roguelike game Archives

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Desktop Survivors 98 is an action roguelike that moves at the speed of your mouse, which is to say pretty fast

Desktop Survivors 98 is an action roguelike game that pays homage to the retro aesthetics of Windows 98. Players navigate a vibrant landscape filled with elements from the late '90s, using solitaire cards to defend against quirky enemies from the recycling bin. The game is controlled entirely with the mouse, requiring players to dodge attacks while moving at mouse speed. It features references to casual PC games and operating systems of the past, including pixelated dungeon crawlers and animated assistants. The game is available on Steam.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Live service games are ‘innovating’ all the way back around to what worked 20 years ago, except way worse

Epic Games is introducing a free toolset for Fortnite that allows users to create and publish their own games, accompanied by a revenue-sharing program based on player engagement. Teravision, a studio using the Unreal Engine for Fortnite, has successfully released a roguelike game and plans to develop two more titles. Fortnite's multiplayer approach is shifting away from traditional matchmaking systems, aiming for a more creative environment reminiscent of past games like Garry's Mod and Team Fortress 2. However, the UEFN initiative has been criticized for lacking community spirit and producing low-quality content, with many games focusing on monetization rather than enjoyable gameplay. This trend reflects a broader issue in gaming where progression systems overshadow the core enjoyment of games.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

‘I’m a PC gamer and there are 10 video games I’ve been hooked on since 2020’

Video games have over three billion players globally and are evolving into a dominant force in the entertainment industry. The following ten standout games were released for PC since 2020: 1. Elden Ring (2022) - An action RPG known for its stunning visuals and intricate storytelling, requiring over 70 hours to complete. 2. Split Fiction (2025) - A cooperative narrative game where players battle against a machine stealing creativity, released in March 2025. 3. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (2021) - A remake of the 1997 classic, featuring updated combat mechanics and breathtaking graphics. 4. Valorant (2020) - A tactical hero shooter with a vibrant eSports scene, released in early 2021, with over 1,000 hours logged by the player. 5. Fields of Mistria (2024) - An early access farm life simulation game that allows players to cultivate crops, raise animals, and explore mystical mines. 6. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) - A turn-based RPG with a blend of traditional and real-time combat mechanics, released last month. 7. Hades (2020) - A roguelike game with fast-paced combat and Greek mythology-inspired artwork, released in 2020. 8. Overwatch 2 (2023) - The sequel to Overwatch, introducing new heroes and a 5v5 format, released in 2023. 9. Visions of Mana (2024) - The fifth main installment in the Mana series, featuring familiar gameplay mechanics. 10. Marvel Rivals (2024) - A game featuring 38 Marvel characters, allowing casual play with friends, released in 2024.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

IO and Square Enix vet Flösser unveils new studio Wombo Games

Janos Flösser has founded a new game studio called Wombo Games in 2023, which is developing a strategy roguelike game titled Raiders of Blackveil, set to enter Early Access this summer. Flösser has a background in the gaming industry, having previously worked at IO Interactive and Square Enix. Wombo Games aims to remain small and agile, and has successfully raised funds three times since its inception. A playable version of the game was created within the first month and a half, garnering positive feedback from investors.

BetaBeacon

March 31, 2025

COLOPL and Kazuma Kaneko announce ‘card creation roguelike’ game Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter for PC, iOS, and Android

Tsukuyomi: The Divine Hunter is a free-to-play card creation roguelike game by former ATLUS illustrator Kazuma Kaneko. It will launch for PC via Steam, iOS via App Store, and Android via Google Play this spring worldwide with language support for English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

BetaBeacon

February 19, 2025

15 best free Android games with no in app purchases

- AI Factory Limited offers a variety of simple free Android games with no in-app purchases - Alto's Odyssey and Alto's Adventure are free mobile games with in-app purchases that are purely cosmetic - Antiyoy is a turn-based strategy game with simple graphics and rules, featuring multiplayer and no ads or in-app purchases - Crossy Road is a popular free game with in-app purchases that are purely cosmetic - Papers, Please is a simulation game with no in-app purchases available for .99 - Doom and Destiny Advanced is a free JRPG with ads and some limitations, but contains the entire base game - OpenTTD is an open-source version of Transport Tycoon with no in-app purchases - Pathos is a retro roguelike adventure game with no in-app purchases - Pocket City is a city-building simulation game available for .99 with a premium version - Resonance of the Ocean is a short game with no complexity and no in-app purchases - Stardew Valley is a must-play RPG available for .99 without ads or microtransactions - The Spike is a volleyball game sim with optional in-app purchases - Vampire Survivors is a survival RPG with minimal gameplay and optional in-app purchases - Into the Breach is a challenging puzzle/roguelike game available on Netflix Games with no ads or in-app purchases - Vodobanka is a puzzle game where you command a SWAT team with no microtransactions, but a purchase is required after the demo version

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Minecraft creator Notch and his next move

Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of Minecraft and founder of Mojang Studios, has been largely absent from game development since selling Mojang to Microsoft for .5 billion in 2014. Recently, he launched a social media poll to gauge interest in his next project, considering either a new game or a sequel to Minecraft. He expressed interest in developing a roguelike game but acknowledged the legal challenges of creating a Minecraft sequel without Microsoft's approval. Following the poll, he decided to develop a roguelike dungeon crawler titled "Levers and Chests," despite some fans' disappointment over the lack of a Minecraft sequel. Microsoft has distanced itself from Persson since the acquisition, removing references to him from Minecraft and excluding him from the game's tenth-anniversary celebration. Persson's new project will retain a voxel/pixelated art style reminiscent of Minecraft, and he aims to create a game that honors Minecraft's legacy while respecting Mojang's intellectual property.

AppWizard

February 9, 2025

The best unofficial Alien game is getting a spiritual successor where you carve up derelict ships and manage drones with ‘personality quirks’

Keenan announced three new game projects in development: 1. Humanity 2.0: A spiritual successor to Duskers, featuring a wireframe visual style where players dispatch drones to explore derelict spaceships, scavenge resources, dismantle ships, and construct new spacecraft. Drones will have unique personalities that affect their behavior. 2. Scheme: A tactical political strategy game where players navigate political intrigue as a lowborn character, using tactics like bribery and manipulation to ascend the social ladder without traditional troop movements, instead orchestrating conflicts between factions. 3. Magic Wizard Chess: A tactical roguelike game with unique gameplay mechanics, lacking health bars and incorporating psychological evaluations for players, though details remain vague.

BetaBeacon

December 17, 2024

The Best Mobile Games Of 2024 For iOS And Android

Balatro is a hit poker-roguelike game that was later ported to mobile devices in 2024. The game involves modifying your deck over the course of a run to align with bonuses granted by Joker cards, creating unique gameplay experiences. Balatro is described as deeply satisfying and challenging, with a balance that keeps players engaged.

AppWizard

December 11, 2024

Cyberpunk 2077’s new update secretly added a Balatro-based sidequest, among other unlisted changes

CD Projekt RED released a substantial update for Cyberpunk 2077, called the 2.2 update, which includes an enhanced photo mode, new vehicles from Autofixer, and the ability to save and apply custom car coatings. Players can now have Keanu Reeves as a passenger who provides commentary. A new sidequest inspired by the roguelike game Balatro has been added, along with a treasure hunt related to Joker cards. Additional enhancements not listed in the patch notes include a new street race in Watson, new color variants for weapons, and adjustments to the counterpunch mechanic. The update raises questions about CDPR's previous statement regarding the 2.1 update being the last major one.