2025’s Dominant Steam Genre: The Endless Loop That Keeps Thriving

2025's Dominant Steam Genre: The Endless Loop That Keeps Thriving

Roguelikes are taking over Steam in 2025, a trend that seems hard to ignore. With everything from massive AAA titles like Elden Ring Nightrein to indie sensations like Megabonk, the genre has become increasingly popular this year, and the data backs it up.

According to SteamDB, the “Roguelike” tag on Steam is set to reach its highest count of game releases in 2025. This year alone, 1,562 new games have been tagged as Roguelike, just 39 short of the previous record of 1,601 set in 2024. With 52 more titles slated for release before November 11, 2025 could easily be the breakthrough year for roguelikes.

SteamDB roguelike page showing charts for the genre's game releases.

October 2025 marked another significant milestone for roguelikes, with 191 games released—the highest number in a single month for the genre. This surpasses the previous record set in November 2024 by 18 games, featuring notable titles like Ball x Pit and Slots & Daggers.

However, it’s not all sunlight and rainbows. This year has seen 108 roguelikes released without any user reviews, outpacing the 87 unreviewed titles from last year. This could suggest that while new games are being released, they may not be engaging enough players to foster reviews.

Are we nearing saturation in the roguelike genre? Surprisingly, it doesn’t appear so. Over 50 roguelikes recently recorded peak player counts exceeding 1,000 in just the last 24 hours, outshining the popular Souls-like genre which had only 33 games hitting that mark.

What keeps players coming back? The combination of endless replayability and unpredictable gameplay mechanics seems irresistible, enticing both gamers and developers alike. As a fan of roguelikes myself, I believe this trend will carry through into 2026, potentially inviting larger franchises to explore the genre as Elden Ring did.

What notable trends are emerging in the roguelike genre? The sheer volume of titles and heightened player engagement suggests an expanding market ripe for exploration.

Why does the roguelike genre attract so many players? The blend of unpredictable gameplay and replayable content keeps players coming back for more, helping to maintain interest.

Are there risks of genre fatigue with so many new titles? While there are a few unreviewed games this year, player engagement remains high, indicating that fatigue hasn’t yet set in.

What opportunities exist for indie developers in the roguelike space? With growing popularity, indie developers have an exciting chance to create unique titles within this thriving genre.

In conclusion, the explosive growth of roguelikes on Steam signals an inviting landscape for both gamers and developers. If you’re a fan or just curious about the genre, dive into the world of roguelikes. There’s plenty of exciting content to explore. For more insights and gaming trends, check out Moyens I/O.