Hades II clicked because it takes everything people loved about the first game and pushes it further with gorgeous art, razor-sharp combat, and that addictive roguelike loop where every run feels like progress.
Hades II
Release Date: May 01, 2024
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up
Supergiant once again built a game that feels great immediately, but also keeps opening up the longer you stay with it. The best alternatives do not all copy the exact same formula, but they hit similar highs through fast action, build variety, replayable runs, strong atmosphere, or progression systems that keep pulling you back for one more attempt.
TL;DR – Games Like Hades II
Table of Contents
Hades II was always going to be a hard game to follow because it nails so many things at once.
The combat is fast and readable, the progression feels constant even when you fail, and the story keeps rewarding you for coming back instead of treating each death like a reset button.
That means the best alternatives are not all trying to do the exact same thing. Some get close through top-down action and build synergy, others through atmosphere, replayability, or the feeling that every run can spiral into something completely different. If you want more games that hit that same “one more run” energy, these are the best places to start.
Hades
Hades is still the most obvious recommendation because it remains the clearest match for what makes Hades II work. You play as Zagreus trying to escape the Underworld, fighting through chambers that remix themselves from run to run while building around boons from the Olympian gods.
What makes it such an easy pick is how well it balances action and narrative. The combat is fast, clean, and full of satisfying weapon combinations, but the real hook is that death actually moves the story forward. Every failed run gives you new dialogue, new relationships, and more context for the world around you.
That structure is exactly why it feels so close to Hades II. Both games understand that a roguelike does not have to choose between replayability and storytelling. Instead, they make the repetition part of the appeal, turning failure into momentum rather than punishment.
If you somehow started with the sequel first, Hades is the most natural next step because it still holds up as one of the best action roguelikes ever made.
Hades
Release Date: December 10, 2019
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Closest overall match to Hades II in combat and structure
- Story progression is woven directly into repeated runs
- Huge build variety through weapons, aspects, and boons
- Still one of the best-written roguelikes around
Dead Cells
Dead Cells comes from a different angle, but it absolutely deserves a place here because it captures the same feeling of speed, responsiveness, and constant run-to-run experimentation. Instead of top-down combat, it leans into side-scrolling action, platforming, and aggressive movement.
The biggest strength is how good it feels in motion. Dodging, rolling, striking, and swapping between weapons all happen at a pace that rewards confidence. When a run starts clicking, Dead Cells gives you that same rush Hades II does, where every fight feels like a chance to push harder instead of backing off and playing too safe.
It also has years of content behind it, which matters a lot for this genre. New weapons, routes, mutations, and upgrades make it the kind of roguelike you can keep returning to long after you have learned the basics. That sense of depth is a huge part of why it stays so easy to recommend.
If your favorite thing about Hades II is the smoothness of the combat and the thrill of a build suddenly becoming overpowered, Dead Cells is one of the strongest alternatives around.
Dead Cells
Release Date: May 10, 2017
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Incredibly fluid combat and movement
- Strong build variety through weapons and mutations
- Huge amount of content thanks to post-launch support
- Excellent fit if you value speed and replayability first
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Skul: The Hero Slayer works so well on a list like this because it takes a familiar roguelike loop and gives it a genuinely fun twist. You play as a tiny skeleton soldier trying to rescue the Demon King, and the key mechanic is swapping skulls that transform you into entirely different combat styles.
That system is what makes the game feel fresh. One run might push you toward a high-speed melee setup, while another leans into magic, summons, or heavier burst damage. It creates the same sort of experimentation that makes Hades II satisfying, where you are not just surviving a run, but actively discovering what kind of run it wants to become.
It also benefits from its tone. The art style looks lighter at first, but the game can get seriously demanding once the runs start stretching out. That balance makes it approachable for newcomers while still giving experienced roguelike players plenty to optimize.
If you want another roguelike where build identity shifts dramatically from run to run, Skul is one of the smartest picks on this list.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Release Date: January 21, 2021
Genres: Platform, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Skull swapping creates genuinely varied playstyles
- Good balance between accessibility and challenge
- Build experimentation stays exciting across many runs
- Strong pick if you want more personality-driven action
Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon II is the moodiest recommendation here and the one that strays furthest from Hades II in raw combat feel. Instead of fast action, it gives you turn-based encounters, party stress, and a run structure built around managing both survival and emotional collapse.
That difference is exactly why it works. Hades II players are often looking for more than just speed. They want tension, progression, and a game that makes every run matter. Darkest Dungeon II absolutely does that, just in a more deliberate and punishing way. It turns the road itself into part of the challenge and makes every decision feel loaded.
The psychological layer is what really sets it apart. You are not only fighting enemies. You are managing relationships, stress, breakdowns, and the way each hero reacts to the pressure of the journey. That gives the game a kind of dread and narrative weight few roguelites can really match.
If you want something darker, slower, and much more oppressive than Hades II, Darkest Dungeon II is one of the best alternatives in the genre.
Darkest Dungeon II
Release Date: May 08, 2023
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Heavy atmosphere and outstanding narration
- Turn-based combat rewards careful planning
- Stress and relationship systems make each run more intense
- Great choice if you want a darker roguelite experience
Shape of Dreams
Shape of Dreams is one of the newer games on this list, but it earns its place because it captures the frantic, dodge-heavy side of the action roguelite formula very well. The combat is projectile-filled, fast, and built around staying mobile while shaping builds that can snowball in powerful ways. It also supports solo play or up to four-player co-op.
That co-op angle is a big part of what makes it stand out. Hades II is at its best when a run feels chaotic but still under control, and Shape of Dreams pushes that feeling into multiplayer without losing the importance of movement and build decisions. Coordinating with other players adds a different kind of energy, especially once runs get dense with effects and enemy pressure.
It also helps that the game leans into visual variety. The surreal dream setting gives it a different identity from the more mythological or dungeon-heavy roguelikes on this list, which helps it feel like more than just another clone chasing the same look and pace.
If you want a newer action roguelite with strong co-op potential and lots of screen-filling chaos, Shape of Dreams is a very solid pick.
Shape of Dreams
Release Date: September 11, 2025
Genres: Strategy, Adventure, Indie, Tactical, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, MOBA
Why You Might Like It
- Dodge-heavy combat keeps every run active
- Up to four-player co-op adds a fresh angle
- Dreamlike setting helps it stand out visually
- Good fit if you want newer roguelite chaos with friends
Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb earns its place here because it does something many roguelites only hint at: it gives you a full second game loop that is just as compelling as the combat. Dungeon runs feed resources into your cult, and the cult in turn improves what you can do on future runs.
That loop is what makes it so hard to put down. Hades II works because every failed run still feels productive. Cult of the Lamb hits that same reward pattern in a different way by making your downtime matter just as much as your time in battle. You are constantly building toward something, even when you are not inside a combat zone.
It also has a very distinctive tone. The cute art style mixed with cult rituals, dark humor, and surprisingly deep management systems gives it a personality that no other game here really shares. That helps it stand out even in a crowded genre.
If you like the idea of a roguelite that keeps rewarding you between runs instead of only during them, Cult of the Lamb is one of the most interesting options available.
Cult of the Lamb
Release Date: August 11, 2022
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Strong mix of roguelite combat and base management
- Progression between runs feels genuinely meaningful
- Distinct art style and tone make it easy to remember
- Great pick if you want more than just combat from the genre
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is one of the foundational games of the modern roguelike boom, and it is still ridiculously easy to recommend because almost no two runs feel the same. The sheer number of items, synergies, and unexpected interactions gives it a level of replayability that few games can really match.
What makes it fit Hades II fans is not presentation or story structure, but pure run variety. If you love the feeling of a build spiraling into something absurdly powerful or hilariously broken, Isaac does that better than almost anything. It constantly surprises you with combinations that change the whole shape of the run.
It also has years of additions behind it, which means the game feels enormous now. Even after a lot of time with it, there is still a good chance you will see interactions or setups that completely change the way you approach the next attempt.
If you want a roguelike that practically defines replayability and item synergy, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is still one of the genre’s giants.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Release Date: November 04, 2014
Genres: Shooter, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Why You Might Like It
- Incredible item variety and synergy potential
- Runs rarely feel repetitive even after many hours
- Dark tone gives it a very distinct identity
- One of the most influential roguelikes ever made
Ravenswatch
Ravenswatch is one of the closest games here to Hades II in pure combat rhythm. It is a top-down action roguelite with distinct heroes, strong real-time pacing, and a dark fantasy world built around reimagined folklore characters. It can also be played solo or in online co-op.
The hero design is a big reason it works so well. Each character has a genuinely different playstyle, which keeps runs from blending together and gives the game a lot of long-term variety. That same sense of identity is a huge part of what makes Hades II so satisfying when you start chasing specific weapons, boons, or combat approaches.
It also benefits from co-op without feeling like co-op is mandatory. The game is fun alone, but coordinating builds and timing with other players adds a lot of extra energy when you want something more chaotic. That makes Ravenswatch one of the better recommendations for players who want the Hades II vibe but with a stronger multiplayer angle.
If you want top-down action, strong hero diversity, and a darker fantasy edge, Ravenswatch is one of the best picks on the list.
Ravenswatch
Release Date: April 06, 2023
Genres: Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Role-playing (RPG)
Why You Might Like It
- Top-down action feels naturally close to Hades II
- Distinct heroes keep the combat fresh
- Solo and co-op both work well
- Excellent choice for players who want a darker folklore twist
Megabonk
Megabonk is the pure chaos pick. It leans harder into horde survival and screen-filling upgrades than Hades II does, but it scratches the same itch for players who love watching a run turn into a ridiculous power fantasy.
The biggest selling point is escalation. Early on, the game feels manageable, but once upgrades and loot begin stacking, every run starts snowballing into something much more aggressive and much more absurd. That sense of rapid growth is a huge part of why games in this genre are so hard to stop playing, and Megabonk clearly understands it.
It also helps that it gives you plenty of tools to mess with. Between its roster of playable characters and a big set of items, it offers enough variety to make build experimentation part of the draw instead of just a bonus on top of the action.
If your favorite side of Hades II is the raw “become overpowered and melt the room” feeling, Megabonk is a very easy recommendation.
Megabonk
Release Date: September 18, 2025
Genres: Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Strong power-fantasy progression during long runs
- Lots of items and synergies to experiment with
- Easy to jump into but still very replayable
- Great budget-friendly chaos pick
Curse of the Dead Gods
Curse of the Dead Gods is the game that probably comes closest to Hades II in combat mood, even if it never got the same level of mainstream attention. It is another top-down action roguelite, but with a heavier, more punishing feel built around stamina, timing, curses, traps, and risk management in a deadly temple.
That makes it a perfect addition to this list. Where Hades II is fluid and stylish, Curse of the Dead Gods feels harsher and more dangerous. The combat asks you to parry, dodge, manage greed, and think about light and darkness in ways that make every room feel more threatening than a typical hack-and-slash rush.
It also nails atmosphere. The temple setting, cursed progression, and oppressive art direction give it a very specific identity that helps it stand apart from brighter or more chaotic roguelites. If you like the mythological side of Hades II but want something moodier and a bit more brutal, this is one of the best games to try.
For players who want a darker, more punishing top-down action roguelite, Curse of the Dead Gods is one of the clearest recommendations possible.
Curse of the Dead Gods
Release Date: March 03, 2020
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie, Racing, Simulator
Why You Might Like It
- Top-down combat feels naturally close to Hades II
- Curses and traps add a strong risk-reward layer
- Darker atmosphere gives it a distinct identity
- Excellent fit if you want a tougher mythic roguelite
Which games come closest to Hades II?
Final thoughts
Hades II feels special because it combines immediacy with momentum. The combat is sharp enough to make every room fun on its own, but the progression, story, and build variety make each run feel like part of something bigger.
The games above all capture different parts of that appeal. Hades and Curse of the Dead Gods come closest to the same top-down action rhythm, Dead Cells and Skul: The Hero Slayer are brilliant for build experimentation, and Ravenswatch or Shape of Dreams are great picks if you want to bring co-op chaos into the mix.
Author Recommendations
If I had to point you toward just one game on this list, it would be Darkest Dungeon II. I got hooked on it for a solid month straight and still think about it.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is my other must-play. Yes, I know it’s been around for a while, but don’t let that put you off. It still absolutely holds up.