The 17 Best Classic Dungeon Crawler Games
Descriptions
Highlights
- Dungeon crawlers are an essential part of traditional fantasy RPGs, offering endless exploration, traps, monsters, and loot.
- Classic dungeon crawlers have laid the foundation for modern RPGs, inspiring and influencing the genre with their simple yet effective gameplay.
- From immersive storytelling to captivating gameplay, these dungeon crawlers like Lands of Lore, Might and Magic, and Ultima Underworld continue to captivate and shape the RPG genre.
A big part of any traditional fantasy RPG has to be the endless wave of dungeons you or your party will explore on their magical quest. Dark, twisting, perilous corridors are laden with traps, infested with monsters, and loaded with loot. Who honestly doesn't love a good dungeon crawl?
Dungeon crawlers were the genesis of all great RPGs, fantasy or otherwise. And any gamer worth their bits will be familiar with the genre, especially if they have an appreciation for gaming history. Without the traditional motif, there would be no advancement in the genre, and the aesthetic continues to inspire. It's quite remarkable how many modern adventures owe their existence to these simple but effective classics.
Updated December 24, 2023, by Calvin Townsend:Welcome back to the realm of classic dungeon crawlers! As we delve into the timeless world of dungeon exploration and monster slaying. In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, dungeon crawlers continue to capture the hearts of both seasoned adventurers and new recruits. This updated list serves as your compass through labyrinthine realms, unlocking the mysteries and challenges that lie ahead. Embrace the thrill of discovery as we navigate the depths, encountering ancient foes and unearthing hidden treasures. An immersive experience beckons you, where every step will bring you closer to the heart of the dungeon-crawling legacy.
17 Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos
Unearth A Dungeon Epic, Merging Immersive Tales With Captivating Gameplay
Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos is a critically acclaimed dungeon crawler that combines immersive storytelling with engaging gameplay. The game features a real-time, first-person perspective, stunning graphics (for its time), and a captivating storyline.
Exploring the treacherous dungeons, you will encounter a variety of creatures and unravel a plot filled with twists and turns as you attempt to save the kingdom from an evil, shape-shifting witch. Lands of Lore is often praised for its atmospheric design and remains a classic in the dungeon crawler genre.
16 Might and Magic Series
Conquer Vast Realms, Solve Puzzles, Engage In Strategic, Mythical Combat
Since the 1980s, the Might and Magic series, its eventual Heroes of Might and Magic spin-off series, and five other spin-offs, have been a venerable force in the dungeon-crawler realm. Known for vast worlds, challenging puzzles, and strategic turn-based combat, the series has evolved across the years.
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15 Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss
Dive Into A Pioneering Dungeon, Shaping RPGs With Immersive Realms
Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss emerged as a groundbreaking dungeon crawler, transcending traditional RPG boundaries. This trailblazing game not only elevated the first-person RPG genre but also redefined dungeon crawling itself.
In the game, you will pass through an entrance located on the Isle of Avatar. Once inside, you will take a plunge into a revolutionary 3D environment, immersing yourself in a dynamic underworld called the Great Stygian Abyss. A dungeon that is teeming with danger and intrigue. The game's innovative features, unleashed ahead of their time, have indelibly shaped the RPG genre. Ultima Underworld stands as a pioneering force, laying the foundation for future generations of immersive and atmospheric dungeon crawlers.
14 Eye of the Beholder
Embark On A D&D Odyssey, Solving puzzles In Immersive Landscapes
In the early '90s, the Eye of the Beholder series breathed life into classic dungeon crawling, transporting you into the iconic D&D universe, where you and a team of adventurers must search out an evil coming from under the city of Waterdeep. From a first-person perspective, you will navigate complex dungeons, solve puzzles, battle monsters, and discover fascinating stories.
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13 Wizardry
Foundational RPG Pillar With A Bare-Bones Charm For D&D Enthusiasts
Wizardry is one of the pillars on which the foundation for the traditional RPG formula was founded. At first glance, this game is very bare-bones, with minimal graphics and visuals. However, for those fans of D&D, this game was heaven-sent when it first debuted.
There's no RPG around that doesn't take something from the game, but for a more traditional origin of the genre, have a look at the next title.
12 The Immortal
Better Hardware Unveils A Gothic Quest Filled With Traps
With better hardware came better graphics; thus came better realized and rendered dungeons in which you could explore their heart's content, such as The Immortal.
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The NES had a ton of iconic games in its library. With so many to choose from, these stood out as the best the console had to offer.Truth be known, this game isn't exactly the easiest to pick up, but it does send you into a gothic fantasy environment. You assume the role of a wizard on a quest to rescue his mentor from an evil dungeon loaded with monsters, traps, and more.
11 The Binding Of Isaac
A Vibrant Dungeon Crawler With Legend Of Zelda Aesthetics
The Binding Of Isaac is a recent example of how the genre is still a popular and vibrant part of the gaming community. The game was originally released in 2011 and remade in 2014, this time called The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth.
The dungeons are designed to look like the vintage Legend of Zelda labyrinths that gave those classic games their dungeon-crawler element. It's been a critical and commercial success that also spawned a prequel, The Legend of Bum-bo.
10 Heretic
Doom-Like Presentation Conceals A Spellcasting Elven Dungeon Adventure
Don't let the Doom-like presentation deceive you; Heretic is one of the best third-person dungeon crawlers released in the early days of gaming.
The meat of the matter is simple to grasp and easy to understand. You take the role of an elven spellcaster who must explore a demon-infested dungeon and cast spells to clear the levels of various unholy threats. Honestly, this feels like a better setting than a Hellmouth on Mars.
9 Dragon Quest (Classic Titles)
High-Fantasy Heroics In Intense, Visualized Sprite Dungeons
Jumping back into the more traditional formula, the dungeons of the original Dragon Quest games could be downright nail-biting when they were at their best. The original game was one of the first in the genre to truly put you in the role of a high-fantasy hero with fully visualized sprites and environments.
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8 The Bard’s Tale Remake
A Comedic RPG Remake Featuring Coin Quests And Cleavage.
The original Bard's Tale was about as close to a traditional tabletop RPG as you could get back when it was first released. That being said, it's the remake where the game truly shines.
This quest for coin and cleavage features a comedic script, musical numbers, and performances from both Cary Elwes and Tony Jay. Even after all this time, it's still entertaining.
7 Torchlight 2
A Decade-Old Dungeon Crawler With RPG Character Customization
A game that turned ten years old this year, Torchlight 2 retains a dedicated fan base and is currently available on both computers and consoles. It's a direct sequel to the first game, and there's an equally popular title that followed it in 2020.
This game combines the concept of a dungeon crawler with RPG elements like character customization, offering four classes and a variety of ways to build your hero. MMO systems like peer-to-peer multiplayer gameplay were also daring new features, as were the cinematic cutscenes.
6 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
A Platformer-Shell Dungeon Crawler In A Gothic Castle Setting
Admittedly, seeing a Castlevania title on this list is somewhat strange. It might look like an action platformer at first, but take a second look at the elements that make this game great. You have to use different weapons and abilities to explore a maze-like environment loaded with monsters, treasures, traps, and boss fights.
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These RPGs are fantastic standalones... so far. For some reason, they have no sequels... yet.Not to mention that the entire game takes place in a giant gothic castle! That sounds like a standard-issue dungeon crawler, just presented in a platformer shell.
5 Baldur’s Gate Series
Recreating D&D Excitement In Visually Stunning, Massive Environments
Traditionally, the RPG genre has always tried to recreate the excitement and stories found in tabletop adventures, namely the iconic Dungeons & Dragons games. If there was one title that has come the closest to recreating that concept in a fully-visual sense, it's Baldur's Gate.
With its huge environments, dungeons, and everything that makes a game of D&Dfun, there's no questioning its popularity among fans of the genre.
4 Diablo Series
Unleash Righteous Fury Tearing Through Hordes In A Beloved Saga
Not all dungeon crawlers have to be turn-based or deep in story or conflict. Sometimes, all you really need is an excuse to tear through hordes of monsters with righteous impunity.
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3 The Legend Of Zelda
The Legendary Dungeon-Centric Classic Inspiring Modern Games
The dungeon-crawling genre would be absolutely nothing without the original Legend of Zelda and vice-versa. The best part about any Zelda title is, without a doubt, the dungeons.
Even in more modern entries in the series, like Breath of the Wild,the dungeons are the key to beating the game. It's certainly worthy of its legendary status, with several modern games copying the same style.
2 Black Crypt
A Historic First-Person RPG With Dungeon Crawling On Amiga
Highly recommended for its classic RPG and dungeon-crawler features, Black Crypt also has some interesting historical significance. It was the first game Raven Software released in 1992 and was designed and intended to run on the Amiga computer system.
The first-person POV is similar to games like Doom or Seventh Guest, which were popular contemporary titles of the time. Versions of the game that run on modern operating systems are available, but it might take some savvy adjustments to get them running.
1 Gauntlet
The Perfect Arcade Dungeon Crawler, Simple Yet Essential Fun
There is perhaps no dungeon crawler more simple yet perfect than Gauntlet. Four heroes, one dungeon, armies of monsters, and troves of treasure abound in this arcade classic. You can enjoy both modern and classic versions of this popular dungeon crawler that made its debut in video arcades everywhere in 1985.
It has all the essentials and hours of fun. What else needs to be said?
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