Dungeon crawlers, a sub-genre that grew out of the traditional RPG mold, offer players intense, adrenaline-pumping action combined with exploration and strategy. As you descend into labyrinthine depths battling foes, uncovering treasures, and unlocking secrets, the sheer unpredictability of what lies next keeps players coming back. This year, several titles have captured gamers' imaginations, and in this blog post, we’ll highlight the best dungeon crawlers you absolutely must play: Hades, The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth, Darkest Dungeon, Tiny Rogues, Moonlighter, Noita, and Cult of the Lamb.
1. Hades
From the acclaimed developers at Supergiant Games, Hades offers a unique blend of fast-paced combat, rich storytelling, and stunning artwork. As the Prince of the Underworld, Zagreus, players challenge the gods of Olympus in a bid to escape the clutches of the titular Hades. Each escape attempt through the ever-shifting chambers is a new adventure, with randomized encounters, boons from the Olympian gods, and an evolving story. The game’s narrative depth, character interactions, and fluid combat mechanics have made Hades one of the standout dungeon crawlers in recent times. With every run, players grow stronger, uncover more of the story, and experience a beautifully crafted fusion of Greek mythology and intense roguelike gameplay.
2. The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth, developed by Nicalis, delves into a grim yet fascinating world of biblical allegories, personal demons, and grotesque enemies. Playing as Isaac, gamers navigate randomly generated dungeons, battling myriad enemies and bosses. With over 500 items to discover, each run offers a different experience, shaping Isaac's abilities and the challenges he faces. Dark humor, challenging gameplay, and an abundance of secrets make Rebirth a continually engaging experience that combines dungeon crawling with bullet-hell shooter elements.
3. Darkest Dungeon
Red Hook Studios’ Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike that emphasizes the psychological stress of adventuring. Players manage a team of flawed heroes, delving into foreboding dungeons where not just monsters but also hunger, disease, and darkness threaten the party’s sanity. The affliction system, where heroes acquire quirks based on their experiences, brings a layer of strategy, ensuring every decision, from which hero to recruit to how to manage resources, matters. With its haunting art style, atmospheric sound design, and unforgiving difficulty, Darkest Dungeon offers a gripping dungeon-crawling experience.
4. Tiny Rogues
Tiny Rogues, while simpler in visuals, packs a punch with its gameplay mechanics. Each dungeon delve is a strategic affair, as players move their characters on a grid, taking on waves of enemies, gathering loot, and leveraging unique abilities. The turn-based combat, coupled with procedurally generated dungeons and a variety of classes to choose from, offers countless hours of strategic dungeon crawling.
5. Moonlighter
Developed by Digital Sun, Moonlighter combines classic dungeon-crawling with shop management mechanics. By day, players manage a retail store, setting prices and serving customers. By night, the game transforms into a dungeon crawler, where players gather items for their shop and battle creatures. The dual gameplay dynamics and pixel art aesthetic make Moonlighter a delightful and unique addition to the genre.
6. Noita
Nolla Games' Noita is a physics-driven roguelike where every pixel is physically simulated. Players navigate a mysterious world, wielding magic spells that interact dynamically with the environment. From melting, burning, or evaporating elements, the game offers a playground of experimentation. Its real-time combat, combined with the unpredictable outcomes of spell interactions, ensures a fresh experience with each playthrough.
7. Cult of the Lamb
Cult of the Lamb is a dark yet adorable dungeon crawler where players, as a possessed lamb, start a new cult and spread their influence. The game mixes base-building with dungeon-crawling as players expand their community, take on quests, and navigate procedurally generated realms. With its unique theme, engaging mechanics, and charming visuals, Cult of the Lamb promises a delightful, albeit twisted, dungeon-crawling experience.
Want to play these games in a virtual LAN party with friends? Download our free Playtest on Steam!