Cult of the Lamb has been enjoyed by fans of the popular and challenging roguelike games since it launched on multiple consoles and systems in August, but Devolver Digital's latest title has already received a patch to balance the game and fix its bugs. Now that these issues have been resolved, it's a good time for anyone to jump into the game as an adorable lamb leading a horrifying cult.
But for those who played and loved Cult of the Lamb, there are plenty of other titles in the genre that they might want to check out. Whether they are celebrated releases or use their art styles effectively to create a unique world inhabited by equally unique characters, they all offer something new in a packed market dedicated to these types of video games.
Shiren The Wanderer: The Tower Of Fortune And The Dice Of Fate (2010)
Chunsoft may not be the biggest name in the video game space, but they are the team responsible for the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games. However, they are also responsible for the Shiren the Wanderer series, which has been around since 1995, and its fifth and most recent installment can be played on the Nintendo Switch and Steam.
Using a 16-bit style, players explore dungeons that will never be the same with each playthrough that offers plenty of challenges for those who liked Cult of the Lamb. And with its retro art style, older gamers will appreciate the nostalgia it offers while younger ones can discover a beautiful world to traverse in order for Shiren to reach the end.
Crypt Of The NecroDancer (2015)
Until the launch of Rift of the Necrodancer, those who have yet to play anything from Brace Yourself Games will be in for a treat. Not also were they the team responsible for making the rhythm-based game Crypt of the NecroDancer which many see as one of the best rhythm games of all time, but they also collaborated with Nintendo on Cadence of Hyrule exclusively for the Switch.
With a unique approach to combat in a colorful dungeon crawler, those looking for something fresh while still retaining familiar difficulty will undoubtedly enjoy this one. Some may have liked the combat from other combat-heavy games, but there hasn't quite been anything like this before as music plays a crucial role in slaying monsters.
Nuclear Throne (2015)
Originally released in 2015, those with a PlayStation console or a Steam account had the chance to play Nuclear Throne, which blended bullet hell into the gameplay that eventually could also be enjoyed on the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch a few years later. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, a band of mutants must fight their way to reach a throne in a nuclear wasteland.
The game can be challenging with its blend of dungeon crawling and nonstop shooting action that the player must commit to stop the many opponents they must face, but the pixilated chibi-style might just interest those who enjoyed the cute animals that followed the satanic lamb to enjoy. Its gameplay may not be to everyone's taste, but it does enough to make it stand out from the crowd.
The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth (2014)
Not also was The Binding Of Isaac considered one of the most difficult indie games of all time, but one of the best too back in 2011. Three years later, it was remade as The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth and everyone who owns a console or PC will undoubtedly have seen or heard of it as they will play a child who must use his tears to escape the procedurally generated basement filled with deformed monsters.
Taking the cute Isaac and throwing him into a dark and twisted world will undoubtedly be appreciated by those who enjoy the creepy-cute games through its design alone. But using tears as a weapon and having to fight through waves of mutated creatures is certainly a dramatic way of doing it that newcomers should unearth.
Slay The Spire (2017)
While there have been plenty of deck-building games over the years, not many have blended it so seamlessly with roguelike gameplay as well as Slay the Spire did in 2019. Playing as one of three characters with unique abilities, gamers must traverse the randomized map filled with turn-based combat and use the cards they collected to kill a number of beasts and ghouls.
It may not initially seem like one that fans of Cult of the Lamb might enjoy, but it certainly will be as its unique gameplay blend made it stand out from other titles that attempted to do the same. Add to that its gorgeous designs and an approachable management system, and they just might want to give this fun game a chance.
Don't Starve Together (2016)
If anyone doesn't quite like playing these seemingly hard games alone, Klei Entertainment was able to give gamers just that with Don't Starve Together. After a scientist named Wilson and others find themselves in a dangerous parallel world, they must work together to stay alive for as long as possible and anyone can play with up to six people as they collect resources, fight off monsters, and cook food to live as long as they possibly can.
Another creepy-cute game for fans to enjoy, the adorable characters stand out in this twisted landscape that will make a lot of people root for the survivors. Management and using resources that they have collected will undoubtedly be enjoyed for those who haven't played this game as they are used effectively in solo and multiplayer modes.
Rogue Legacy 2 (2022)
Released earlier this year, the long-awaited sequel to 2013's Rogue Legacy was finally available for those who wanted more from the first game. Developer Cellar Door Games were able to deliver just that as they built upon the foundations and mechanics that those who enjoy modern roguelike games will appreciate.
Its chibi-like character designs might interest some, but its combat and character classes will intrigue many as each hero has their own abilities and fabled weapons that make each playthrough more unique than the last. Not many games have used this system, but it's what makes this a must-play for anyone as it offers variety and challenge that many will enjoy and why it's a strong contender for game of the year.
Curse Of The Dead Gods (2021)
After developing Masters of Anima, Passtech Games' next title would prove to be one of their best and some critics' best-reviewed games of last year. Set in three dungeons, an explorer must find loot and power-ups while taking on hordes of monsters that have called the procedurally generated areas their home.
The gothic, cel-shaded design won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it is visually haunting and beautiful in its own way that made it memorable for those who picked up a controller to play it. With a variety of weapons to use and cursed powers to wield, the combat gives just enough experimentation to give the player supernatural power to defend themselves.
Spelunky 2 (2020)
2020 was a great year for gamers as one of the most acclaimed releases was the long-awaited sequel to an indie classic. Spelunky 2 followed the daughter of the first game's protagonist as she tries to find her missing parents in a series of underground levels.
It may not be as combat heavy as Cult of the Lamb, but it does reward players who love experimentation and the effects of each weapon on the enemies and levels. Its cute character designs mixed in a dangerous, underground world will be enough to convince fans of the 2022 game to play this for offering challenges in new and interesting ways.
Hades (2020)
Winner of multiple game of the year awards, Hades was another 2020 hit that no one should miss out on, whether they have played roguelike games or not. After their work on Bastion and Pyre, Supergiant Games told a gripping story with engaging gameplay as Zagreus, the son of Hades, wants to escape the underworld and reach the mortal realm.
Its story and world-building around the repeated attempts from players create truly outstanding moments as former enemies will remember their defeats or be more prepared to fight Zagreus head-on. And it rewards those who learn the depths of the weapons and powerful abilities they can gain from other Greek gods that made this a game that no one should miss, whether they are fans of the genre or not.