Action Roguelikes have exploded in popularity over the years, led by Dead Cells, Hades, and Risk of Rain 2, not to mention the Bullet Hell subgenre of Vampire Survivors.
“Roguelike” refers to games with a core gameplay loop of progressing through randomized enemies and levels, and defeating powerful bosses, before dying and having to start over. Death is common, but the genre has improved itself thanks to meta progression, sometimes known as “roguelite,” where players unlock new features, abilities, and story progress even through failure and death, making the ultimate success gradually more attainable.
Action Roguelike is a further subgenre referring to roguelikes that feature real-time action combat, as opposed to popular deckbuilding roguelike, Slay the Spire. Action Roguelikes can be 2D (such as Dead Cells), isometric (Hades), or fully 3D (Gunfire Reborn).
For fans of fast-paced action, meta-progression, and excellent indie art styles, here are some modern gems of the genre that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Astral Ascent
While Hades explores Greek Mythology, Astral Ascent personifies the Zodiac calendar, with dramatic bosses such as Gemini, Leo, and Aquarius. Also like Hades, the story unfolds as you succeed (and fail) though the beautifully constructed, low-poly worlds and non-stop 2D action.
Players can tackle the Zodiacs with four different playable characters, which feature different weapons and fighting styles. The recent and massive 2.0 update adds four new worlds, new enemies, a new boss fight, and a brand new Imprint system that makes loot and rewards more exciting.
Platforms: Steam PC, Switch, Xbox X/S
Rating: T for Teen
Blazblue Entropy Effect
You don’t need to know anything about the anime fighting game series, Blazblue, to enjoy Entropy Effect. The roguelike is inspired by Slay the Spire and Hades, with players choosing their potential reward types. But the gameplay is pure, combo-driven action as they progress through randomized levels and enemies in a Cyberpunk-ish world.
Entropy Effect features ten different characters (plus more with DLC), each with their own fighting styles and unlockable combos, from counter-driven sword play to rapid claw swipes or long-range guns. On top of that, characters customize with elemental abilities, special summons, and enhanced buffs as they progress, as well as unlocking Legacy abilities and traits based on previous runs.
Platforms: Steam PC
Rating: Not Rated (suitable for teens)
Ravenswatch
Not many video games star edgy versions of classic fairy tale and folk characters such as Aladdin, Beowulf, and Red Riding Hood. Aladdin can summon the genie, the Pied Piper lays down offensive magical tunes, while Scarlet (Red Riding Hood) can transform into a werewolf, making each character’s playstyle unique. Ravenswatch leans toward action-RPG (or perhaps, MOBA) as characters level up and unlock new ability choices and upgrades, including an Ultimate attack, while smashing through waves of enemies in a dark comic fantasy world.
Ravenswatch particularly shines as a co-op action game, and one of the few roguelikes to offer four player co-op. In fact, co-op is definitely the preferred way to enjoy Ravenswatch’s harsh difficulty and fun character combos.
Platforms: Steam PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
Rating: T for Teen
