roguelike mechanics Archives

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Sektori developer says the response to his Geometry Wars-inspired roguelike has been ‘awesome’, but the game’s sales still leave him ‘with zero salary for 4.5 years’

Sektori, a game released in 2025, has achieved a 97% positive rating on Steam and features Geometry Wars-inspired roguelike mechanics. Developer Kimmo Lahtinen noted the game's unexpected success among a niche audience and highlighted the challenges of achieving commercial success in a competitive market. He observed a disconnect between lengthy game development cycles and the short attention spans of modern users, leading to a trend of quicker, smaller projects. Lahtinen humorously pointed out that the majority of Sektori's players are older gamers, indicating a generational divide in gaming preferences. The game's design philosophy intentionally limits explanations of mechanics to encourage player exploration, although some players expressed a desire for more clarity. Lahtinen is currently working on a patch to address minor issues, including a difficulty spike during the first boss battle.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Slot machine roguelike CloverPit sells 1 million copies, and its developer celebrates the payout by adding its ‘most requested feature yet’

Panik Arcade's game CloverPit has sold one million copies since its launch at the end of September. The game features a cursed one-armed bandit in a dimly lit basement. The developers have made gameplay adjustments, notably transforming the Hourglass charm to enhance its utility. Despite some critiques regarding the game's depth, a playtime of 10 hours is noted as commendable. CloverPit is currently available at a 10% discount, priced at £7.65 until November 26.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

The videogame that started it all gets a roguelike reimagining 53 years after launch, and it’s free to try

Devolver Digital and Kenny Sun have released Ball x Pit, a roguelike game that reimagines the classic Pong. Kenny Sun is known for his minimalist design but has opted for a maximalist style in this game, featuring vibrant chaos and frenetic gameplay. Players must redirect streams of ammunition, reminiscent of Pong, while incorporating roguelike mechanics such as optimizing builds and engaging in multiple rounds. Ball x Pit is available on Steam for .99 / £11.69, with a demo offered for players to try before purchasing.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

Dead Cells dev says walking away from the acclaimed roguelike was “a good thing for us and for players”

Dead Cells has received a 97% positive rating on Steam and has sold over ten million copies. Development of the game transitioned to Evil Empire in early 2019, and all updates were halted in 2024. Motion Twin's decision to stop further development has been met with discontent from the roguelike community, as the studio shifts focus to a new project, Windblown, which is currently in early access. Windblown aims to introduce co-op play to the roguelike genre.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

Hades meets Streets of Rage 4 in this 92% positive new roguelite that’s got a huge discount

Absolum combines elements of Hades and Streets of Rage 4, gaining attention in the gaming community as a standout title in the action game genre. Developed by Guard Crush Games, it features a unique identity compared to other side-scrollers and has received a 92% rating on Steam. Players can choose from various classes, including a dwarf and a humanoid frog wizard, and the game incorporates roguelike mechanics for enhanced replayability. Absolum is currently priced at .49 / £16.37 on Fanatical, with a 22% discount, and the promotional price ends on October 15, 2025, at 11 PM PT.