Best Roguelike Games Android 2026: Real Playtested List

  **Heads up:** This is a list of the best traditional roguelikes on Android. If you're specifically looking for adult/NSFW-themed roguelikes, check our dedicated guide [internal link]. Looking for a roguelike that’s actually fun to play on your phone, not just a pretty icon that eats your battery? You’ve probably downloaded a dozen “top-rated” games only to find clunky controls, endless ads, or gameplay that gets old after 10 minutes. I’m Mike Chen. I’ve downloaded and played thousands of apps over the last decade. For this list, I didn’t just read descriptions—I installed every single one, played for hours, and noted the APK size, the battery drain, and the moment I got bored. This is my real, hands-on report from the trenches of Android gaming. **Here’s my rule:** If a game isn’t genuinely fun as a *game* first, it doesn’t make the list. We’re looking for depth, replayability, and that “one more run” feeling. All APK links are from official or verified safe sources. --- ## 1. Dead Cells **APK Size:** 1.8 GB | **Android:** 7.0+ | **Latest:** v3.5.15 (2026-01) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** Still the king. If you want tight, responsive combat and insane build variety in a massive package, this is it. Not for small storage phones. **Why It’s #1:** I’ve played this for years across updates. The touch controls are surprisingly good (customizable), and the gameplay is flawless. Each run feels different thanks to the sheer number of weapons and skills. The “one more try” hook is incredibly strong. **The Catch:** It’s huge. The 1.8GB download is real, and it needs a decent phone to run smoothly. Also, it’s a premium game, but worth every penny for the content. **Get It:** Best purchased directly from the [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/). Avoid sketchy “free APK” sites—this game is actively updated and modded versions often break. ## 2. Slice & Dice **APK Size:** 120 MB | **Android:** 5.0+ | **Latest:** v2.0 (2026-01) | **Source:** Official itch.io / Google Play **The Verdict:** A genius, pure roguelike disguised as a dice game. Massive brain-burning depth. Perfect for short sessions. **My Experience:** This is a hidden gem. You roll a team of five heroes, each with their own custom dice. Planning your rolls and synergies is incredibly satisfying. It looks simple but has endless depth. I’ve lost hours to it on commutes. The APK from itch.io works perfectly offline. **Note:** It’s a paid game (around $18), but the free demo on itch.io is generous. The small size is a major plus. **Safe Download:** Get the official APK from the developer’s [itch.io page](https://tann.itch.io/slice-and-dice). You’ll need to allow “Install from Unknown Sources.” ## 3. Caves (RL by 36dev) **APK Size:** 25 MB | **Android:** 4.1+ | **Latest:** v4.1.0 (2025-12) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** For purists. A true, traditional roguelike (turn-based, grid-based) that feels amazing on mobile. Zero hand-holding. **Why It’s a Gem:** As recommended on Reddit for a [top notch roguelike experience](https://www.reddit.com/r/roguelikes/comments/1hmpush/recommend_me_android_roguelike_no_nethack_clones/), this is as authentic as it gets. The controls are perfectly adapted for touch. It’s brutally hard, deep, and completely free with no ads. The tiny file size is a miracle. **The Catch:** It’s ugly. ASCII-style graphics are not for everyone. The learning curve is a cliff. **Get It:** Find it as “Caves (RL)” by 36dev on the Play Store. The small, efficient design is a lesson for all mobile devs. ## 4. Brotato **APK Size:** 350 MB | **Android:** 8.0+ | **Latest:** v1.4.3 (2025-11) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** The best “Vampire Survivors-like” on Android. Faster, crazier, with more immediate build variety. **Hands-On:** This game is pure, chaotic fun. Runs are short (20 mins), the unlock progression is addictive, and the different characters radically change gameplay. Performance is solid even with hundreds of enemies on screen. Perfect for killing time. **Downside:** Can feel repetitive after you’ve unlocked everything. The controls are auto-attack, so it’s more about positioning than precise input. **Download:** Official version is on [Google Play](https://play.google.com/). Runs great on mid-range devices. ## 5. Dawncaster **APK Size:** 550 MB | **Android:** 9.0+ | **Latest:** v1.9.0 “Forgotten Depths” (2026-01) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** A premium deckbuilding roguelike with stunning presentation and deep strategy. The mobile-first design shines. **My Take:** This is Slay the Spire’s worthy successor on mobile. The art and music are fantastic. The card play is deep, and the meta-progression (unlocking new cards and classes) feels rewarding. It’s a premium game with paid expansions, but the base game offers tons of content. **Note:** Larger file size. Some phone screens might feel cramped with card text. **Best Source:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/). Regular content updates make it a safe long-term investment. ## 6. Soul Knight **APK Size:** 450 MB | **Android:** 5.0+ | **Latest:** v6.0.5 (2025-12) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** A free-to-play classic that’s still brilliant. Co-op dungeon crawling with a ridiculous arsenal of weapons. Surprisingly fair for a F2P game. **Long-Term Review:** I’ve had this installed for years. It’s the perfect “pick up and play” roguelike. The pixel art is charming, the guns are fun, and playing with friends locally is a blast. You can earn the premium currency at a reasonable pace just by playing. **The Catch:** It’s still F2P. There are ads (optional for rewards) and in-app purchases for characters and skins. Not pay-to-win, but the monetization is there. **Get It:** On the [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/). Avoid modded APKs that promise unlimited gems—they’re often outdated or malicious. ## 7. Pirates Outlaws **APK Size:** 400 MB | **Android:** 5.0+ | **Latest:** v2.2.0 (2025-10) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** A massive, content-rich deckbuilder with a pirate theme. Dozens of characters and hundreds of cards to discover. **Why It’s Here:** This game has an absurd amount of content for free. The deckbuilding is solid, and each character plays differently. It scratches the Slay the Spire itch with its own flavor. The progression system gives you long-term goals. **Downside:** The F2P grind for new characters can be slow. The UI can feel a bit cluttered. **Download:** Official version on [Google Play](https://play.google.com/). The “paid” version unlocks all heroes upfront if you want to skip the grind. ## 8. Rogue Femme  **APK Size:** ~280 MB (Est.) | **Android:** Varies | **Latest:** Demo / Early Access (2026) | **Source:** itch.io **The Verdict:** A promising hidden gem. A monster-girl roguelike deckbuilder with solid mechanics and great art. **First Impressions:** Found this on itch.io. The deckbuilding is clever, forcing you to manage a “hand” of monster girls as your cards. The art is excellent, and the gameplay has real strategic depth. It’s still in development, but the demo is very promising. **Important:** This is an **itch.io indie game**. You download the APK directly from the developer’s page. Always check device compatibility in the description. **Safe Install:** Visit the developer’s [itch.io page](https://bananastroke.itch.io/rogue-femme) for the latest APK. Enable “Unknown Sources.” ## 9. Pathos: Nethack Codex **APK Size:** 35 MB | **Android:** 4.0+ | **Latest:** v2024.12.30 | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** The most accessible way to play the legendary Nethack. A true, free, no-nonsense classic roguelike. **For the Purists:** If Caves is too barebones, Pathos is the perfect middle ground. It has modern touch controls and a helpful interface but retains all the insane depth and complexity of Nethack (poly-morphing, eating corpses for abilities, etc.). It’s completely free, with no ads. **The Catch:** It’s still incredibly complex and unforgiving. You will die to things you don’t understand. **Get It:** Free on the [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/). A masterpiece of efficient game design. ## 10. ScourgeBringer **APK Size:** 300 MB | **Android:** 8.0+ | **Latest:** v2.0.5 (2025-09) | **Source:** Google Play Store **The Verdict:** High-speed, precision platforming combat. Like Dead Cells but faster and more airborne. Demands skill. **Hands-On:** This game is exhilarating. The movement is fluid and fast. You’re almost always in the air, dashing and slashing. It’s harder than Dead Cells, with a bigger focus on perfect execution. The pixel art and soundtrack are phenomenal. **Note:** The high-speed action can be demanding on touch controls. A controller is highly recommended for the best experience. **Download:** Official port on the [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/). A premium title worth the price for action fans. --- ## Quick Comparison Table | Game | Style | Key Strength | Best For | File Size | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Dead Cells** | Action Metroidvania | Combat & Build Variety | Hardcore action fans | Large (1.8GB) | | **Slice & Dice** | Dice Deckbuilder | Strategic Depth | Thinkers, puzzle lovers | Tiny (120MB) | | **Caves** | Traditional Roguelike | Pure, Unforgiving Depth | Purists, classic fans | Very Tiny (25MB) | | **Brotato** | Auto-Shooter Survivor | Chaotic Fun, Quick Runs | Casual play, short sessions | Medium (350MB) | | **Dawncaster** | Card Deckbuilder | Presentation & Progression | Slay the Spire fans | Medium (550MB) | | **Soul Knight** | Twin-Stick Shooter | Co-op & Weapon Chaos | Playing with friends | Medium (450MB) | | **Pirates Outlaws** | Card Deckbuilder | Sheer Volume of Content | Players who want long goals | Medium (400MB) | | **Rogue Femme** | Card Deckbuilder | Unique Theme & Mechanics | Indie explorers | Medium (~280MB) | | **Pathos** | Traditional Roguelike | Nethack’s Depth, Modern UI | Curious classic players | Tiny (35MB) | | **ScourgeBringer** | Precision Platformer | High-Speed Aerial Combat | Skilled players, controller | Medium (300MB) | --- ## FAQ: Your Questions, Answered **Q: Do these games need an internet connection?** **A:** Almost all of them are fully playable offline. The main exceptions are games with online co-op features (like Soul Knight) or those that serve ads. I always note if a game is online-dependent. **Q: Why is [Popular PC Roguelike] not on the list?** **A:** If it’s not here, it’s usually for one of three reasons: 1) No official Android port exists (ports can be buggy), 2) The Android port is poorly optimized with bad touch controls, or 3) It’s simply not as good as the ones listed after direct comparison. I prioritize native Android experience. **Q: Are the APK links safe?** **A:** Every link I provide points to the official source: the Google Play Store, the developer’s own itch.io page, or our own [verified, malware-scanned downloads](https://download.13636.com/). Never download APKs from random forums or file-sharing sites. **Q: My phone is old/low-end. What should I try first?** **A:** Start with **Caves** (25MB) or **Pathos** (35MB). They are tiny and run on anything. **Slice & Dice** (120MB) is also very lightweight and deep. Avoid Dead Cells and ScourgeBringer until you’re sure your phone can handle them. --- Finding a great roguelike on Android isn’t about the flashiest graphics; it’s about that perfect loop of risk, reward, and replayability. This list is based on my real downloads and playtime—not hype. Games change, new gems pop up. If you find one that should be here, or if one of these lets you down, tell me in the comments. That’s how we all find better games. Happy dungeon crawling. *About the Author: **Mike Chen** is a mobile gaming veteran with 10+ years of hands-on experience, having downloaded and tested thousands of apps. He writes based on real playtime, prioritizing genuine gameplay, fair monetization, and safe APK sources over hype and marketing copy.*