Top 10 Best Roguelike Games for Android 2026

## What We Looked For Finding the **best roguelike games** for Android isn't just about listing popular titles; it's about digging into what makes each one tick. We hunted for games with that perfect blend of punishing-but-fair challenge, endless replayability, and a unique hook that keeps you coming back for "just one more run." Whether you're a veteran of the genre or a curious newcomer, this list has something for you.  ## The List: From Titans to Hidden Treasures ### 1. Dead Cells **What makes it great:** This is the gold standard for action roguelikes on mobile. **Dead Cells** translates its frantic, precise, and deeply satisfying combat to touch controls with shocking grace. Every run is a new journey through its sprawling, interconnected castle, and the permanent upgrades you unlock ensure you're always making progress, even after a death. The sheer volume of weapons, skills, and secrets makes every playthrough feel fresh and exciting. - **Key Features:** - **Tight, responsive combat** with dozens of unique weapons and skills. - **Massive, ever-changing map** that rewards exploration. - **Metroidvania-style progression** with permanent ability unlocks. - **Multiple boss cells** (difficulty levels) that completely remix the game. **Best for:** Players who crave fast-paced, skill-based combat and love the feeling of mastering a complex, rewarding system. If you want a console-quality **roguelike game** on your Android, start here. ### 2. Slay the Spire **What makes it great:** **Slay the Spire** isn't just one of the **best roguelikes** on Android; it's arguably the game that defined the deck-building roguelike genre. Its genius lies in how it turns strategic card game planning into a tense, run-based adventure. You'll agonize over every card pick, every potion use, and every path choice on the spire's map. The four distinct characters offer wildly different playstyles, ensuring hundreds of hours of brain-burning fun. - **Key Features:** - **Deep, strategic deck-building** where every card choice matters. - **Four unique characters** (Ironclad, Silent, Defect, Watcher) with their own card pools and mechanics. - **Incredible synergy potential** between cards, relics, and potions. - **Near-infinite replay value** thanks to daily climbs and custom modes. **Best for:** Thinkers and strategists. If you enjoy chess-like planning, building powerful combos, and outsmarting brutal enemies, this is your perfect **mobile roguelite**. ### 3. Vampire Survivors **What makes it great:** Don't let the simple graphics fool you—this game is pure, uncut addiction. **Vampire Survivors** pioneered the "reverse bullet hell" auto-attack genre. Your character attacks automatically, and your job is to steer them through swarms of thousands of enemies, picking up experience gems and choosing devastating evolutions for your weapons. It’s the ultimate "one more run" game, perfect for short bursts or long sessions. - **Key Features:** - **Auto-attack gameplay** that focuses on movement and build strategy. - **Satisfying power escalation** as you evolve weapons into screen-clearing monstrosities. - **A ton of secrets**, unlockable characters, and stages to discover. - **Extremely affordable** with no aggressive monetization. **Best for:** Anyone looking for a more relaxed but intensely satisfying power fantasy. It's easy to learn, impossible to put down, and a masterclass in game design. ### 4. Soul Knight **What makes it great:** A beloved classic in the **Android gaming** community, **Soul Knight** offers charming pixel-art dungeon crawling with a huge emphasis on variety. With a massive roster of quirky characters (a wizard, a paladin, a werewolf, a robot...), hundreds of weird and wonderful guns, and the ability to play offline co-op with friends, it's a incredibly generous and fun package. - **Key Features:** - **Huge character roster**, each with unique starting weapons and abilities. - **Massive arsenal of guns** from laser blasters to fish launchers. - **Local multiplayer mode** for couch co-op mayhem. - **Constant free updates** with new content, seasons, and events. **Best for:** Players who love loot, co-op play, and lighthearted, chaotic fun. It's one of the most accessible and content-rich **roguelike games** on the platform. ### 5. Dawncaster **What makes it great:** **Dawncaster** proves that **Slay the Spire** isn't the only deck-building king in town. It carves its own identity with a rich fantasy narrative that changes based on your choices, a more traditional RPG stat system (Strength, Dexterity, etc.), and a class system that deeply impacts your playstyle. The production values, from the art to the music, are top-notch for a **mobile roguelite**. - **Key Features:** - **Branching narrative** with meaningful choices and multiple endings. - **Six distinct classes** (like Warrior, Hunter, Seeker) with unique mechanics. - **Immersive fantasy atmosphere** with great art and sound design. - **Expansive card pools** and synergy-focused gameplay. **Best for:** RPG fans who want their card battles wrapped in a compelling story. It's for players who enjoy role-playing their character's build and decisions.  ### 6. Brotato **What makes it great:** Think **Vampire Survivors**, but with even more immediate chaos and build customization. In **Brotato**, you play as a potato wielding up to six weapons at once against relentless waves of enemies. The pace is frantic, the weapon combinations are absurd (shotguns, slingshots, laser guns, psychic powers), and the sheer number of characters ("Brotatoes") and modifiers makes for endless, hilarious experimentation. - **Key Features:** - **Wield up to 6 weapons simultaneously** for insane screen clutter. - **Dozens of unique Brotato characters**, each with a different rule-breaking playstyle. - **Wave-based survival** with a shop phase between rounds to tweak your build. - **Extremely high "build-crafting" potential** with items and stats. **Best for:** Fans of pure, unadulterated chaos and deep statistical tinkering. If you love theory-crafting the perfect overpowered build, you'll lose days to Brotato. ### 7. Shattered Pixel Dungeon **What makes it great:** This is the quintessential traditional **roguelike game**, perfected for mobile. Based on the original Pixel Dungeon, **Shattered Pixel Dungeon** is a free, open-source love letter to the genre. It features turn-based, grid-based movement, permanent death, and a brutal but fair difficulty curve. The developer has rebalanced and expanded the game for years, making it one of the most polished and deep free experiences you can find. - **Key Features:** - **Classic turn-based, grid-based roguelike gameplay**. - **Four hero classes** (Warrior, Mage, Rogue, Huntress) with three subclasses each. - **No ads, no pay-to-win**, completely sustainable through voluntary donations. - **Constant, meaningful updates** that refine and expand the game. **Best for:** Purists and strategists who enjoy methodical, turn-based gameplay where every single move counts. It's a challenging and rewarding masterpiece. ### 8. Pirates Outlaws **What makes it great:** **Pirates Outlaws** combines the deck-building of **Slay the Spire** with a swashbuckling pirate theme and a unique "ammo" system for attacks. It features a huge amount of content right out of the gate, with multiple game modes, a large cast of captains, and hundreds of cards to collect. The presentation is colorful and full of personality, making each run feel like a pirate adventure. - **Key Features:** - **Ammo management system** adds a strategic resource layer to combat. - **Numerous captains and game modes** (Arena, Tavern Brawl, etc.). - **Vast amount of content** with many unlockable cards and relics. - **Engaging pirate theme** carried through all aspects of the game. **Best for:** Players who want a huge amount of content and enjoy the deck-building formula with a fresh twist. It's great for long commutes or binge sessions. ### 9. Rogue Adventure **What makes it great:** **Rogue Adventure** strips the deck-building formula down to its core and then builds it back up with a fantastic class system. You start each run by choosing a class that defines your entire strategy, and you build your deck purely from cards you earn during the run—no starting deck. This leads to incredibly focused and powerful synergies. It's free-to-play-friendly, rewarding skill over grinding. - **Key Features:** - **Class-defined gameplay** where your starting choice dictates your strategy. - **No starting deck** – every card is earned during the run. - **Fair free-to-play model**; premium currency is earned easily through play. - **High skill ceiling** with a focus on perfecting runs. **Best for:** Deck-building enthusiasts who love mastering specific playstyles and chasing high scores. It's incredibly rewarding for skilled players.  ### 10. Buriedbornes **What makes it great:** **Buriedbornes** is the ultimate hidden gem for hardcore RPG fans. This game presents its deep, number-crunching, turn-based dungeon crawling through minimalistic text and icon-based graphics. The depth is staggering, with countless character jobs, skills, legendary equipment parts ("Lab Parts"), and dungeon modifiers. It’s a game about building an unstoppable character through clever skill and stat combinations. - **Key Features:** - **Incredibly deep stat and build customization** system. - **Massive variety of jobs, skills, and dungeon effects**. - **Permanent progression** through collecting Lab Parts and contracts. - **Unique communication system** with other players' "dead bodies". **Best for:** Hardcore RPG theorists who love spreadsheets-like depth, character optimization, and discovering broken builds. It’s not pretty, but it’s profoundly engaging. ## Also Worth Checking The world of **Android roguelikes** is vast! If you've tried the top 10, don't miss these honorable mentions: - **Caves (Caves RL)**: A fantastic, pure traditional roguelike with a modern UI. - **Card Crusade**: A lighter, charming deck-builder with a fun fantasy theme. - **Postknight 2**: A mix of roguelite elements with an idle/action RPG delivery system. ## Our Top Pick If we had to crown one title as the essential **best roguelike** for Android in 2026, it would be **Dead Cells**. It represents the pinnacle of the genre's evolution on mobile, offering flawless action, immense depth, and near-perfect port quality. It’s the game you can recommend to anyone and know they’re getting a premium experience. However, the true beauty of **roguelike games on Android** is their diversity. Your personal **top roguelikes** list will depend on your taste: the strategic puzzle of **Slay the Spire**, the chaotic catharsis of **Vampire Survivors**, or the methodical depth of **Shattered Pixel Dungeon**. The good news is, you can't go wrong. Dive in, embrace the permadeath, and discover your next addiction.