roguelike Archives

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Antivirus Survivors 2003 Professional is a charming 2000s, Windows XP take on the Vampire Survivors formula

Antivirus Survivors 2003 Professional is a game inspired by Vampire Survivors, where players control a computer mouse cursor in a whimsical world where Windows XP icons have turned against them. The gameplay involves navigating through challenging foes while attacking and leveling up. The game features a faux operating system aesthetic, requiring players to double-click on options and interact with various icons, some of which may slow down gameplay or obscure visibility. The game includes imaginative weapons like a bouncing DVD logo and a firewall for protection. It embraces early 2000s computing culture and is anticipated for release in Q2 of this year, with a demo available online.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Two Major Upcoming PC Games Confirmed as Steam Deck Verified

Two upcoming PC titles, Slay the Spire 2 and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, have received Steam Deck Verified status. Slay the Spire 2 will launch on March 5 via Steam Early Access, and developer MegaCrit aims for it to maintain this status at launch, although it is already functional on the Steam Deck. The original Slay the Spire sold millions of copies and has an 89 Metacritic score and a 97% approval rating on Steam. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is set to release on March 12 and has confirmed its Steam Deck Verified status. The first Monster Hunter Stories has a Metacritic score of 79, while its sequel scored 82.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I’m just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words

Renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak have created a spelling game called Beyond Words, which features innovative gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from other word game roguelikes. Players navigate a Scrabble-like board aiming for a target score within a limited number of moves, with progressively challenging rounds and a boss round introducing unique gameplay modifiers. Between rounds, players can acquire cards that activate bonuses to enhance scoring potential. The game boasts an expansive dictionary that includes a wide array of terms, adding humor and enjoyment. It includes wildcard tiles for creative word formation and features uniquely shaped maps for each run, enhancing strategic depth. However, the visual presentation has been criticized for lacking a cohesive style. The demo is currently available for free during Steam NextFest.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Betty Bingo is the new Balatro-like to top my Steam Library with its wacky items and mesmerising Mega Bingo chains

The author has a strong enthusiasm for bingo, which they attribute to the game's repetitive nature, pattern recognition, and vibrant colors. They tried a demo of Bingo Betty, a bingo roguelike game that consists of seven stages with four rounds each, culminating in a final boss challenge. Players draw three balls at a time and must strategically place one ball to create a straight line. Special draws, like the Meat Ball and Shuffle Ball, add complexity to the gameplay. The game features a shop with items to enhance gameplay, and the author scored 10,884 in their first round and a highest score of 170,646 in a single round. They emphasize the game's engaging nature but advise moderation in gameplay.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Ex Sanguis is the most stylish XCOM-style roguelike I’ve ever played

Ex Sanguis is a turn-based strategy game showcased during Steam Next Fest, featuring a grid-based system similar to XCOM. Players control a team of soldiers called Stillae, utilizing Action Points (AP) and unique abilities to execute commands. The game has a narrative centered around saving a dying planet and is noted for its stylish execution and visually striking aesthetic, characterized by a blood-themed color palette. It incorporates robust gameplay mechanics, including destructible environments, roguelike elements, and RPG-style builds. Ex Sanguis is set to launch in early access soon, and players can wishlist it and explore the demo on Steam.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Devs behind GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters are done with big shooters after getting burned by Embracer, so their next game is a Balatro-like twist on Scrabble—and you can try the demo now

Steve Ellis and David Doak, co-founders of Free Radical Design, are developing a roguelike interpretation of Scrabble titled Beyond Words. This project marks a departure from their previous work on first-person shooters, including the TimeSplitters series and Star Wars: Battlefront 3. Following the closure of Free Radical by Embracer in 2023, Ellis described the experience as "soul-crushing," leading him to prefer smaller team environments for game development. Both Ellis and Doak expressed a desire to work in more intimate settings, which influenced their collaboration on Beyond Words, initially a weekend project that gained traction among various prototypes they explored.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Steam Next Fest is back and you’ve once again got just 7 days to find your favorite demos among hundreds of choices

The Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, offering a week-long celebration of game demos. It features a wide variety of upcoming titles, including: - Prime Monster: A card-based political roguelike where political leaders are depicted as monsters. - All Will Rise: A narrative deck-builder focused on seeking justice for a slain god. - Vampire Crawlers: A card-based dungeon crawler from the creator of Vampire Survivors. - The Last Gas Station: A game where players control a red panda running a gas station in an electric vehicle-dominated world. - Windrose: An open-world PvE pirate survival game with "soulslite combat" and sea shanties. - Tap Tap Loot: An action-packed game featuring a character reminiscent of Bongo Cat. - Phonopolis: An adventure game from Amanita Design. - Titanium Court: Highlighted as the "first must-play demo" of the event. The Steam Next Fest runs until March 2.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Top PC Single-Player Games You Absolutely Must Play

Single-player games on PC provide immersive experiences, allowing players to explore vast worlds and engage in compelling narratives without multiplayer coordination. Notable titles include: - The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: An open-world RPG where players control Geralt of Rivia, featuring a rich narrative, complex moral dilemmas, and extensive content including side quests. - Grand Theft Auto V: Set in the fictional Los Santos, it offers a sprawling map with diverse activities and a narrative filled with twists and satire. - Red Dead Redemption 2: Players assume the role of Arthur Morgan in the Wild West, with a focus on rich storytelling, character connections, and survival elements. - Cyberpunk 2077: A post-launch improved RPG where players navigate Night City as a mercenary, featuring extensive customization and impactful choices. - Elden Ring: An action RPG set in a vast open world, emphasizing exploration, a deep combat system, and environmental storytelling. - Hades: A roguelike dungeon crawler where players control Zagreus, featuring dynamic gameplay, memorable characters, and a compelling narrative. Honorable mentions include God of War (PC port), Divinity: Original Sin 2, Disco Elysium, and Control, each offering unique gameplay experiences and narratives.

AppWizard

February 22, 2026

The devs of a promising Slay the Spire-alike are delaying their game to Dodge and Roll away from Slay the Spire 2’s launch: ‘You’ll be playing it, we’ll be playing it, everyone will be playing it’

Slay the Spire, a highly acclaimed deckbuilding roguelike, debuted in 2019 and received a 92% review score from PC Gamer's Evan Lahti. Its sequel is set to enter early access on March 6. The studio 58BLADES initially planned to release their game Handmancers during the #TurnBasedThursdayFest but decided to delay it due to the announcement of Slay the Spire 2, fearing it would overshadow their launch. They aim to enhance Handmancers with additional content and polish before release. The gaming industry increasingly avoids launching games on prominent dates to improve visibility and success, as evidenced by data from 2025 showing that nearly half of the 19,000 games released on Steam received fewer than 10 user reviews.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

6 PC games you can play completely offline in 2026

Gamers often face challenges with online license verification for PC titles, which can restrict access to games. For offline experiences, a variety of games spanning several decades are available. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world game set in Gilded Age America, featuring a narrative about Dutch’s outlaw family and offering fulfilling missions and side quests. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered has been updated with Unreal Engine 5 and allows offline play without digital rights management, supporting extensive modding. Blue Prince combines roguelike mechanics and adventure gameplay, set in Mt. Holly manor, where players navigate a world of puzzles and secrets that reset daily. Hades II features Melinoë, the daughter of Hades, as the protagonist, introducing new combat mechanics and the challenge of defeating Chronos. Balatro reimagines poker in a roguelike format, requiring players to create scoring hands and adapt strategies against increasing difficulty and unique abilities. Pacific Drive takes place in a fictional Exclusion Zone, where players must navigate a dangerous landscape using their vehicle for survival. These games offer substantial single-player experiences that do not require an active internet connection.