Roguelikes often stand out as some of the most time-consuming gaming experiences available. In contrast to RPGs or platformers, where death might still yield some progress, a failed attempt in a roguelike can sometimes feel like a complete loss. Many titles within this genre can amplify this sense of frustration by not valuing players’ time, imposing lengthy unlocks that rely heavily on random number generation (RNG) and inflicting significant penalties for missteps.
The design of certain roguelikes can lead to prolonged play sessions that feel tedious, while others simply lack the quality-of-life improvements that could streamline the gaming experience. This article highlights ten roguelikes that can leave players feeling drained, often requiring hours to achieve specific goals or forcing extended runs that seem never-ending.
10. Spelunky
Mining Away
Regarded as one of the pioneering roguelikes, Spelunky pushes boundaries with its reliance on RNG. Players can navigate and dodge attacks with skill, but attempting to complete an achievement requiring zero treasure collection can quickly render them powerless against unpredictability. Each level is randomized with erratic enemy placements, making some runs feel unreasonably challenging.
While players can overcome bad luck through skill development, becoming proficient demands a significant time investment, often leading to moments of frustration and unexpected deaths.
9. Enter The Gungeon
Bullet’s Hell
Combining the chaos of roguelikes with the frenetic energy of Bullet Hell, Enter the Gungeon delivers an exhilarating yet demanding experience. Players often find themselves overwhelmed, dodging a barrage of projectiles from formidable bosses. While the dodging mechanics are enjoyable, the skill ceiling is high, making it easy to succumb to the chaos during intense moments.
As an added challenge, players can participate in a challenge mode that introduces various modifiers, such as accelerated gameplay or darkened rooms, further complicating their experience.
8. Slay the Spire
Trick Up Your Sleeve
Integrating intense strategy into a card-based roguelike format, Slay the Spire relies heavily on luck, which can result in runs that derail before they ever take off. Although the game possesses considerable skill elements, the combination of random draws and challenging opponents often leads to significant time investment without the expected return. Early gameplay can also feel especially slow, as players carefully assess card synergies and strategies to ensure a successful run.
A feeling of helplessness can ensue when a run is derailed by a lack of essential cards, culminating in a frustrating demise without tangible rewards.
7. Dead Cells
All Over Again
Regarded as a pseudo-Metroidvania, Dead Cells is known for its steep difficulty curve. The design of the game encourages exploration, but numerous runs may result in wasted time as players become trapped with subpar gear, unable to progress effectively. While the game reduces RNG reliance as players advance, activating Boss Cells can introduce tougher challenges, exacerbating the feeling of futility within each session.
Despite the thrill of dungeon diving, many players often spend hours trapped in a cycle of trying and failing, haunted by the prospect of a “god run” that rarely materializes.
6. Balatro
Useless Stickers
With over 150 hours devoted to Balatro, players can experience a mix of frustration and delight. The game blends skill and luck, making failures feel both personal and arbitrary. Though individual runs may not consume excessive time, the overall investment can be substantial, particularly when attempting to unlock every achievement.
Players often find themselves yearning for specific items while constantly falling short in their currency, leading to the aggravation of grinding for unlocking features.
5. Risk of Rain 2
Quite The Gamble
Having logged more than 350 hours, I can say Risk of Rain 2 is a notorious time sink. The quest for achievement completion feels endless, requiring the mastery of each character and triumphing under increasingly difficult conditions. The game has a knack for drawing players into an addictive cycle of ‘just one more run’ even as it demands significant time investment.
In its earlier stages, the game offers a rewarding experience; however, as the challenge escalates, every subsequent hour can feel like a desperate grind for the next unlocking.
4. Witch
Mix and Match
Noita offers a unique approach, allowing players to explore a vast, procedurally generated world similar to Terraria. However, the game maintains a constantly high-stakes atmosphere, making it essential to tread carefully to avoid sudden, catastrophic failures. Although there is a beckoning allure to prolonged exploration, it often results in unforeseen deaths and a frustrating return to square one.
This tension encourages extensive exploration and experimentation, but the penalties for failure can be harsh, leaving players to restart after prolonged periods of investment in their characters.
3.(the) Gnorp Apologue
Idling Around
(the) Gnorp Apologue is a unique entry into the roguelike genre, crafted as an idle game that can often lead to prolonged gameplay sessions exceeding 50 hours for a single run. This entry is less demanding in terms of active participation but still demands considerable time to set up and maintain progress.
While it allows for a more relaxed gaming style compared to more active roguelikes, the sheer length of individual runs and the necessary player engagement makes it a significant time commitment.
2. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Free Me
It’s impossible to discuss time-sucking roguelikes without mentioning The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. This title is notorious for its overwhelming amount of content and quest for completion, featuring hundreds of items with ambiguous descriptions, which can require additional research to fully understand.
The game discourages progress with frequent deaths that lead players to lose significant advancements. Attempting to complete achievements often sends players spiraling into a web of RNG with little satisfaction at the end of their journeys.
1. A Robot Named Fight!
Far Too Much
While Dead Cells borrows from Metroidvania, A Robot Named Fight! feels like a struggle against time. Each run drastically randomizes rooms, items, and enemies, leading to a frustrating yet potentially rewarding experience. However, many players may feel as if they endlessly wade through difficult gameplay, only to die and forfeit all progress, resulting in a relentless time sink that offers little return.
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