Skip to main content

Hydra Slayer

Hydra Slayer Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:gameplay, humor
Most mentioned negative aspects:music, graphics
93% User Score Based on 40 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSWindows
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on itch.io Store
Hydra Slayer Game Cover

About Hydra Slayer

Hydra Slayer is a single player tactical role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Zeno Rogue and was released on March 24, 2016. It received very positive reviews from players.

roguelike based on mathematical puzzles

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Hydra Slayer screenshot
Hydra Slayer screenshot
Hydra Slayer screenshot
Hydra Slayer screenshot
Skip Games Like Hydra Slayer

Games Like Hydra Slayer

Looking for games like Hydra Slayer? Here are top tactical role playing recommendations with a fantasy focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with Rift Wizard, Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale or HyperRogue.

Rift Wizard Image
92%935reviews

Rift Wizard

2021Tactical Role Playing
PCWindows
Games like Rift Wizard
Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale Image
93%351reviews

Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale

2020Casual Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5+10
Games like Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale
HyperRogue Image
96%417reviews

HyperRogue

2015Open World Turn-based Strategy
LinuxPCTablet+7
Games like HyperRogue
Dicey Dungeons Image
85%7.2kreviews

Dicey Dungeons

2019Casual Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5+18
Games like Dicey Dungeons
Dice & Fold Image
82%1.5kreviews

Dice & Fold

2024Tactical Hack and Slash
LinuxPCMac OS+2
Games like Dice & Fold
Rogue Empire Image
84%314reviews

Rogue Empire

2019Open World Role Playing
LinuxPCMac OS+1
Games like Rogue Empire
LONESTAR Image
90%873reviews

LONESTAR

2025Tactical Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchPCMac OS+2
Games like LONESTAR
Slice & Dice Image
91%2kreviews

Slice & Dice

2024Tactical Role Playing
LinuxPCTablet+7
Games like Slice & Dice
Alina of the Arena Image
93%1.9kreviews

Alina of the Arena

2022Tactical Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+8
Games like Alina of the Arena
Tales of Maj'Eyal Image
95%4.8kreviews

Tales of Maj'Eyal

2013Open World Role Playing
LinuxPCMac OS+1
Games like Tales of Maj'Eyal
More games like Hydra Slayer
Skip User Reviews

Reviews

93%Audience ScoreBased on 40 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Unique and innovative roguelike combining math-based combat mechanics with traditional gameplay, offering a fresh and intellectually engaging experience.
  • Highly addictive and rewarding for players who enjoy strategic puzzle-solving and arithmetic challenges within a roguelike framework.
  • Varied play styles enabled by multiple races and a diverse arsenal, resulting in deep, emergent gameplay and replayability.
  • Frequent and disruptive UI bugs and crashes, including issues with mouse interactions, description pop-ups, and game stability.
  • Steep learning curve and heavy reliance on math can intimidate or frustrate players who are not comfortable with arithmetic or prefer streamlined gameplay.
  • Audio and visual aspects are functional but lack polish and aesthetic appeal, leading to a less immersive atmosphere.

  • gameplay

    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, 20% neutral mentions, 30% negative mentions

    The gameplay of Hydra Slayer offers a traditional roguelike experience with turn-based, grid-based combat enhanced by a unique and strategic mechanic involving killing hydras by managing their regenerating heads. Its simple yet deep combat loop is addictive and fresh, appealing especially to fans of classic roguelikes seeking innovative mechanics. Despite some technical glitches and minor issues, the gameplay is praised for being both accessible and engaging.

    • “While Hydra Slayer easily qualifies as a traditional roguelike with turn-based, grid-based combat, dungeons, levels, weapons, potions and monsters, the combat is non-traditional as it involves calculating how to kill hydras based on how many heads they have, how many they will regrow, and how many each of your different weapons will slice off, while also adding game mechanic-changing items into the mix.”
    • “For anyone who likes classic roguelike games with fresh new mechanics, Hydra Slayer is a must-have.”
    • “There are currently some rough edges: music on the game over screen glitches, isometric mode has way lower fps than it should have (30ish using OpenGL and 10-12 on my machine using SDL2), and there are some grammar errors (mainly the 'fewer'/'less' issue which comes up a lot because of the heads mechanic).”
    • “While Hydra Slayer easily qualifies as a 'proper'/'traditional' roguelike with turn-based, grid-based combat, dungeons, levels, weapons, potions, and monsters, the combat is non-traditional as it involves calculating how to kill hydras based on how many heads they have, how many they will regrow, and how many each of your different weapons will slice off, while also adding game mechanic-changing items into the mix.”
    • “Drinking the blood of slain hydras reinvigorates our hero and causes him to grow a little (both replenishing and increasing HP), which is the key mechanic of the game making the combat strategic.”

  • music

    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    20% positive mentions, 20% neutral mentions, 60% negative mentions

    The music in the game is generally considered mediocre and could be improved, with some users noting glitches and technical issues affecting the audio experience. However, the soundtrack contributes to a unique, albeit uncanny, atmosphere. Overall, the audio aspect has noticeable rough edges.

    • “Even the aesthetic and soundtrack create an atmosphere that is uncanny in its own special way.”
    • “The music is not great, but surely your children are tech-savvy enough to work around that issue.”
    • “Music could be a bit better.”
    • “Music and sound could be better.”

  • graphics

    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, -25% neutral mentions, 75% negative mentions

    The graphics are minimal and not particularly impressive but functional, with an option for ASCII visuals that some players appreciate. While the artwork is adequate, there is interest in more detailed pixel art to enhance the visual experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is effectively supported despite simple graphics.

    • “Even the aesthetic and soundtrack create an atmosphere that is uncanny in its own special way.”
    • “Artwork is okay as well, but I would love to see some wicked pixel art tiles!”
    • “The graphics are kind of minimal, but they really aren't needed to enjoy the game.”
    • “Graphics are not very good but functional and there's the option for ASCII which is great.”
    • “Artwork is okay, but I would love to see some wicked pixel art tiles!”

  • stability

    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The game experiences stability issues including UI bugs, music glitches on the game over screen, and significantly reduced FPS in isometric mode across different rendering options. Additionally, minor grammar errors are present but do not impact technical stability.

    • “UI is irritatingly buggy.”
    • “There are currently some rough edges: music on the game over screen glitches, isometric mode has way lower FPS than it should have (30ish using OpenGL and 10-12 on my machine using SDL2), and there are some grammar errors mainly the "fewer" / "less" confusion due to the heads mechanic.”

  • humor

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The humor in the game is subtle and self-aware, often poking fun at its own complexity in a playful, tongue-in-cheek manner. Players appreciate its clever wit rather than overt comedic elements.

  • atmosphere

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game's atmosphere is uniquely eerie, effectively enhanced by its distinctive aesthetic and soundtrack.

    • “Even the aesthetic and soundtrack create an atmosphere that is uncanny in its own special way.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy Hydra Slayer

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Hydra Slayer is a tactical role playing game with fantasy theme. Common tags for Hydra Slayer include grid-based movement, turn-based, trading, traditional roguelike, educational and others.

Hydra Slayer is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Hydra Slayer was released on March 24, 2016.

Hydra Slayer was developed by Zeno Rogue.

Hydra Slayer has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked Hydra Slayer for its gameplay but disliked it for its music.

Hydra Slayer is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Rift Wizard, Meteorfall: Krumit's Tale, HyperRogue, Dicey Dungeons, Dice & Fold and others.