A Definitive Guide to Vertical Roguelikes on Mobile in Late 2025

Published on October 25, 2025

Introduction: The Vertical Revolution in Hardcore Mobile Gaming

As of October 25, 2025, the mobile gaming landscape has firmly shed its reputation as a domain exclusive to casual, ephemeral experiences. The market is now defined by a mature, discerning audience that demands deep, strategically rich gameplay that seamlessly integrates into a mobile-first lifestyle. This has given rise to the “vertical revolution,” a surge in demand for high-quality games playable with a single hand in portrait mode, perfectly suited for short, engaging sessions or longer, more focused play.

At the forefront of this movement is the roguelike genre. Its core tenets—procedurally generated levels, the high stakes of permadeath, and compelling meta-progression systems—create an endlessly replayable “one more run” loop that is uniquely suited to the mobile platform. These games reward skill, strategic thinking, and persistence, offering the kind of hardcore challenge that players increasingly seek on their primary gaming device.

However, the 2025 mobile roguelike market is sharply bifurcated. It is a landscape of competing monetization philosophies, from premium, player-respecting titles to free-to-play (F2P) models of varying ethical standards. Navigating this space requires careful analysis. This report provides a definitive guide to the best vertical roguelike experiences available today, adopting a player-first philosophy that prioritizes gameplay value, developer transparency, and fair monetization. The analysis is based exclusively on global market data and English-language sources from 2025, deliberately excluding the distinct ecosystem of mainland China to provide a focused, relevant perspective for the international player.

Part I: The Premium Standard — Pay Once, Play Endlessly

This section champions the purest form of mobile gaming excellence: the premium model. These are titles that respect the player’s investment by offering a complete, uncompromised experience for a single upfront price, free from the pressures of in-app purchases or advertisements. They represent the benchmark against which all other models should be measured.

In-Depth Feature: Slice & Dice — The Dice-Rolling Masterclass

Slice & Dice stands as a paragon of modern mobile game design, a masterclass in balancing strategic depth with controlled randomness. Its core concept is both simple and brilliant: players control a party of five heroes, where each hero is represented by a unique, customizable six-sided die. Combat is a turn-based affair where enemy actions are revealed in advance, transforming each turn into a complex “mini-puzzle” of risk management and tactical decision-making. The game’s minimalist yet charming pixel art and exceptionally clear user interface make it perfectly suited for vertical play, though it also offers a landscape mode for flexibility.

The game’s monetization model is arguably the gold standard for the 2025 mobile market. It operates on a “demo-to-premium” basis: the game is free to download and play for the first 12 levels, offering a substantial taste of the core mechanics. A single in-app purchase of approximately $9 unlocks the full, sprawling experience. This approach builds immense player trust, allowing for an informed purchase and ensuring a committed user base. In an industry rife with opaque F2P systems, this transparency is a breath of fresh air.

The value proposition of that single purchase is immense. The full game unlocks over 60 hero classes, nearly 500 unique items, and more than 300 difficulty modifiers, providing a staggering level of replayability that rivals and, in some respects, surpasses its peers. While some veteran players have noted the steep jump between difficulty tiers and expressed a desire for a more granular progression system akin to the “Ascension” levels in Slay the Spire, the sheer variety of potential party compositions and item synergies ensures that no two runs are ever the same. For players who value pure strategy and a fair price, Slice & Dice is an essential purchase.

In-Depth Feature: Wildfrost — The Deeply Strategic Deckbuilder

For players seeking a deckbuilding experience with profound tactical depth, Wildfrost has established itself as a premier title in 2025. It successfully carves its own niche, moving beyond the foundational mechanics of Slay the Spire by introducing a multi-lane battlefield and its innovative “counter” system. In Wildfrost, allied and enemy units possess timers that tick down each time the player plays a card; once the counter hits zero, the unit acts. This mechanic transforms the game from a simple card-playing exercise into a complex temporal puzzle, where turn order, unit placement, and resource management are paramount.

Following the player-friendly trend, Wildfrost employs a “free-to-try” model. Players can download and experience the initial part of the game at no cost, with a single in-app purchase of approximately $6.99 unlocking the full game. This model has proven successful in attracting players who may be wary of a blind purchase but are willing to pay for a high-quality, complete product.

The mobile version has been specifically optimized with an updated user interface for smaller screens and fully supports portrait mode, making its deep, strategic gameplay accessible on the go. However, its high-quality animations and complex calculations can be demanding on device resources, with some reports of phones running hot during extended play sessions. Despite this, for those with capable hardware, Wildfrost offers one of the most intellectually rewarding roguelike experiences on any platform.

The Innovator’s Choice: Vault of the Void

Vault of the Void is a deckbuilder crafted for the strategist who loathes the tyranny of the random number generator (RNG). Its design philosophy is centered on giving the player maximum information and control. Key mechanics that set it apart include the ability to preview all enemies on a floor before engaging, the freedom to modify your deck at any point between battles, and a unique “Threat” system that clearly displays incoming damage, removing guesswork from defensive calculations.

This title is a pure premium experience, available for a one-time purchase of around $6.99. Reinforcing its commitment to a fair player experience, the game also offers a completely optional$ 2.99 supporter pack that provides no gameplay advantages whatsoever.

However, a critical caveat exists for players seeking a vertical experience. The game’s App Store listing explicitly states it is “Designed for iPad,” and numerous user reviews from 2025 cite a “mid mobile UX” on phones, where the interface can feel cramped and lead to accidental card plays. The game’s layout is heavily optimized for a wider, landscape aspect ratio. While it is a top-tier deckbuilder, it does not fulfill the vertical play requirement and is best enjoyed on a tablet.

Other Essential Purchases

For a complete library, two other premium vertical roguelikes are considered timeless classics in 2025:

Crypt of the NecroDancer: The game that masterfully fused the roguelike with the rhythm genre. Every action—moving and attacking—must be performed to the beat of the game’s incredibly catchy soundtrack. This rhythmic, turn-based gameplay is perfectly executed on mobile with simple tap-based controls, making it an ideal vertical experience.
Downwell: A masterclass in minimalist design and pure, distilled action. Players descend a procedurally generated well, using their “Gunboots” to shoot enemies and slow their fall. The gameplay is fast, frantic, and entirely vertical, making it the perfect game for short, adrenaline-fueled sessions.

The success of the “Demo-to-Premium” model used by Slice & Dice and Wildfrost is indicative of a maturing mobile market. Pure premium games often struggle with discoverability in app stores dominated by the “Free” filter. Conversely, many F2P games solve this issue but must then implement monetization systems that can feel coercive. The demo model offers a powerful third way: it leverages the visibility of a free listing to attract a wide audience, then converts the most engaged players into paying customers by demonstrating the game’s quality directly. This builds a foundation of trust and proves that a significant segment of the mobile audience is willing to pay for a complete, high-quality product, provided they are given the chance to verify its value first.

Part II: The F2P Vanguard — Excellence Without Expense

While the premium market offers guaranteed quality, the free-to-play space in 2025 is home to some of the most innovative and popular roguelikes available. Success in this arena, however, requires a careful understanding of each game’s monetization model. This section analyzes the best F2P titles, providing detailed strategic guidance for both zero-spend and low-spend players.

In-Depth Feature: Vampire Survivors — The Genre King’s Continued Reign

Vampire Survivors is more than a game; it is a phenomenon. It single-handedly created and defined the “bullet heaven” subgenre, and its influence is felt across the industry. Its core gameplay loop is deceptively simple: the player moves their character with one finger while weapons fire automatically. This minimalist control scheme makes it the quintessential vertical-screen game, perfectly designed for single-handed play. The addictive cycle of surviving ever-denser hordes of monsters, collecting experience gems, and evolving a build of weapons and passives into a screen-clearing cataclysm remains as compelling in late 2025 as it was at launch.

The most significant development for the game in 2025 is the impending arrival of the v1.14 update. Scheduled for release this fall, this update will introduce a highly anticipated online co-op mode for up to four players, expanding the game beyond its single-player and local co-op roots. While the mobile port is generally excellent, players should be aware of two common complaints: noticeable input lag during the most graphically intense late-game moments, and the lack of a mid-run save feature, which can be frustrating for players who are interrupted.

F2P and Low-Spender Guide

Monetization Model: Vampire Survivors employs one of the most ethical F2P models on the market. The vast base game is entirely free. Revenue is generated through optional, low-priced downloadable content (DLC) packs that add new characters, stages, weapons, and music, functioning as content expansions rather than pay-to-win advantages.
Guidance for 0-Kryo (F2P) Players: The base game provides dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of content. The primary F2P progression path involves efficiently farming gold to purchase permanent upgrades from the “PowerUp” menu. The most critical early investments for accelerating progression are Greed (more gold), Growth (more experience), Luck (improves level-up choices and drops), and Cooldown Reduction. A crucial feature for experimentation is the ability to refund all PowerUp points for free at any time, allowing players to re-spec their build without penalty.
Guidance for Wei-Kryo (Low-Spender) Players: The DLCs represent outstanding value for money. The recommended strategy is to play through and unlock the majority of the base game’s content first. Once that is exhausted, purchasing the DLCs is an excellent way to support the developer and inject a massive amount of new content into the experience, significantly extending its lifespan.

In-Depth Feature: Shattered Pixel Dungeon — The Open-Source Champion

Shattered Pixel Dungeon is a testament to the power of community-driven development. It stands as a pillar of the traditional, turn-based roguelike genre on mobile. What began in 2014 as a mod to rebalance the original Pixel Dungeon has, over a decade of continuous updates, evolved into a deep, polished, and distinct game in its own right. It is celebrated for its strategic depth, challenging gameplay, and complete absence of predatory monetization.

The game’s developer maintains a public roadmap, offering a rare degree of transparency. The major updates for 2025 have included the release of the sixth playable hero, the Cleric, with plans later in the year for a new quest set in the Dwarven City and balance improvements for the Warrior class. This consistent, long-term support has cultivated a dedicated and passionate player base.

F2P and Low-Spender Guide

Monetization Model: Shattered Pixel Dungeon features a unique dual-platform monetization strategy. On the Google Play Store for Android, the game is completely free, with no ads and no in-app purchases. It is a true passion project. On the Apple App Store for iOS, it is sold as a premium title for a one-time price of $4.99 to cover development and platform costs.
Guidance for 0-Kryo (F2P) Players (Android): As there are no spending mechanics, this guide focuses purely on gameplay strategy. New players are advised to begin with the Warrior class due to his starting armor and higher durability, which makes the punishing early floors more manageable. Key beginner strategies include: learning to identify potions by testing them on safe floors away from enemies; using doorways to guarantee surprise attacks on pursuing monsters; and carefully observing enemy attack patterns to know when to fight and when to flee. The game has a steep learning curve, and players are encouraged to consult the extensive community-written guides available online.

Analysis: Shadow of the Depth — A Promising but Cautionary Tale

Hailing from ChillyRoom, the acclaimed developers of Soul Knight, Shadow of the Depth is a top-down action roguelike with a strong foundation. The game boasts fast-paced, satisfying hack-and-slash combat, a moody, hand-drawn art style, and a deep build-crafting system that combines over 140 passive abilities with character-specific talents and a rune system.

However, its monetization model is a step toward the more aggressive end of the F2P spectrum. The game is free with ads and in-app purchases that focus on selling additional playable characters and the premium currency required to unlock them. Several user reviews in 2025 have criticized what they term “deceptive charging practices.” Specifically, the premium currency packs are sized in such a way that a player cannot purchase a single hero without buying an oversized, more expensive pack, leaving them with an awkward amount of leftover currency—a classic F2P tactic designed to encourage further spending. While the core gameplay is strong, this approach may alienate players accustomed to more transparent models. Furthermore, its top-down action perspective is best suited for landscape play, and there is no evidence it supports a dedicated vertical mode, placing it outside the user’s core request.

F2P and Low-Spender Guide

Guidance for 0-Kryo (F2P) Players: The most viable F2P path is to fully master the starting character, Arthur the Warrior. Progression for F2P players is tied to the rune system; runes can be acquired slowly through gameplay or more quickly by watching incentivized video ads. Leveraging this ad system is the primary method for F2P players to build power over time.
Guidance for Wei-Kryo (Low-Spender) Players: The single most valuable purchase is the one-time IAP to remove forced advertisements. For those looking to spend a small amount, the introductory “Novice Pack” at $0.99 likely offers the best initial value. Players should be cautious about purchasing the larger currency packs unless they are deeply invested in the game and comfortable with the pricing structure.

The F2P roguelike landscape of 2025 clearly illustrates a spectrum of developer philosophies. At one end, Vampire Survivors and Shattered Pixel Dungeon represent a player-centric approach. The former monetizes by selling more high-quality content, treating players like customers. The latter, on Android, is a pure passion project. At the other end, games like Shadow of the Depth employ more traditional F2P mechanics that create friction and incentivize spending to overcome it. This reveals a fundamental difference in how developers view their audience: as customers to be delighted or as a resource to be monetized. The resounding success of the former models suggests a market that is increasingly rewarding transparency and value.

Part III: The Market Pulse — Trends, Titans, and What’s Next

To fully understand the vertical roguelike space, one must also consider the influential titans of the genre that shape player expectations, even if they do not perfectly align with the single-handed playstyle.

The Elephant in the Room: Balatro and the Wait for Portrait Mode

No discussion of the 2025 roguelike scene is complete without acknowledging Balatro. This poker-based deckbuilder was the breakout indie sensation of 2024, captivating the entire gaming world with its ingenious design and addictive synergies. Its success was officially recognized when it won the prestigious People’s Choice award at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2025.

Despite its massive popularity and critical acclaim on mobile, the game has one significant drawback that prevents it from being a top recommendation in this report: it lacks a portrait mode. A vertical orientation is one of the most frequently requested features from the mobile community, and its current landscape-only format is a considerable barrier for players seeking a true one-handed experience.

Adding to this, major news broke in September 2025: the game’s first major content update, version 1.1, will not be released in 2025 as previously promised. The solo developer, LocalThunk, released a heartfelt statement explaining that as a “hobbyist developer at heart,” he wanted to avoid the stress and crunch that plagued the game’s launch and instead work at a healthy, sustainable pace. The new timeline is simply “it’s done when it’s done.” This story has become a significant talking point in the industry regarding indie developer health and the importance of managing community expectations after a viral success.

Honorable Mentions & Landscape Legends

Slay the Spire: The game that single-handedly revitalized and defined the modern deckbuilding roguelike genre. It remains the benchmark for balance, design, and replayability. While its mobile port is excellent, the user interface is heavily optimized for landscape play, making it less than ideal for the specific needs of this report.
Dead Cells: A masterpiece that seamlessly blends fast-paced roguelite action with Metroidvania-style exploration and progression. It is a premium title with an incredible amount of content, but as a side-scrolling action-platformer, it is a landscape-only experience.
The Netflix Effect: A growing trend in 2025 is the influence of gaming subscription services. Netflix Games, in particular, has become a significant publisher of high-quality mobile titles. By including celebrated games like Hades, Into The Breach, and Dead Cells as part of its subscription, it provides an alternative avenue for players to access premium, IAP-free experiences, further raising the bar for quality on the platform.

Concluding Analysis: The Future of Mobile Roguelikes

The state of the vertical roguelike genre in late 2025 is exceptionally strong. The market is mature enough to support a healthy ecosystem of both premium masterpieces and ethical free-to-play champions, giving discerning players more high-quality choices than ever before.

Several key trends will define the genre moving into 2026. First, the success of the “Demo-to-Premium” model is proving to be a sustainable and player-friendly strategy that bridges the gap between free and paid games. Second, developer transparency—whether through public roadmaps like Shattered Pixel Dungeon’s or honest communication about delays like Balatro’s—is becoming a critical factor in building long-term community trust. Finally, the demand for deep, mechanically rich, vertical-first experiences will only continue to grow as developers recognize the unique strengths of the mobile platform. While technologies like AI-driven personalization will become more prevalent in F2P monetization, the ultimate arbiters of success will be the players themselves, who have repeatedly shown they will reward developers who respect their time, intelligence, and wallets.

Appendix: At-a-Glance Reference & Download Links

2025 Vertical Roguelike Buyer’s Guide

Game Title	Genre Sub-type	Screen Orientation	Monetization Model	Price (Android / iOS)	Verdict
Slice & Dice	Dice-based Tactical RPG	Portrait & Landscape	Demo-to-Premium	Free Demo + ~$9.00 Unlock	A masterclass in tactical, dice-based combat with a perfectly player-friendly monetization model.
Vampire Survivors	Bullet Heaven	Portrait	F2P (with DLC)	Free (DLCs ~ $1.99-$ 3.99)	The addictive genre-defining king, offering endless content for free with high-value, optional expansions.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon	Traditional Roguelike	Portrait	F2P / Premium	Free / $4.99	A deep, challenging, and endlessly rewarding traditional roguelike born from a decade of passionate development.
Wildfrost	Deckbuilder	Portrait	Demo-to-Premium	Free Demo + ~$6.99 Unlock	A deeply complex and strategic deckbuilder with unique mechanics that reward careful planning.
Crypt of the NecroDancer	Rhythm Roguelike	Portrait	Premium	~ $4.99 / ~$ 3.99	The innovative classic that perfectly blends rhythm-action with dungeon crawling; a must-play.
Shadow of the Depth	Action RPG	Landscape (Unconfirmed)	F2P (with IAP)	Free (IAPs up to $5.99+)	A promising action roguelike with satisfying combat, but held back by aggressive monetization and a lack of vertical play.
Balatro	Deckbuilder (Poker)	Landscape Only	Premium	~$9.99	A 2024 masterpiece and essential roguelike, but its landscape-only mode is a major drawback for vertical play fans.
Vault of the Void	Deckbuilder	Landscape Only	Premium	$6.99	A brilliant, low-RNG deckbuilder for strategists, but explicitly designed for tablets and not recommended for phones.