The best roguelike dungeon crawler

Key Takeaways

• Dungeon crawling is vital to traditional roguelikes, providing a simple and satisfying gameplay loop.
• Not all action roguelikes follow the dungeon crawling formula, so your preferences will have to match.
• Games like Jupiter Hell, Caves of Qud, and Cogmind are unique takes on the traditional roguelike dungeon crawler.

Dungeon crawling is inherent to traditional roguelike games, a core part of the roguelike formula, and essential to the genre's simple gameplay loop. The information density, complex mechanics, and interlocking systems of traditional roguelikes make learning a daunting experience, especially for new users, so a simple, instantly satisfying dungeon crawling loop is almost necessary to prevent these games from becoming inaccessible.

Although there are many action roguelikes and roguelites that follow the dungeon crawling method (Isaac's Binding, brightnessand little thiefFor example) these games are more closely related to traditional turn-based roguelikes, and in most cases are true roguelikes. Players who don't enjoy permadeath, poor meta progression, resource management, and turn-based gameplay won't enjoy many, if not all, of these games.

1 endless dungeon

Traditional roguelike dungeon crawler meets tower defense

Although it is a sequel, endless dungeonIt may have failed to recapture the magic of the original. endless dungeon It's still an excellent roguelike game worth revisiting. A creative re-imagining of the roguelike format, the game's roguelike structure still impresses today, expertly combining roguelike structure with elements of tower defense and strategy games. The dark, gritty sci-fi theme and gray pixel art aesthetic create a realistic and intense experience that is perfectly reflected in the challenging gameplay.

battle endless dungeon Although it takes place in real time, the rest of the game is largely turn-based. The game starts whenever the player opens the door. Enemies can spawn and resources can be obtained. This allows for a hybrid experience that still feels traditional, especially when exploring, but with a bit more strategy and excitement during combat.

2 jupiter hell

Classic roguelike with fast-paced shooting gameplay

It is a science fiction game, not a traditional fantasy dungeon crawler game. jupiter hell It's a great choice for both newcomers and veterans of the roguelike genre. This successor DRL (Doom, Roguelike) is a fast-paced shooter that follows the classic roguelike formula, offering a traditional experience while also providing a more consistently engaging experience. yes, jupiter hell Not only is it mechanically accessible, but it looks great compared to the minimalist graphical style of traditional roguelikes.

The dark 3D environments, lighting, and easy-to-read user interface make this game easy to play, yet just as challenging as many traditional roguelikes. Players looking for a dungeon crawler that isn't fantasy themed and prefers intense gunplay over swords and sorcery will definitely enjoy it. jupiter hell Give it a try.

3 Kud's Cave

Ambitious roguelike RPG with dangerous dungeons

Kud's Cave A deep, atmospheric roguelike set in a sci-fi fantasy world, brought to life through moving writing and an immersive soundtrack. The game carefully balances hand-crafted and procedural content to create a world that is consistently mysterious and fascinating to explore, and pushes the player's curiosity to evolve as often as possible to advance the gameplay. ground, Kud's Cave The intriguing wasteland is dotted with ancient ruins and humble communities, but beneath it lies a sprawling underground network that poses many dangers.

Kud's Cave is a traditional roguelike game, and players can expect to lose a lot of their characters beneath the surface. But exploring tunnels and caves Kud's Cave The game's wide variety and abundance of items to find and loot can lead to huge rewards. but, Kud's Cave It's not strictly a dungeon crawler, as players can spend a lot of time exploring the open world and the wilderness within and around it before delving into the dungeon.

4 Cogmind

The Unique Roguelike Is All About Adaptation

death and decay Cogmindmiddle name. A traditional roguelike, the game constantly forces players to adapt as items are fragile and almost everything can be easily destroyed. This may seem contrary to the loot-centric gameplay of classic roguelikes, but Cogmind Unique taste despite the traditional style. in CogmindIn , players take on the role of a robot attempting to escape a complex dungeon, building itself using items found along the way.

Cogmind It's almost entirely focused on items. However, players should avoid becoming obsessed with items as they will need to replace them with newer, better models on a regular basis. It's a survival game rather than a build crafting game, and it's missing the RPG elements that these games usually rely on. Again, this is what makes Cogmind It's a truly unique dungeon crawler.

5 Dungeon of Dreadmore

It's old, but Goldie

Dungeon of Dreadmore As a recently released roguelike, it may be starting to show its age, but its combination of traditional gameplay and quality of life improvements still make it a game worth revisiting again and again. Dungeon of Dreadmore Plays like a classic. Turn-based gameplay, permadeath, RPG elements, and more, all wrapped into a classic dungeon crawl. It's classic fun and features an imaginative character creator that dramatically increases replay value.

One of the great things about this game is that it doesn't take you too seriously, a quality that's immediately noticeable when creating your character. This becomes even more evident as players crawl through dungeons with comical enemies and humorous tone. Despite his stupid personality, Dreadmore Dungeon is a solid game with a solid roguelike system and a variety of items.