Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor burst onto the scene, blending the beloved co-op mining and shooting of its predecessor with the addictive auto-shooter roguelite genre. Its unique combination of intense action, resource management, and persistent progression struck a chord with players. If you've found yourself captivated by the prospect of blasting alien hordes while gathering precious minerals, you're likely searching for similar experiences. This article explores the top 5 best games that capture the spirit and gameplay loops of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, offering thrilling adventures for fans of the genre.
1. Vampire Survivors
It's impossible to discuss games like Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor without mentioning the title that arguably popularized the modern auto-shooter roguelite: Vampire Survivors. This game is the quintessential experience, offering a deceptively simple yet incredibly deep gameplay loop. You control a character who automatically attacks, and your primary focus is on movement, survival, and strategically choosing power-ups as you level up. The sheer variety of weapons, passive items, and character synergies keeps the gameplay fresh and endlessly replayable. While it lacks the intricate mining and co-op elements of Deep Rock Galactic, the core survival and upgrade progression are incredibly satisfying and share a similar dopamine-inducing loop.
2. Brotato
Brotato takes the auto-shooter roguelite formula and injects a healthy dose of frantic action and character customization. You play as a potato (yes, a potato!) armed with a variety of weapons, fighting off hordes of aliens. What sets Brotato apart is its vast array of playable characters, each with unique stats, abilities, and starting weapons, leading to wildly different playstyles. The game encourages experimentation with different builds, weapons, and items to overcome increasingly challenging waves. If you enjoy the constant barrage of enemies and the satisfaction of creating powerful character builds in Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, Brotato will feel right at home.
3. Halls of Torment
For those who appreciate a darker, more gothic aesthetic, Halls of Torment offers a compelling auto-shooter roguelite experience with Diablo-esque influences. You choose from various classes, each with unique abilities and a distinct feel, and descend into procedurally generated dungeons to battle hordes of demons and undead. The game features a satisfying progression system where you unlock new gear, abilities, and upgrades between runs, much like the persistent elements in Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor. The blend of hack-and-slash action with bullet-hell survival makes for an engaging and challenging adventure.
4. 20 Minutes Till Dawn
20 Minutes Till Dawn offers a more focused and intense take on the auto-shooter genre. The premise is simple: survive for 20 minutes against increasingly difficult waves of eldritch horrors. Like its contemporaries, the core gameplay revolves around auto-attacking while you focus on dodging and strategically picking upgrades. The game boasts a wide array of weapons and spells, encouraging players to find powerful combinations. Its challenging difficulty and emphasis on build synergy will appeal to players who enjoyed the strategic depth and escalating combat of Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor.
5. Realm of the Mad God Exalt
Realm of the Mad God Exalt is a permadeath bullet-hell MMO that offers a unique blend of action RPG and roguelite elements. While it predates the current wave of auto-shooter roguelites, its core loop of running dungeons, collecting loot, and fighting challenging bosses shares a spiritual connection. Each character has a distinct class with unique abilities, and progression involves finding better gear and leveling up. The permadeath aspect adds a significant layer of tension and reward, similar to the high-stakes mining expeditions in Deep Rock Galactic. If you enjoy the thrill of risk and reward coupled with challenging combat, Realm of the Mad God Exalt is a fantastic choice.
Conclusion
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor carved out a special niche by successfully merging its established IP with the addictive auto-shooter roguelite formula. While finding an exact replica is difficult, the games listed above offer compelling gameplay loops and experiences that scratch a similar itch. Whether you're drawn to the frantic survival, strategic build crafting, or the thrill of persistent progression, these titles provide hours of engaging entertainment for fans looking for their next mining and shooting adventure. Rock and Stone!
