Best Perma Death games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated perma death games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free perma death games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Expedition Agartha
Expedition Agartha is a high-stakes first person slasher. Loot ancient treasures, conquer mythological enemies, and extract to safety - alone or up to groups of three. Gear up and launch your expedition in the first and only medieval extraction looter available on Steam!
Railroads & Catacombs
In this exciting Card Building Roguelike game you create your cards from scratch adding different upgrades. Build your train, explore this mad land and face fearsome bosses. Discover infinite synergies. How far will you go?
Heretic's Fork
Dear candidate, we are pleased to invite you to take up the position of manager of Hell. You will punish sinners by using our deck-building computer system to construct hellish towers capable of keeping the endless hordes of the underworld in check. Best of luck!
God Of Weapons
Embark on a thrilling journey in God of Weapons, an action roguelike where you must ascend the tower of Zhor to reclaim the last light for the world. To survive the monster onslaught on each tower's level, you'll need to obtain and carefully organize weapons and accessories in your inventory.
SNAKE FARM
A top-down action roguelike about buying snakes, fighting them, selling their oil, and buying more snakes. Upgrade your weapons, get stronger snakes to fight, and chase down a high score with only ten days to live.
Goodbye Volcano High
Goodbye Volcano High is a cinematic narrative adventure about love, change, and the end of the world. Guide Fang through their final year of high school as they try to make things right before time is up.
Draft of Darkness
Draft of Darkness is a survival horror RPG with deck building and roguelike dungeon exploration. Recruit allies, synergize their decks to create powerful card combos. Manage your limited resources and explore procedurally generated maps to determine the story's outcome.
Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot
Create your fully customizable army of dwarves and lead them to victory! Strategize with up to 10 individual beardlings in this combination of classic RPGs, roguelikes and auto-battlers. Forge your own path and decimate orcs, fight trolls or battle dragons - There will be Glory, Death and Loot!
Dungeon 100
The dragon-slayer becomes the dragon. Create unique builds without having to grind for equipment. After defeating a dungeon boss, you will take its place. Then, defeat your past selves to descend further into the dungeon.
30XX
Jump, shoot, and slash your way through 30XX, the roguelike action platformer you can play with a friend! Explore lush, ever-changing worlds that mix precise platforming with fevered combat. Destroy fearsome Guardians. Master unique Powers. Rediscover the thousand years we've lost.
Deadlink
Get ready to put a sizable dent in the profits of megacorporations in Deadlink, a guns-blazing cyberpunk FPS with roguelite elements. Your mission is to conduct covert ops while piloting a humanoid combat shell. And no, "covert" doesn’t mean "quiet."
Doomsday Hunters
Shoot stuff in a perfect pixel world, combine items, build guns, die every time! Roguelite twin-stick shooter where magic and post-apocalyptic future technologies collide. Defeat evil lord Dracula and save everyone!
Let's! Revolution!
Let’s! Revolution! is a colorful roguelite puzzle mashup about stopping a narcissistic King from ruining your world. Flip tiles to uncover the hidden path to the King. Use deductive reasoning to avoid his cronies or take them all down in strategic turn-based combat.
Cave Crawlers
Cave Crawlers is a 1-10 player rogue lite set deep underground in a system of randomly generated caves. Players use weapons, spells, and talents to defeat the unique bosses and enemies found in each biome.
Choo Choo Survivor
Drive your train to safety while shooting down endless hordes of zombies blocking your way. Upgrade your weapons and abilities and become absurdly powerful!
Breach Wanderers
A fresh take on Roguelike Deckbuilders that lets you fine-tune your decks before each run to adapt your strategy on your way to victory. Over 1,200 cards to choose from, ten characters with their own set of unique skills, and dozens of items and missions to evolve your tactics.
Darkest Dungeon® II
Darkest Dungeon II is a roguelike road trip of the damned. Form a party, equip your stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. The greatest dangers you face, however, may come from within...
Infinite Tao
《Infinity Tao》is a Rogue Lite game set in the Ancient Chinese Immortal Cultivation setting. Raise your realm, build powerful Magic Treasures combinations and Synergies, kill thousands of monster and win the 30 minute game.
G.O.P.O.T.A
And you're a chubby guy?
Crab Champions
Claw your way across exotic islands combining fluid movement with fast paced combat to become a Crab Champion in this third person roguelike shooter.Most played perma death games on Steam
Take a look at the top perma death games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Realm of the Mad God Exalt
Embark on an exhilarating journey into the pixelated Realm of the Mad God! Join, an action-packed, free-to-play MMO bullet hell game. Discover a world with danger, challenges, and hidden treasures as you battle through waves of enemies. Team up with players and conquer dungeons to become a legend! Realm of the Mad God Exalt is a pixel graphics, mmorpg and free to play game developed by Wild Shadow Studios and Deca Live Operations GmbH and published by Deca Live Operations GmbH. Released on February 20th 2012 has received 46,480 reviews of which 38,645 were positive and 7,835 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played perma death game, thanks to its 1,246 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.2
38,645
7,835
1,246
players
2. Spelunky 2
Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family. Spelunky 2 is a platformer, 2d platformer and difficult game developed by Mossmouth and Blitworks and published by Mossmouth. Released on September 29th 2020 has received 20,348 reviews of which 18,931 were positive and 1,417 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. While seeing 325 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among perma death games based on player count.
9.1
18,931
1,417
325
players
3. Tales of Maj'Eyal
Tales of Maj’Eyal is a roguelike RPG, featuring tactical turn-based combat and advanced character building. Play as one of many unique races and classes in the lore-filled world of Eyal, exploring random dungeons, facing challenging battles, and developing characters with your own tailored mix of abilities and powers. Tales of Maj'Eyal is a traditional roguelike, rogue-like and turn-based game developed and published by Netcore Games. Released on December 12th 2013 has received 6,684 reviews of which 6,357 were positive and 327 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played perma death games.
9.2
6,357
327
85
players
4. PUMPKIN PANIC
COME TO THIS COZY FARM! Plant crops, take care of the plants, go fishing, or whatever you prefer, but have a good time! But be carefull, they say that strange things are happening in the area... PUMPKIN PANIC is a free to play, horror and agriculture game developed and published by Bilalaika. Released on October 30th 2024 has received 1,626 reviews of which 1,563 were positive and 63 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played perma death games.
9.1
1,563
63
67
players
5. Lost Eidolons
Lost Eidolons is a turn-based tactical RPG with a gripping cinematic narrative, set in a waning empire riven by civil war. Take on the role of a charming mercenary captain, Eden, and lead his band of allies through epic encounters on a classic turn-based battlefield. Lost Eidolons is a jrpg, war and perma death game developed and published by Ocean Drive Studio and Inc.. Released on October 13th 2022 has received 1,931 reviews of which 1,351 were positive and 580 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played perma death games.
6.8
1,351
580
28
players
6. ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery)
ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery) is one of the most successful roguelike games ever created, boasting a brilliant mix of story, RPG, exploration, and intensely strategic & flexible combat. The Steam version adds various features like achievements, difficulty level customization & play modes. ADOM (Ancient Domains Of Mystery) is a traditional roguelike, crpg and dungeon crawler game developed by Thomas Biskup, Jochen Terstiege, Zeno Rogue, Krzysztof Dycha and Lucas Dieguez and published by Assemble Entertainment. Released on November 16th 2015 has received 1,526 reviews of which 1,293 were positive and 233 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played perma death games.
8.1
1,293
233
26
players
7. Marauders
Marauders is a tactical first-person multiplayer looter shooter set in a sci-fi universe. As a space pirate, work solo, or in a squad with up to 3 other players to navigate a hostile battleground, hunt for loot, craft new weapons and gear, and salvage what you’ll need to survive. Marauders is a early access, extraction shooter and looter shooter game developed by Small Impact Games and published by Team17. Released on October 03rd 2022 has received 20,582 reviews of which 14,814 were positive and 5,768 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played perma death games.
7.1
14,814
5,768
25
players
8. Heads Will Roll: Reforged
Hardcore survival RPG with non-linear story that lets you play as a young medieval soldier who over the course of battles and adventures becomes the most formidable and respected knight of his era. Or, if he’s not lucky enough, perishes in the chaos of the Hundred Years' War. Heads Will Roll: Reforged is a replay value, war and dark game developed by 1917 Studios and published by Valkyrie Initiative. Released on October 04th 2023 has received 932 reviews of which 815 were positive and 117 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played perma death games.
8.3
815
117
21
players
9. Crown Trick
Enter a labyrinth that moves as you move, where mastering the elements is key to defeating enemies and uncovering the mysteries of this underground world. With a new experience awaiting every time you enter the dungeon, let the power bestowed by the crown guide you in this challenging adventure! Crown Trick is a rogue-like, turn-based combat and rpg game developed by NEXT Studios and published by NEXT Studios and Team17. Released on October 16th 2020 has received 5,240 reviews of which 4,481 were positive and 759 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played perma death games.
8.3
4,481
759
19
players
10. Brutal Orchestra
Brutal Orchestra is a Turn-Based Roguelike Strategy Game. You died, someone killed you. You are in Purgatory and you will never escape. Make a deal with the "demon" Bosch and set off into Purgatory finding all manner of demented friends and foes on your quest to get petty revenge. Brutal Orchestra is a strategy, rpg and rogue-lite game developed by Talia bob Mair and Nicolás Delgado and published by Hellbent Games. Released on December 17th 2021 has received 1,780 reviews of which 1,745 were positive and 35 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played perma death games.
9.3
1,745
35
13
players
Best deals on perma death games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of perma death games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted perma death games.
1. Lost Eidolons
Lost Eidolons is a turn-based tactical RPG with a gripping cinematic narrative, set in a waning empire riven by civil war. Take on the role of a charming mercenary captain, Eden, and lead his band of allies through epic encounters on a classic turn-based battlefield. Lost Eidolons is a jrpg, war and perma death game developed and published by Ocean Drive Studio and Inc.. Released on October 13th 2022 has received 1,931 reviews of which 1,351 were positive and 580 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. Featuring a massive 97% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for perma death category.
6.8
1,351
580
-97%
33.33€
1.00€
2. Battle Ram
Battle Ram - an experiment of scientists developed in a secret laboratory, a powerful creature against robots, who will win? Battle Ram is a spectacle fighter, bullet hell and robots game developed and published by Runic Rise Games. Released on January 05th 2023 has received 317 reviews of which 279 were positive and 38 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in perma death games.
8.1
279
38
-95%
29.99€
1.49€
3. Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy
Dynamic, procedurally generated adventure game that puts exploration first. Build your legacy as each wayfarer will change the fate of the world. Endless replayability with a huge set of difficulty modifiers. Boasting an award-winning soundtrack, a beautiful art style, and regular updates. Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy is a colorful, rogue-lite and rpg game developed and published by Ludomotion. Released on May 27th 2022 has received 334 reviews of which 255 were positive and 79 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 87% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in perma death games.
7.2
255
79
-87%
19.08€
2.48€
4. Templar Battleforce
An addictive mix of strategic combat and army building, with the precision of an RPG. Design your squad members' exact build of equipment and talents to create unique fireteam combinations. Step into the pilot suit of a Leviathan mech, lead the Templar Knights in turn-based tactical warfare. Templar Battleforce is a turn-based tactics, tactical rpg and perma death game developed and published by Trese Brothers. Released on September 21st 2015 has received 948 reviews of which 886 were positive and 62 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 70% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for perma death games.
8.8
886
62
-70%
9.75€
2.92€
5. Marauders
Marauders is a tactical first-person multiplayer looter shooter set in a sci-fi universe. As a space pirate, work solo, or in a squad with up to 3 other players to navigate a hostile battleground, hunt for loot, craft new weapons and gear, and salvage what you’ll need to survive. Marauders is a early access, extraction shooter and looter shooter game developed by Small Impact Games and published by Team17. Released on October 03rd 2022 has received 20,582 reviews of which 14,814 were positive and 5,768 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 52% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for perma death games.
7.1
14,814
5,768
-52%
30.23€
14.51€
6. Dreadhalls
You are trapped deep inside a massive dungeon. Explore it, survive it and find a way to escape. Your only weapons will be stealth, your own courage, and a faint light. Dreadhalls is an intense and scary experience, not for the faint of heart. You have been warned! Dreadhalls is a dungeon crawler, horror and perma death game developed and published by White Door Games. Released on March 09th 2017 has received 340 reviews of which 318 were positive and 22 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a 32% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for perma death games.
8.6
318
22
-32%
10.01€
6.81€
Free perma death games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play perma death games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play perma death games.
1. Realm of the Mad God Exalt
Embark on an exhilarating journey into the pixelated Realm of the Mad God! Join, an action-packed, free-to-play MMO bullet hell game. Discover a world with danger, challenges, and hidden treasures as you battle through waves of enemies. Team up with players and conquer dungeons to become a legend! Realm of the Mad God Exalt is a pixel graphics, mmorpg and free to play game developed by Wild Shadow Studios and Deca Live Operations GmbH and published by Deca Live Operations GmbH. Released on February 20th 2012 has received 46,480 reviews of which 38,645 were positive and 7,835 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 1,246 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free perma death games on Steam.
8.2
38,645
7,835
1,246
players
2. PUMPKIN PANIC
COME TO THIS COZY FARM! Plant crops, take care of the plants, go fishing, or whatever you prefer, but have a good time! But be carefull, they say that strange things are happening in the area... PUMPKIN PANIC is a free to play, horror and agriculture game developed and published by Bilalaika. Released on October 30th 2024 has received 1,626 reviews of which 1,563 were positive and 63 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free perma death games on Steam.
9.1
1,563
63
67
players
3. 5050
Each time you press the button, it will either double or lose all the points you’ve put in. How much will you risk? 5050 is a arcade, gambling and casual game developed by and published by Follow The Fun. Released on August 20th 2023 has received 323 reviews of which 283 were positive and 40 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free perma death games on Steam.
8.1
283
40