The best dungeon crawlers

2 days ago, by Enzo

From the earliest first-person dungeons to the most modern roguelites, the dungeon crawler genre has remained ever-changing. Exploration, intense combat, ongoing progression, and the quest for ever-more-powerful gear are the cornerstones of a kind of game capable of taking on a wide variety of forms, from hack-and-slash to strategic card games. Without further ado, here’s our selection of the best dungeon crawlers to check out, from the all-time classics to more original titles that prove the genre is more alive than ever.

To no one' surprise, let’s start with one of the most popular. Darkest Dungeon reimagines the dungeon crawler with a strong psychological element, where the heroes’ stress becomes just as dangerous as the monsters. Preparing for expeditions is just as important as the battles themselves. Its oppressive atmosphere and demanding difficulty make for a unique experience. Its sequel adopts a roguelite structure centered on travel and survival, giving the franchise a new identity while retaining its unforgiving atmosphere.

Cloudheim focuses on coop exploration in a colorful fantasy world where every dungeon is teeming with traps, enemies, and treasures. The dynamic battles use physics to make every fight spectacular. Behind its adorable appearance, Cult of the Lamb hides a particularly effective dungeon crawler that blends action, roguelite elements, and community management. Each dungeon expedition lets you gather resources that are essential for growing your cult.

With its easy-to-learn gameplay, the spin-off Minecraft Dungeons makes the dungeon crawler genre accessible to everyone. The levels are packed with enemies, secrets, and gear to collect, allowing you to create a variety of playstyles. Its co-op mode also makes it an excellent game to enjoy with friends or family, and a sequel is expected this fall.

With its transformation system that lets you change forms at will, Nobody Saves the World cleverly reinvents the formula. Each new appearance brings unique abilities that open up new possibilities for exploration and combat in the dungeons. Its humor and originality make it a particularly refreshing adventure.

Slay the Spire brilliantly combines dungeon crawler, roguelite, and strategic card game elements. Each ascent requires you to build an ever-more-powerful deck to survive the numerous battles and random events. Hades II builds on the foundations of its predecessor while enhancing its combat system and progression options. New powers, unique environments, and a host of characters further deepen the immersion in Greek mythology.

All in all, the dungeon crawler remains one of the most exciting genres for hardcore fans of exploration and progression. Whether your prefer fast-paced action, strategy, puzzles, or particularly demanding challenges, these games showcase the full depth of a formula that has spanned generations without losing its appeal. From seminal classics to the latest releases, this selection is an excellent starting point for setting out to conquer the most memorable dungeons in video game history.