roguelite

Roguelite is a term used to describe a subgenre of roguelike video games that combines the core elements of roguelikes with additional features designed to soften their traditional difficulty and extend play. While classic roguelikes emphasize strict grid-based, turn-based exploration and permanent death with no progression, roguelites typically include some form of persistent progression between runs, such as unlockable items, currencies, or new characters that remain accessible in future playthroughs.

Common features of roguelites include procedural generation, variable or real-time combat, and run-based play sessions that can be repeated indefinitely. The central appeal is a balance between challenge and a sense of gradual advancement, where each run presents new layouts and encounters, but players grow over time through meta-progression rather than only during a single attempt.

The term gained prominence in the 2010s as indie developers blended roguelike foundations with more approachable progression systems and pacing. Notable titles frequently labeled roguelites include The Binding of Isaac, Spelunky and Spelunky 2, Rogue Legacy, Dead Cells, Enter the Gungeon, and Hades. These games often prioritize fast, responsive gameplay and high replayability, with unlocks, upgrades, or new characters altering subsequent runs.

Classification of games as roguelike or roguelite remains fluid and sometimes debated. The Berlin Interpretation’s original criteria are widely acknowledged as historical, but many modern titles fuse elements in ways that defy precise categorization. In practice, roguelites have broadened the appeal of procedural, run-based games by offering meaningful long-term progression without sacrificing replayability.