- The Roguelite genre of gaming is thriving with games that have randomly generated maps, grid-based movement, and permadeath.
- Modern game designers often add twists to the classic roguelite tropes, such as upgradable characters, weapon changes, and diverse gameplay.
- Balatro is a game where players collect cash to purchase new cards with special effects, encouraging cheating to win.
- The Binding of Isaac is a classic roguelite game where players control a young boy using strange weapons like tears to escape his abusive mother.
- Skul: The Hero Slayer follows a skeleton named Skul who can switch out his skull for different powers and abilities, making him stronger.
- Vampire Survivors is a game where players face a monstrous horde of enemies and upgrade their character with stronger weapons and armor.
- Hades is a roguelite game where players control Zagreus, the son of Hades, trying to escape the underworld to meet his mother in the world of the living.
Hades 2 is a sequel that allows players to control Melinoe, who must protect the underworld and overworld from various threats. The Zagreus' Journey mod integrates the original game’s roguelike experience into Hades 2, featuring new prophecies, cosmetic upgrades, chaos trials, and new boons from characters like Sisyphus and Eurydice. Players can confront Hades as Melinoe, using her unique weapons and abilities. The mod is available for download but requires completion of the original Hades and its installation to function properly.
Otherside Entertainment announced that their upcoming stealth-focused heist game, Thick as Thieves, will be available for a fixed price of in the U.S., £5 in the UK, and €5 in Europe. The game will feature two playable thieves, two dynamic maps, six pieces of gear, and 16 contracts, with an introductory campaign estimated to last at least four hours. The multiplayer PvPvE component has been dropped in favor of solo gameplay. The launch date is set for May 20 on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
April 16, 2026 marks the launch of Death By Scrolling, an action roguelite game set in Purgatory™, available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. The release includes a significant update featuring a new playable character, a new biome, and various gameplay improvements. Players navigate a vertically scrolling world filled with monsters and hazards, avoiding the Reaper while collecting gold and unlocking upgrades. Key features include a varied cast of characters, relentless pursuit by the Reaper, loot and progression mechanics, optional challenges, diverse monsters, quirky lore, and leaderboards for competition.
Hades 2 has been recognized as one of CNET's best games of 2025, winning Best Action Game at the 2025 Game of the Year awards and Best Game on Steam Deck at the Steam Awards. It will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting Tuesday. Xbox Game Pass offers a library of games for a monthly fee, with the premium Game Pass Ultimate subscription providing access to hundreds of games, including new releases on launch day.
DayZ, a multiplayer survival game, is now available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential, and PC Game Pass. Endless Legend 2, a fantasy strategy game, has been added to Game Pass Premium. FBC: Firebreak, a first-person shooter, is also new to Game Pass Premium. Planet Coaster 2, a park management game, is part of Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Tiny Bookshop, a management game, is available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Football Manager 26 has been added to Game Pass Premium.
Hades 2 is set to launch on April 14, continuing the story of Melinoe. Replaced and The Thaumaturge will also debut on April 14. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be available on Game Pass Premium starting April 16, along with EA Sports NHL 26. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will launch on April 17. Little Rocket Lab and Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato will be new to Game Pass Premium on April 21, along with Vampire Crawlers. Kiln will launch on April 23. Game Pass Essential has added two new titles as of April 8. Five games, including GTA 5, will be removed from Game Pass on April 15.
The latest Humble Bundle features Galactic Civilizations 4, available for .57 / £2.33 for the base game and .32 for the complete bundle, the lowest price to date. The game is a classic 4X strategy title with innovative mechanics, including sectors connected by "space roads." It has received significant enhancements through DLCs, such as Megastructures and Tales of the Arnor, and a second expansion pass is in progress with content planned through 2027. The game received a review score of 8/10. The bundle also includes other titles like Terminator: Dark Fate - Defiance and Valkyria Chronicles 4, available until April 22.
Vaunted is a sci-fi tactical RPG developed by Hooded Horse, showcased during the Xbox Partner Preview. Players navigate a criminal underworld, commanding a team of thieves and mercenaries after a high-stakes expedition goes awry. The game features a dual combat system that allows toggling between turn-based strategy and real-time action, enhancing tactical gameplay. Character loss can lead to new narrative perspectives, with player decisions significantly impacting the story. The game includes a roguelite element where characters earn "credibility" for upgrades upon death. James Phinney, known for his work on StarCraft and Guild Wars, leads the development team. Vaunted is set to launch later this year, although a specific release date has not been announced.
This weekend, Steam users can download a selection of new free games, including:
- The Raid of Brunswick: A first-person simulation of a World War II bombing raid.
- Precision: A fast-paced 2D platform shooter with retro graphics and sound.
- Stellifier: The Comeback: An otome typing game featuring returning idols.
- Dreams Stories Online: An MMORPG with real-time combat and character progression.
- Dog's Walts: A game where players control a dog to knock soldiers off a stage.
- Haimaskià: A vampire-themed action/stealth game featuring an assassin named Lucie.
- Metal Goose: A first-person retro shooter where players battle robotic birds.
- Exodus: A top-down shooter defending Earth from alien invaders.
- Song of Decay: A 2D RPG inspired by the myth of Orpheus.
- Slime Wars: A 2D real-time strategy game focused on slime battles and resource management.
These games can be downloaded from their store pages on Steam and will remain in users' libraries indefinitely.
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.
