Crypt of the NecroDancer cover art

Crypt of the NecroDancer

2015Brace Yourself GamesPlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Crypt of the NecroDancer is a hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Can you survive this deadly dungeon of dance, slay the NecroDancer, and recapture your still beating heart? Or will you be a slave to the rhythm for all eternity?

What it feels like

The kinetic rush of executing rhythm-perfect movement and beatdowns creates an exhilarating flow state. Grooving to the music and custom MP3 selection invite mischievous experimentation with the rhythm.

Exhilarating75%
Playful55%

What it's about

A grim crypt filled with undead threats and gothic atmosphere defines the setting.

Dark Fantasy60%

How it plays

Rhythm mechanics are definitional—players must move and act in sync with musical beats, making this the core interaction. Combat against enemies is fundamental, executed through movement and rhythm-gated melee attacks. Death is permanent within each run, raising stakes and aligning with hardcore roguelike design philosophy.

Rhythm & Timing95%
Melee Combat85%
Permadeath80%
Grid-Based Movement70%
Level Editor & UGC25%

How it looks and sounds

Pixel graphics are a defining visual aesthetic, noted in user tags and common to retro indie titles. Danny Baranowsky's award-winning epic soundtrack provides a sweeping orchestral score that drives the experience.

Pixel Art75%
Orchestral Score65%

How it's structured

A roguelike with discrete attempts that reset on death, typical of the run-based structure with progression between runs. Procedural generation, rhythm-based variation, and meta-progression create endless replayability across runs. Procedurally generated dungeon layouts ensure each playthrough differs, core to roguelike replayability.

Run-Based90%
High Replayability80%
Procedural Levels80%
Dungeon Crawl75%
Meta-Progression50%
Single-Player35%
Local Co-op30%
Caveblazers57% match

Shares Run-Based, Procedural Levels, Melee Combat, Permadeath.

Both lean into Run-Based, Procedural Levels, Permadeath, Melee Combat.

Run-Based95%Procedural Levels90%Permadeath85%Melee Combat80%

Shares Run-Based, Procedural Levels, High Replayability, Permadeath.

Both lean into Run-Based, Procedural Levels, High Replayability, Dungeon Crawl.

Run-Based95%Procedural Levels90%High Replayability85%Dungeon Crawl85%
Noita54% match

Shares Run-Based, Procedural Levels, High Replayability, Permadeath.

Both lean into Run-Based, Procedural Levels, High Replayability, Permadeath.

Run-Based95%Procedural Levels85%High Replayability80%Permadeath75%

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Caveblazers57% match

A lesser-known kindred — Run-Based, Procedural Levels, Melee Combat, Permadeath. 85% positive across 4,522 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Run-Based, Procedural Levels, Permadeath, Melee Combat.

Run-Based95%Procedural Levels90%Permadeath85%Melee Combat80%
20XX44% match

A lesser-known kindred — Run-Based, Procedural Levels, Pixel Art, High Replayability. 91% positive across 4,562 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Run-Based, Procedural Levels, Pixel Art, High Replayability.

Run-Based95%Procedural Levels90%Pixel Art60%High Replayability50%

A lesser-known kindred — Rhythm & Timing, High Replayability, Exhilarating, Playful. 97% positive across 4,216 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Rhythm & Timing, High Replayability, Exhilarating, Playful.

Rhythm & Timing95%High Replayability70%Exhilarating72%Playful55%
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