Best Roguelikes and Roguelites on PC and Mobile (2026)
Quick answer: If you want the best overall run, pick Hades II for sharp action and steady story progress. For phones, Balatro is the standout choice with a full premium release that costs $9.99 with no ads. If you want something free or cheap, Vampire Survivors costs nothing on mobile and only $4.99 on PC, offering pure survival action that works with one hand.
Our picks at a glance:
- Best overall: Hades II
- Best on mobile: Balatro
- Best deckbuilder to start with: Slay the Spire
- Best early access roguelike: Slay the Spire 2
- Best free on mobile (and best survivors-like): Vampire Survivors
- Best platformer roguelite: Dead Cells
- Best traditional roguelike: Caves of Qud
- Best new roguelike of 2026: Mewgenics
Your Steam backlog is full and your free time is short. Roguelikes fit neatly into real life because you can run through a dungeon in half an hour and walk away. But sorting out which titles are worth starting takes work, especially when the genre label gets slapped on card games, action platformers, and ASCII classics alike.
Technically, the name comes from Rogue in 1980. Traditional roguelikes follow the Berlin Interpretation: grid movement, turn-based combat, and permanent death where only player knowledge carries over. Most current favorites are actually roguelites. They keep random levels and run-ending deaths, but add persistent unlocks like Hades Arcana cards or gold upgrades in Vampire Survivors that make your next attempt a little easier.
To build this guide, we cross-checked Metacritic and OpenCritic scores, combed through thousands of Steam user reviews, and checked store listings across PC and mobile. We confirmed current list prices, verified Steam Deck compatibility ratings, and made sure every mobile recommendation is a proper release rather than a compromised port stuffed with aggressive microtransactions.
| Game | Best for | Platforms | Steam reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hades II | Polished action with story after death | PC, Mac | 96% | $29.99 |
| Balatro | Addictive card tactics on a phone | PC, Mac, iOS, Android | 98% | $9.99 |
| Slay the Spire | The standard-setting roguelike deckbuilder | PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | 97% | $9.99 |
| Slay the Spire 2 | Fresh mechanics for experienced deckbuilders | PC, Mac, Linux | 61% (92% English) | $24.99 |
| Vampire Survivors | Free one-handed survival for quick breaks | PC, Mac, iOS, Android | 98% | Free on mobile |
| Dead Cells | Fast combat platforming with controller support | PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android | 97% | $8.99 |
| Caves of Qud | Deep systemic simulation for patient thinkers | PC, Mac, Linux | 95% | $29.99 |
| Mewgenics | Massive tactical campaigns and genetic breeding | PC | 90% | $29.99 |
1. Hades II: Best overall
- Developer: Supergiant Games
- Released: 2025
- Metacritic: 94
- Steam: 96% positive (123,449 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
- Length: about 21 hours to credits
Supergiant Games sends you battling through two branching paths: diving deep into the Underworld or climbing upward toward Olympus. Every strike can be charged into an Omega version with your Magick pool, while Selene grants game-altering Hexes and your Cast traps crowds in place. Critics pushed it to a 94 on OpenCritic, and Steam players followed with a 96% positive rating across more than 123,000 reviews.
Anyone who loved the first game will appreciate the deeper combat and regular dialogue that unfolds between deaths. TheGamer cited HowLongToBeat estimates of roughly 21 hours to reach the credits, though 35 to 40 hours is common for most players. It lists for $29.99 on PC, runs as Steam Deck Verified, and is playable on Switch. Note that there is no mobile version anywhere after Netflix dropped the original game.
What works
- Metacritic 94 on PC with 96% positive Steam reviews
- Two complete progression paths keep every attempt distinct
- Story and dialogue expand after every single defeat
What doesn't
- No mobile port exists on iOS or Android
- Demanding combat requires dozens of attempts to finish
Video review: Hades 2 Review by IGN
2. Balatro: Best on mobile
- Developer: LocalThunk
- Released: 2024
- Metacritic: 90
- Steam: 98% positive (198,803 reviews)
- App Store: 5.0/5
- Steam Deck: Verified
LocalThunk turns basic poker hands into high-stakes score attacks where you match chips and multipliers against rising blind requirements. The real engine is a collection of roughly 150 Jokers that twist core rules, transforming small pairs into table-clearing monster hands. With an OpenCritic score of 92 and a 98% positive Steam rating, it claimed Game of the Year honors at the 2025 Game Developers Choice Awards.
Commuters and couch players will find the mobile edition hard to beat. Playstack sells it on iOS and Android for $9.99 with zero microtransactions or ads, and Apple Arcade subscribers get Balatro+ included. Touch controls match the original mouse layout cleanly, though the screen stays locked to landscape orientation. If you play on PC, it costs $14.99 and is fully Steam Deck Verified.
What works
- Flawless touch controls and zero mobile microtransactions
- Deep Joker synergies create wild scoring runs
- Steam Deck Verified and instant to boot
What doesn't
- Locks strictly into landscape mode on phones
- Pure math and cards with almost no story
Video review: Balatro Review, A Poker Roguelike We Can't Put Down by Game Informer
3. Slay the Spire: Best deckbuilder to start with
- Developer: Mega Crit
- Released: 2019
- Metacritic: 89
- Steam: 97% positive (218,647 reviews)
- App Store: 4.3/5
- Steam Deck: Verified
Mega Crit set the template for modern deckbuilders by showing you every enemy move in advance so each turn works like a solvable tactical puzzle. You draft single cards, pick routes across a branching map, and collect game-changing relics across four distinct characters. It holds an 89 on Metacritic and a 97% positive Steam rating from over 218,000 player reviews, serving as the genre benchmark.
Card players who want hundreds of hours of tactical depth will love climbing the 20 Ascension difficulty levels. It runs for $24.99 on PC, while the $9.99 phone release has no microtransactions. Reviewers at CBR and user reviews on the App Store point out that card text can appear tiny on regular phone screens, so a tablet or Steam Deck offers a much cleaner experience.
What works
- Transparent enemy intent makes combat purely tactical
- Four deep characters provide exceptional replay value
- Finished game with 20 Ascension difficulty tiers
What doesn't
- Card text is noticeably small on phone screens
- Visuals and animations look simple compared to newer peers
Video review: Slay the Spire Review by IGN
4. Slay the Spire 2: Best early access roguelike
- Developer: Mega Crit
- Steam: 92% positive in English, 61% across all languages (201,643 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
Mega Crit took the core route-climbing loop and expanded it with two fresh classes, four-player co-op, and alternate acts that rotate new enemy encounters. The Necrobinder fights alongside a skeletal hand named Osty, while the Regent channels a star resource to power up spells. It sold more than 3 million copies in its opening week when Early Access launched on March 5, 2026.
Early adopters should know the overall Steam rating sits at Mixed with 61% positive reviews due to heavy review-bombing in Simplified Chinese. English-language reviews remain 92% positive. Kotaku reported the backlash stemmed from Act 3 boss changes and balance patches targeting save-and-reload strategies. It costs $24.99 on PC and is Steam Deck Verified, but there is no mobile or console version yet.
What works
- New Necrobinder and Regent classes feel distinct
- Four-player co-op opens up group play
- English reviews sit at 92% positive
What doesn't
- Early access balance shifts regularly between patches
- Only available on PC with no mobile port
Video review: Slay the Spire 2 Early Access Review by IGN
5. Vampire Survivors: Best free on mobile (and best survivors-like)
- Developer: poncle
- Released: 2022
- Metacritic: 86
- Steam: 98% positive (265,885 reviews)
- App Store: 4.6/5
- Steam Deck: Verified
Poncle stripped top-down combat down to pure positioning: your character walks while weapons fire on automatic timers, mowing through thousands of closing monsters. Each run lasts about 30 minutes as you level up weapons, evolve passives, and turn the display into a wall of neon attacks. It holds a 98% positive rating across 265,000 Steam reviews and took Best Game at the 2023 BAFTA Games Awards.
Anyone who wants quick thrills during a daily commute can pick this up immediately. The full base game is completely free on iOS and Android, using only optional ads for revives or gold bonuses, plus portrait mode for one-handed play. The PC edition is a modest $4.99 and runs as Steam Deck Verified, with online co-op supported since late 2025.
What works
- Free on mobile without forced ads
- One-thumb portrait play fits mobile commutes
- Steam version is only $4.99 and Deck Verified
What doesn't
- Screen clutter gets chaotic in late-game stages
- Lacks deep mechanical execution once unlocks finish
Video review: Vampire Survivors Review by PC Gamer
6. Dead Cells: Best platformer roguelite
- Developer: Motion Twin
- Released: 2018
- Metacritic: 89
- Steam: 97% positive (183,625 reviews)
- App Store: 4.8/5
- Steam Deck: Verified
Motion Twin blends side-scrolling platforming with snappy melee strikes, dodges, and branching paths unlocked by permanent runes. Every run pushes you through procedural biomes, testing your reflexes against tough bosses while collecting cells to unlock new weapons. The PC version boasts an 89 Metacritic rating and a 97% positive Steam score from over 183,000 players.
Action fans who want razor-sharp arcade challenges will find plenty of life across its five Boss Cell difficulties. Playdigious handles the mobile edition, which sells for a list price of $8.99 on iOS and Android with full physical controller support and custom touch controls. It lists for $24.99 on PC, is Steam Deck Verified, and Apple Arcade subscribers can access everything through Dead Cells+.
What works
- Exceptional 2D combat feel with responsive controls
- Playdigious mobile port includes full controller support
- Huge weapon variety and five difficulty tiers
What doesn't
- Twitch platforming feels clumsy on basic touchscreens
- Core game development stopped after Update 35
Video review: Dead Cells Review (v2) by IGN
7. Caves of Qud: Best traditional roguelike
- Developer: Freehold Games
- Released: 2024
- Metacritic: 91
- Steam: 95% positive (12,666 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
Freehold Games drops you into a sprawling science-fantasy world where you explore ruins as either an unstable mutant or a cybernetically enhanced True Kin human. The game honors traditional Berlin Interpretation rules with turn-based grid steps, resource scarcity, and procedural factions with their own dynamic histories. PC Gamer awarded it a 94%, Eurogamer gave it a full 5/5, and it won the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Game.
Patient players who love dense simulation and world lore will get the most out of this massive world. Steam users rate it 95% positive, and modern updates have added controller navigation, tutorials, and non-permadeath modes like Roleplay and Wander. It costs $29.99 on Steam where it is Deck Verified, also selling on Switch, but there is no mobile version available.
What works
- Hugo Award-winning narrative and procedural history
- Deep simulation systems reward clever tactical thinking
- Steam Deck Verified with modernized interface
What doesn't
- Dense menus and tile visuals demand patience
- Strict permadeath wipes characters on mistake
8. Mewgenics: Best new roguelike of 2026
- Developer: Edmund McMillen, Tyler Glaiel
- Released: 2026
- Metacritic: 88
- Steam: 90% positive (54,118 reviews)
- Steam Deck: Verified
Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel deliver a tactical roguelite where you direct squads of four distinct cats across hazard-filled grid arenas. Back at your home base, you breed the survivors to pass genetic traits, physical mutations, and inherited stats down to future generations. Critics awarded it an 89 on OpenCritic, while Steam players pushed it to a 90% positive rating across 54,000 reviews.
Strategy fans who enjoy deep character progression will find a massive campaign here, with early reviews noting people had barely seen a third of the content after 60 hours. It sells for $29.99 on PC and runs as Steam Deck Verified, though console versions run for $39.99. Note that it is Windows only on PC and features vulgar humor that not everyone will appreciate.
What works
- Addictive breeding loop passes mutations across runs
- Over 100 hours of tactical combat content
- Steam Deck Verified performance right out of the box
What doesn't
- Crude gross-out humor will turn off some players
- Heavy breeding randomness can derail good runs
Video review: Mewgenics Review by IGN
The gear we'd play these on
While touchscreens work for cards, action roguelites feel far better with physical inputs. Adding a clip-on phone controller, pairing a wireless gamepad, or moving over to a dedicated handheld PC gives you the exact precision required for higher difficulties. Our full breakdown is in the best handheld gaming PCs and mobile controllers of 2026.
Backbone One (2nd Gen, USB-C)
A light, pocketable cradle that turns your iPhone or Android phone into an instant handheld console. $79.99 at Best Buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a roguelike and a roguelite?
A traditional roguelike follows the 1980 Rogue formula: turn-based, grid-based, randomly generated, with permanent death and no carryover between attempts. Roguelites keep random levels and death restarts, but introduce real-time combat, cards, or platforming. Crucially, roguelites feature meta-progression, giving you permanent upgrades that make future attempts easier. Storefronts generally use the two terms interchangeably.
Is Hades a roguelike or a roguelite?
Hades and Hades II are roguelites under the strict Berlin Interpretation. They use real-time action instead of turn-based grids, and you retain resources, story progression, and permanent upgrades after dying. Supergiant Games and digital storefronts still market them under the broader roguelike label, which is how most modern players use the word.
What is the best roguelike for beginners?
Hades II is the friendliest entry point because its narrative moves forward with every death, while permanent Arcana card upgrades and God Mode help balance out the difficulty. Slay the Spire is great if you prefer turn-based card play where enemy moves are fully visible. For phones, Vampire Survivors is free and requires only one thumb.
Is Slay the Spire 2 out yet?
Slay the Spire 2 entered Steam Early Access on March 5, 2026 for PC, Mac, and Linux at $24.99, selling over 3 million copies in its first week. Version 1.0 has not been released or dated yet, and there are no mobile or console editions. The original game remains available on PC, consoles, iOS, and Android.
What are the best roguelikes on iPhone and Android?
Balatro is the top mobile pick at $9.99 with no ads or microtransactions. Vampire Survivors is completely free on mobile, while Dead Cells and Slay the Spire offer complete PC ports. Android players can also get Shattered Pixel Dungeon for free. Apple Arcade subscribers can access the Plus editions of all four major paid titles.
The bottom line
If you want the top action experience with continuous storytelling, grab Hades II on PC or console. For pure card strategy on your phone without annoying timers or ads, download Balatro. When you want a quick survival run that costs nothing on iOS or Android, Vampire Survivors delivers instant entertainment right out of your pocket.
Scores, prices, and review counts were checked on September 20, 2026 and will drift. Store links go straight to the official listing.
This post contains affiliate links in the gear section: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Links to Steam, itch.io, the App Store, and Google Play are not affiliate links.