Roguelikes aren’t exactly known for being relaxing. In fact, theconstant threat of permanent deathand the loss of progress that accompanies it may be one of the more stress-inducing mechanics in the industry as a whole — there’s a reason why roguelites such asHadesare so popular, helping players swallow the medicine of their permanent deaths with the sugary goodness of meta-progression.
However, in spite of their often-complex mechanics and unforgiving gameplay loops, roguelikes can offer players uniquely tranquil experiences. In this case, it comes down to art-direction, sound design, music, and (mostly) accessible gameplay.
8Luck Be A Landlord
An Entrancing, Low-Effort Experience
Luck Be A Landlordis an accessible, unique roguelike deckbuilder that uses bag-building as its core mechanic. The game tasks players with paying their steadily increasing rent by winning it big on a slot machine of their own design, filling in the slots with a variety of game-changing symbols to increase their chances.
The goofy, chunky pixel art,chiptune music, and slot-machine gameplay result in an experience that’s entrancing, drawing the player into spin after spin.Luck Be A Landlordisn’t the most complex roguelike out there, and players will naturally lose runs to bad luck, but its distinctive gameplay can be a relaxing experience.
Into the Breach, developed by Subset Games (the same studio behindFTL: Faster Than Light), may feature some light meta-progression in the form of unlocks, but it remains a roguelike in essence; turn-based combat, random generation, complex scenarios, and permanent death should tick enough boxes to please many roguelike fans.
This unique,mech-themed indie gameoffers players a variety of crunchy, tactical puzzles to solve over the course of each run. The puzzle-like nature of its gameplay is elevated by the wealth of information thatInto the Breachoffers its players, allowing them to be one step ahead of the game. As a result,Into The Breachis able to provide a low-pressure environment, while keeping the stakes just as high as other roguelikes.
Its gameplay is, at times, far from relaxing, butWildfrostsucceeds with its winning charm andabsolute sense of whimsy. This is primarily evident in its fantastic art direction, which channels the style of2D-animated cartoonslikeAdventure Timewith its own unique intricacies, details, and nuance.
The boiling pot ofWildfrost’sexceptional artwork, palatable sound design, and whimsical soundtrack provides a consistently relaxing atmosphere. However, whileWildfrostcan be an appropriately chilled experience, the frustrations within its design and occasionally challenging encounters can add a bitter sting to the mix.
Part role-playing game, part roguelike, part tabletop game,For The Kingis a unique and strategic title that combines turn-based combat, dungeon-crawling, and overworld gameplay. This all results in an experience that’s rich with variety, butFor The Kingmanages to remain easy to learn. The colorful,low-poly visuals, fantastical music, and immersive overworld make for a tremendous combination, resulting in a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for winding down — especially when playing in online co-op.
Each playthrough ofFor The Kingsees the player and up to two others controlling one or more of three heroes. Together (or alone), players march on objectives and battle monsters as they traverse the hexagonal overworld and struggle through dark, dangerous dungeons. The addition of co-op adds a great deal of replay value to the game, offering players a laid-back environment that’s undemanding in the best of ways.
Though the threat of permanent death is ever present, at least outside of its “roleplay” game mode,Caves Of Qudmanages to be a strangely relaxing experience. This is all thanks to its soothing color palette,minimalist art direction, and, most importantly, its atmospheric soundtrack.
Caves Of Qud’sgreatest strength is its richly-designed world, lovingly crafted with a careful balance of hand-made and procedural content. Exploring this world is made all the more rewarding through its various curiosities, quirky characters, and evocative writing. It may take a little time and a deal of frustration to learn how to playCaves Of Qudsuccessfully, especially for newcomers to the genre, but once caught in its grip, this roguelike can be tremendously tranquil.
3Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers
A Minimalist Deckbuilder With An Evocative Setting
Though its gameplay is somewhat repetitive, basing itself on the casino game, Blackjack,Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblersmanages to do a lot with a little. While it may not offer as much variety and/or strategy as its distant cousin,Balatro,Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblersis elevated by its immersive setting and overall sense of place.
Thanks to subtle but entirely competent art direction, the journey players make through the various pits ofDungeons & Degenerate Gamblers’tavern/casino is a consistently relaxing one;the charming soundtrack, crunchy old-school sound effects, and brilliant simplicity of the game itself make for an experience that’s strategic and yet undemanding.
2Cobalt Core
Roguelike Deckbuilding With Cozy Pixel Art And A Charming Soundtrack
Cobalt Coreisa roguelike deckbuilderthat’s cozy to the first degree, charging players with the command of a spaceship and its rag-tag crew of three. The delightful pixel art, charming soundtrack, and quirky characters work together to build a world that’s wholesome and frequently relaxing to be in, even when the enemy is threatening to blast away the player’s ship.
This deckbuilder’s gameplay is no slouch, either, using the ship’s crew as an immersive conduit for the game’s card-based mechanics, with each character being represented by their own cards. There’s also a tactical twist, as players are able to maneuver their ship to bob and weave, avoiding enemy attacks while lining up their own cannons. Gameplay is also varied, offering players eight playable characters to build their crew out of.
Channeling the atmosphere of a casino table and a slot machine in equal measure,Balatrois a roguelike deckbuilder that’s brimming with minimalist style. Its combination ofcrunchy pixel art, visual effects, and trance-inducing soundtrack provides an enchanting backdrop to the game’s addictive, strategic gameplay. This trance can be wholly relaxing, especially when a run is going well, as the gameplay, while strategic, requires minimal input.
The turn-based nature ofBalatroalso works in its favor as a relaxing piece of software, allowing players to think about every move they make for as long as they wish. As a game,Balatrosucceeds with granular strategies and a careful balance of skill and luck, but its surprisingly immersive atmosphere and calming soundscape make for the perfect wind-down.
