What Is The Difference Between Roguelike And Rogue-lite?
Roguelike and rogue-lite games share roots in the classic 1980 game Rogue, but differ in progression systems. Roguelikes reset completely after each run, while rogue-lites allow permanent upgrades and carryover progress.
The terms roguelike and rogue-lite describe two closely related genres of games inspired by the 1980 classic Rogue. Both emphasize challenging runs, procedural generation, and permadeath mechanics, but they differ in how much progress carries over between attempts.
What Is A Roguelike?
A roguelike is the purest form of the genre. In these games, every run starts from scratch. When you die, you lose everything and begin again with no permanent upgrades or progression. The focus is on mastering mechanics, adapting to random elements, and surviving as long as possible. Classic roguelikes include NetHack, ADOM, and modern titles like Spelunky (depending on interpretation).
As Lucie Dewagnier, game director of The Rogue: Prince of Persia, explains: “Roguelike is – like the game Rogue – a game where you play, you die, you hit replay, but nothing is kept between your attempts.”
What Is A Rogue-lite?
Rogue-lites retain the core loop of roguelikes but add progression systems. Players may unlock permanent upgrades, new abilities, or expanded content that make future runs easier or more varied. This creates a sense of long-term growth alongside the short-term challenge of each run. Popular rogue-lites include Dead Cells, Hades, Returnal, and Undermine.
Dewagnier clarifies: “Rogue-lite may add some things like permanent upgrades and enhancements that make your future runs easier and has progression systems that do not exist in roguelikes.”
Why The Confusion?
The line between roguelike and rogue-lite is often blurred. Some games mix elements of both, leading to debates about classification. For example, Spelunky is often considered a roguelike, but its unlockable content resembles rogue-lite progression. This overlap has led some developers and players to suggest dropping the suffixes entirely and simply referring to all such titles as Rogue games.
In short: roguelikes reset completely after each run, while rogue-lites allow permanent progression. Both share the DNA of Rogue and continue to evolve as developers experiment with new mechanics. Whether you prefer the unforgiving purity of roguelikes or the rewarding progression of rogue-lites, the genre offers some of the most engaging and replayable experiences in gaming today.
