With often grueling gameplay, unpredictable randomization, and end-game permadeath,roguelikegames can be a grind — despite their alluring nature. And yet, the themes of these titles don’t typically match the ruthless nature of the gameplay. Even a fan-favorite roguelike such asHades, which pits players in the fires of a mythologized hell itself, bears only a “T” rating and features a fairly cartoony style.
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Still, there are a number of darker, gorier titles — whose suggestive or creepy themes better align with the brutality of the gameplay itself. Here are some prominent examples of great roguelikes that are, in more ways than one, crafted for a more mature audience.
6Immortal Redneck
This amalgamation ofa retro arena shooter, historical fantasy, and roguelike from Crema proves exhilarating and rather overlooked. Set in a version of ancient Egypt rife with things that go bump in the night, players awaken as a mummified, trigger-happy tourist forced to gun their way through increasingly tough pyramid dungeons.
In this frantic ride, players will gather a slew of more powerful weapons and skill tree upgrades — as well as clues regarding the unlikely hero’s backstory and other bits of lore. While delving more into “arcade FPS” territory,Immortal Redneckbrings some key roguelike traits, including randomly generated dungeons and permadeath after so many hits.
It also hosts a shuffling lineup of over 50 weapons,whose wild, explosive nature bringsvibes ofDoom; like its zany arcade-style gameplay. These weapons range from crowbars and double-barred pistols to energy orbs and electric flamethrowers. Though its cartoony nature holds it back from being terribly dark or gruesome, there’s plenty of violence and off-color language to warrantImmortal Redneck’s “M” rating.
5We Happy Few
Clearly inspired by Orwell’s1984and Huxley’sBrave New World, Compulsion Games takes players on an unsettling trip of survival and action inWe Happy Few. The game is set in a dark, twisted alternate retro-future of ’60s Brittain, in which the events of WW2 played out differently, leaving a scorched and rather dismal Western world in its wake. To distract citizens from their deprived, gloomy standard of living, the state mandates the use of a drug called “Joy,” which literally paints a rosier picture over the dull, depressing landscape.
Assuming the role of a media censor, chemist, and former soldier, players must sneak and fight their way through Brittain through three distinct perspectives. In addition to grueling combat and brutal survival gameplay, players must often remain under the radar by popping rationed doses of Joy.
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Conceptualized as a full-on roguelike, most tougher “one-and-done” elements were stripped back as development proceeded. Various new details were added and fleshed out to giveWe Happy Fewa moretraditional, cinematic “triple-A” game feel. Most players were pleased with this pivot, as the colorful dystopian premise and lore tend to overshadow some rather spotty mechanics. Some roguelike remnants do remain, as the game offers a permadeath option as well as some resource-managing Survival gameplay. But while punishing and rough around the edges,this roguelite is sure to leave a profound impact on its player.
4Inscryption
Offering a fun, sinister twist on the deck-builder, 2021’sInscryptionentices players with a rewarding virtual card game anda thick, darkly-tinged atmosphere. Players take the role of “The Lucky Carder,” a vlogger named Luke, who encounters a creepy apparition named Leshy, as they face off in various card battles. Players are granted several cards representing different creatures varying in power, abilities, and traits. Once thrown down, these beasts will clash against those that (literally) oppose them on the playing field.
Though accessible on a basic level, the game often demands advanced tactics — with some strategy revolving around sacrificing small creatures to fuel more potent ones. While fans ofMagic the Gathering,Slay the Spire,andThe Witcher 3’sGwentmight notice a fewsimilar details,Inscryptionis still a highly imaginative, alluring card-battler. The notion of a mature card game might seem a bit absurd, thoughInscryptiondoes feature ample cartoon violence and strong language.
3Lakeview Cabin Collection
As far as simple, pixelated visuals go, it’s hard to find a more gory experience than this heart-pumping thriller from Finnish developer Roope Tamminen.Lakeview Cabinfeels like a nightmarish fusion of an NES romp andFriday the 13th. Players will need to scramble and fumble through horror film pixel-art backdrops, or “episodes,” while escaping and slaying creepy killers.
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The game keeps the intensity high in this brief-yet-frantic journey as players must juggle tasks through different avatars and tinker with random objects to aid in fleeing and fighting the harassing foes. One would be hard-pressed to find an eight-bit romp as frightening asLakeview Cabin, thanks to its creepy themes and roguelike vulnerability that keep players on their toes. Just like in a real horror film, one unexpected run-in with the killer will bring a swift, definitive end to the protagonist.
2Change: A Homeless Survival Experience
With so many roguelikes out there, trekking through uncharted terrain can be tough to pull off, creatively speaking. Though Delve Interactive very much delivers inChange, a 2D survival sim that’s quite gripping from both a gameplay and emotional standpoint. Players take on the somber role of a downtrodden protagonist roaming the streets to secure wealth and lodgings. They will first need to scrape by using any means necessary — even if it means digging through trash or begging cruelly indifferent passersby.
But as one progresses, the goals get more involved and the gameplay more intriguing. Players will juggle an increasing amount of tasks, from studying in the library and building skills to buying more satiating food and getting a job. The kicker is that various metrics of well-being and skillsets must be maintained, and will quickly deplete if left unattended. While it should be noted thatChangehasn’t received an official ESRB rating, it certainly has its share of mature content — with inclusions of drugs and alcohol as well as realistically grim themes.
1The Binding of Isaac
Take the dungeon setups from classicZeldaand fuse them with a twisted horror premise, and the result might bethis fan-favorite indiefrom 2011. This wild action-based romp bears most roguelike staples, from the randomization of rooms and items to permadeath and the lack of progress saving, aside from unlockable characters and items. Despite its age,The Binding of Isaacstill shines as a wildly fun arcade-style dungeon crawler.
The game is accessible and simple to grasp, though it gets increasingly frenzied, and offers endless depth through procedurally generated areas and items. These goodies include just about everything from various projectile tears to trinkets that heal and buff Isaac in his fight for survival. And this item list has only expanded further with the launches ofRebirthandRepentance, which further flesh out the experience.
