Rogueliker’s Guide to Android and iOS Roguelikes and Roguelites
Welcome to Rogueliker’s guide to Android and iOS roguelikes and roguelites. Originally intended to be an article focused on the best Android roguelikes, it eventually evolved to include iOS and mobile subscription services.
In this feature, I’m going to be exploring two surprisingly vibrant platforms for rogues. These are spaces where the genre has flourished in some new and interesting directions. For my part, I’ve discovered several hidden gems during my research for this article.
What makes Android and iOS both really interesting alternatives to PC and console is that there are a lot of turn-based roguelikes that fit so nicely in the palm of your hand. The tablet, in particular, is a great size for a lot of roguish games, making them a more tactile experience.
There are also roguelikes made with a smaller scope, and even experimental experiences that simply wouldn’t get made on any other platform. On the other hand, I’ve seen some perfectly good games ruin themselves with cheap ads, so it goes both ways, I guess.
Criteria for Inclusion
For this guide, as the title implies, I’ve picked out a selection of great roguelikes and roguelites. The criteria for inclusion are: it has to be a roguelike or roguelite on either Android or iOS, it has to have enjoyed a decent critical reception, and it doesn’t have any exploitative monetization elements.
I also like to have played all of the games that I recommend, which rules some out by default, for I am but one man and I can’t play everything (I’ve tried, it didn’t work).
One last note… below I’ve written about all of the viable games that are also included in Rogueliker’s list of the best roguelike games, plus I’ve also thrown in a few extra picks to make up the numbers. Please, enjoy!
Balatro | LocalThunk | Android, iOS, PC (Mac, Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
A highlight of the year and one of the best deckbuilders, Balatro finally lands on mobile devices after making quite an impression on PC and consoles following its launch in February. Yet it’s a great fit on mobile and a dangerously addictive timesink to carry around in your pocket.
Balatro is a poker-themed game, but it’s not traditional Texas Hold’em. Yes, it’s still a game about playing the best hand possible from the cards that are dealt. However, it doesn’t take long before you’re making powerful upgrades to your deck via the jokers that you assemble during each run, and there are some truly creative ways that you can combine your jokers to boost your multipliers.
There are several decks to choose from, and each one comes with its benefits and challenges. There are multiple difficulty levels, and getting to the end of each one will require plenty of patience and a bit of luck as the ante rises. There are also loads of challenges, and like the difficulty modifiers, the later ones will need just a smidgen of good fortune to beat.
As someone who used to enjoy playing Poker, I was comfortable with Balatro straight away, however, I do think that the game is accessible enough for people who maybe aren’t as familiar. It helps that the rules of poker are rarely upheld, and it’s not unusual to skip a royal hand for a couple of pairs because of the decisions you’ve made.
Crypt of the NecroDancer | Brace Yourself Games | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PlayStation (4/Vita), Nintendo Switch, Xbox
A true turn-based classic, Crypt of the Necrodancer is a pure delight to play on any platform. However, the tactile nature of a touch screen makes it a great way to experience the game, and you’ll be tap, tap, tapping away in no time at all. It takes a while to get good, mind.
While there is a strong beat running through the game, it’s a roguelite at heart. The turn-based gameplay is tied to a pulsating rhythm, but you’re still hopping from grid to grid, learning attack patterns, and indulging in a number of other roguelike staples.
If you’re after a game that reveres the old guard but puts an entirely fresh spin on things, Crypt of the Necrodancer will not let you down.
Recently, however, the game has undergone a change of address and it’s now available on both platforms but only as part of subscriptions for anime streaming service Crunchyroll. If you don’t already own it, you’ll need to be a premium member to access Crunchyroll: NecroDancer, so bear that in mind.
Downwell | Moppin | Android, iOS, PC (Win), PlayStation (4/Vita), Switch
Gunboots. It’s one of my favourite portmanteaus in all of gaming. They’re the star of Downwell, a low-fi action-roguelike where you play a random chap who decides to jump down a well full of monsters.
While that might sound like a daft thing to do – and it is, let’s be honest here – I should also refer you back to the aforementioned gunboots. You’re heading deep under the surface, and it’s a dangerous descent. On the way you’ll use your boots to shoot enemies, but you’ll also stomp on them, and try and string together combos, which is properly difficult to do. It’s worth it, though, because in those brief moments where it works, where you’re playing on instinct and everything comes together, Downwell creates some of the most thrilling moments in all of gaming.
I have always associated Downwell with mobile gaming, because it feels so natural to play on a phone. That said, if you’ve got a controller to hand, you might find the controls just a smidge more responsive.
Dead Cells | Motion Twin and Evil Empire | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PlayStation (4/5), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/Series
This action platformer from Motion Twin is an awesome mixture of ingredients. For this wonderful mishmash, the studio blended a roguish gameplay loop with challenging combat and a dash of roguevania exploration.
It can’t be stated enough that Dead Cells is an absolutely stunning game. This is the very definition of pixel perfect, and it was the quality of the visuals that first caught my eye and catapulted the game into the wider public arena.
Subsequent exploration of the game and its DLC continues to delight the eyeballs in a way few indies can. The fact that it plays so well is just the cherry on the cake, and the most recent Castlevania-themed expansion adds a new story, new biomes and bosses, and plenty more besides.
One final thing, which is extremely relevant here: the ongoing development of Dead Cells is due to stop once the game has been upgraded to Update 35. Mobile gamers are still waiting on Update 34 so there’s still plenty to come, however, the end is also firmly in sight.
Vampire Survivors | Poncle | Android, iOS, PC (Mac, Windows), PlayStation 4/5, Switch, Xbox One/Series
Vampire Survivors manages to find the sweet spot between chaos and zen calm in a way that a game like this has no right to. Poncle’s auto-shooter has defined a burgeoning sub-genre of bullet heaven games and we’re starting to see a number of high-quality imitators trying to steal some of Vampire Survivors’ pie.
That’s easier said than done because the thing that made it a true standout and an indie darling was the overall combination of incredible depth, accessibility, and secrets. It’s this mix that makes Vampire Survivors such an enticing and intoxicating experience.
There’s so much to see and do, if the game gets its hooks into you, it’ll keep giving you things to do for hundreds of hours. On top of that, the developers are constantly adding new content, remixing old things, and generally adding value wherever they can, including co-op play! You’ll need to pay up if you want to see the best of the game, but that’s fair enough, right?
Slay the Spire | Megacrit | Android, iOS, PC (Linux, Mac, Windows), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Slay the Spire is a perfect game to play on your tablet. This roguelike deckbuilder is the reference for an entire sub-category of gaming, and one that continues to expand all the time. I think the game’s success, and the constant stream of deck builders that have followed it, is down to the appetite out there for thought-provoking, interesting decisions – something that Slay the Spire delivers in spades.
Playing cards are the perfect vehicle for complicated and interesting game-changing decisions, and so I can see why we’re seeing so many out there. Yet while there are many imitators trying the same thing as Slay the Spire, there are only one or two that come anywhere near it.
If you’ve never played the game, please allow me to redirect your attention to the Rogueliker review, where we get into the nitty-gritty of why Slay the Spire is still worth playing, regardless of platform.
Into The Breach | Subset Games | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), Nintendo Switch
Into The Breach brings a narrow focus to bear on the roguelite time loop conundrum. Subset Games’ follow-up to FTL Faster Than Light is about time-traveling mechs fighting aliens in a last-ditch attempt to save the planet.
This time-twisting struggle is boiled down onto puzzle-like game boards where you’ll be forced to agonize over every move as you try and push forward and save the world.
Looping narratives and time-based mechanics work very well with the roguish gameplay loop, and I’m surprised that there aren’t more games that play around with the idea. Into The Breach is probably the best to attempt it, in my opinion – and that’s across any genre.
P.S. If you’ve got an iPad I strongly recommend that you check out FTL Faster Than Light if you haven’t already. It’s a masterpiece.
Immortal Rogue | Kyle Barrett | Android, iOS
This feisty hack ‘n’ slash adventure has you battling enemies from across the ages. At the heart of things is your immortality – every hundred years you awake and need to stock up on calories. Standard vampire stuff, when you think about it.
Each time you wake up from your slumber, you’re given a choice of who to go after. These choices can have ramifications, however, so think carefully and prepare for a fight to the last.
Decision-making aside, for the most part, it’s a case of swiping around the place as you hunt for your victims, as well as leveling up NPC allies so they leave a helping hand behind to aid you the next time you wake up.
Brotato | Blobfish | Android, iOS, PC, Switch, PS, Xbox
One of my current favorites, Brotato is an absolute hoot and a true winner if all you’re after is pure distilled action. The game certainly borrows elements from Vampire Survivors, but instead of a huge sprawling map to explore over 30 minutes; here you get a compact space that resets every few seconds.
In the spirit of Mr Potato Head, you can dress up your Brotato with the upgrades you discover over the course of a run, with your little mate having six weapon slots to equip things to. On top of that, there is a wealth of different starting options to choose from, which helps direct your experience during a given run. Throw in a bunch of fun unlocks and some crazy enemy designs, and you’ve got a sleeper hit in the making.
There’s a review of Brotato right here should you want more detail. The game recently made its way to console, too, so make sure you check it out regardless of which platform you’re rocking.
20 Minutes Till Dawn | flanne | Android, iOS, PC (Win, Mac), Switch
I have to admit, I was late to the party when it came to 20 Minutes Till Dawn. Don’t be like me and check this one out now if you’re after an action-roguelite with a bit more bite than most.
20 Minutes Till Dawn is a tough-as-nails horror shooter where you’re constantly stalked by monsters inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft. This results in a tense battle where you’re trying to stay alive until dawn, using a selection of escalating powers to aid you in your attempt to survive.
This is a deceptive game in the sense that it looks simple on the face of it, thanks mostly to the minimalist color palette, but you’ll quickly discover plenty of nuance as you battle waves of terrors with your ever-changing toolkit.
Crying Suns | Alt Shift | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), Nintendo Switch
Faster Than Light never made it over to Android from iOS, which leaves a gap in the market. Don’t worry, however, as there is one game that takes the principles first seen in FTL, and then runs with them in a number of interesting directions.
Crying Suns has a strong narrative holding it together. Herein you’ll command a pixelated spaceship full of rounded characters and together you’ll explore a fallen space empire filled with interesting moral dilemmas.
There’s also an engaging combat system that underpins the story, which stops it from feeling like an FTL-clone and allows this immersive space adventure stand on its own two feet.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon | Shattered Pixel | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
If you’re after a traditional turn-based game, one that wants to send you deep down into a proper dungeon filled with monsters that want nothing more than to hurt you, Shattered Pixel Dungeon might just be the Android roguelike that you’ve been looking for.
This is a long-in-the-making roguelike that is still getting regular updates from its dedicated creators. This length of service has helped make Shattered Pixel Dungeon into one of the most replayable RPGs on mobile and PC, and there’s tremendous depth to be found in this charming pixelated dungeon crawler.
I think where SPD shines is that it offers a proper fantasy RPG experience, and once you’ve learned the basics, a deep and immersive world snaps into focus. Give it time and you will be rewarded.
NEO Scavenger | Blue Bottle Games | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
I’m throwing the survival category into the mix because I know there’s a lot of appetite out there for decent games where the emphasis is on staying alive in a harsh and unforgiving game world.
On this front, I’ve gone with an old favorite as my next roguish recommendation: NEO Scavenger. It’s one of the most punishing games I’ve ever encountered, but its rigidity eventually reaps great rewards to the dedicated.
The big focus here is on inventory management and evocative storytelling, and you’ll find both in abundance here. That being so, if that’s not your jam, and if you’re not prepared to work that bit harder to get to grips with its truly relentless post-apocalyptic world, maybe skip this one.
One last thing before you go… The level of detail in the inventory systems means you’ll benefit from a larger screen, as you can see in the screenshot below.
Luck be a Landlord | Trampoline Tales | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
Am I scraping the barrel of sub-genres just to make sure that I can say nice things about this superb little slot machine simulator? You better believe I am, and I’m doing so because Luck be a Landlord is a true indie triumph that deserves to be played by more people.
It’s actually a cleverly designed deckbuilder that invites you to fight capitalism via a fruit machine (is there any other way at this stage?). You must pay your landlord on time with the gold you’ve earned from finding synergies in your ever-growing hand of symbols.
It starts off slow, I must admit, but once it clicks, this unassuming game turns out to be incredibly addictive – as I’ve noted in more detail over in my review. Just one more spin, anybody?
Peglin | Red Nexus Games | Android, iOS, PC (Mac, Win)
If I can make up one category, who’s going to stop me making up more? Nobody – that’s right. Thus welcome to the narrow confines of the roguelike pachinko sub-category.
Peglin is a lovely little game that plays a bit like puzzle classic Peggle. Herein you take control of a little green fella who looks somewhat like Baby Yoda and go on an adventure full of pachinko battles and story encounters.
As you advance through the game you’ll be attacked by all manner of beasties, but using your growing collection of pachinko balls, each imbued with a special power, you can take down your opponents. You simply toss them at pegs, try and build up a combo or hit a crit, and hope for the best.
Slice & Dice | Tann | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win)
Another one worth highlighting is Slice & Dice, a game that I’ve only recently discovered after it was ported over to PC and I played it for the first time over on Steam. This hidden gem wears its heart on its sleeve in the sense that it’s all about slicing up big bads while rolling dice for your party of explorers.
Players are tasked with taking a party of five adventurers through a series of combat encounters, but the roguish nature of this particular beast means that one defeat will send you right back to the start. I guess you better be feeling lucky then, punk!
Vault of the Void | Spider Nest Games | Android, iOS, PC (Mac, Win)
I came across Vault of the Void during my research for my article about the best roguelike deckbuilders and it was probably the discovery that made the biggest impact on me thanks to the high quality of the production and the chunky range of cards that are available.
One thing that sets Vault of the Void apart from other games of this sort is its low reliance on random factors, which helps to make it feel like the action is more in your control. Of course, when it all goes horribly wrong, that’s your fault, too.
Deck customization is also very good here, as you can infuse your deck with so-called void stones to spice them up, plus there are literally hundreds of items that can be used to tweak your deck this way and that.
