Nuclear Throne

choose guy then fight furries using guns that are badass but lose in the lamest way possible and do it all over again

My number 2 game of all time, it feels like the platonic ideal of a rouguelike: you technically can never master because you can always push further, despite having a top tier build you still die if you ♥♥♥♥ up, and there are barely any real upgrades, its all skill. Amazing bullet hell with very high pace. Every freaking weapon has good gamefeel. Very simple, tons of depth. I am ~300 hours in (my previous 200 were in an epic acount and in a Friend's computer), and I am still improving, able to kind of loop consistently. Very different from Gungeons slower pace, I could never get into Gungeon because I always come back to this one. Very frantic, high dopamine/octane action. One of the most underrated games out there in my opinion. I am so glad this was my first roguelike. Its challenging and punishing, but you learn over time, and before you know it, the section you used to be stuck in looks trivial. Amazing unlocks, they don't make you stronger, but the challenges for obtaining them are really fun/gratifying. Most fun characters: Chrystal, YV, Steroids, and my sleeper hit: Plant. I really love this game and I feel it should be known as the grat roguelike it is

Got it from a friend's USB in gaming class back in high school. 10+ years later and I still play it, plus they still update it (albeit quite sparingly). Money certainly not wasted. Quite hard and unforgiving at times too, if you like that sort of thing.