Summary
Theroguelitegenre takes heavy inspiration from roguelikes but strips away some of the more classic elements that make them so much likeRogue. Roguelites tend to do this by adding in some form of meta-progression that allows players to progress between runs, or, more often than not, by removing turn-based combat.
Most of these games feature real-time gameplay that makes them ideal for online co-op, though others use turn-based combat to great effect. Together, these games should provide a variety of solid cooperative experiences that make dying repeatedly a little less lonely.
Updated June 23, 2025 by Harry Ted Sprinks:Roguelikes and roguelites have become increasingly popular with mainstream audiences. However, disputed the semantics may sometimes be, the upside to this surge of the genre’s popularity has resulted in a bounty of well-crafted roguelite titles.
Games such asRavenswatchare pushing the boundaries of the action roguelite/roguelike, while the quirkier indie games likeRogue Star RescueandBravery And Greedcreatively combine the roguelite formula with other genres.
1Ship Of Fools
Steam User Rating: 80%
This cooperative roguelite adventure tasks players withsailing across the open seaand defending their ship from a variety of monsters.Ship Of Foolsis best played with a friend, as the game is built for cooperative play.
Ship Of Foolsis an extremely stylish game, with a fun and distinctive art style, and its unique seafaring theme also helps it to stand out among the crowd. Although its action-roguelite gameplay is fairly standard,Ship Of Foolsis elevated by its co-op gameplay.
This turn-based, deck-building roguelite has players taking turns playing through hands of cards in parties of up to four players. The game features a hand-drawn aesthetic that utilizes simplistic animations, but the overall visual style is more than palatable.
Across The Obeliskmakes turn-based combat collaborative by allowing players to see each other’s hands while playing, encouraging players to discuss and strategize together. However, each player controls their character throughout the game. It’s an unusually social twist on the format and one that works very well. Each player’s decisions are of equal importance, and each must take into account the others' cards.
3Bravery And Greed
Steam User Rating: 77%
This side-scrolling hack-and-slash beat ‘em upfeatures crunchy pixel artand online/local co-op with up to four players.Bravery And Greedfeatures four unique classes, several bosses, and options for both PvE and PvP.
Bravery And Greedis a decidedly old-school game, from its hack-and-slash combat and classic fantasy classes to the addition of couch co-op and multiple game modes. While there may be more refined co-op experiences on Steam,Bravery And Greedis a great choice for fans of old-school action.
4Rogue Star Rescue
Steam User Rating: 93%
This unique combination of bullet-hell action and tower defense strategy makes for a truly distinctive roguelite experience. Furthermore,Rogue Star Rescueallows players to play in both online and local co-op with up to four players.
Rogue Star Rescueis packed with charm, from its quirky characters and dialogue to its pixel art visuals and colorful enemy designs. A light story, multiple characters to play, and an abundance of guns and items makeRogue Star Rescuea cooperative roguelite with plenty of replay value.
5Ravenswatch
Steam User Rating: 79%
This top-down, hack-and-slash action roguelite can be played solo, but it’s arguably more fun when played in online co-op. InRavenswatch, fans play as one of several heroes inspired by old folk tales and legends, featuring characters such as Beowulf and the Pied Piper.
In the game, players explore a small open area, completing quests and challenges as they farm currency and experience. After a period of time, the game then transports all players to a climactic boss battle, which they must defeat to progress to the next Act. With several distinct heroes to play as, each with their own skill sets and a variety of passive upgrades to find,Ravenswatchis a surprisingly addictive co-op roguelite.
This roguelite action RPG tasks players with taking control of a family of adventurers, hacking and slashing through corrupted monsters in varied dungeons as they progress through the game’s well-written story.
AlthoughChildren Of Mortadoesn’t feature permanent death (players instead play as a variety of characters in the form of family members, each of which is important to the story), the game is played in runs, with players being sent back to the family’s home base upon death.Children Of Mortaalsofeatures procedural generationthat makes retreading dungeons less repetitive, as well as unique boss fights that help to spice up the gameplay.
7Vagante
Steam User Rating: 90%
This fantasy-themed roguelite features RPG elements and high-lethality gameplay that fans ofSpelunkywill be no strangers to. Deadly traps, vicious enemies, and platforming gameplay makeVagantean action-packed experience, and likeSpelunky 2,Vagantecan be played in online co-op.
Vagantealso features procedural generation that makes each run feel distinct from the last and keeps the gameplay unpredictable. The game’s different classes also help to makeVagante’sgameplay varied, especially when adventuring as a party.
Inkboundis a stylish cooperative roguelite game from the developers ofMonster Train. The title’s well-crafted gameplay centers around an innovative twist on turn-based combat that keeps things fresh and fast-paced while remaining strategic.
InInkbound, players can explore the game’s levels in real time and transition into a turn-based style of play when entering combat. AlthoughInkbound’scombat is technically turn-based, players are able to move freely during their turns and take turns simultaneously, resulting in a surprisingly fast-paced experience.
9Barony
Steam User Rating: 92%
This first-person roguelite RPG features a voxel-based graphical style and gripping dungeon-crawling gameplay.Baronytasks players with rummaging through different biomes, battling enemies, and avoiding traps as they collect loot and level up.
PlayingBaronyin online co-op almost feels like old-schoolDungeons & Dragons; the game features different playable classes, strong RPG systems, and plenty of deadly enemies and traps alike. It may look rather simplistic, but Barony has considerable hidden depth in its action, and there’s a good deal of replay value thanks to the various classes.
This cooperative first-person shooter features a simple cartoon art style and looter shooter gameplay that seems to take heavy inspiration from games such asBorderlands.Gunfire Rebornalso shares similarities with the aforementioned series with its focus on elemental effects and large-scale boss fights.
Gunfire Reborndoesn’t require much strategic thinking, instead focusing on light build management and frantic looter-shooter gameplay. The multiplayer works well, and theabundance of playable charactersallows players to strategize over team building to ensure that their choices complement each other well.
