How Many of These Dungeon Crawlers Have You Played?
Dungeon crawler games are known for a couple of things; isometric viewpoints (usually), huge, scary bosses, RPG elements and tons and tons of loot. They can also be notoriously difficult, but don’t all those goodies make it worth it? Below is a list of the 31 best dungeon crawlers for PC; there’s sure to be something that will fit your fancy.
31. Exanima
Exanima gameplay
Exanima is a standalone dungeon crawler set in the underworld of Sui Generis by Bare Mettle Entertainment. The game’s selling point is its combat engine. Everything is driven by the physics engine, making timing and caution incredibly important. You need to make sure to dodge incoming strikes, find the time to prepare your own attack, and make sure you’re hitting your opponent’s weak bits as hard as possible.
The levels are non-linear, NPCs have more than five lines, and there’s even LAN multiplayer, both co-op and competitive. It’s dark and gritty and forces you to do more than spam just one button. If you don’t learn the system, you’ll die.
My sword is bigger.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
30. Lost Ark
Lost Ark | All 12 Classes Gameplay & Skill Showcase
Lost Ark (not to be confused with Raiders of the Lost Ark; this isn’t Indiana Jones) is a Korean MMORPG currently in closed beta, planned to feature both open world environments and instanced raids (similar to Vindictus, a game I have a lot of experience with and very much enjoy). The game also allows plyers to own their own ships.
There are currently 18 unique classes, 1v1 and 3v3 PVP matches, mini games and of course skills like fishing and mining and archaeology. Oh, and you can also own your own island. And let’s not forget those giant, crazy raid bosses and incredibly well-built dungeons.
Why does every game have fishing?
And big statues to pray at?
29. Project TL
Project TL trailer and gameplay
Project TL (formerly Lineage Eternal) is a sequel to the first Lineage game, an incredibly popular medieval fantasy MMORPG by NCSoft. Unlike many MMOs, it supports mobile play, and also has dynamically generated dungeons. It does share the same action oriented combat as many other Korean MMOs. In addition to its dungeons, LE also features 20+ player raid parties to help take down world and raid bosses.
The game has an arena style and open world PvP. It does away with typical fetch quests and goes for a more Guild Wars 2 style of “field” questing, making it feel like less of a grind and more like a genuine open world experience.
And dragons.
Okay so, macarena on three.
28. Victor Vran
An action RPG coming from the developers behind the most recent Tropico games might seem weird. Less weird when you consider that the developers are in Bulgaria and that Victor Vran has a very distinctive Eastern European feel. Unique for a game played from an isometric perspective, VV actually has a jump button which is used in combat, puzzles and to reach secret areas on the map.
The player can freely change between weapon classes, consumable items and spell powers.
Okay spiders are bad enough when they're alive I don't need dead ones.
Who played Spooky Scary Skeletons?
27. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
The first in a series of action RPGs based off of the famous novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. The story focuses on the son of legendary vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing set in the fiction 19th Century Eastern European land of Borgovia. There’s loads of loot and a companion to help you carry all of it (though she’s technically dead). It has a hack and slash style of combat that, while simple, is also fun and engaging.
There’s a little bit of tower defence in the city-protection sequences that works very well, especially when steampunk enters the scene. However, enemies don’t respawn, which means you have to actually work for your loot and xp rather than sit in one spot and farm. This isn’t WoW, people.
The British are comin-oh.
Summoning circle?
26. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing 2
The sequel to Van Helsing brings more of the same, with loads of pop culture references to boot which is more than a bit amusing considering the Victorian era-esque setting. The developers took what was already good and made it better and packed even more into the package with a simple but worthy story, with the voice acting between the two leads (Van Helsing and Katarina) adding a dash of personality and life to their banter and flirtation.
The balance is a bit wonky but you can use a pre-made veteran character, but the difficulty can be changed whenever you like, and also includes a hardcore mode with permadeath. Oh, and there’s still plenty of loot to find and big bad monsters to kill in your quest to live up to the Van Helsing name.
Why with the spiders? Why?
Ah yes, time for some inventory tetris.
25. Diablo 3
Diablo 3: Top 10 Boss Battles!
One of the staple isometric action RPGs and a long running Blizzard franchise, Diablo 3 has a lot to offer. There are six classes (seven if you own the Reaper of Souls expansion pack), a wealth of weapons and armour and other loot and loads of spells and attack combos to fiddle around with, including socketed items.
The game features destructible environments that enemies will take advantage of, just like they do the 3D game environment, part of a custom build engine. Random level and encounter generators and enhanced questing add valuable replayability. Diablo may not be at the top of this list but it is still one of the quintessential dungeon crawlers.
Hit them, not me!
There better be some good loot in there.
24. Path of Exile
Path Of Exile - Character Creation
I was very much excited for Path of Exile. Unfortunately life kept me from devoting too much time to the game but I remember it as being sufficiently dark and gritty and also rather good looking as well. It had a lot of competition when it was released, but as a free to play game it provided a more viable option for those with limited funds. Outside of the central hubs the world is instanced and randomized to provide increased replayability.
There are six classes with a final class unlockable at the end of Act 3 of the story. Uniquely, skills can be modified with gems (and so can weapons and armor) in the same way that you’d pop a gem into a slot in WoW. The game also features quite a large skill tree with plenty of room for branching out, though the player must be careful where points are spent in order to attain maximum efficiency. The game also features “leagues,” alternate play modes including a pseudo permadeath system and two challenge modes.
Watch the spikes.
I must get the name of his interior decorator.
23. Grim Dawn
It’s a hard world out there and every inch of it is full of nightmare fuel (why so many spiders? Why?). Grim Dawn features a beautifully realized Victorian inspired world in disorder. As is fitting for the genre, there is loads of loot to be had and huge, epic boss fights (with bonus loot) to be had.
There’s also a nifty little spell that lets you pop back to the nearest shopkeeper then pop right back to where you were to help you sell all of that loot. Combat is satisfying and visceral with a real sense of progression. As the game moves forward, it becomes more important to use the Mana or “spirit” abilities tactically rather than just button mashing through waves of enemies.
I just want across the bridge.
Well I was gonna help but since you're bing so rude about it.
22. Nox
Sometimes oldies are goodies for a reason. The gameplay varies depending on which character class is picked for Jack at the start of the game. For example, warriors can use pretty much all armor and melee weapons but can’t use bows, staves, or any magic and use special abilities that act as spells, but simply recharge over time.
The gear in the game varies, even though it’s restricted to certain classes, and can have enchantments. Weapons also have durability, so you better make sure you have a backup if you’re in the middle of town and can’t pop over to the nearest blacksmith for a repair.
Looking a little pixelated there.
Expert warrior, eh?
21. Bastion
Aside from the art style the most unique and individual piece of Bastion is the narration. That doesn’t have anything to do with dungeon crawling, true, but having a very relaxing, deep voice comment on almost everything you do it deserves a shout out. The levels and enemies in Bastion are gorgeous (sometimes scary) and varied.
A hub world, the Bastion, is where the player can buy materials and upgrade weapons, and also add structures to the bastion depending on what playstyle you’re after. There’s also a new game plus+ mode for those of you who want to replay with a couple extra things added.
But I don't wanna kill it; it's so cute!
I don't know where I am but I like it.
20. Eitr
EITR - Gameplay
Eitr (named for a mythical substance in Norse mythology) doesn’t have an official release date yet but I can assure you I’ll be all over it once it does. Eitr is a pixel art isometric action RPG set in the world of Norse Mythology. Combat is toted to be “exceptional” with a variety of weapons, strategic movement, accurate arrow strikes and special attacks.
There’s plenty of loot to be had as well, but the caveat is that some of it may be damaged if the brave heroine is killed in combat. It’s nice to see something a bit different in this genre and I’ll be keeping an eye on this game as the year progresses.
That lighting though.
Surely we can work something out?
19. Torchlight
Torchlight throws you into a series of randomized dungeons to fight hordes of enemies and grab hordes of loot. A single town serves as a hub where items can be bought and sold and quests can be found. You also get to have a pet! You can choose between three, a dog, a cat, or a ferret (I’d go for the ferret but I’m biased).
There are three classes, a warrior, a spellcaster and a rogue type.
Why the skeletons?
This is my bubble.
18. Torchlight 2
Torchlight 2 brings more of the same but with more customization, more loot and most importantly, more pets! The combat and randomly generated dungeons but expands the hub towns and extends the campaign. There’s also a night and day cycle, weather, and a new interface. Gear is also restricted by class. Fishing is back too, and there’s a new game+ mode to replace the retirement system.
Not the face, not the face!
Nice dragon.
17. Book of Demons
Do you like making things explode into piles of coins? Well then, this is the game for you. Book of Demons is a rather odd hybrid of typical Diablo style hack and slash with papercraft people, but also throws in some card abilities, which are useless unless equipped. Sounds like the perfect combo for someone who likes CCGs and dungeon crawlers.
The game is still in early access but has plenty of content to pick through.
Hero, your health is low.
Does that look like Maze from Fable to anyone else?
16. Titan Quest Anniversary Edition
Titan Quest Anniversary Edition combines the original Titan Quest and Titan Quest Immortal Throne and combines them and adds a wealth of content in a free update for the 10th anniversary. Multiplayer functionality has been restored and improved, more resolutions are supported, along with generally improved performance and stability.
There’s increased challenges and rewards for higher difficulty levels, improved AI and dozens of new heroes and bosses. Characters are highly customizable with 28 classes and over 1000 pieces of unique, legendary loot. Plus, you can make your own maps.
Finally something other than a forest.
Please tell me they're not fishing.
15. Shadows Heretic Kingdoms
Shadows Heretic Kingdoms comes in two parts, Books I and II. The first is already available, and the second is a free update to the initial game. There are two worlds in this story; the world of mortals and the world of shadows, where the demons live. The game is fully voice acted with multiple endings and weighty decisions.
Between the story and the party system there is a total of fifteen characters to play. The gameplay is much the same as other clicker dungeon crawlers, but the meat is in the story.
Whatever it is I didn't do it!
Fiyyaaaahh.
14. Gauntlet™ Slayer Edition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYn--CDMFOU
The Slayer Edition of Gauntlet is a free update for those who already own the game on PC. It adds a new Endless mode to the endless waves of enemies you’ll fight leading up to the big boss, daily challenges and new clothes for your character.
The combat has been ramped up as well. Weapons change the abilities that each character has, although these skills do have to be purchased individually.
I love the smell of giblets in the morning.
Mind the lava.
13. Legend of Grimrock
Legend of Grimrock is a throwback to the old style of RP dungeon crawlers with a rather claustrophobic feel. The detail in the game world is gorgeous, and there’s plenty of hidden things to find. Movement is tile based, and while the game will create a map for you, you have the option to turn it off and break out a piece of graph paper and a pencil and do it for yourself. You start as a group of four prisoners, thrown into the pit of a mountain. If you escape you’re free, if not… well you’re dead. There’s a map editor and the ability to customize player character portraits as well, and there’s a lot of both out there.
When I said stick them with the pointy end I didn't mean stick me!
Maybe he just wants a hug?
12. Magicka
My experience with Magicka pretty much consists of my friend and I blowing each other up and never actually getting past the first boss. I did try to play on my own but ultimately decided that it was a lot more fun (and easier) with friends.
There are a lot of spells in this game and it’s very difficult to remember them all and there’s a very good chance that you’ll blow yourself up in addition to the thing you’re trying to kill. There’s also a 300 reference. Make of that what you will.
Ha ha you can't get me.
My fave kind of explosion.
11. Magicka 2
Magicka on steroids, basically. Magicka 2 boosts the spellcasting system with an insane number of spells, most of which you can discover on your own without needing to find all the spellbooks if you don’t mind blowing yourself up one or ten times. It’s important to know which spells you need for which situations, however, which can be a bit intimidating when some goblins are chewing on your ankles.
It’s hard work to get all those spells down instead of just spamming a pathetic little Ghostbusters beam, but when you pull it off, especially if it’s just by the skin of your teeth, there’s really no feeling in the world like standing in the bloody giblets of what were once those annoying little goblins.
Great balls of fire!
Do not cross the beams.
10. Divinity Original Sin 2
While still in early access, Divinity Original Sin 2 promises to be a worthy sequel to the original. Once again, players can choose stats, race, origin story and appearance. Dialogue and quests change depending on the player character’s backstory. There’s skill crafting and a cover system to change up the combat a bit. A new feature is called “Love & Hate,” allowing relationships to be established with other characters in the game. For you social beings out there, there’s up to 4 player co-op and competitive multiplayer.
We wouldn't be here if you had just asked for directions.
This isn't a game of the floor is lava.
9. Elder Scrolls Online
Many people still have mixed feelings about ESO, but there’s one thing that can’t be denied; real-time, skill based (for the most part) combat makes dungeons a hell of a lot more fun. ESO has three types of dungeons; Delves, Public Dungeons and Group Dungeons. Delves are split into solo and group as well. Each questing zone has at least one Public Dungeon, which any player can enter at any time, which have quests bosses, mini bosses, and a group even boss. Group dungeons work much like the dungeons in WoW, with normal and veteran modes, and special story mode dungeons, each with normal and veteran modes.
Group pose time.
I don't think fighting by that is a good idea.
8. Bless Online
Bless Online has a very action oriented combat system like many Asian MMOs, as well as photo-realistic graphics and a variety of fantastical races. Most dungeons in the game require 5-man parties but some can be soloed at a high enough level with the right gear.
However, if you’re looking to run a friend through a dungeon to help them out don’t waste your time; if player levels are too far apart the lower level person won’t earn any xp. Dungeons also cost fatigue to enter. But, the combat is fast-paced and fun and the rewards are most certainly worth it.
Any game that lets you have a wolf mount has to be good.
Woosh!
7. Black Desert Online
BDO has the best character creation system in any MMO ever. No seriously. It might actually be the best character creation system for any game ever. It’s also one of the best looking MMOs on the market. There are multiple dungeons in the game, some hidden away little places with tougher mobs and better loots and proper instanced dungeons with the introduction of Valencia Part 2. But there’s plenty of other things to do in the game. The combat is quick and dynamic.
That looks like an S ranking to me
It's not much but it's home.
6. Lord of the Rings Online
Another game pushing almost exactly ten years old, LOTR Online is still going strong, with five expansion packs and a steady player based, helped by a free-to-play model. It’s got just about everything an MMO should have; typical MMO movement and combat, PvE, player housing, skills, guilds and reputation. The PvP system is a bit different though.
There’s dueling, but also something called PvMP (Monster Play) in to take control of outposts in the Ettenmoors. The game features several types of instances (featured, world, quest) as well as the typical raids and public dungeons. The real seller is the world. There’s a reason why LOTR is still so popular. It’s one of a kind.
Uh, hey buddy. Maybe we can talk this out?
I am no man!
5. Pillars of Eternity
There aren’t many games as gorgeous and with such rich lore as Pillars of Eternity. It is a true isometric roleplaying tactical combat based game. Nothing in the world is black and white and your choices carry weight. There’s plenty of reason to explore everything, from loot to companions (who you can pass by if you’re not careful, I missed Eder my first time through). Combat is tough, even on lower difficulty levels, and if you’re brave enough to play on Path of the Damned, then good luck to you. There’s plenty of skills to choose from however and a bit of trial and error or a couple google searches will bring up the best builds for your character class.
Don't make any sudden moves; maybe it won't see us.
This doesn't look good.
4. Pillars of Eternity 2
The sequel to the incredibly popular PoE met its Kickstarter goal in one day and rounded up a total of $4.4 million in pledges out of a goal of $1.1. The game is a direct sequel that takes players to a new part of Eora and also gives players their own ship which is more than enough for me. Combat looks to be similar to the original, but the team behind it has promised to rework the system as well as the user interface with smaller parties to make managing all of that just a bit easier.
Bar fight!
Should we touch it?
3. Baldur's Gate 2
Another classic, and one of the best. Deeply entrenched in one of the most popular fantasy worlds in existence, I spent a lot of time with Baldur’s Gate as a kid. BG2 gives you a party of up to 6 characters and lets you create your own protagonist or import a previous one from earlier games. BG2 is another isometric game where you click to kill with a fog of war system to keep certain areas of the map hidden. There’s a lot of clicking, but there’s something about that clicking that makes the sore finger worth it. Probably the loot. Yeah, it’s the loot.
No trouble out of me, I get it, stop repeating yourself.
Don't whinge.
2. Warhammer: End Times Vermintide
Rats. Why did it have to be rats. End Times is a co-op focused multiplayer only game similar to Valve’s Left 4 Dead series. There’s five different heroes to choose from with different skills. Level completion rewards players with trinkets and weapons as well as xp and a dice roll, which determines the gadgets they get to fiddle around with. If you’re familiar with L4D at all, then you’ll be familiar with the gameplay in Vermintide. I’m going to wager it’s just as satisfying killing giant mutant rat people as it is killing zombies.
Look I have pet rats but this is just ridiculous.
Zombie rats?
1. Darkest Dungeon
This game hates you. It hates you, it hates your family, it hates your cow (props if you get that reference). This game is tough. Even with the new radiant mode and with the ability to turn most of the features like corpses and heart attacks off there’s still a pretty good chance that you’re going to get yourself in way over your head and die. DD has a beautiful aesthetic, the most epic narrator next to the one in Bastion, and a dark and haunting soundtrack to go with it. The hub is the ruins of your family’s estate, which you are tasted with rebuilding by delving into various dungeons and discovering why the estate fell into ruin in the first place. Everything about this game is equal parts depressing and amazing. And the loot, the loot. Always there’s that urge to do just one more room, just one more battle, just one more, one more… and as the narrator is quick to remind you, “over-confidence is a slow and insidious killer.”
Nope.
Yeah, you're dead.
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