Best Roguelikes With Unique Progression Systems

Roguelikes are one of the most popular genres in all of gaming, and it isn’t hard to see why. Endless loops and runs that can be played for 100s of hours, customization in builds and other options, and a gameplay-first approach that is far more interested in delivering immersive and innovative gameplay than an overbearing story.

The genre has evolved a good amount over the years, from the early days where simplicity was king, to now, where the amount of freedom offered is virtually endless. One of the most enjoyable parts about the genre is finishing a run or even failing, but still having some level of progression to keep things moving forward. And there are so many games that take this idea and run away with it, delivering something unique that keeps players coming back for more.

8

Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap

Stronger Traps And More Wacky Combinations

Deathtrap takes everything that made the previous OMD games so great and brings in the roguelike formula that allows players to grow stronger and amp up their Orc-killing capabilities, both for solo and in cooperative games. The gameplay loop revolves around choosing a map and setting up an elaborate chain of defenses, with each subsequent wave offering new upgrades to both traps, characters, and even the Orcs.

When a map is completed, players get the chance to gamble forward with the currency they earned, or exit out and spend it to permanently boost the power of most of the game’s core system. And when it comes to actually jumping back in and attempting to go for a longer run, the augments and buffs that come with every wave keep things feeling fresh and really reward players who are willing to risk it all.

7

Wall World

Dig Deeper And Higher With Every Run

Wall World is a charming roguelike that takes the mining defense concept seen in other titles and adds a progression loop that allows players to feel as though they are always moving forward. The game takes place on a vertical plane, where players can control a spider-like robot in order to mine for precious resources and fight off the incoming monsters from all sides.

When players first start out, they will have virtually nothing to help them get through the waves, but by searching thoroughly through the mines, they can unlock new attachments like a shield or a mining boost to help them push further into the earth. The game demands that players dig deep and allows them the freedom to go as high or low as they wish, even if it means meeting some horrifying creatures along the way.

6

Inscryption

Genre Blending That Keeps Getting Better

Inscryption is a genre-defying roguelike deckbuilder that mixes psychological horror, escape-room puzzles, and card-based strategy into a single unforgettable experience. What begins as a seemingly standard card game in a creepy log cabin slowly unravels into something far more layered, with an expansive narrative that twists and evolves gameplay, keeping players guessing at every turn.

Its progression system is where it truly shines. Each run rewards the player with not just new cards or upgrades, but deeper knowledge of the game’s strange world. As players fail and try again, they gain access to new mechanics, story revelations, and even entirely new game formats. This constant evolution makes every run feel impactful, and even failure is rewarded with intrigue or a shift in how the game operates.

5

Cult Of The Lamb

Progression Through Rewarding Base Building

Cult of the Lamb is a darkly adorable roguelike that blends dungeon crawling with cult management, offering one of the most unique progression systems in the genre. Players take on the role of a possessed lamb resurrected by an ominous deity, tasked with building a loyal cult while venturing into randomly generated dungeons to gather resources and defeat rival cult leaders.

What makes the progression so compelling is how the two gameplay loops feed into each other. Success in combat grants materials and followers, which in turn fuel the expansion of the cult. Players aren’t just progressing for themselves, but they’re growing a community and managing a growing loyalty that provides a satisfying feedback loop that continues to expand in line with the cult itself.

4

Returnal

Every Death A Step Closer To The Truth

Roguelikes and shooters have been crossing over for quite some time, but no game has perfected the formula quite like Returnal. Crash-landing on an alien planet, players are thrust into an unknown world and forced to shoot their way through the increasingly aggressive lifeforms that inhabit the planet, all in search of clues and answers surrounding why they are being resurrected.

The game is self-aware of its own repeating loop, and with every death, players unlock new insights and discover more about the world. Upon completing a biome boss, they are given the option to either farm up in the cleared area or skip straight to the next section, meaning that every triumph moves the game forward in an intuitive way.

3

Blue Prince

An Escape Room That Has No End

Blue Prince is a mysterious roguelike that stands out through its narrative-driven, room-building mechanics that step away from combat and focus more on intricate puzzles and peculiar environments. Rather than charging through action-packed dungeons, players navigate a bizarre, shifting manor one room at a time, carefully choosing where to go next, often with no clear idea of what lies ahead.

Its progression system is unlike any other, as instead of unlocking traditional power-ups or skills, players piece together a mental and physical map of the manor through experimentation, memory, and observation. Success relies on learning how the structure behaves, uncovering secrets, and predicting outcomes through experience.

2

Rogue Legacy 2

Every Death Another Name In The Lineage

Rogue Legacy 2 is one of the best examples of a roguelike that takes the concept and integrates it perfectly into the gameplay. Like any other game in the genre, upon dying, players are given the opportunity to try again, but in this case, they choose from a new heir to carry on the bloodline, each with their own class types and weaponry.

After dying, players are also able to spend the currency earned on upgrades that take the form of a branching castle, with certain tiers having prerequisites or specific boosts to certain class types. It’s a game all about trying again and learning how the world works, and there is no better feeling than taking that one run all the way through to the boss and coming out alive.

1

Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth

Deeper Into The Basement Every Time

Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is one of the most distinctive and remarkable games out there, let alone in the roguelike genre. Taking on the role of a crying child escaping from his murderous mother, players dive into a labyrinthine basement that has seemingly no end, collecting tear upgrades and fighting off anything from pieces of meat to giant pieces of poop.

After successfully beating the game, players are then given the opportunity to keep the story going deeper with even more bosses and endings to tackle. Even if players die, they can still unlock plenty of new items and characters to add into the mix, changing how certain combinations work and how players make decisions on item pickups. The floors just keep going, and players progress through continued success and specific unlock requirements, incentivizing the desire to explore further whilst not punishing them too hard for failing to do so.