Defend the Rook
Great game, highly recommend trying it out. It might seem a little easy at first for this type of game where often you are meant to die a bunch and slowly become stronger with upgrades. You have 1-10 ascension levels, but the first 4 are super easy and then 7+ becomes pretty tough. I’m not super excited about how it scales at 7+ because it feels like artificial difficulty, everything starts to cost twice as much so you can’t upgrade everything. I would prefer the enemies becoming more challenging rather than having less upgrades.
– Real player with 68.9 hrs in game
Read More: Best Roguelite Tower Defense Games.
Neat roguelite strategy game. Beat it on the highest difficulty, enjoyed figuring it out. I had fun with it and recommend it, but I’ll list stuff that bothered me:
-Your core loadout before any towers/traps are your castle and three heroes (warrior/rogue/mage) by default. You unlock variants of these classes as you play. It quickly became apparent to me that the easiest way to win was “buff the ranged characters” and turtle in the corner with defensive buffs. It’d be nice if the upgrades supported different goals. I believe I had one playthrough where my warrior carried me, and it’s because he had full map range, so he was basically a third ranged character.
– Real player with 28.2 hrs in game
Guild of Ascension
Nice idea, but not enough meaningful content
I enjoyed my time playing this, but the repetitive nature and lack of content makes this a: ‘wait for a sale’ game.
The gameplay is similar to tactical turnbased games like “Into the Breach” or “Advance Wars.” But what makes this game unique is that you only have ten seconds to plan out your moves, and then you actually control the character for x amount of time either moving, attacking, charging your shields (called dodge in this game, but it’s really just like shields) or more typically, a combination of all three. There are also special attacks that can attack multiple enemies in a row, etc. You can use the environment on the map as well to trigger attacks, or push an enemy onto a spike floor. There are also synergies to be had, and there are a couple different ways you can plan your run.
– Real player with 24.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Roguelite Medieval Games.
Lots of fun, the mechanics between the two characters is challenging and allows you different play styles according to what weapons and boons you select. Higher level floors are challenging and fun. Enjoyed collecting different charms and animals even though i was only able to collect 2 before beating the game,
This game would be one of my top ten Rogue like if more areas and characters were added. The limitation of 2 characters really doesn’t allow for any replay value unless you need to collect and unlock everything, I am usually a person that like to collect everything and get all achievements but didn’t feel the need to replay the game after 16 hours to collect a few more animals, a few weapons, and one more achievement.
– Real player with 14.7 hrs in game
Golden Fall
It’s a fun little game for in-between.
Good level design with a few puzzles.
Combat and exploration is fast enough that it never gets boring.
– Real player with 4.0 hrs in game
Read More: Best Roguelite Dungeon Crawler Games.
This is such a delightful little game!
It reminded me of playing old tile-based games as a kid!
The charming characters, monsters, and art style is so cute.
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Tile-based roguelike game
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Charming graphics and characters
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Challenging!
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Different weapons and magic abilities
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Challenging (Will take you a few tries to beat)
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No real save systems - true to traditional roguelike games.
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Lack of character customisation or inventory checking.
I would definitely recommend this game if you want a short and charming roguelike adventure!
– Real player with 0.4 hrs in game
Grim Tranquility
EARTH IS DEAD. THE STARS AWAIT.
After centuries of environmental exploitation, the Earth is all but destroyed… its resources depleted… its climate uninhabitable. Humankind has used the last available resources to search for a home in a new world that may be harsher than even Earth was.
Grim Tranquility is a sci-fi-themed roguelite, tactics-based RPG where you explore alien worlds and battle vicious enemies in your quest to establish the first human settlement in space. Will humanity finally learn from their past mistakes or are they doomed to repeat the avoidable tragedies of their ancestors?
Key Features
Master The Alien Battlefield: Leap into battle utilizing proven tactical RPG mechanics to strategize movement, capture map objectives, and unleash special attacks on hostile alien enemies.
Fight The Power: Rebel against a corrupt empire and take out selfish leaders in high-stakes boss fights - or replace them.
Build Your Own Team: Every run choose a team from 3 original classes.
Gain Political Benefits: Secure valuable buff effects for your party by bribing alien officials - or just take them by force in the roguelite cycle.
Experience A Different Battle Every Time: Procedurally generated levels deliver a different tactical challenge in every playthrough.
Take on Side Quests: Even heroes need side gigs! Take on Moonlight Missions to earn money, weapons, and to learn more about the people who need your help.
Enjoy Heroic Voices: Feel the diverse characters come to life through renowned vocal talents including Steve Blum (Shazam!, Mortal Kombat series), Ray Chase (Final Fantasy XIV, Evangelion, Nier: Automata), Misty Lee (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Just Cause 4), Darin De Paul (Mortal Kombat Legend: Scorpion’s Revenge, The Outer Worlds), and Alexandra Gray (Empire, Transparent).
Yaengard
Yaengard is a challenging turn-based roguelike RPG, inspired by classic TTRPG’s such as Dungeons & Dragons. In a blend of tactical party-based combat, narrative dialogue, impactful decisions, character personalities, and endless ability-build combinations, you must embark on a journey towards Yaengard; a challenging journey, where every small decision can change everything.
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+150 abilities, +20 classes & endless perks to find.
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Build personalities – gain powers & skills.
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Tactical combat with synergies & combos.
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Narrative, Story & Worldbuilding
Core Features
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The Trait System - Your decisions change who you are – unlocking new powers. Make noble decisions and you’ll embody nobility in how you fight, what you can do, and where you will go.
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Design your own style, and prove it unstoppable! With +20 unique classes to build there are countless combinations of personality traits, perks, and rarities you’ll encounter in your adventure.
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Over +150 unique abilities from a wide range of weapons and equipment. Find rare abilities, figure out how to use them, and discover new doors to victory!
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Follow the story of the fall of the Aatanic empire and the unlikely rise of adventurers, with a rich world to discover, colorful characters to meet, and difficult choices to make.
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Select your own way to Yaengard; will you take fatal risks, or will you walk the safe but slow way around, and face the consequences? Your strategy will be everything.
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Endless replayability - Find and combine new powers as you play, making each playthrough unique with a procedurally generated journey.
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Classic Tabletop RPG-style gameplay with travel, encounters, and dialogue choices with real rewards and consequences.
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Unique large-grid combat system - Challenging RPG combat without the clunkiness of classic grids or the impreciseness of gridless combat. Be creative, tactical, and most of all - ruthless.
Build your characters in the adventuring party, both in their abilities and in the personalities their choices give them. Combine weapons, abilities, personality traits, and much more into unique builds, pushing the limits with countless combinations. Explore synergies, powers, and the choices you are given into something the citizens of the Aatanic empire would never in a thousand years have dreamed of.
Heroes of Steel RPG
All I can say is, “Wow”! What a great game! This is a must-have if you like these types of games. Heroes of Steel puts the Tactical in tactical turn-based RPGs. With constant developer support and responsiveness, bugs are non-existent and the gameplay experience keeps getting better and better with more content and constant user-suggested improvements. Refreshing to say the least.
As for the gameplay….outstanding. I love these types of old school games. Graphics and soundwise, that’s what this feels like. Almost nostalgic. However, don’t let that fool you, this game is very current and plenty sophisticated in its combat-oriented content. You truly are the difference in winning and losing battles. Your positioning, movement, order of attack, buffs, de-buffs, spells, etc…make all the difference in almost every battle. If you get careless, you get hurt. If you pay attention, you can still get hurt but you should be able to implement a strategy to win and advance and it’s very satisfying.
– Real player with 2565.1 hrs in game
Picked up Heroes of Steel during Xmas sale when it was going for 60% off (that’s cheaper than the cost of a movie here and hundreds more hours of entertaining tactical fun) and have had a blast with it so far. Came into this game blind, after seeing that a friend had played it quite a bit during the holiday season and will have to say that it is one of the most memorable turn based experiences I’ve had. So here’s a fervent thank you from me to the developers for making a very engaging turn based tactics game with good depth and options!
– Real player with 500.3 hrs in game
Magi
This is an old and fun game that used to be sold by the standalone developer. It’s a shame strategies are not still posted, for it can really be challenging to win. Music soundtrack is pretty iconic… I don’t think the developer supports it anymore but if you’re into magic duels then you’ve probably spent worse money than this.
– Real player with 8.5 hrs in game
It’s “TUG-OF-WAR” with fireballs and techno-liches.
Other games come to mind, like
“Aeon Command” (space battles)
“Samurai vs Zombies Defense” (goofy samurai warfare)
and
“Puzzle Chronicles” (the illegitimate child of Tetris and Mortal Kombat)
These game elements are constant:
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try to hold the line
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manage your defences
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beef-up your attacks
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spam your enemies to death
In Magi, you start by opening magical “channels.” These channels enable your spells and strengthen them. Then, it’s a real-time battle as you queue-up spells for casting. It’s like the building queue in Starcraft or Civ… only it’s your shield spell, or a magic missile, or summoning an imp. As your mage is casting one spell, you have time to set up the next. And the next. You can plan a bit… or panic. Apparently, I’m still fond of panicking.
– Real player with 7.4 hrs in game
Moonfall
With a story reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic Banner Saga, Moonfall’s deceptively simple mechanics make for a fun, evolving challenge. Unfortunately, my kids have hijacked this game from me. They love it, and they don’t give me a turn. Their reviews are below:
Thing 1 - I like how you can craft stuff to help you on the rough terrains.
Thing 2- I like the challenge but if you do like 20 levels and your whole party dies you have to start all over.
– Real player with 24.3 hrs in game
Moonfall is a really great indie game, with a simple yet very interesting mechanic. Each turn you can move only one of your companion. To win you will have to optimize their placement and anticipate every action. There are 6 different character types, allowing for variation in play style. During the night you are able to craft items, scoot the surroundings and heal yourself. The game might be tricky near the end but is never frustrating.
My only complaint concern the achievements which doesn’t seem to count toward the “Avg. Game Completion Rate”. But that shouldn’t discourage you to buy the game, especially at that cost.
– Real player with 10.8 hrs in game
REM Cycles
Fun game with awesome sound track
– Real player with 9.5 hrs in game
This game has so much character! The action feels quick and intuitive and the music is soo cool. I’m excited to try all the characters I haven’t gotten to yet, so far exploding cats is a personal favorite
– Real player with 5.9 hrs in game
The Dragoness: Command of the Flame
A HOMM-inspired adventure with a roguelite twist. Embarking on an epic quest across the Draithir Peninsula – a land ravaged by warring factions of Dragons – you take the role of a Commander, recruited by The Dragoness, in her bid to conquer and bring peace to the world.
Finding yourself in the ruined capital of Níwenborh it’s down to you to rebuild this once-great city. Only by recruiting a powerful beast army and managing your resources will you be able to prepare yourself for the dangers that lie ahead - where only keen strategic thinking and tactical skill will see you emerge victorious.
In a classic combat system great strength is nothing without good tactics. Enter challenging, turn-based, HOMM inspired battles. As you lead your allied creatures to victory use what you’ve learned about your enemies’ attacks to do your best to minimize your losses. As your beast army grows in numbers, experiment with unit types and skill synergies to find a playstyle that suits your strategic thinking – and forges the best path to success.
Your defeats will only fuel your willpower. Embark on roguelite adventures during which you will explore the ever-changing Draithir Peninsula in search of vital resources, new, powerful creatures to add to your army, ancient artifacts that enhance your power, and enemies to crush. Each journey means unlocking new beasts, skills and base upgrades. Don’t despair over your downfalls, as each time you will only rise up stronger, choosing your own path in an RPG hero progression system.
Your battle skills alone might not be enough to save the world from succumbing to darkness. Prove your worth as The Dragoness’ Commander, by guiding your city and army to splendour. Gather resources, care for your monsters, manage the development of your base and decide on the direction of your progress. In this world, your choices are everything: pick the paths to explore and beasts to collect; choose which fights are worth the effort and which should be avoided for now. Don’t give up hope – for every defeat will make you more powerful than ever!
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Immerse yourself in HOMM-like exploration and combat.
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Embark on roguelite adventures, growing stronger with each defeat.
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Take on the role of the Commander and develop her powers and skills.
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Recruit a formidable army of beasts to do your bidding on the battlefield.
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Fight battles that will challenge your strategic thinking.
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Choose from a huge range of abilities and artefacts - experimenting with powerful skill synergies.
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Gather resources to manage and develop the Capital City of Níwenborh.
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At The Dragoness’ behest – put down a rebellion and regain control of the kingdom against a demonic dragon adversary.