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ROUNDS similar games & best alternatives

ROUNDS

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2021

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Quick resume

Rounds is a 1v1 rogue-lite shooter where each round gets more intense. The losing player of each round unlocks clever upgrades to create a better build to counter their opponent.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Platform, Shooter, Arcade, Fighting

Similar games

    Pros

    • Highly addictive and fun 1v1 combat
    • Strong modding community enabling more players and content
    • Creative card and build combinations
    • Affordable price with great replay value
    • Good for playing with friends and social interaction

    Cons

    • Limited official multiplayer modes beyond 1v1
    • Repetitive maps and limited base content
    • Some bugs and performance issues
    • Toxic player behavior reported
    • No story or narrative depth

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Domination, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Story, Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players choose cards and customize their builds freely, enabling personal strategies and playstyles."

    • Competence
      3

      "Game rewards skillful aiming and blocking, with a high skill ceiling and tactical depth."

    • Competition
      4

      "Primarily 1v1 duels with ranked or skill-based matches; players compete against friends or randoms."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Many players report long play sessions and habitual play, especially with mods extending rounds and player count."

    • Cooperation
      -3

      "Focus is on 1v1 competitive play; limited cooperation, though some mods enable team modes."

    • Creativity
      4

      "Strong creativity in card combinations, weapon builds, and character customization."

    • Domination
      2

      "Some players enjoy overpowering opponents with combos; occasional toxic behavior noted but not dominant."

    • Escapism
      3

      "Players use the game for stress relief, distraction, and social fun with friends."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social reasons, not out of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting
      4

      "Experimentation with card synergies, mods, and builds is a core part of the experience."

    • Exploration
      -2

      "Maps are limited and reused; exploration is less emphasized than gameplay variety."

    • Expression
      3

      "Customization of characters and cosmetic options allow personal expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Cartoonish, exaggerated combat and abilities create a playful fantasy experience."

    • Fellowship
      3

      "Strong social play with friends; community and modding scene foster group identity."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players develop aiming skills and strategic thinking; learning encouraged by varied cards."

    • Health
      -4

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some reports of performance issues on low-end PCs."

    • Idle
      -3

      "Requires active focus and quick reactions; not suited for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Close social interactions mainly with friends; some emotional sharing through cooperative play."

    • Leadership
      -3

      "No explicit leadership roles; players act individually or cooperatively without formal hierarchy."

    • Progression
      3

      "Progression through unlocking and stacking cards; builds evolve over rounds."

    • Relaxation
      1

      "Fast-paced and chaotic gameplay offers fun but can be tense; some players find it relaxing."

    • Sensation
      4

      "Bright visuals, sound effects, and chaotic action provide strong sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      2

      "Some recognition through skill and community standing, but limited formal ranking systems."

    • Story
      -5

      "No narrative or story elements; gameplay is context-free and focused on rounds."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Strategic card selection and combo building require planning and tactical thinking."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Fast-paced duels and unpredictable combos create suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Highly praised for low price and replayability, especially with mods enhancing content."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat and destruction are central, with chaotic shooting and explosive effects."

    • Survival
      3

      "Players strive to avoid death and outlast opponents using strategic defense and offense."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026