Roguelike deckbuilders is one of the most popular genres of indie games, with the likes of Balatro and Slay the Spire dominating it. Of course, it's such a popular genre for a good reason, as the engrossing gameplay loop, unlocking new cards, and oftentimes incredible visuals have helped cement its place at the top of the "one more go" category of games.

In fact, some of the best roguelike deckbuilders are also the best indie games of all time. They're worth playing for both newcomers to the genre looking for a great starting point and those who have played practically every game in the genre. However, there are far too many roguelike deckbuilders to play them all, so it's important to narrow down the selection. Luckily, there is an easy top 10 roguelike deckbuilders that everyone should check out.

10 Roguebook (Abrakam Entertainment S.A.)

A Roguelike Deckbuilder From The Creator Of Magic: The Gathering

Roguebook is the perfect accessible deckbuilder for newcomers to the genre to start with, in large part thanks to its easy-to-learn synergies, captivating characters, and exciting exploration across a procedurally generated map. There's a lot to interact with in Roguebook unlike other deckbuilders, such as its dynamic map that unfolds as players continue to venture across its hexagonal spaces or its 200 cards with gorgeous art.

It also helps that Roguebook was a collaboration between Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield and the developers of Faeria, which has led to it being one of the most eye-catching roguelike deckbuilders available. With six characters to choose from, a wealth of DLC to help flesh out the game further, and more than enough cards to unlock to make a playthrough hit the hundred-hour mark, Roguebook is a great roguelike deckbuilder.

9 Wildfrost (Gaziter, Deadpan Games)

A Frosty Roguelike Deckbuilder From Chucklefish

Wildfrost is a very colorful roguelike deckbuilder that manages to keep things feeling fresh despite the genre feeling incredibly oversaturated. It does this primarily with its setting, which sees players build up the town of Snowdell in between runs before venturing out into the bitter cold to rescue characters who then appear in Snowdell as well as find creatures to help fight alongside them.

It also introduces a unique counter mechanic which denotes how many turns it'll be until a card will automatically activate its ability or attack. This means that not only do players need to strategically place their cards so that their tactics are pulled off flawlessly, but they can also act against their opponent's cards by knowing exactly when they'll all activate. It's an interesting twist and one that helps make Wildfrost an incredibly compelling roguelike deckbuilder.

8 Cobalt Core (Rocket Rat Games)

FTL Meets Roguelike Deckbuilder

Cobalt Core is very much a roguelike deckbuilder adaptation of the wonderful FTL as it sees players run a crew and their ship as they attempt to take down enemy ships using their deck of cards. Each card is an order to a crew member, with each crew member having their own unique quirks and playstyles. For example, players could choose to target a specific part of the enemy ship or alternatively raise their own shields in order to avoid getting hit.

There are plenty of crew to choose from, although players can only bring three at a time, so it's crucial to understand how they best interact with one another. Cobalt Core is perfect for those who are tired of fantasy-focused roguelike deckbuilders and want something a little more sci-fi. The visuals, soundtrack, and writing all help to make Cobalt Core a phenomenal roguelike deckbuilder well worth checking out.

7 Shogun Showdown (Roboatino)

A Samurai Roguelike Deckbuilder

Shogun Showdown is, yet again, another unique twist on the roguelike deckbuilder genre as it puts a far greater focus on creating combos and taking out multiple enemies at once. In each battle, the player will go up against multiple enemies, and it's up to them to try and stack attacks so they can unleash them at once, thus taking out every target in one go. It's an incredibly engaging loop that sees players want to perfect each encounter.

Of course, like every good roguelike deckbuilder players can upgrade their cards, explore a procedurally generated map with branching paths, and constantly improve through each run. Shogun Showdown also has the added advantage of a phenomenal setting elevated greatly by the gorgeous pixel art. For fans of roguelike deckbuilders and Feudal Japan, Shogun Showdown is the perfect combination.

6 Monster Train (Shiny Shoe)

Roguelike Deckbuilder With A Vertical Twist

Monster Train switches things up by adding even more layers to each battle, something that no other roguelike deckbuilder has managed to achieve so successfully. In each battle, players will have to defend three separate lanes, making combat a far more complex endeavor as there's a greater pool of enemies to defeat and characters to defend. It's a meaningful twist to the core formula, one that never feels like a gimmick, which makes it one of the most unique roguelike deckbuilders available.

There are also 220 cards to choose from, with players first picking which clan they'd like to be a part of and then unlocking cards associated with it. With so much variety, as well as a fairly enjoyable multiplayer mode, Monster Train is an incredibly replayable experience that deckbuilder enthusiasts could sink hundreds of hours into if they so desired.

5 Griftlands (Klei Entertainment)

From The Creators Of Don't Starve

Griftlands is really like no other roguelike deckbuilder thanks to its greater focus on narrative. Unlike most deckbuilders which see players explore randomly generated maps going from encounter to encounter, Griftlands features three different stories, each with its own protagonist, set in a handcrafted world with choices, main and side quests, and very well-written narratives that intertwine with one another.

While Griftlands could have suffered from repetition - as whenever the player loses, they must start the story from scratch - there's enough randomization per run as well as multiple stories to stave it off. It's also a beautiful game that utilizes Klei Entertainment's trademark art direction to make every scene and character pop. For those who want more from their roguelike deckbuilder's stories, Griftlands is the ideal experience.

4 Zet Zillions (OTA IMON Studios)

A Deckbuilder All About Destroying Planets

Zet Zillions comes from the wonderful minds at OTA IMON Studios who created one of the best indie RPGs, Wolfstride. It's an outrageously creative game with an amazing aesthetic, fun characters, and an engrossing loop all about combining cards. Players start off with a rather pathetic deck but can fuse worthless cards together to create far more effective and powerful ones at the cost of losing the original effect.

This mechanic alone helps carry Zet Zillions. However, the addition of both attacking and colonizing planets to win helps make each encounter feel incredibly fresh. There's plenty of strategy to be found in Zet Zillions, but by far its strongest asset is its unique art style and well-written characters. Zet Zillions is easily one of the best-looking roguelike deckbuilders, and it also plays amazingly.

3 Inscryption (Daniel Mullins Games)

A Horror Roguelike Deckbuilder Like No Other

In many ways, the less said about Inscryption the better. There really is no game like it out there as it's blend of roguelike deckbuilder gameplay, blood-curdling horror, and unexpected surprises make for a unique experience that will constantly shock players. Of course, it is an exceptionally strong roguelike deckbuilder with beautifully drawn cards and plenty of room for strategy.

Inscryption won't be for everyone thanks to its focus on psychological horror, but for those who can get past that without closing their eyes the whole time, it is an unbelievably rewarding game that offers an experience like no other.

However, what makes Inscryption so great is its unique approach to narrative as well as its otherworldly visuals that will stick in the player's mind long after the end of the game. Frankly, Inscryption won't be for everyone thanks to its focus on psychological horror, but for those who can get past that without closing their eyes the whole time, it is an unbelievably rewarding game that offers an experience like no other.

2 Balatro (LocalThunk)

One Of The Most Engrossing Deckbuilders

Balatro is a ridiculously popular and successful roguelike deckbuilder that took the world by storm and even landed a GOTY nomination at the 2024 Game Awards. It is, of course, deserving of all of its success as Balatro offers one of the most engrossing and engaging gameplay loops ever created. It is purpose-built to suck players in and hold their interest, with people more than capable of sinking potentially thousands of hours into it.

Balatro is a poker-based roguelike deckbuilders in which players must create poker hands from their cards in order to hit a target score. However, they can collect Joker cards which modify the score earned based on a number of unique factors. It's up to the players to capitalize on these synergies to get the most points and watch as the score counter rockets to the top. Balatro is an amazing roguelike deckbuilder that is well worth checking out for the five people who are still yet to play it.

1 Slay The Spire (Mega Crit)

The Greatest Roguelike Deckbuiler Available

Of course, the very best roguelike deckbuilder ever made is Slay the Spire. It is the source of inspiration for many of the roguelike deckbuilders that have launched since thanks to its phenomenally well-crafted gameplay loop. It's a perfectly balanced game with great encounters, amazing cards, and the potential to create endlessly satisfying synergies that are immensely fun to pull off.

If people are going to pick just one roguelike deckbuilder to play, it should definitely be Slay the Spire. There is also a sequel that promises to greatly enhance the experience, so players should beat the first game before jumping in. Of course, for those who have the time to get invested in more than just Slay the Spire, it is worth playing all the best roguelike deckbuilders, especially those that put an interesting twist on the genre.

Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube, Raw Fury/YouTube