Roguelike games, with their random levels and permadeath features, have captured the hearts of many gamers. These games offer a unique blend of challenge, unpredictability, and replayability that’s hard to find in other genres. With mobile gaming on the rise, Android and iOS users have a plethora of options to choose from. Here are the five best roguelike games on mobile.
5. Soul Knight
Soul Knight is a charming rogue-like game that combines elements of dungeon crawling with smooth shooting mechanics. The game is set in a world where guns and magic coexist, and your mission is to retrieve the magical stone that maintains the balance of the world. With its simple joystick controls and auto-aim feature, Soul Knight is accessible to both newcomers and veterans of the genre.
Each run in Soul Knight is unique, thanks to the procedurally generated dungeons. Players can choose from a wide variety of heroes, each with distinct abilities and play styles. This variety ensures that every playthrough feels fresh and challenging. The game’s pixel-art graphics and catchy soundtrack add to its appeal, making it a delightful experience.
Additionally, the game is easy to pick up but offers deep gameplay mechanics that will keep players engaged. The vast array of weapons, from laser guns to swords, coupled with the diverse range of characters, gives players plenty of strategies to explore. Additionally, the game’s multiplayer mode adds another layer of fun, allowing friends to join the adventure.
4. Mighty Doom
Mighty Doom brings a refreshing twist to the roguelike genre. It’s a miniaturised, top-down version of the classic Doom experience, tailored for mobile gaming. Players control a tiny Doom Slayer, battling through hordes of adorable yet deadly demons. The game offers a great mix of action, strategy, and role-playing elements, all packaged in bite-sized levels perfect for gaming on the go.
The controls in Mighty Doom are intuitive, with a simple drag-and-release mechanism for movement and shooting. Each level is randomly generated, offering new challenges and surprises in every session. The game also features a variety of weapons and power-ups, keeping the gameplay dynamic and engaging.
Mighty Doom’s biggest draw is its charming art style, which is a stark contrast to the traditional, gritty Doom games. This unique aesthetic, combined with the familiar, fast-paced action of the Doom franchise, creates a novel experience for players. The game’s progression system, which involves upgrading weapons and skills, adds depth and a sense of achievement as players advance through the levels.
3. Ronin: The Last Samurai
Ronin: The Last Samurai stands out with its stunning ink-and-wash painting-style graphics and its focus on tactical combat. Players take on the role of a samurai, seeking vengeance in a beautifully rendered yet brutal world. The game emphasises precision and timing, with a combat system that rewards patience and skill.
Each encounter in Ronin requires careful consideration, as players must block, dodge, and strike with precision. The game’s difficulty is well-balanced, providing a challenging but fair experience. As players progress, they can upgrade their samurai with new skills and equipment, enhancing their abilities and allowing for different combat strategies.
Moreover, its combat system sets it apart, requiring more strategy than your average hack-and-slash title. This emphasis on tactical gameplay, combined with the beautiful art style and immersive setting, makes Ronin a standout title in the roguelike genre. The game’s upgrade system also adds an RPG element, allowing players to tailor their samurai to their playstyle. So, if you’re on the lookout for the best roguelike games for Android and iOS, this is a game you can’t miss.
2. Brotato
Brotato is a game that stands out with its fun and action-packed gameplay. In this story, a potato named Brotato is the sole survivor of a spaceship crash on an alien planet. His unique ability? He can use six weapons at once! Brotato’s goal is to survive against alien attacks while waiting for a rescue.
The gameplay in Brotato is straightforward and exciting. The weapons fire automatically, so you can focus on moving Brotato around, but you can also aim manually if you want more control. Each game is quick, usually less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for playing anytime. You’ll face groups of aliens in short, intense waves lasting from 20 to 90 seconds, where you need to be quick and smart to beat them.
Brotato is also really fun because you can change how you play each time. There are lots of different characters you can play as, each with their own special style, like being super lucky or good at magic. You also get to choose from tonnes of weapons and items—fancy things like flamethrowers or simple stuff like sticks. After fighting off aliens, you can use the materials you collect to get even better items.
1. 20 Minutes Till Dawn
At the top of our list is 20 Minutes Till Dawn, a game that masterfully combines elements of survival and roguelike gameplay. Set in a dark and eerie world, players must survive for 20 minutes against waves of nightmarish creatures. The game’s intense, fast-paced action is both challenging and exhilarating.
The game features a simple yet effective control scheme, perfect for mobile gaming. The game’s upgrade system allows players to enhance their character’s abilities in various ways, making each run unique. The variety of enemies and bosses keeps the gameplay fresh and demands strategic thinking from the player.
The reason 20 Minutes Till Dawn stands out is its perfect blend of accessibility and depth. The game is easy to understand but hard to master, offering a satisfying challenge to players. Its dark, atmospheric setting, combined with the gripping survival gameplay, makes it an unforgettable experience. The constant sense of progression and the thrill of surviving against all odds place 20 Minutes Till Dawn at the pinnacle of mobile roguelikes.
So, what do you think about these games? And do you think any other roguelike mobile games deserve a spot on this list? Let us know in the comment section below!