Leading 25 finest roguelikes and roguelites for Android phones and tablets
The 25 most important roguelike games for Android in 2023
Roguelite or roguelike? Potato pot-ah-to. We don’t care about any of it.
Both words come from the 1980 dungeon crawl Rogue, which was written by Michael Toy and Glenn Wichman. It was the first time that players saw how levels could be made automatically and never be played the same way twice.
They also learned about permadeath, the idea that one hit would end their run. No conserves, no restarts.
It was found that this totally random method made Rogue method more fun to play and more likely to be played again than a lot of current games.
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Rogue had simple images and a choppy beat, but games have come a long way since then. In the past few years, a lot of games have discovered how fun random levels and “permadeath” can be.
People who follow the Rogue plan to the letter are called “roguelikes.” “Roguelite” is a name that is sometimes given to people who make changes to the original plan quickly and without much thought.
We don’t care which one will be used for the next Android games. All we want to do is play them again. Still again. Oh, and one more time. If you want to use any of these, you can get them from Google Play. Let’s jump right into the list of the best roguelikes for Android phones.
Jon Mundy made the first list, and Artur Novichenko added to it.
To see the list, click on this link.
1
Sobbing Suns
Publisher: Simple Bundle
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Category: Technique
The person who made Crying Suns has clearly played a couple of FTL video games. This tactical rogue-lite has some of the same space elements, but it also has an interesting story and funny ways to fight with your flight group.
We’re most interested in how many different things can happen and how the story can go. This makes it not only fun to play, but also quite difficult because you never know what to expect. Oh, and it looks really great, which is why it’s at the top of our list of the best roguelikes for Android.
Desire more? Read our review of Crying Suns.
Get the album Crying Suns
2
Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Designer: Raw Fury Games
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Technique
Bad North is a roguelike game with elements of real-time strategy and tower defence. It makes it always fun to protect your islands from a Viking attack.
The art style is one of the things that makes this video game stand out. This game has simple images that make you feel good, so if you haven’t played it yet, do it as soon as possible.
Download Bad North: Jotunn Edition
3
Juicy Realm
Offered on: iOS + Android + Steam + Change
We still don’t have the best roguelike twin-stick game for mobile (that’s Go into the Gungeon, by the way), but Juicy Realm is a great alternative, with super-detailed motion graphics and a steady stream of crazy guns.
If you like good Android roguelikes, you’ll like everything about Juicy Realm. It has enough features to keep you playing for hours, and the variety of items and guns you can get is out of this world.
Download Juicy Realm
4
Labyrinth Machina
Designer: Tiny Touch Tales
Publisher: Tiny Touch Tales
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Puzzle
This great swipe-based puzzle game was made by the same person who made Card Crawl, ENYO, and Card Thief. Move a mouse around a 4×4 grid that has been set up randomly and beat clockwork opponents. We haven’t even started to talk about the amazing graphics and 3D clockwork features you’ll find in this game.
The whole thing is unique, and all the different parts come together to make one of the best strategy roguelikes for Android you’ll ever get to play.
Download Maze Machina
5
The Legend of Bum-Bo
Readily available on: Android + Steam + Change
Category: Action
The Legend of Bum-Bo takes place in the same dark, scatalogical world as The Binding of Isaac, but its turn-based match-four battle system is different. It’s a computer game that feels dangerous and fun at the same time, and it challenges you to pick and update the best items.
It’s a unique Android roguelike where you build decks, and the more you play it, the more you’ll enjoy it. Trust us, it may not seem like much at first, but you’ll come to like it.
Download The Legend of Bum-Bo
6
Downwell
Designer: Moppin
Readily available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Category: Action, Platform
Downwell is full of motion, whether you’re bouncing on a frog’s head, shooting through layers of rock with your gunboots, or ducking into a time bubble to buy some new weapons. A really fun roguelite game that only needs red, white, and black to look good on any cell phone.
Did you know that we have to rate Downwell? Yes, we liked this crazy jam so much that we thought a review would do it justice.
Download Downwell
7
Dead Cells
Designer: Movement Twin
Publisher: Movement Twin
Offered on: iOS + Android + Change
Category: Action, Adventure
Dead Cells is one of the smoothest and most satisfying action-platformer games you can play on your phone. Run, jump, and dodge your way through randomly generated levels while picking up swords, guards, projectile weapons, automatic turrets, and amazing moves. Leave and do it all over again, but this time in a slightly different way.
This game can be played over and over again, making it a must-play for Android roguelike fans. Those who jump right in will find a key guide to Dead Cells Cavern and secrets about the Gardeners. You don’t have to say thank you.
Download Dead Cells
8
Never-ceasing Rogue
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Category: Action
This amazing Android hack-and-slash roguelike game is so smooth that you can play it with just one hand. It’s not stupid or shallow at all. Each dangerous opponent needs a different strategy, and there are many ways your hero can grow and change.
Each choice will change how the game is played, so you can’t just pick whatever seems easy. You always have to think about the bigger picture, which says something. Even if you don’t have mind-boggling game features, you can still make a good game. Just make sure it’s hard!
Do not miss our Immortal Rogue review!
Download Immortal Rogue
9
Stubborn Souls (previously Wayward Saga)
Designer: RocketCat Games
Publisher: RocketCat Games
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Action, RPG
Think of what it would be like if someone turned A Link to the Past into a combat-heavy roguelike, with each level being a punishing attack course with tough enemies and a different style. This is Wayward Souls, and it’s awesome. Still. Just look at our review of Wayward Souls, which gives it a huge Platinum score.
Simply put, this amazing game has everything that makes a good roguelike, so it was easy to put it on our list of the best roguelike games for Android phones and tablets.
Download Wayward Souls
10
Do Not Starve: Pocket Edition
Designer: Klei Entertainment
Readily available on: iOS + Android + PS Vita
Category: Experience, Hardcore
A hard survival video game that looks like it came from a comic book. Help Wilson get through a dangerous alternate world by making his way to some kind of temporary safety. There will be fights, food to make, and peace of mind to get back. It has pretty much everything you need to keep you playing for hours at a time.
In the review we wrote for Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition, we said that it’s just as good as it is on PC. Even though you have to touch the screen to play, it’s a game worth your time (and it will take a lot of it!). Check it out.
Download Don’t Starve
11
Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale
Designer: Slothwerks
Publisher: Slothwerks
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Card combatant
A sequel to Meteorfall: Journey that combines roguelike-style deck-building with tight, strategic battles and beautiful animation art. This time, the second one has a grid-based scheme that is much more complex.
Krumit’s Tale seems to be designed to make you feel like you’re in a fully drawn, mixed-genre video game, with a lot of roguelite elements and funny jokes getting to the best time possible. Just check out our review of Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale. It’s perfect.
Download Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale
12
Out There
Designer: Mi-Clos Studio
Publisher: Mi-Clos Studio
Readily available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Category: Experience, Strategy
Who says roguelikes on Android can’t have strong stories? Out There is a climate-based “choose your own adventure” place where no two runs are the same. This game’s images look like they were taken straight from a comic book and put on your phone to take you on a thrilling adventure that defies gravity. We think you’ll enjoy it a lot more if you play it on a computer.
Oh, and did you know we wrote a review of Out There? There, we talk about everything we liked about this game and what we found to make it worth playing.
Download Out There
13
Hoplite
Designer: Lava Fortress
Publisher: Lava Fortress
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Category: RPG, Strategy
Hoplite is a stripped-down version of a roguelike, and we like it for that. Like we said in our Hoplite review, you lead your Spartan hero through grid-like levels while fighting beautiful turn-based battles against your enemies.
The hexagonal forms at each level of this dungeon spider give you a lot of options, but they also make it harder. Another thing that makes it stand out is that, unlike many other roguelikes and roguelites for Android, you won’t be taken to a very hard level in a flash. Instead, it moves slowly so that you can get used to the trouble.
Download Hoplite
14
Void Tyrant
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Action
Space Tyrant is a fun deck-building game that is built on solid roguelike mechanics. At its core, it’s a game of cosmic Blackjack, where you try to beat your local alien opponents without going bust.
If you like deck building and card battles, you should give this one a try. You might be surprised by how well it’s made, and who knows, Void Tyrant might even become your new favourite interstellar roguelike game.
Download Void Tyrant
15
OneBit Adventure
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Action, Adventure
OneBit Adventure is here for the retro gamer who wants to find something like “that video game he played over and over again in the ’80s.” Even the music is 16-bit, and both the music and the noise are done in the same way. OneBit Adventure is a tiny dungeon-crawler game with a lot of RPG elements. The first thing you’ll notice is that fights happen in turns, which may be unusual for a game in this genre.
You will arm your brave champion, level him up, and fight dragons and other enemies without fear until they hit you so hard that you become another mark on the walls of their prisons. There are a lot of secrets to find, and you can play as different types of characters, so the fun should last for a while.
Download OneBit Adventure
16
Black Paradox
Readily available on: iOS
Category: Action
Black Paradox breathes new life into the classic 2D shooter by adding roguelike elements in a smart way. It has the feel of bullet hell, but with a little extra spice.
This video game’s pixelated and neon-colored graphics are easy to get used to, and the fact that you can change the look of your ship makes it even better. It’s quickly become one of the best shoot ’em ups in the area on Android. We liked it quite a bit, so we’ve decided to write a review of Black Paradox. Give it a quick read!
Download Black Paradox
17
Desktop Dungeons
Designer: QCF Design
Publisher: QCF Design
Readily available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Category: RPG
In the last few years, there have been a lot of roguelike dungeon monsters for mobile RPGs, and this PC version is one of the meatier ones thanks to its kingdom-building element.
The best part is that if you’ve already started playing Desktop Dungeons on your PC, you can pick up where you left off on your phone. The game lets you play it on different platforms, which is really cool if you want to try out some dungeon crawling when you’re not at home.
Desire more? We have a review of Desktop Dungeons for your reading pleasure!
Download Desktop Dungeons
18
Roadway Not Taken
Designer: Spry Fox
Readily available on: iOS + Android + Facebook and social + PS Vita
Category: Puzzle
Roadway Not Taken takes a tile-sliding puzzle game and adds roguelike elements to it. The results are stunning. When you add a beautiful animation art style and a very emotional story to the mix, you get one of the best roguelikes for Android on this list.
Just don’t let how it looks fool you. The game is hard, and the levels get harder very quickly. Touch functions may not always be great, so you’ll also need to be careful about where you tap.
Download Road Not Taken
19
Sproggiwood
Designer: Freehold Games
Publisher: Freehold Games
Readily available on: iOS + Android + Steam
Category: RPG
Sproggiwood is a dungeon spider that is similar to Desktop Dungeons in that it is a roguelike. It stands out because it looks like a totally different and more interesting Finnish fairy tale. Yes, this video game is amazing, and our Sproggiwood review has more information about it.
On a different note, you can build your own society, capture people of different classes, and use any of these to gain experience in the dungeons. It’s one of those games where you can do a lot more than just kill things, which is a nice change of pace when you want to take a break from killing.
Download Sproggiwood
20
Neon Chrome
Publisher: 10tons
Readily available on: iOS + Android + PS Vita + Change
Category: Action, Shooter
A twin-stick shooter with a lot of lights and a cyberpunk setting. The shooting in Neon Chrom is incredibly fun, and the game’s random generated levels and run-based gameplay give it cybernetically enhanced legs.
You can enjoy fairly smooth touch controls and auto-aim, which is something you don’t usually see in games in this genre. We’re not sure if it will be needed. It’s a video game that deserves a closer look. We also have a Neon Chrome review, which is a much more in-depth look.
Download Neon Chrome
21
Peak’s Edge
Designer: Kenny Sun
Publisher: Kenny Sun
Offered on: iOS + Android
Category: Puzzle
Kenny Sun has shown that he is the best at coming up with creative and hard puzzles. And in Peak’s Edge, he’s done a great job with a roguelike, with the abstract twist that is Sun’s trademark. Also, if you thought that roguelikes had to have a lot of enemies and blood, this game shows you that’s not true.
You can get a beautiful and simple roguelike for Android that has everything a great game in this genre should have. It’s just wonderful.
Download Peak’s Edge
22
Cultist Simulator
Publisher: Weather condition Factory
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Category: Card/board video game, Strategy
Cultist Simulator is called a “roguelike narrative card game,” but that doesn’t give you a good idea of how many different ways you can play this cosmic version of Poker. Draw cards and look at strange rituals, then die and try it all over again.
There are a lot of strategic parts to the game, and if you let your guard down for even a second, it could be game over. Make sure to check it out. It’s one of those games that can keep you playing for hours. For more, be sure to check out our review of the Cultist Simulator.
Download Cultist Simulator
23
Death Road to Canada
Designer: Madgarden
Publisher: RocketCat Games
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Category: Action, Adventure, RPG
Ah, excellent old Death Road to Canada.
Zombies have made their way into every type of game known to man, so a zombie roguelike survival action RPG was always a possibility. That’s about all there is to say about Death Road to Canada. It’s tiny, hard, and can be played more in group, but most importantly, it’s amazing.
You won’t often find a roguelike gem like this one. If you want to loot, kill, and try not to die, to name a few things, you need to check it out. We also have a review of Death Road to Canada if you want to know more.
Download Death Road to Canada
24
Card Quest
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Card Quest is a great prize. It is a solo card crawling game with a lot of roguelike elements. Its card battles are well-balanced and leave enough room for experimentation, and it’s fun to move slowly through its rich retro-RPG world.
Explore the towns to find new dungeons, steal as many gold chests as you can, and do your best to beat all of the game’s bosses. It’s all quite easy, and it’s done. If you want to learn more about this cool video game, be sure to read our review of Car Quest.
Download Card Quest
25
NetHack
Readily available on: iOS + Android
Category: Retro
Roguelikes are a bit of a trend right now, but they have been around for a long time. NetHack is a version of a roguelike game from 1987. It looks and plays just like the original game. That means that the game doesn’t have all the cool graphics you see in games today. Instead, it just focuses on the gameplay.
So, we’re left with an old game that’s still fun to play in 2023 and will be interesting to most Android roguelike fans.