In my last article, I talked about some of the most promising indie and AA shooters coming out in 2020. Today, I’ll be focusing on some of the rogue-style games coming this year.
Be it a traditional turn-based roguelike, a procedurally generated action game with roguelite elements, or a deckbuilding game with permadeath, hopefully you’ll find a few games that catch your attention in today’s list.
Here are 16 roguelites and roguelikes coming out in 2020:
Conan Chop Chop
Publisher: Funcom
Developer: Mighty Kingdom
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Originally believed to be an April Fools’ joke, Conan Chop Chop is a colorful action-adventure with roguelite elements set in the world of Hyboria. Go alone, or team up with three friends, as you take on Thoth-Amon and his legions of undead as characters from the Conan universe.
Conan Chop Chop will be releasing on February 25th, 2020.
Neon Abyss
Publisher: Team17 Digital
Developer: Veewo Games
Platforms: Windows PC (Consoles TBA)
Neon Abyss is a 2D action-platformer with roguelite elements and lots of absurd guns and items. As a member of Grim Squad, you have been tasked by Hades with infiltrating the Abyss and taking down the New Gods. If your arsenal of guns and items isn’t enough, you can also find pets that grow and evolve as they fight alongside you.
Neon Abyss doesn’t currently have a release date.
ScourgeBringer
Publisher: Dear Villagers
Developers: Flying Oak Games, E-Studio
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
ScourgeBringer is a fast and free-moving roguelite platformer with Metroidvania elements. Guide Kyhra through an ever-changing dungeon guarded by machines from an age long past. Unlock new skills to gain access to more moves, attacks, and weapons that will help you face the dungeon’s deathtraps and mechanical guardians.
ScourgeBringer doesn’t currently have a release date.
Dreamscaper
Publisher: Maple Whispering Limited
Developer: Afterburner Studios
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
Dreamscaper is a roguelite action-RPG about literally fighting your nightmares. Dive into Cassidy’s surreal dream world to defeat the demons in her subconscious, and finally bring her peace. Forge relationships and purchase skills while awake, then fight through ever-shifting dungeons while Cassidy sleeps.
Dreamscaper is targeting an early 2020 release date.
One Step From Eden
Publishers: Humble Bundle, Maple Whispering Limited
Developer: Thomas Moon Kang
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch
One Step From Eden is a blend of deckbuilding roguelite and action-RPG inspired by the Mega Man Battle Network series. Fight your way towards Eden, a shining beacon of hope in a bleak future. The game features branching paths and multiple endings depending on who you spare and who you execute.
One Step From Eden is targeting an early 2020 release.
Book of Demons: HELLCARD
Developer: Thing Trunk
Platform: Windows PC
Another deckbuilding roguelite coming this year is Book of Demons: HELLCARD. Set in the same papercraft universe as Book of Demons, HELLCARD allows players to team up and fight their way through the Archdemon’s hordes by building a deck and collection of ancient artifacts.
Book of Demons: HELLCARD launches Q4 2020.
A Long Way Down
Publishers: Maple Whispering Limited, Goblinz Studio
Developer: Seenapsis Studio
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch
Continuing our theme of card-based games, A Long Way Down is a deckbuilding roguelite RPG set in a dark and twisted world. Gather a party, build your deck, and traverse a procedurally generated maze full of deathtraps and monsters to defeat an evil mastermind.
A Long Way Down has just launched on Steam Early Access, and is coming soon to Nintendo Switch.
Gordian Quest
Developers: Mixed Realms, Swag Soft Holdings
Platform: Windows PC
Gordian Quest is a party-based deckbuilding roguelite RPG set in a desolate fantasy world. Lead your band of adventurers on a quest to defeat the evil corrupting the world, and restore order. The game’s card-based combat also features a tactical positioning system.
Gordian Quest is set to release on March 27th, 2020.
Griftlands
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Platform: Windows PC
Rounding out the card RPG segment of this list is Griftlands, the next game from Klei Entertainment. This deckbuilding roguelite tasks players with surviving in a broken down sci-fi world by taking on odd jobs, negotiating with factions, and fighting enemies in turn-based, card-driven combat.
Griftlands launches June 2020.
Curious Expedition 2
Publisher: Thunderful Publishing
Developer: Maschinen-Mensch
Platform: Windows PC
Curious Expedition 2 is the follow-up to the beloved adventure roguelite from 2016. Players will once again have a chance to join the Explorer Club and launch expeditions deep into uncharted territory during the 19th Century.
Curious Expedition 2 doesn’t currently have a release date.
Star Renegades
Publisher: Raw Fury
Developer: Massive Damage
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Star Renegades is the next game from the developers of Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander. This roguelite RPG puts players in control of a ragtag band of rebels trying to defeat a tyrannical intergalactic empire. The game is set across multiple generations, where your rebels will form bonds and give birth to children that will carry on the revolution.
Star Renegades doesn’t currently have a release date.
Stoneshard
Publisher: HypeTrain Digital
Developer: Ink Stains Games
Platform: Windows PC
Stoneshard is a turn-based roguelike RPG set in the grim world of Aldor. Explore the kingdom, take on contracts and quests, delve into dungeons in search of lost treasures, and fight hordes of monsters. The game boasts an in-depth injury system, and unrestricted character development that allows you to dabble in a wide range of skills.
Stoneshard launches February 6th, 2020.
The Last Spell
Developer: CCCP
Platforms: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
The Last Spell is a turn-based tactical roguelite where players are tasked with defending the last bastion of humanity from waves of demons. Each day, players will manage their party of hardened defenders, and reinforce their defenses in preparation for nightly sieges by otherworldly monsters. Hold out long enough for a group of mages to cast The Last Spell, and banish the monsters from the world.
The Last Spell doesn’t currently have a release date.
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy
Publisher: Big Sugar
Developer: Ludomotion
Platforms: Windows PC, consoles to be announced
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy is the follow-up to a rather obscure, but highly acclaimed, roguelite action-RPG from 2017. The sequel is significantly more ambitious, and gives you an entire continent to explore, on your quest to destroy the Staff of Yendor.
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s Legacy doesn’t currently have a release date.
Dead Age 2
Publisher: Headup
Developer: Silent Dreams
Platform: Windows PC
Another cult hit getting a sequel soon is Dead Age 2. Ensure your small band of survivors can thrive during the zombie apocalypse by managing your base, sending out scavenging parties, and forming alliances with other factions throughout the world.
Dead Age 2 launches early 2020.
Popup Dungeon
Publisher: Humble Bundle
Developer: Triple.B. Titles
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac
Finally, we come to Popup Dungeon, a sandbox roguelite RPG set in a papercraft world. The game focuses on giving players immense freedom in crafting their own adventures, and gamifies the concept of modding with its robust in-game editors and creation tools.
Popup Dungeon doesn’t currently have a release date.
That’s all for our article about some of the games with roguelite elements releasing this year. The next article will be the final one in the series, and will focus on a large collection of other games across multiple genres that didn’t make it to previous articles.
Until then, which games on this list caught your attention? Which other games are you excited about this year? Tell us more in the comments below!
