As Hades 2 looms, newcomer Shape of Dreams gives it a serious run for its money

Hades 2 is about to leave early access, and there's little doubt in my mind that the Supergiant sequel is set to be a big deal. But if the launch numbers for Shape of Dreams are anything to go by, Melinoë could be facing some serious competition atop the list of 2025's best roguelike games. Publisher Neowiz has made a name for itself defying expectations with the excellent Lies of P, and now it's unleashed an action roguelike that's rapidly rocketing up Steam's most-played list. If you're eager to give it a try, there's a free demo available, and it's even on sale at a discount for launch.

Shape of Dreams is a blisteringly fast new action roguelike that's pulling on all the right threads for me. While Hades is an obvious comparison point, it offers eight distinct playable characters that each boast unique combat mechanics and upgrade paths. Its build system is giving Path of Exile 2 vibes, letting you slot in its range of over 150 memories and essences in all manner of combinations to create custom loadouts. Its focus on skillshots embraces the best part of MOBAs: nailing that perfect Ashe arrow in League of Legends or Pudge hook in Dota 2.

Those aren't the only areas where Shape of Dreams stands out; it also lets you join forces with up to three other friends in co-op, and boasts a total of eight worlds to explore - each featuring "handcrafted bosses, monsters, and secrets." While it might not completely reinvent the wheel, it's building on it in the way others such as Windwalk's Sworn have done, and the response so far shows that approach is paying off.

At the time of writing, Shape of Dreams has reached a 24-hour peak of over 40,000 concurrent players - an impressive achievement for a new name in the genre. It still has some way to go to reach the 103,000 hit by Hades 2, a number Supergiant is likely to top once it steps out of early access. Nevertheless, I'm a firm believer that there's plenty of space to enjoy multiple games of this style (this year alone I've also spent plenty of time with the likes of Lost in Random: The Eternal Die and Ravenswatch).

Early user reviews are strong, too: 78% of all respondents recommend it, with the English-language rating at an even higher 92%. One player says they enjoy its "Path of Exile builds in bite-size, roguelike runs." Another writes, "What it lacks in fundamental improvements to the formula it makes up for by just throwing everything into the pot and letting you find an incredible number of abilities and synergies on runs." The main complaints are that the progression feels a little too grindy, but that's ultimately going to come down to your personal tastes.

Shape of Dreams is out now on Steam, and you'll pay just $19.99 / £16.79 if you get it by Wednesday September 24 thanks to a 20% launch discount. There's also a free demo you can download if you want to try before you buy.

We've rounded up the best co-op games in 2025 to help you and your mates find your next obsession. I'd also recommend grabbing the best gaming headset if you've got some big sessions lined up.

Is Hades all the roguelike you can handle, or have others in the space been keeping you busy? Let us know your favorites in the PCGamesN community Discord server, where you'll find thousands of other readers.