on fire,” says the sales pitch. And, really, that is what the game is about, helping it stand out even in a niche like this one.
#7: SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising
SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising is unique no matter what perspective you look at it from. Its aesthetics, for one, embody a unique kind of cassette retrofuturism that games don’t often get to tackle. Its gameplay, on the other hand, is that of a hardcore tactical shooter, where guns jam, different ammo types matter, and overheating is a serious issue. There’s a sequel, too, that works equally well on the Deck, but it’s still in Early Access at this time, making the original a superior choice for the time being.
#6: Noita
Noita didn’t end up receiving a spot on the top list of platformers for the Deck, helping it qualify for this list instead. It really is more of a roguelite than it is a platformer, too, with extreme randomization features and a penchant for physics-based hijinks that makes it a must-play for genre fans. Noita is a game about experimentation with magic, at its core, and it explains precisely none of itself to the player. Whether good or bad, this really underlines the game’s gameplay systems, and makes a point of its procedurally generated nature.
#5: Downwell
Downwell is a far simpler game than most anything else on this list. You’ve got a little guy who jumps down a well, but the kicker is that the well is infinite and full of monsters, and your guy has a pair of gun boots. Downwell is about as crispy and crunchy as a roguelite could get, too, making it a satisfying way to enjoy a short gaming session on the Deck.
#4: Slay the Spire
Easily one of the best digital card-based games of all time, Slay the Spire is a joy to behold on the Deck. While its artwork is certainly a case of acquired taste, the game more than makes up for it with contagious gameplay that hardly even sips power on the device. This is, indeed, one of those games you’ll be getting over four or even five hours’ worth of gameplay on a single charge. And, if you end up wanting more, the standalone Downfall expansion for Slay the Spire is here to help.
#3: Enter the Gungeon
Enter the Gungeon is a classic roguelite choice for good reason. Not only is it genuinely funny and self-aware, but Gungeon also features one of the most compelling gameplay loops in the genre. Be warned, though, because this is a remarkably challenging title that isn’t afraid of punishing mistakes both big and small. The end result is a charming and rewarding, albeit merciless shooter that’ll keep you busy for hours on end.
#2: The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
A roguelite fan’s mainstay, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is an updated and massively expanded upon version of the original title. While its visuals and the subject matter won’t be to everyone’s tastes, the underlying game systems are nothing short of incredible. There’s so much variety and build crafting present in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth that you could go in for dozens of runs, only for nothing to repeat. The odds of that happening are slim, granted, but it’s a worthy consideration still. You’ll also get heaps of playtime out of this game on the Deck, which could be important on the go.
#1: Hades
The premiere roguelite to play on the Deck, Hades was prominently featured in many of the device’s key marketing materials for good reason. What you’re getting here is the full package: incredible graphics, delightful combat and progression systems, and a narrative that’s hard not to get invested in. There’s heaps of content present, too, and the way all the different pieces interact with one another is nothing short of magical. The odds are good you already own a copy of Hades for your Steam Deck, but if you don’t, it’s the right choice to splurge on.
