Summary
Dungeon-crawling is one of gaming’s most treasured pastimes, with roots intabletop role-playing gamessuch as old-schoolDungeons & Dragons. The simple but addictive gameplay loop of delving into dungeons, defeating monsters, and looting as much treasure as humanly possible, can be tremendously fun - and easy to learn - when done right.
While there have been an unending number of dungeon crawlers released throughout history, many featuring a first-person perspective, recent additions to the genre have proven to be accessible while calling back to theold-school design and presentationof the greats. Of course, these modern titles stand on the shoulders of giants:King’s Field,Shadow Tower, andThe Elder Scrolls: Daggerfallare tremendous old-school dungeon crawlers that are a must-try for any fan of older games. Those who have exhausted the annals of dungeon-crawling history, however, should consider the following.
1Devil Spire
A Pseudo-3D Dungeon-Crawler With A Slow Pace
Combining 3D environments with 2D sprites,Devil Spireoffers a nostalgic aesthetic rooted in dark dungeons and gloomy environments. The game plays at a relatively slow pace, especially compared to other dungeon crawlers, but this ensures each encounter feels intense and methodical.
Devil Spireisn’t the deepest of roguelike dungeon-crawlers (seemore traditional experiencessuch asCaves Of QudorCogmind). Still, the 3D exploration and first-person perspective may make it more engaging for those who find it hard to enjoy the minimalist look of classic roguelikes.
2Slasher’s Keep
A Hack-And-Slash Dungeon-Crawler With A Cartoon Style
Thishack-and-slashdungeon-crawler features a unique hand-painted cartoon aesthetic that combines digital 2D drawings with similarly styled 3D environments, offering charming visuals that can be deceiving.Slasher’s Keepcan be quite the challenge.
Slasher’s Keepis a first-person roguelite, featuring a perk system and the ability to save equipment for the next run. The game’s hack-and-slash combat is somewhat basic on the surface, but the variety of weapon types and unique moves deepen the experience. Combined with more immersive elements, such as an innovative system for crafting weapons and simple additions such as the ability to knock enemies into traps,Slasher’s Keepmakes for a rewarding dungeon-crawler that takes full advantage of its first-person perspective.
A little rough around the edges, to be sure, and following a familiar extraction-shooter gameplay loop,Dark And Darker’s structure will be instantly recognizable to fans ofEscape From Tarkov, but the game features a medieval fantasy theme similar to old-schoolDungeons & Dragons, and a slow-paced combat system that takes some time to get used to.
Dark And Darker’sslow and methodical combat, as well as the deadliness of its cast of enemies, may be the deciding factor of a player’s enjoyment in its dark and dangerous dungeons, as its laborious animations make every action an important one. For fans of old-schoolDungeons & Dragons, slower-paced games, and thegameplay structure of extraction shooters,Dark And Darkeris worth a shot, especially as the game can be played for free with few limitations.
Featuring voxel-based 3D models and environments painted in rich pixel art textures,Baronyis a uniquely stylish indie dungeon-crawler with a first-person perspective.Baronyis frequently unforgiving, as its dungeons are rife with deadly traps and dangerous enemies. This is furthered by the game’s status asan action roguelike, though the RPG systems and abundance of loot frequently reward players as they progress.
Baronycan be rewarding in itself, but the inclusion of online and local multiplayer elevates the gameplay to new heights, providing a chaotic and cooperative experience. The brutality of its dungeons and the frequency with which runs end in sudden death may be frustrating for some, but overcomingBarony’s challenges is part of the fun.
Taking greatinspiration from FromSoftware’s older titles, such asKing’s FieldandShadow Tower,Lunacidis a deeply atmospheric first-person RPG with an emphasis on dungeon-crawling gameplay and methodical combat.Lunacid’s greatest strength isn’t its combat, however, but its immersive and atmospheric dark fantasy world.
Despite having a clear old-school influence both in its design and its visuals,Lunacidis a polished experience that frequently feels good to play and features a well-realized aesthetic.Lunacidcertainly has its own style and sense of absurdity, with some unique characters and enemy designs that provide a sense of discovery throughout the experience.
Though its visuals may be an acquired taste with a bright and vivid, not to mention abrasive, use of color,Mortal Sinis a visceral hack-and-slash dungeon-crawler in which there’s never a dull moment. This is thanks in large part to the game’s well-crafted melee combat, which is both weighty and engaging, attributes facilitated by expressive animations, presentation, and a combo system.
The strange, dark-fantasy world ofMortal Sinis also an intriguing one, with the visuals and enemy designs making for dungeons and environments that are frequently rewarding to explore. The loot is also largely rewarding, primarily becauseMortal Sin’svariety of weapons is incredibly diverse.
