10 Best Dungeon Crawler Games to Embark on an Action-Packed Quest

Dungeon Crawler Games are famous among RPG enthusiasts, isn’t it? So, why not explore some of the best ones for you to try?

When I noticed my cousin’s growing obsession with video games, particularly dungeon crawlers, I became intrigued and wanted to learn more about them. Although I had hesitated about trying dungeon-crawler games, my cousin’s addiction inspired me to try them. 

As a result, I explored several dungeon-crawler games and have handpicked some of the best ones that are a must-try for any RPG games fan. Are you curious to know why I recommend these games specifically for RPG enthusiasts? Keep reading until the end!

What is Dungeon Crawlers?

Dungeon crawlers are typical fantasy games that make the player hero of the game and experience adventures of exploring a dungeon, fighting with enemies, updating characters, and completing the defined mission—no doubt why dungeon crawlers are denoted as a sub-genre of RPG. 

Audiences widely love dungeon-crawler games due to their perfect blend of story and thrill. The games of this genre make the players stick to the screen due to its power pack embedded elements.

Importance of strategy and tactics in Dungeon Crawlers

Dungeon crawler games are incomplete without strategic and tactical skills. These games have sparkling elements that keep gamers’ minds active and swift. The critical elements of dungeon crawlers game include:

• Adventure – Dungeon crawlers is another name for an action-adventure game. These games have unique storylines with themes like wizards, zombies, elves, dwarfs, etc. Dungeon crawlers have unpredictable game plots, which makes them more adventurous.

• The main character – Games are incomplete without the primary character. Dungeon crawlers let the players choose adventure characters at the start with different qualities. Choosing an exemplary character with the right abilities isn’t a piece of cake, as the game is unpredictable.

• Enemy creatures – If a game has a different theme, it will have different enemies too. Dungeon crawlers games have weird enemy creatures. These creatures are creepy in look and even challenging to battle with for progression. 

• Loot and equipment – If you face so many hazards throughout the game, getting rewards for it is a must. As a result, even dungeon crawlers games include this. You can loot and earn equipment by defeating enemies, solving puzzles, and more.

• Puzzles and tests – Dungeon crawlers games are filled with puzzles and tests. The player solves these puzzles and tests swiftly to progress in the game and gains loot or equipment. 

Dungeon crawlers include several other elements. However, introducing these game elements can hint at how essential strategic and tactical skills are in dungeon crawlers. Whether it’s about choosing characters, solving puzzles, or making decisions, having tactical and strategic skills is essential in dungeon games. As decisions are made, the player influences the upcoming challenges in these games. 

Dungeon crawlers are games that can make people of all ages go crazy. Especially those kids and adults who enjoy fantasy themes. So, here are the top dungeon crawler games you need in your gaming experience.

Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition 

Baldur’s Gate II is always confused between Shadow of Amm and the enhanced edition. I am talking about Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, a remastered version of Shadows Amm, and an expansion of Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal. 

The enhanced edition features the same gameplay as the Shadows of Amm, with better resolution, compatibility with different platforms, and a few changes in characters and storyline. Therefore, this is an advanced dungeons and dragons role-playing game. 

The game’s main quest offers 50 to 60 hours of playtime while including all side quests, and it may go to 300 hours. The game lets the player control up to 6 characters, including one protagonist.

Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition lets the player customize the character or choose the existing character. Baldur’s Gate II is set in the year 1369 DR, where the player needs to battle with cowled wizards, the shadow thieves. 

Release – November 2013

Genre – Action role-playing 

Developer/Publisher – Atari, Beamdog

Platforms – PC, PS 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Children of Morta

Dungeon games with roguelike elements are the cherry on the cake, and Children of Morta is a perfect example of this. Children of Morta is an action role-playing video game. The game follows the Bergson family’s story, who are Mount Morta’s custodians.

The game has a total of seven playable characters who are family members of the Bergson family. The player gets control of one of those characters, and other characters get unlocked eventually with achievements. 

The player’s primary goal is to traverse several dungeons within the caverns of Mount Morta, which as a result, will help the player clear various enemies and bosses. Children of Morta is a modern game with a touch of classic themes. 

Release – September 2019

Genre – Roguelike, Action role-playing 

Developer/ Publisher – 11Bit Studios 

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One

Crypt of the NecroDancer 

Have you ever tried any roguelike rhythm video games? If not, then Crypt of the NecroDancer can give you the best experience in this genre. Crypt of the NecroDancer is a blend of roguelike dungeon exploration and beat-matching rhythm game set to an original soundtrack. 

Crypt of the NecroDancer keeps the player super active. As the player needs to move the character set to the song’s beat, they get impaired if they miss any beat. Therefore the player must learn rhythmic patterns that various creatures follow. 

The game player gets control of a selected character to explore several levels of the dungeon. The player has to move and perform the action on the beat of the music while saving himself and attacking the enemy creatures. 

Enemies drop coins when killed, which get multiplied if you don’t miss any beat. The crypt of the NecroDancer is filled with several rewards and equipment, which keeps the game exciting and challenging. 

Release – April 2015

Genre – Roguelike, Rhythm 

Developer/ Publisher – Brace Yourself Games

Platforms – PC, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One 

Darkest Dungeon 

Darkest Dungeon is another popular roguelike role-playing game with a fan base worldwide. The player in the game has to manage a roster of heroes and explore dungeons below a gothic mansion. 

The primary feature of Darkest Dungeon is the stress level of each hero, which further increases with exploration and combat. Therefore, the player needs to take care of the stress level of the characters as much as they take care of themselves. 

Besides the unique gaming concept, the dark dungeon offers a unique storyline. In this game, the player experiences the story and deeds of ancestors, fights with spirits, and more. Darkest Dungeon is a typical real-time strategy game that must be noticed and enjoyed like crazy. 

Release – January 2016

Genre – Role-playing 

Developer/ Publisher – Red Hook Studios 

Platforms – PC, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Darksiders Genesis

Try Darksiders Genesis with your friend or partner if you prefer multiplayer games. Among numerous roguelike games, Darksiders can make you addicted to it with ease through its hack-and-slash genre.

This game is played in a top-down perspective, where the player gets control of two characters named Strife and War. The player’s primary goal is to fight against four Horsemen who are harming humankind and spreading evil.

The player can save the world with the help of these two characters, in which both characters have different abilities and weapons to fight. In addition, the player can control the characters and switch between them at any time, or they can play the game with their friend in co-op mode. Darksiders Genesis has a dark story and plot for gamers. If you love fantasies, you need to try this one.

Release – December 2019

Genre – Action role-playing, hack-and-slash 

Developer/ Publisher – Airship Syndicate 

Platforms – Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC

Diablo III 

This list contains several roguelike and rogue-lite games, but Diablo III stands out. Diablo III is the third installment of the famous game series Diablo. I denoted it out of the box due to its dark storyline and gameplay. 

In terms of gameplay, Diablo III continues the tradition or elements of Diablo and Diablo II. However, Diablo III is a fast-paced role-playing game with real-time combat and an isometric graphics engine.

The game consists of classic dark fantasy elements. The player role plays the primary character in the game, whose goal is to save the world of Sanctuary from the evil forces of hell. Diablo III is an on-peak fictionalized game filled with magic and conspiracies. 

Release – May 2012

Genre – Action role-play, hack-and-slash

Developer/ Publisher – Blizzard Entertainment 

Platforms – PC, PS3, PS 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 

Noita 

Notia is a popular rogue-lite game in a world where every pixel is physically simulated. The player controls a sorcerer that casts spells and creates himself to defeat enemies. This game takes the gamer to a place in a 2D world where the player needs to battle mythological creatures. 

Noita is a single-player video game with a unique concept. The game takes place in a magical world where you discover new environments as you explore more. Noita is another name for a mysterious game with a pinch of action. 

Release – October 2020

Genre – Rogue-lite 

Developer/ Publisher – Nolla Games

Platforms – Steam

Path of Exile 

Path of Exile is a role-playing action game in the dark fantasy world. The player controls an exile by choosing from seven character classes: Marauder, Duelist, Ranger, Shadow, etc.

Through the help of the primary character, the player explores large outdoor areas and dungeons. The gamer needs to initially battle with monsters and fulfill quests from non-player characters to get experience points and equipment. 

Path of Exile offers several play modes or leagues like standard, hard-core, solo self-found, etc. The game has a never-ending adventure that can be enjoyed even with your friends through multiplayer mode. 

Release – October 2013

Genre – Action role-playing 

Developer/ Publisher – Grinding Gear Games

Platforms – PS4, Xbox One, and Steam

Slay the Spire 

This game is a perfect mix of deck building and a roguelike game. I am here talking about Slay the Spire. This game was initially released in January 2019 and was soon considered one of the best roguelike deck-building games.

At the start of the game, the player selects one of four characters. Each character has a starting amount of health, gold, a unique ability, and a deck of cards with basic attack and defense cards. The player’s primary goal is to cross several levels of a spire to defeat the boss at the end level.

Reaching the final boss is more complex. The player must battle various enemies and creatures to earn rewards, upgrade cards, and more. In this single-player deck game, the player can play any combination of cards as long as they have the energy to pay. Slay the Spire is a strategy game that can simultaneously leave you curious and excited.

Release – January 2019

Genre – Roguelike deck-building 

Developer/ Publisher – MegaCrit

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One

Wizard of Legend 

Who doesn’t like a game with a straightforward story with several challenges? Wizard of Legend is the same. This indie roguelike game became popular among gamers quickly due to its thrilling graphics and storyline. 

Wizard of Legend is a top-down 2D roguelike game. The player in the game controls a wizard and attempts to cross a 10-floor procedurally generated dungeon. However, the primary goal of the gamer is to win the same title as the name.

Is that easy? Well, no. The player has to use various spells to defeat mobs. In addition, to get the title “Wizard of Legend,” the player must defeat three major bosses and a final boss. Wizard of Legend is another interactive game with several interactive elements and functions. 

Release – May 2018

Genre – Roguelike, dungeon crawler 

Developer/ Publisher – Humble Bundle 

Platforms – PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One

Wrapping up 

Dungeon games are fun to play. I am glad that my cousin made me familiar with this genre and helped me to get a better gaming experience. No matter what genre you like, you will love to explore these dungeon games. Start now to find the best one that suits your taste!

Next, you can also try out some of the best city building games.