Embark on thrilling adventures with our curated selection of the best dungeon crawlers! From family-focused epics to rhythmic challenges, these games offer a thrilling mix of strategy, adventure, and heart-pounding action. Join us on a journey through pixelated mazes, treacherous dungeons, and quirky fantasy realms – where every decision you make shapes your destiny!
Table of Contents
Children of Morta
First up on our list of the best dungeon crawlers is Children of Morta, an engrossing action RPG that takes you on an epic journey. Lead the Bergsons, a remarkable family of heroes, against the encroaching corruption that threatens their world. In this unique blend of action-adventure RPG, hack-and-slash, and roguelite gameplay, you venture into procedurally generated dungeons, caves, and lands.
What sets the game apart is that you control not just one character, but an entire family of warriors. Level up each member to face hordes of enemies with their unique abilities and weaknesses. Will you be willing to risk everything to save those you love?
Moonlighter
In Moonlighter you step into the dual life of Will, a shopkeeper with a secret longing for adventure. Journey through ancient Gates to realms brimming with treasures, all while managing your bustling shop in the quaint village of Rynoka.
The gameplay loop is a delicate balance of risk and reward. Learn from failures, manage your finances, and strategize your inventory to progress. Every decision matters, from setting prices to crafting upgrades, shaping your journey, and teaching valuable lessons along the way.
Crypt of the NecroDancer
Do you like charming pixel graphics and have rhythm in your blood? Then Crypt of the NecroDancer is the game for you. It’s a genre-bending masterpiece that seamlessly blends action roguelike with rhythm gameplay. It may seem like an odd combination at first, but trust us, it’s one of the best dungeon crawlers you’ll ever play!
Your attacks are in time with the music, and you can even insert your own MP3s and shred your way through the caves to your favorite tunes. Enemies move to the groove, making it more about mastering patterns than relying on luck. Addictive gameplay, a killer soundtrack, and balanced difficulty make this game a must-play for roguelike fans!
Hades
We just couldn’t do a blog on the best dungeon crawlers without mentioning Hades, even though we already talked about it in another blog. In this roguelike dungeon crawler, you play as the prince of the underworld, fighting your way out of hell.
But Hades is more than just a game; it’s a journey through Greek mythology, filled with witty dialogue, deep character relationships, and stunning interpretations of gods and monsters. With six weapons, countless upgrades, and the unpredictability of RNG, every escape attempt is a new challenge.
Gloomhaven
Welcome to Gloomhaven, where mercenaries thrive and danger lurks around every corner. In this epic tactical RPG, you lead a band of hardened warriors through treacherous dungeons and sinister forests, where the promise of riches collides with the threat of death.
This game isn’t for the faint of heart – it’s a slow-burning, strategic masterpiece that demands cunning and skill. With intricate battles that require careful planning, Gloomhaven keeps you on the edge of your seat, every decision a make-or-break moment. Immerse yourself in its rich lore, embark on thrilling quests, and watch your mercenaries evolve with each hard-earned victory.
The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos
The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos combines role-playing with tactics, adventure, action, and plenty of humor. In the game, you’ll not only lead a band of misfits through dungeons but also defeat enemies and complete quests. Set in a wacky fantasy realm, silly encounters, and unexpected twists await you in what we think is one of the best dungeon crawlers around.
In this gem of a game, you’ll embark on a quest for treasure while navigating a dungeon filled with hilarious antics. With its charming visuals and quirky characters, The Dungeon of Naheulbeuk offers a refreshing take on the RPG genre.
Darkest Dungeon 1 & 2
Next up is a duology that definitely deserves its place on our list of the best dungeon crawlers. Why, you ask? Phew, where do we start? With the roguelike elements? The crisp, turn-based combat? Or the gothic charm? We want to talk about them all at once, because Darkest Dungeon is so brilliant, and all of its components fit together so well.
The procedurally generated dungeons offer at least 80 hours of gameplay and have the advantage that they are, by definition, a little different every time you play. The replay value is enormous, and no two rounds are the same. The sequel took everything we loved about the first game and refined and improved it!
Tiny Rogues
Every dungeon run is a thrilling adventure in the roguelite, bullet-hell dungeon crawler Tiny Rogues! Create your own hero from scratch, bristling with unique abilities and equipment, then plunge headfirst into the chaos of monster-infested rooms.
Explore over 20 different floors, each teeming with its own assortment of enemies and treasures waiting to be unearthed. If you’re a fan of games like The Binding of Isaac or Vampire Survivors, Tiny Rogues is a game you don’t want to miss!
Etrian Odyssey Origins Collection
Let’s talk about a trilogy that shouldn’t be missing from any list of the best dungeon crawlers, and that’s none other than Etrian Odyssey I-III HD. Gather your party and plunge into the unknown labyrinths beneath the picturesque village of Etria.
The second installment sends you to a castle in the sky, while the third takes place in the depths of the sea, so the settings couldn’t be more diverse! Whether you’ve been a fan of the series since the original Nintendo DS release or are just getting started, this revamped version offers a variety of quality-of-life changes that will appeal to everyone.
Archaelund
The Early Access party-based adventure RPG Archaelund takes you on a legendary journey where every corner holds a mystery and every battle requires strategy. You’ll explore a vast open world filled with mystery and danger, from treacherous dungeons to sprawling landscapes.
With a focus on strategy, you’ll need to think smart and play to your party’s strengths to emerge victorious. Freedom reigns supreme in Archaelund. Explore at your own pace as you complete quests, face enemies, and unearth treasures. But remember, in this unforgiving world, every choice matters.
Enter the Gungeon
Embark on an epic quest in Enter the Gungeon, one of the best dungeon crawlers we know. Join a ragtag band of adventurers as they brave the treacherous depths of the Gungeon in search of the ultimate prize: a weapon capable of rewriting history itself. Navigate through a barrage of bullets, loot precious treasures, and face off against quirky yet deadly enemies lurking around every corner.
Choose your champion wisely and arm yourself to the teeth as you descend deeper into the heart of this pixelated maze. With its charming art style, pulse-pounding soundtrack, and witty humor, Enter the Gungeon offers an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you coming back for more.
Minecraft Dungeons
The pixelated world of Minecraft has long been a beloved classic among gamers, so of course Minecraft Dungeons has a well-deserved place among the best dungeon crawlers! Gather your crew and dive into the heart of adventure, where every corner holds both treasure and peril.
Forge your own destiny as you customize your hero, wielding mighty weapons and donning rugged armor to face the nefarious Arch-Illager and his minions. With its homage to classic dungeon crawlers and the boundless creativity of Minecraft, Minecraft Dungeons offers an immersive experience for players of all skill levels. Join the quest, save the villagers, and uncover the secrets lurking in the depths!
AK-Xolotl
Last but not least on our list of the best dungeon crawlers is the unique top-down roguelike shooter AK-Xolotl, featuring – you guessed it – adorable amphibians! Armed with AKs, these axolotls mean business as they blaze through the animal kingdom, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Featuring gameplay reminiscent of aforementioned classics like Enter the Gungeon and Hades, AK-Xolotl delivers intense action and strategic depth. Customize your play style with a variety of power-ups and unlockable Axolotl companions, each adding a unique twist to your rampage.
Honorable mentions
We have three additional games that definitely belong on a list of the best dungeon crawlers and that we would like to recommend. They are none other than Cult of the Lamb, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, and Noita! We’ve talked about them extensively in our blog about the best 2D games, so be sure to check it out to learn more about these gems!
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Happy Gaming!
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