Saros, developer Housemarque’s newest release, reminds us just how fun and chaotic roguelikes can be. If you like Saros, then I’ve got some other roguelikes for you! From adorable roguelikes that are punishing yet fun, to ones that test your skills and make you question life, here are my top five roguelikes that share a similar vibe to Saros.
Returnal
You didn't think I was going to talk about Saros, and not talk about Returnal, did you? That would be silly. Returnal, made by the same developers as Saros, features a beautiful landscape and demanding bosses alongside a gripping story, music, and art design. Returnal brings horror, intrigue, and mystery into the rougelike genre with its mindbending psychology and eerie flashbacks.
If you love the combat of roguelikes, then this title will scratch that itch and more with its satisfying weapons and bosses that take the cake in entrancing movesets that, like a dance, are mesmerizing to experience. Returnal, at every point, unleashes an unpredictable mayhem upon the player, creating runs where you may get the weapon of your dreams or the run of your nightmares.
Hades
Hades was my first roguelike, and it opened my eyes to a whole new subgenre of games. Hades takes the world of Greek mythology and turns it into an action-packed dungeon-crawling roguelike. This is one of those titles that could turn into your personal cozy game, with how each round you lose is another round that begs you to stay. From the boons to the weapons, a lot of this game is so strategically well done in its rougelike aspects.
This game will test you, yet also be like a nice warm home for you to come back to with its calming music and amazing voice acting. Each time you die, you find out more about the story and the incorporation of Greek mythos, as well as the well-crafted placement of aspects that make this title replayable in every way. And yes, you can pet Cerbrus.
Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors is a rougelike shoot em’ up that I was very late checking out. Each run is 30 minutes, give or take, and you need to destroy as many undead fiends as humanly possible. The art style particularly harkens back to the Castlevania days, but this time there’s no meat hiding in the walls. At least, I don't think there is…
It’s so satisfying to watch that blue progress meter fill, and all the upgrades and characters you can unlock are excellent. Vampire Survivors is an indie darling that graced the scene with its presence in 2022 and brought back nostalgia in a way that’s not remastering any title, but creating something truly fresh for people to enjoy.
Cult of The Lamb
Cult of the Lamb takes the term “roguelike” and amps it up a few notches to make things more high-stakes. In this game, you’re an adorable (yet sinister) little lamb who needs to start your own cult to repay a debt. You’ll do so by gaining new followers and trying to reconvert those who don’t see the Lamb of God anymore.
Cult of the Lamb features a methodical risk-reward system that provides an even amount of both, and it marries this with challenging bosses and an immersive world full of wit and weirdness. I’ll tell you… Being a cult leader is hard work, but I would highly recommend it. With so much to achieve, this title’s replayability is wonderful.
Elden Ring Nightreign
Elden Ring Nightreign takes all the things we love about Elden Ring and says, “Hold my matcha.” This fast-paced roguelike features a world with insane bosses, powerful upgrades, and weapons that hit on such a satisfying level. However, it takes some adjustment — especially if things like having no fall damage catch you off guard, as it did me.
I would also highly recommend playing with a group of friends instead of random players, as it’s better to communicate with pals who are on the same page about what needs to be done before the ring closes in on you. But then again, sometimes you can get lucky with random players and get through all three nights successfully.
Whether it’s creating a cult, smashing the undead in the face, or timing your hits just right, each roguelike comes with a challenging new journey for you to get thrown into and embrace. Let us know if you’re playing Saros or any of the games mentioned above.
