Platform reviewed: Steam (and Steam Deck)
I love when a roguelike nails progression—when every run feels meaningful and builds upon my character, that feels good. Entropy Survivors delivers on that experience. Each attempt is full of opportunities to advance, whether I’m collecting currency to upgrade my weapons, completing missions to unlock new worlds and levels, or earning a new mech or weapon type. Even failure feels like a step forward, keeping me hooked and wanting to jump back into the game.
There isn’t much of a story to Entropy Survivors. I play as a space frog that drives a mech. I don’t really understand why a space frog drives a mech, but it’s a cute idea. There are other animals that I run into too, but they are in the form of a totem (more on that later). After a brief tutorial, walking me through the attack mechanics of the mech (melee attacks) and the mechanics of the frog (ranged attacks), I’m thrown right into the game.
Each world in Entropy Survivors offers a unique biome, with several levels to explore within each. The early levels are easier, provide an introduction, helping me find my footing before diving into the chaos of more challenging stages. That said, survival is far from guaranteed—my first run ended abruptly in a barrage of bullets and enemies within minutes. The game’s isometric bullet-hell gameplay is relentless but rewarding, especially when power-ups come into play. A yellow arrow guides me to these treasures scattered across the level, and they’re anything but ordinary. One power-up turns my mech into a pinball, using flippers to launch me into enemies and smashing through them while keeping me safe from harm. Another channels Katamari Damacy, letting me roll up foes into a giant wrecking ball of destruction. And butterflies provide health to heal my mech. These quirky upgrades keep every run fresh and exciting.
Much like Vampire Survivors, Entropy Survivors rewards me with gems to level up during each run. These upgrades let me enhance either my frog or its mech, with options tailored to my loadout. For instance, piloting a mech that transforms into a jet gives me choices like increasing fuel capacity for longer flight or boosting the jet’s damage output. My frog, on the other hand, brings its own set of skills to the table, from tossing sticky bombs to hacking enemies and turning them into allies. However, these upgrades are temporary and reset when the run ends.
Permanent progression comes through gold coins, which I spend back at base at various animal totems. These totems offer lasting upgrades to my frog and mech, making each new attempt a bit easier. Collectibles also play a big role, adding new equipment or enhancing the weapons I carry. The depth of customization is impressive—I can unlock new mechs with unique abilities, arm my frog with different weapons, and even apply fresh paint jobs to both the mech and its pilot.
Adapting to the controls in Entropy Survivors took some getting used to—managing one trigger for the mech’s weapons and another for my frog’s attacks felt awkward at first. But after a few runs and a lot of frantic button-pressing, the mechanics clicked (although I still find myself frantically smashing buttons when things get hectic). What truly stands out, though, is just how much there is to uncover. With five distinct worlds, each packed with several levels to unlock, the game constantly offers new challenges and surprises. And while I didn’t get the chance to test the online multiplayer for this review, it’s fun knowing there’s a cooperative layer waiting to be explored. I can’t wait for my friends to pick this game up so we can run through this together.
Final Grade: A
Entropy Survivors easily earns a spot among my favorite roguelikes, largely in part due to its impressive depth of customization and the satisfying sense of progression with every run. Each attempt feels meaningful, making it hard to resist diving back in for just one more round. The inclusion of online co-op for up to four players adds even more replay value, and I can already see it becoming my go-to game for gaming nights with friends. Plus, it runs beautifully on the Steam Deck, making it easy for me to pick up and play anytime.
Review code provided by Stride PR