Polygon’s review of the Summer Game Fest 2026 build of Erosion called it the best thing to happen to roguelikes since Hades, and the basis for that claim is the way Plot Twist’s time-looping structure lets the world record what you have already done. The free playtest opens June 23 ahead of an early 2027 release, but the wait is real. These are 7 Erosion alternatives for PC that scratch the same time-loop, run-based, destruction-heavy itch right now.
Why play an Erosion alternative now
Erosion’s playtest window is short, and the full release is months away. Players who finished the demo want these qualities elsewhere:
- A run-based loop with permanent progression between attempts.
- Destruction or world-altering systems, not just enemy clears.
- A narrative or world-state that meaningfully changes when you re-run.
- Tight moment-to-moment combat with a wide kit of weapons or abilities.
- A range of difficulties that respects players who want to learn the game in their own time.
Quick comparison
| Game | Best for | Genre | Online | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hades II | The polished, narrative-driven roguelite | Isometric action | Single-player | Narrative density across runs |
| Dead Cells | The Metroidvania-roguelite hybrid | Side-scroller | Single-player | Permanent skill unlocks |
| Returnal | The bullet hell + cinematic mix | Third-person shooter | Single-player + co-op | PSVR2-class effects on PC |
| Risk of Rain 2 | Co-op shooter scaling | Third-person shooter | 4-player co-op | Stacking item synergy |
| Curse of the Dead Gods | The hidden roguelite gem | Top-down action | Single-player | Risk-reward “corruption” system |
| Cult of the Lamb | Roguelite + village builder | Side-scroller | Single-player | Loop ties to base management |
| Roboquest | Fast first-person roguelite | First-person shooter | 2-player co-op | Doom-style movement |
The 7 best Erosion alternatives for PC in 2026
1. Hades II, the polished, narrative-driven roguelite
Hades II is the obvious comparison, and the bar Polygon was using when it called Erosion the next step for the genre. Supergiant’s sequel builds on the first game’s strengths (writing, voice work, the gods-as-mentors framing) and layers in alchemy, witch-craft, and dual weapon kits that change how a run plays out. The 1.0 release brought the closing acts of the story.
Where it falls short: If you have already finished Hades, the loop is comfortably familiar. PC only via Steam for now.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The closest thing to Erosion’s tone available right now.
2. Dead Cells, the Metroidvania-roguelite hybrid
Dead Cells is the long-running Motion Twin roguelite that crosses run-based progression with Metroidvania exploration. The cell economy lets you keep parts of your progress between runs; the combat reads like a 2D Souls. The roadmap of post-launch updates is one of the genre’s deepest.
Where it falls short: Stylistic distance from Erosion is real; the 2D side-scroll perspective is its own taste.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase, plus DLC
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, console, mobile
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick when you want a 2D fix that still hits like Hades or Erosion.
3. Returnal, the bullet hell + cinematic mix
Returnal is Housemarque’s third-person bullet-hell roguelite that ties a tight loop to a cinematic, loop-aware story. The PC port runs well and the visual fidelity rewards good hardware. Of every game here, Returnal’s story most resembles the time-looping fiction at Erosion’s core.
Where it falls short: Steep difficulty curve. Sustained sessions, since saves between rooms are sparse.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase
Platforms: Windows
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick when you want a roguelite that takes its time-loop premise seriously.
4. Risk of Rain 2, the co-op item scaling
Risk of Rain 2 is the third-person shooter roguelite where item synergies turn a careful early game into a kinetic, screen-filling late one. Up to four players run together, scaling the difficulty as the timer climbs. Stages remix between runs and the survivor roster keeps growing.
Where it falls short: Late runs lean into chaos. Some survivors are stronger than others by a noticeable margin.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase, plus DLC
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick when you want the roguelite night to be a co-op night.
5. Curse of the Dead Gods, the hidden gem
Curse of the Dead Gods is the top-down action roguelite from Passtech that introduces a “corruption” meter as the central risk-reward. Take a curse to power up your weapons; take too many and the gods turn on you mid-run. The combat is tight and the temple aesthetic gives the game a strong identity.
Where it falls short: Smaller catalogue than Hades. The corruption mechanic eventually becomes a known optimisation rather than a tension generator.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase
Platforms: Windows
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick for players who want the next Hades-shaped thing they have not played.
6. Cult of the Lamb, roguelite plus village builder
Cult of the Lamb layers a roguelite combat loop on top of a village management sim. Runs gather resources, return to base, build out the cult, recruit followers, then return to runs. The mix is unusual and the writing carries the weight; both halves of the loop reinforce the other.
Where it falls short: The combat is the simpler half; players who came strictly for roguelite depth may want more.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Download: Steam
Bottom line: The pick when you want the loop to mean something between runs.
7. Roboquest, fast first-person roguelite
Roboquest is the Doom-fast first-person roguelite from RyseUp Studios. Movement is loose and aggressive, the weapon catalogue is large, and the run length stays short enough to keep “one more” a reasonable claim. Two-player co-op works well.
Where it falls short: Visual style is louder than Erosion’s. First-person perspective changes the genre’s feel.
Pricing:
- Paid: one-time purchase
Platforms: Windows
Download: Steam
Bottom line: Pick this if you want first-person Doom-speed inside a roguelite frame.
How to choose
- If you want the closest thing to Erosion’s tone: Hades II.
- If a 2D side-scroller fits your evenings: Dead Cells.
- If you want a roguelite that takes its loop fiction seriously: Returnal.
- If you want a co-op night with friends: Risk of Rain 2 or Roboquest.
- If you want a hidden gem with a tight risk-reward system: Curse of the Dead Gods.
- If you want the run to feed back into a town you build: Cult of the Lamb.
- Wait for the Erosion playtest (June 23-30) and the early 2027 release if the time-looping premise is what drew you to it.
FAQ
What is Erosion on Steam?
Erosion is a time-looping roguelike from Plot Twist, published by Lyrical Games. A free playtest opens June 23, 2026, and the game targets an early 2027 release. The Steam app ID is 3211720.
Is Erosion like Hades?
Polygon’s preview compared Erosion favourably to Hades, while noting the time-looping structure is where it makes the genre feel new. The combat sits in the same family; the world-altering loop is distinct.
When can I play Erosion?
The free playtest window is June 23 through 30, 2026. The full game is planned for early 2027 on Steam.
What is the best roguelike right now?
Hades II is the broadest recommendation in 2026. Dead Cells, Returnal, and Risk of Rain 2 are the strongest picks for different tastes (Metroidvania, cinematic, co-op).
Will Erosion be on consoles?
The current announcement covers PC via Steam. Console support has not been confirmed at the time of writing.
