Games

Most Relaxing Roguelikes

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

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Roguelikes aren’t exactly known for being relaxing. In fact, the constant threat of permanent death and the loss of progress that accompanies it may be one of the more stress-inducing mechanics in the industry as a whole — there’s a reason why roguelites such as Hades are so popular, helping players swallow the medicine of their permanent deaths with the sugary goodness of meta-progression.

10 Best Classic Roguelikes

Nothing beats a classic, and considering how popular the Roguelike genre is these days, it’s time to look back at the games that started it all.

However, in spite of their often-complex mechanics and unforgiving gameplay loops, roguelikes can offer players uniquely tranquil experiences. In this case, it comes down to art-direction, sound design, music, and (mostly) accessible gameplay.

8 Luck Be A Landlord

An Entrancing, Low-Effort Experience

Platform(s): PC, Mobile
Released: January 6, 2023
Developer(s): TrampolineTales
Genre: Roguelike Deckbuilder

Luck Be A Landlord is an accessible, unique roguelike deckbuilder that uses bag-building as its core mechanic. The game tasks players with paying their steadily increasing rent by winning it big on a slot machine of their own design, filling in the slots with a variety of game-changing symbols to increase their chances.

The goofy, chunky pixel art, chiptune music, and slot-machine gameplay result in an experience that’s entrancing, drawing the player into spin after spin. Luck Be A Landlord isn’t the most complex roguelike out there, and players will naturally lose runs to bad luck, but its distinctive gameplay can be a relaxing experience.

7 Into The Breach

A Low-Pressure, High-Stakes Tactical Puzzle

Into the Breach

Released: February 27, 2018
Developer: Subset Games

Into the Breach, developed by Subset Games (the same studio behind FTL: Faster Than Light), may feature some light meta-progression in the form of unlocks, but it remains a roguelike in essence; turn-based combat, random generation, complex scenarios, and permanent death should tick enough boxes to please many roguelike fans.

This unique, mech-themed indie game offers players a variety of crunchy, tactical puzzles to solve over the course of each run. The puzzle-like nature of its gameplay is elevated by the wealth of information that Into the Breach offers its players, allowing them to be one step ahead of the game. As a result, Into The Breach is able to provide a low-pressure environment, while keeping the stakes just as high as other roguelikes.

6 Wildfrost

A Deckbuilder With A Delightful Art-Style And Unhinged Sense Of Whimsy

Wildfrost

Systems

Released: April 12, 2023
Developer: Deadpan Games, Gaziter
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Its gameplay is, at times, far from relaxing, but Wildfrost succeeds with its winning charm and absolute sense of whimsy. This is primarily evident in its fantastic art direction, which channels the style of 2D-animated cartoons like Adventure Time with its own unique intricacies, details, and nuance.

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The boiling pot of Wildfrost’s exceptional artwork, palatable sound design, and whimsical soundtrack provides a consistently relaxing atmosphere. However, while Wildfrost can be an appropriately chilled experience, the frustrations within its design and occasionally challenging encounters can add a bitter sting to the mix.

5 For The King

An Easy To Learn And Undemanding Strategy Game With Great Co-Op

Released: April 19, 2018
Developer(s): Ironoak Games
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Part role-playing game, part roguelike, part tabletop game, For The King is a unique and strategic title that combines turn-based combat, dungeon-crawling, and overworld gameplay. This all results in an experience that’s rich with variety, but For The King manages to remain easy to learn. The colorful, low-poly visuals, fantastical music, and immersive overworld make for a tremendous combination, resulting in a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for winding down — especially when playing in online co-op.

Each playthrough of For The King sees the player and up to two others controlling one or more of three heroes. Together (or alone), players march on objectives and battle monsters as they traverse the hexagonal overworld and struggle through dark, dangerous dungeons. The addition of co-op adds a great deal of replay value to the game, offering players a laid-back environment that’s undemanding in the best of ways.

4 Caves Of Qud

A Deeply Atmospheric World With A Winning Soundscape

Systems

Released: July 15, 2015
Developer(s): Freehold Games

Though the threat of permanent death is ever present, at least outside of its “roleplay” game mode, Caves Of Qud manages to be a strangely relaxing experience. This is all thanks to its soothing color palette, minimalist art direction, and, most importantly, its atmospheric soundtrack.

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Fans of roguelike dungeon crawlers don’t have to look much further than the following games.

Caves Of Qud’s greatest strength is its richly-designed world, lovingly crafted with a careful balance of hand-made and procedural content. Exploring this world is made all the more rewarding through its various curiosities, quirky characters, and evocative writing. It may take a little time and a deal of frustration to learn how to play Caves Of Qud successfully, especially for newcomers to the genre, but once caught in its grip, this roguelike can be tremendously tranquil.

3 Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers

A Minimalist Deckbuilder With An Evocative Setting

Platform(s): PC
Released: August 8, 2024
Developer(s): Purple Moss Collectors
Genre: Roguelike Deckbuilder

Though its gameplay is somewhat repetitive, basing itself on the casino game, Blackjack, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers manages to do a lot with a little. While it may not offer as much variety and/or strategy as its distant cousin, Balatro, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is elevated by its immersive setting and overall sense of place.

Thanks to subtle but entirely competent art direction, the journey players make through the various pits of Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers’ tavern/casino is a consistently relaxing one; the charming soundtrack, crunchy old-school sound effects, and brilliant simplicity of the game itself make for an experience that’s strategic and yet undemanding.

2 Cobalt Core

Roguelike Deckbuilding With Cozy Pixel Art And A Charming Soundtrack

Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch
Released: November 8, 2023
Developer(s): Rocket Rat Games
Genre: Roguelike Deckbuilder

Cobalt Core is a roguelike deckbuilder that’s cozy to the first degree, charging players with the command of a spaceship and its rag-tag crew of three. The delightful pixel art, charming soundtrack, and quirky characters work together to build a world that’s wholesome and frequently relaxing to be in, even when the enemy is threatening to blast away the player’s ship.

This deckbuilder’s gameplay is no slouch, either, using the ship’s crew as an immersive conduit for the game’s card-based mechanics, with each character being represented by their own cards. There’s also a tactical twist, as players are able to maneuver their ship to bob and weave, avoiding enemy attacks while lining up their own cannons. Gameplay is also varied, offering players eight playable characters to build their crew out of.

1 Balatro

A Trance-Inducing Deckbuilder Brimming With Style

Strategy

Digital Card Game

Roguelike

Released: February 20, 2024
Developer(s): LocalThunk
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Channeling the atmosphere of a casino table and a slot machine in equal measure, Balatro is a roguelike deckbuilder that’s brimming with minimalist style. Its combination of crunchy pixel art, visual effects, and trance-inducing soundtrack provides an enchanting backdrop to the game’s addictive, strategic gameplay. This trance can be wholly relaxing, especially when a run is going well, as the gameplay, while strategic, requires minimal input.

The turn-based nature of Balatro also works in its favor as a relaxing piece of software, allowing players to think about every move they make for as long as they wish. As a game, Balatro succeeds with granular strategies and a careful balance of skill and luck, but its surprisingly immersive atmosphere and calming soundscape make for the perfect wind-down.