Exploring the Depths: The Best roguelike Games of the Year
There are too many good games coming out in different styles to cover everything. This also applies to projects in the super-popular genre of roguelike, or bagels. Izvestia has compiled a selection of the best new roguelike games released over the past 12 months on PCs, consoles, and mobile devices.
Saros
When it was released: April 30, 2026
What to play on: PlayStation 5
Screenshot from the Saros game
It seems Sony intends to keep this exclusive exclusively for its platform. Nevertheless, this is a real gift for all PS5 owners. Saros' plot about space enforcer Arjun Devraj and a time loop may not be a revelation for science fiction fans, but Housemarque Studio's intense third-person bullet Hell turned out to be at the highest level.
Vampire Crawlers
When it was released: April 21, 2026
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Screenshot from the Vampire Crawlers game
In Vampire Crawlers, the key elements of Vampire Survivors look completely new, but evoke an amazing sense of recognition. This is a curious, albeit sometimes limited dungeon crawler, which will appeal to many fans of bagels. The game is far from classic status, like Vampire Survivors, but it is a very worthy project.
Sol Cesto
When it was released: April 10, 2026
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the Sol Cesto game
The sun disappeared many years ago, leaving the world in darkness. The chosen hero goes deep into a dangerous dungeon to find the lost luminary and bring it back. Sol Cesto stands out not only for its unusual visual style, but also for its unique basic idea. The whole game is built around the descent into the dungeon, a lot of it is tied to luck. This is a fascinating and original "risk simulator" that stands out from other representatives of the genre.
Slay the Spire 2
When it was released: March 5, 2026
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the game Slay the Spire 2
Slay the Spire 2 has been released in early access so far, but despite this, the game is already literally packed with content: not so long ago, a cooperative mode and two new characters appeared. Of course, the project will not be hindered by additional improvements, but even without this, it is clear that the reference card deck builder has become even larger and better. In the story, the spire has awakened after thousands of years of oblivion, hiding new dangers and ancient secrets inside. The heroes will have to collect unique decks, find relics and make their way to the top of the changing maze — alone or in a team of up to four players.
Mewgenics
When it was released: February 10, 2026
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the Mewgenics game
Fans of tactical games have been looking forward to this project, which has finally made it to the PC after an eternity in development. Mewgenics does not disappoint: it has an excellent turn-based combat system, incredibly exciting cat breeding mechanics and a high level of quality in literally everything, as well as a crazy plot. The main character, brought back to life by an eccentric scientist, begins to breed a genetically modified army of fighting cats. By crossing pets and passing mutations from generation to generation, the player will have to send furry fighters on dangerous trips through the cursed Boone County, full of monsters, weirdos and deadly dangers.
Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
When it was released: January 22, 2026
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Screenshot from the game Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven
The Woolhaven expansion for the Cult of the Lamb game has brought a huge amount of fresh content: players are waiting for new dungeons to explore and opportunities to develop their own settlement. Moreover, the cult roglight action game is packed with many free updates that were released even before the release of this paid version.
Dog Witch
When it was released: November 5, 2025
What to play on: PC
Screenshot from the game Dog Witch
The charming wizard dog confronts the matryoshka dolls armed with pistols and the vengeful cats. Using enchanted bones, magical artifacts, and spells, the main character must defeat an army of bizarre monsters and get to the evil wizard who dared to call him a "bad boy." The progression feels good here due to the constant discovery of insane combinations of abilities that make clearing levels fun and entertaining.
Ball X Pit
When it was released: October 15, 2025
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android
Screenshot from the Ball X Pit game
Brave treasure seekers descend into the ancient ruins of Bolabilonia, a colossal pit teeming with monsters and valuable resources. Fending off avalanches of enemies with the help of magical ricocheting balls, they extract riches to rebuild the destroyed settlement of New Sharvilon and save their home. This roguelike game from Devolver Digital reimagines the classic arcade machine game Breakout. The game has an exciting element of building a city, but the main thing remains the gameplay itself, based on the destruction of blocks. Ball X Pit constantly pushes the player to try new combinations and mechanics. The game has a variety of characters, a variety of passive abilities and a large number of types of balls.
Absolum
When it was released: October 9, 2025
What to play on: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Screenshot from the Absolum game
The developers of Streets of Rage 4 have switched to creating a completely new game based on their own universe, focusing on roglight replayability. There is no procedural level generation, but this is offset by a huge number of ways to complete and variations in the development of the plot. There are many improvements available for different game characters. The visual in the game is bright and original, the epic plot didn't disappoint either. After a devastating magical cataclysm in the fantasy world of Talamh, the tyrannical King Azra seizes power. The player will lead rogue magicians and lead an uprising.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
When it was released: September 17, 2025
What to play on: PC, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android
Screenshot from the game Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
The idea of a "mining" game in the spirit of Vampire Survivors based on Deep Rock Galactic is impressive in itself. As a lone dwarf miner, the player travels to the hostile planet of Hawkses IV. The hero will have to drill rock alone, collect valuable minerals and fight off countless waves of deadly alien bugs. The game was in early access for quite a long time, but by the full release it received a new mode and many other improvements.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
