Enter the Gungeon: reflections on the roguelike genre after ten years

In April 2026, Enter the Gungeon will celebrate its tenth anniversary. The milestone gives developer Dodge Roll, represented by co-founder Dave Crooks and composer Adam ‘Doseone’ Drucker, a chance to look back on the game’s impact and the evolution of the game itself and the broader roguelike genre.

The evolution of roguelikes

In a recent interview, Crooks and Drucker shared their concerns about the state of roguelike games in recent years. According to Crooks, the genre has moved in a direction he sees as cash-grabby. He noted that recent roguelikes increasingly rely on mechanics that feel more like gambling than the original gameplay that defined genre landmarks such as Rogue, Rogue Legacy, and The Binding of Isaac.

“The most obvious change I see is a screen that gives you three choices every 45 seconds. That’s changed,” Crooks said. He was referring to the addictive, fast decisions that modern games often demand and comparing them to the pull of a slot machine.

The impact of newer titles

Crooks said that games like Balatro and Vampire Survivors have played an important role in this shift. The gameplay in these titles encourages an experience that feels more like pulling a slot machine lever, something Crooks sees as concerning. In particular, the interactions in these games are designed to deliver immediate rewards, which may come at the expense of the deeper experience roguelikes once offered.

The gambling themes in these recent titles are hard to miss, and Balatro’s design sparked controversy, including a PEGI 18+ rating in 2024. This points to a clear trend in the games market, where financial elements may be receiving too much emphasis.

Possible implications for Enter the Gungeon 2

Given these concerns about the direction of the genre, fans of Enter the Gungeon are curious about the upcoming sequel, Enter the Gungeon 2, which was announced in 2025. It seems Dodge Roll’s developers are aware of these changes, and they could influence the development strategy for their next release.

The mix of nostalgia for the original game and the genre’s evolution raises questions about how Enter the Gungeon 2 will contribute to the roguelike experience. Crooks’ reflections may suggest that the developers want to preserve the traditional elements while also responding to modern trends.

With all of this in mind, the future of the roguelike genre remains uncertain. Players and developers alike will no doubt keep watching the direction the industry takes in the years ahead.