The Ultimate List of Great Roguelike Games for Linux

Roguelike games, named after the classic 1980s game ‘Rogue’, are a sub-genre of role-playing games that feature procedurally generated levels, turn-based gameplay, and permanent death. They are popular for the same reasons, for their challenging yet rewarding gameplay. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best rogue-like games that run natively on Linux.

1. Dead Cells

Dead Cells, released in 2018, is a highly challenging yet engaging “roguevania” game. The player is presented with a wide array of weapons and spells, and the game world progresses nonlinearly.

Key Features

• Unique Assist Options: The game is highly accessible to players due to its range of assist options and settings.
• Combat and Weapons: The combat in the game is both satisfying and challenging, with a variety of weapons and skills to choose from.
• Sound and Design: The game features striking backdrops, a great soundtrack, and impressive sound design.
• Gameplay Rewards: The gameplay is highly rewarding with numerous unlocks and secrets to discover.
• Regular Updates: The game developers frequently release free updates, adding new content and engaging the community.

2. Loop Hero

Next on our list is Loop Hero, a 2021 release that is a somewhat unique blend of rogue-like adventure, RPG, strategy, and card game elements.

Key Features

• Mechanics and Design: The game’s mechanics are easy to understand, and it features a minimalistic design.
• Generated Path: The game features a procedurally generated path which adds to the game’s replayability.
• Resource Management: The game includes a resource management system, adding a layer of strategic gameplay.
• Soundtrack: The game features an 8-bit 80’s goth flair soundtrack, adding to its retro appeal.

3. Wizard of Legend

Wizard of Legend (2018) is a fast-paced dungeon crawler with rogue-like elements. Players will find themselves engaged from the first level, battling through challenges and collecting spells and relics.

Key Features

• Gameplay and Variety: The gameplay is fun and satisfying with a variety of builds and playstyles to explore.
• Spell Collection: Collecting spells adds to the game’s replay value.
• Affordable Price: The game is inexpensive and developed by a small team, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
• Online Mode: An online mode is set to be released soon, adding another dimension to the game.

4. Dicey Dungeons

Dicey Dungeons is an addictive roguelike from 2019. The game features charming artwork and a funky soundtrack, providing a unique twist on the fast-paced deckbuilding rogue-like genre.

Key Features

• Visual Design and Soundtrack: The game features a charming and unique visual section with a phenomenal soundtrack.
• Gameplay Loop: The gameplay loop is simple to learn with enough versatility to keep players engaged.
• Replay Value: The game offers lots of replay value with an interesting and creative proposal in the deckbuilding rogue-like genre.

5. Skul: The Hero Slayer

Skul: The Hero Slayer, released in 2021, invites players to join Skul, a heroic skeleton, on an adrenaline-pumping, side-scrolling adventure.

Key Features

• Replayability: The game offers high replayability due to its ever-changing maps and numerous playable characters.
• Engaging Mechanics: The game features engaging combat mechanics that keep the gameplay exciting.
• Unique Powers: The game offers a variety of unique powers to choose from, adding depth to the gameplay.
• Intriguing Story: The game’s intriguing story keeps players hooked throughout the game.
• Challenging Boss Fights: The game features challenging boss encounters that require strategic gameplay to overcome.

6. Rogue Legacy 2

Rogue Legacy 2, released in 2020, is a highly recommended game for anyone who enjoys rogue-like platformers.

Key Features

• Addictive Gameplay: The game offers addictive “one-more-try” gameplay that keeps players coming back for more.
• Aesthetic and Soundtrack: The game features a hand-drawn aesthetic and a great soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience.
• Customization and Accessibility: The game offers customization and accessibility options, catering to a wide range of player preferences.
• Immersive Experience: The game offers an immersive experience with a mix of darkness and silly humor, and a lore that keeps players intrigued.

7. Superhot: Mind Control Delete

Superhot: Mind Control Delete from 2020 offers an intense first-person shooter experience where time only moves when the player does.

Key Features

• Core Gameplay: The game’s core gameplay is solid, offering a unique gaming experience.
• Variety of Power-ups: The game offers a wide variety of power-ups to enhance gameplay.
• Engaging Twist: The game features an engaging twist to the formula that keeps players intrigued.
• Soundtrack: The game features a powerful soundtrack that complements the gameplay.

8. Vagante

Vagante (2018) is an action-packed platformer that features permadeath and procedurally generated levels.

Key Features

• Cooperative Gameplay: The game offers both local and online cooperative gameplay, making it a great choice for multiplayer gaming.
• Procedurally Generated Levels: The game’s procedurally generated levels offer a new gaming experience with each playthrough.

9. One Step From Eden

One Step From Eden, released in 2020, offers the ultimate genre-blending video game experience in a post-war world where Eden is the last hope.

Key Features

• Solid Gameplay: The game offers solid rogue-like gameplay with fun and diverse characters.
• Addictive Gameplay Loop: The game features an addictive gameplay loop that keeps players engaged.
• Great Sprite Work and Animations: The game features great sprite work and animations, adding to the visual appeal of the game.
• Entertaining Combat Mechanics: The game’s entertaining combat mechanics make for a fun and challenging gaming experience.

10. Streets of Rogue

Streets of Rogue, released in 2019, allows players to fight, sneak, and hack their way through randomly generated cities.

Key Features

• Experimentation-Driven Gameplay: The game offers experimentation-driven gameplay that encourages players to try different strategies.
• Cooperative Gameplay: The game offers cooperative gameplay, making it a great choice for multiplayer gaming.

11. The Binding of Isaac

The Binding of Isaac is a weird and fun rogue-like puzzle-platform, and dungeon crawler.

Key Features

• Challenging Puzzles: The game features loads of challenging puzzles that require strategic gameplay to solve.
• Thrilling Encounters: The game features thrilling encounters with enemy bosses that test the player’s skills.
• Unique Gameplay: The game’s unique gameplay is inspired by biblical writings, offering a unique gaming experience.

12. Tallowmere

Tallowmere is an action-adventure, dungeon crawling, and side-scroll single-player video game with rogue-like elements.

Key Features

• Survive As Long as Possible: The game challenges players to survive as long as possible in its challenging gameplay environment.
• New Weapons: The game offers new weapons, outfits, headgear, shields, and more to aid the player in their journey.