Which roguelike to start with: a guide to avoid getting frustrated

If you're wondering which roguelike to start with, the short answer is: it depends on what you want to do with your hands. If you prefer turn-based thinking, start with Slay the Spire. If you want action without complications, go for Vampire Survivors or Brotato. And if you want a game that encourages you to keep going even when you lose, Hades. Below you'll find the reason for each one.

Roguelike and roguelite: what each one is

In both cases you play runs that are generated differently every time and where losing has consequences. The difference lies in what you keep when you die:

• In a classic roguelike, every run starts almost from scratch. What improves is what you've learnt.
• In a roguelite, when you die you take something with you (unlocks, upgrades, characters, story) that makes the next run a bit easier.

In practice the two terms get mixed up, and there's one thing a beginner should know: losing is part of the game. It doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. What changes from one game to another is how much the game gives back for trying.

If you prefer turn-based thinking

No reflexes and no rush here. It's the calmest way in, and you can leave a run halfway without anything happening.

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  Slay the SpireRoguelike · Deckbuilder · Turn-based strategyWhen you want to think without stress: everything is turn-based, and you can leave a run halfway and pick it up whenever you like.When to play it and when not to
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  PeglinRoguelite · Pachinko · CasualFor a short, light session: aiming, dropping and watching the bounces takes little energy and is very satisfying.When to play it and when not to

Slay the Spire is the game that popularised roguelike deckbuilders: you climb a tower fighting turn-based battles with a deck you build as you go. Every enemy shows you its intention, so each turn is a small puzzle. It's ideal for thinking without stress, although a bad early decision can cost you the run.

Peglin is gentler still. You launch orbs that bounce between pegs and every hit adds damage. It's easy to understand, needs little energy and doesn't ask for reflexes. That said, part of the fun is luck: if that bothers you, it's not your game.

If you want action without complications

Some action roguelites don't ask you to master the controls. They're perfect if what you want is to feel you're making progress.

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  Vampire SurvivorsRoguelite · Survivors-like · ActionPerfect when you have little time and little energy but want to end the session feeling you've made progress: every run unlocks characters, weapons or maps.When to play it and when not to
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  BrotatoRoguelite · Survivors-like · Arena shooterIdeal for a short session with a bit of spark: each wave lasts under a minute and the shop gives you small decisions without overwhelming you.When to play it and when not to

In Vampire Survivors your character moves and the weapons fire on their own: you only decide where to walk and which upgrade to pick when you level up. Each run lasts half an hour at most and always unlocks something. Brotato adds a bit more decision-making: between waves you visit a shop and combine weapons and items. Waves last under a minute, ideal for a short session.

Neither has a story: they're deliberately simple. If you're interested in games that fit into a short break, you'll find more options in what to play if you only have 30 minutes.

If you want a challenge with a reward

When you're ready for more intensity, these two ask for reflexes and attention, but give a lot back.

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  HadesRoguelite · Action · NarrativeAn attempt lasts between 20 and 40 minutes and you always return home with something: upgrades, new dialogue or story progress.When to play it and when not to
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  Dead CellsRoguelite · Metroidvania · 2D actionWhen you have energy and fancy fluid, demanding combat. A good run can take less than an hour.When to play it and when not to

Hades is one of the best ways into action roguelites. An attempt lasts 20 to 40 minutes and you always come back with something: upgrades, new dialogue or progress in the story, which moves forward precisely when you die. Losing hurts less when the game rewards you for it.

Dead Cells is faster and more demanding: fluid combat in a castle that changes with every attempt, with permanent unlocks of weapons and routes. A good run can last less than an hour, but it punishes mistakes and asks for constant concentration.

Better leave this one for later

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  Spelunky 2Roguelike · Platformer · HardWhen you have energy and want short, intense runs: a run can last two minutes or an hour.When to play it and when not to

Spelunky 2 is a great game, but it's not a good first one: every level is randomly generated, everything interacts with everything and every run starts from zero. You die constantly, and almost always through your own fault. Come back to it when you want a pure challenge and have energy.

How to choose depending on your day

• You're tired: pick a turn-based or low-attention game, like Peglin or Slay the Spire. You'll find more ideas in games to play when you're tired.
• You're short on time: Vampire Survivors and Brotato fit into any gap.
• You have energy and want action: Hades first, Dead Cells afterwards.
• You want a real challenge: Spelunky 2, once you know the genre.

One last tip: don't measure your progress by the run, but by what you've learnt from it. Steam marks every game in this guide as Verified for Steam Deck, so you can try them on the sofa or wherever you like.