I love me some roguelike (or rogueLITE) gaming!
Hades to me, is not only one of the best titles in the genre, but one of the greatest games of all time!
My love for the genre is a mix of things from the core gameplay loops, to how that particular studio chooses to tell their story. Thankfully, there are a few of these you can play right now on Steam that are well worth your time. Here are my picks.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
The Prince of Persia (PoP) franchise is back in a BIG way. Early in 2024 we saw one of the best metroidvania titles out there with The Lost Crown. Now, the team that brought the Castlevania franchise to Dead Cells is taking PoP concepts into a new roguelike game.
With a stunning art style, incredible music, and an interesting story, it's no wonder I was hooked on this!
I'm writing about this game first, because even though I do think it is doing something fun and engaging, it has the least to offer so far. There are a handful of zones/biomes/areas to fight through and explore, but depending on your efficiency and experience with 2D paction-platformers, you might get through it in about 8-10 hours like I did.
It's not a huge knock on the game though, remember it's still in Early Access. The core mechanics are a blast, especially the traversal and maneuverability of the Prince.
Check it out no on Steam. The developers have already released a couple of significant updates including one that was announced at Summer Game Fest.
9 hours played on Steam
Deep Rock Galactic Survivor
If you've had any experience with this game's "parent" title, you may be familiar with the setting and general sense of humour and wittiness. But after that, you're diving into the depths of a Vampire Survivors-like adventure.
This is now a genre and for better or for worse, there are dozens of games released with the formula on what seems like a monthly basis. Thankfully Deep Rock Galactic Survivor has a ton of polish and already a pretty robust campaign that there's a lot to...dig... into.
This game is definitely worth playing with a few different dwarves and loadouts that will keep things fresh even a dozen hours later. Chop through rocks, mine minerals, and squash bugs!
13 hours played on Steam
Hades II
As I mentioned above, Hades could be one of my favourite games of all time. So it was a no brainer that I was picking this game up.
The first game I purchased two years before it's 1.0 release and it won dozens of awards across the gaming industry. I won't say that I told ya so, but I did tell a few people even at that time that something special was coming their way!
Hades II is first sequel ever crafted by the brilliant Supergiant Games. And while I don't think they had to return with a follow-up on their most successful game yet, I am definitely happy they did. Hades II is excellent and is already a massive game with a ton to do.
On top of that, it's a game that has some welcome similarities to its predecessor while also carving its own path in (and out) of hell!
As Malenoe you'll be trying to save the (under)world around you as Chronos the god of Time has taken over your fathers realm. She is a wonderfully intriguing character like like Zagreus was, but she controls just differently enough and uses more mystical powers to feel like you really are playing some new and fresh.
I highly recommend this game if you enjoyed the first Hades. And if you didn't, hold off for a bit and see how things shake out. But I am willing to put quite a bit of stock in the fact that Hades II will be another GotY contender whenever it hits 1.0 (likely in 2025).
23 hours played on Steam
