The developers of the Risk of Rain games managed to capture lightning in a bottle. Twice.
Risk of Rain 2 managed to build upon everything its predecessor succeeded with, and also translated the addictive, side-scrolling roguelike gameplay to a 3D world. It was met with immediate success, topping charts and becoming an indie favorite.
Who knew something as basic as collecting loot to slay huge bosses could be so fun? If you’ve played Risk of Rain 2 before, you’ll know that the possibilities for the different play styles and builds in the game are incredible, and the combat is engaging.
While it is a hard experience to match, we have a few recommendations for fans of games like Risk of Rain 2. Whether you loved the looting aspect or the live-die-repeat gameplay of the roguelike genre – we have a title for you.
Here are the best 8 roguelike games like Risk of Rain 2.
Enter The Gungeon
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Are you ready to Enter The Gungeon? If you’re searching for a new bullet hell, roguelike game to sink your teeth into, this is a must-try after you finish your latest Risk of Rain 2 playthrough.
This game is absolutely gunpowder-packed with punny humor and personality. The enemies you’re fighting? The Cult of the Gundead. The heroes you play as? The Gungeoneers.
The developers saw ‘bullet hell; and decided to go all in. Amazing writing aside, this game has style and substance. Enter The Gungeon is a top-down dungeon crawler with top-notch gameplay.
Gameplay in Gungeon is comparable to titles like The Binding of Isaac. You explore procedurally generated dungeons, full of monsters that are also equipped with guns.
You play as one of the heroes, or in a co-op multiplayer pair, collecting upgrades to make it to the bottom. There are over 200 guns you can find, and then further synergize with items.
Guns can range from shooting out schools of fish to sniping down enemies with rainbows. This allows for some really ridiculous and zany builds.
You’ll also interact with shopkeepers and merchants to purchase new weapons and gear. While levels are procedurally generated, there are the same bosses you’ll find guarding each floor.
Enter The Gungeon was personally, one of the most challenging bullet hell experiences I’ve encountered. You really need to get creative with builds, and that’s something that fans of roguelike games similar to Risk of Rain 2 will love.
Gunfire Reborn
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.
No games like Risk of Rain 2 list has merit unless it features Gunfire Reborn. They are two peas in a pod at this point, dominating the roguelike genre hand in hand.
Gunfire Reborn takes the best of Borderlands’ gunplay and combines it with Risk of Rains gameplay design. You’ll go through procedurally generated levels, collecting loot and upgrades.
The biggest difference from Risk of Rain 2, is that this game is played from a first-person perspective. Aiming is important, and enemies will even have weak spots you can shoot at.
The game delves slightly heavier towards the RPG aspect than Risk of Rain does. You can unlock different heroes, which all have their own skill tree you can unlock bonuses and talents in.
It isn’t on the same level as Risk of Rain 2 for loot and class diversity, but it comes close. There are currently over five different characters to choose from, all offering distinct playstyles.
Whether you want to get up and close with your guns, or snipe from afar, there’s a gun and class for you. There are also over 40 different weapons you can pick up during your runs. You can also find over 100 different scrolls—which are gameplay-affecting items, which can add boosts or special effects.
This is all backed up by incredibly fast-paced, gun-shooting action. Combat in Gunfire Reborn honestly hits a different kind of intensity than most games like Risk of Rain 2. There’s a level of aim required, making it more skill-based rather than just learning loot loadouts. It’s thrilling.
Tiny Tina’s Wonderland
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, and Xbox One.
It might not be a roguelike, but if you want games like Risk of Rain 2 with looter aspects, then Tiny Tina’s Wonderland is perfect. It combines Borderlands’ signature gameplay with high fantasy.
It also features the Borderlands’ series wacky and zany humor. Tiny Tina’s Wonderland has you adventuring through a colorful, Dungeons & Dragons-inspired world, looting whatever you can.
If you loved trying out the different loot combinations and builds in Risk of Rain 2, you’ll find Tiny Tina’s a genuine Wonderland. Pun intended. There’s a diverse range of different weapons to play with.
Did you know? This game marks the first for the Borderlands franchise to include melee weapons. You can smash the skulls of skeletons and fairies alike with swords, axes, and even hammers. The variety is where Tiny Tina’s really shines, and where Risk of Rain 2 players will fall in love. You can also customize your loadout with spells.
There’s also a multiclass system, so you can mix and match your character’s skill trees. This allows for deep customization and accommodates unique playstyles.
Just like in Risk of Rain, you can also team up with three other friends for chaotic fun—and it’s cross-platform, too. You can explore the vast fantasy realm seamlessly together.
If this all sounds incredible, you should read our Borderlands 3 list for other loot-focused game recommendations. There are a few titles on there that fans of Risk of Rain might resonate with.
Realm Of The Mad God Exalt
Available on PC.
When you were playing Risk of Rain 2, did you ever think: What if this was an MMORPG? Because that is exactly what Realm Of The Mad God Exalt is! It is the first, and one of the few bullet hell MMO games available. It blends in the online multiplayer structure with elements from the roguelike genre for a unique experience.
Realm Of The Mad God is a completely free-to-play title, and worth checking out for any roguelike fans. While its 2D visuals are more reminiscent of the first Risk of Rain, it’s a must-play.
Just like Risk of Rain 2, this game has completely action-based combat. There’s no usual MMO tab target gameplay. You’ll run and gun while evading enemy bullets and guess what…
Death is permanent.
It wouldn’t be a roguelike if it wasn’t. If your character dies, you’ll have to create a new one and start back at level 1. The only thing that sticks past death, is your pet and any items you store in your chest. This grants some level of progression, as you can keep any rare gear to aid your next character.
The game features over 16 different character classes. All the classes play distinctly, ranging from warriors to mystical mages.
It wouldn’t be a roguelike without loot, right? There are hundreds of different weapons, armor, and even power-ups to gear your character with.
Along with your usual run-of-the-mill enemies, Realm Of The Mad God also boasts challenging boss battles. You can also team up and explore with dozens of other players in MMO fashion. Fans of games like Risk of Rain 2 will love this game.
Roboquest
Available on PC, Xbox Series, and Xbox One.
If you took the previously mentioned Gunfire Reborn and threw it in a blender with Destiny or Halo, you’d get Roboquest. It’s a delightful roguelite title that any Risk of Rain fan is sure to enjoy.
While it isn’t a full-fledged roguelike, Roboquest incorporates enough systems from the genre to get a pass. It is a fast-paced first-person shooter that is playable either solo or co-op with a friend.
The gameplay is quite simple, and you’ll find it familiar. You’ll blast your way through procedurally generated levels, collecting upgrades and new weapons to take out evil robots.
We mentioned that you could do co-op run with a brobot. This game actually supports cross-platform play too, accompanied by public matchmaking.
From the gameplay to the stylized visuals, Roboquest has it down-packed. The game is filled with personality, and even has its own original soundtrack that matches the robot-smashing fights. This is one of the most visually interesting games like Risk of Rain 2.
This game features a permanent death system. If you die during one of your runs, you’ll be sent back to the base camp to start all over, however, there is a persistent upgrade system. You can unlock new, helpful gameplay elements after each death. The procedurally generated levels also help keep every playthrough feeling fresh.
Levels in Roboquest use a mix of handcrafted and randomly generated chunks. There’s also a range of different atmospheres and themes up for grabs.
Don’t worry, the game also offers plenty in the way of unique playstyles. There are four different classes to choose from, which all have their own special abilities and skills.
Everspace 2
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Why not take the roguelike shooting fun to space? Instead of exploring alien worlds, travel through the galaxy in Everspace 2, taking down enemies in a dog-shooter style. This is one of the best games set in space for fans of games like Risk of Rain 2.
Everspace 2 features a vast open world to explore, that has been handcrafted. Not only is the game’s universe breathtaking, but it’s also packed with details and secrets to uncover.
The game absolutely nails the roguelike elements that any fan of Risk of Rain is sure to enjoy. It also expertly executes the story elements, shipbuilding, exploration, and engaging combat.
Fights are incredibly fast-paced and take the best from every spaceship shooter that came before it. The game makes you feel like you’re a Rebel pilot in Star Wars, and it is adrenaline-inducing.
It also goes hard on the RPG elements, and there are side activities like mining and crafting. The variety in loot and spaceships is the game’s strongest point, however.
There are a variety of different ships to pilot, and also customize. You can change almost everything, from the different modules, weapons, and devices. Did you love seeing how the different item effects would combine in Risk of Rain? Well, you’ll be swept up by Everspace 2.
There is a huge focus on synergy with your ship’s loadouts, ranging from equipment and perk effects, to devices. The game allows for a wide range of different playstyles.
Did we mention outlaws? Because along with exploring, you’ll also need to defend against outlaw space gangs. This game lets you live out your space fantasies—you can even be a space trader! If you’re a fan of games like Risk of Rain 2, you will love this game.
Nuclear Throne
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Take the roguelike experience to the post-apocalyptic wastelands in Nuclear Throne. If you want games like Risk of Rain 2, you can’t go wrong with this bullet hell shooter.
While it won’t cover Risk of Rain’s multiplayer urges, it offers a solid single-player experience. Humanity is gone, and the world is now crawling with mutants and monsters galore. Despite the grim premise, the game’s visuals have a different tone. It features a quirky retro pixel style, which doesn’t actually take away from the game at all.
It adds an upbeat tone that is in theme with the hectic bullet hell gameplay. Nuclear Throne presents itself in an absolutely over-the-top manner and embraces the absurdities.
When it comes to gameplay, it absolutely nails that as well. It’s easily up there with Risk of Rain and legendary titles like The Binding of Isaac as the best in the genre. You play as one of twelve mutants—which you’ll unlock more as you play—shooting your way through the apocalyptic world. If you die on the journey, it’s back to square zero for you.
As you can expect, every run in Nuclear Throne is random. While you’ll see the same themes between levels and enemies, the map’s layout changes every time for a fresh experience.
You’ll also find different loot in the form of weapons and you’ll earn ‘Rads’ too. Rads are available as random drops from enemies and they act as experience points.
Rads can unlock mutations/buffs for your character. In the best sense, Nuclear Throne feels super arcade-y. It’s a simple, but super enjoyable experience.
Wizards Of Legend
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Love the mystical Artificer class in Risk of Rain 2? Because if so, you’ll fall for Wizards of Legend’s charm. It turns every player into a magic-slinging combatant.
This is also where the game stands out in the roguelike genre. Its fast-paced combat system allows for quick, speedy movement, and you can chain together spells for cool combos. The magic system is also completely dynamic. There are over 100 unique spells in the game, and even more spell combinations and synergies for you to discover.
Magic in Wizards of Legend is tied to a system called Arcana. They can come in five different elements: fire, water, lightning, earth, and air. Each one with its own strengths/weaknesses.
Arcana spells can also come in different types. This is what allows for projectile or melee spell attacks, as well as different levels, like basic, standard, and signature.
The game allows for a high level of freedom in creating a magical arsenal using Arcana. The other part of your loadout consists of relics and robes, which provide different effects and bonuses.
Looking for a fast, action-packed roguelike? This is it. The rich magic systems are also backed up by charming, fluid visuals. Battle scenes play out as smooth as butter, with a retro pixel style. The roguelike elements of the game are actually where it gets its name.
The aim is to make your way through 10 procedurally generated floors and become the titular ‘Wizard of Legend’. If you want to expand your games library with more games like Risk of Rain 2, this is the best pick for you.
Bonus: Risk of Rain 1
Available on PC, PS5, PS4, Vita, and Nintendo Switch.
If you’re searching for more games like Risk of Rain 2… Why not give the first one a go? Despite the changes in dimensions, the gameplay between the titles is the same (more or less).
Risk of Rain 1 has you exploring a 2D world instead but features the same core loop and progression system. You traverse levels, collecting loot, and eventually, activating a teleporter.
It’s the exact same. You’ll battle a boss, and then move on to the next level. The game gets increasingly harder as time goes on, and you even have the same droids you can purchase.
The core loop isn’t the only similarity the two games share. You’ll also find some of the same character classes, like the bandit, the same enemies, and even bosses.
Risk of Rain 1 still holds up incredibly well today, and the online systems are still supported. You can even jump in with friends. Just like its successor, you can play with up to three other people.