In Search of New Dungeon Crawlers

[RustySK]

Just remembered a really overlooked trilogy of Dungeon Crawlers:
Das Geisterschiff, Der Geisterturm and Der Geisterjäger, by Graverobber Foundation (they've also made a couple more DRPGs that might be worth a look as well, like Dragon Ruins for example) - sci-fi themed mecha blobbers with a really unique, lo-fi presentation.
The first one is fairly short, the later ones get longer - all of 'em are really challenging.

Post automatically merged: Mar 22, 2025

One more! (Last one, I swear!) Haven't played this one myself, but it's from the same team as Undernauts and also features some fantastic artwork: Stranger of Sword City.

 

[GardeniaSky]

-Pathfinder:Wrath of the Righteous
-Diablo I and II
-Dungeon Encounters(it's literally just a turn based dungeon crawler. Very bare bones)
-Barony(real time, but it's first person dungeon exploration)
-Daggerfall(massive with an almost unlimited amount of dungeons to explore. Play Daggerfall Unity for fixes and QOL mods)
-Arx Fatalis

Unfortunately I don't have a ton of recommendations for turn based. Everything I've played is real time or a CRPG that may or may not have a turn based option.

 

[micheI]

-Diablo I and II

I can also recommend Path Of Exile 1&2 to OP if they enjoy these. Though it's a bit less of a dungeon crawler.

 

[BadMrFrostii]

To add to RustySKs mention above about Graverobber, Demon Lord Reincarnation is a must-play for fans of the genre, imo. One of the best games I played the year it released.

Inferno - Beyond the 7th Circle is also a pretty awesome game. It's a very dark and gritty solo party member dungeon crawler. Been a few years since I played it, but I remember it being a good challenge.

If you're feeling up to something a bit more old school, Deep Dungeon - Madou Senki is a fun little game. It's the only Famicom Disk System game I've ever played, but it sure was a fun time.

There's also The Lost Child, which is a game I really truly loved. Also a first person dungeon crawler that I think any MegaTen fan could appreciate with its demon collecting aspect. It also takes place in the El Shaddai universe, if you're into that game (which I'd also recommend but it's not an RPG.) Unfortunately, it was delisted a few years ago, but thankfully we have ways around that.

I'll also double up on RustySKs recommendations for Stranger of Sword City, and especially Undernauts. Fantastic games as well.

 

[Swagmata]

there’s a newer one called the great abyss cyclopian on steam. It’s definitely a read the manual before you play it game but if that doesn’t bother you it’s worth the ten bucks for sure. Never quite finished it but I enjoyed the hours I put in

 

[UnDubious]

There was a futuristic Megami Tensei clone on the NES that no one I know has played, but I'm still curious about. It's called Shadow Brain:

I just don't have the patience for a NES RPG generally, too many encounters/not enough anything else.
Also, Atlus had that game The Dark Spire on DS which was supposed to be very hardcore.

 

[SolarSpectre]

How about the old DOS game Thunderscape. while it's not grid based it definitely checks all the boxes for me.

also here's something I found recently that's pretty cool. it's not an actual game, it's an artbook for a dungeon crawler that doesn't exist.

 

[PKT]

So when I started this thread I had just started Labyrinth of Refrain. After like 20+ hours later I can say the game has sunk its claws into me (currently in Amadeus). I have to echo what Aziamuth said earlier though: gameplay is kinda mid but the story gets really interesting as it goes on (gets a little graphic as well so caution on that front).

Was expecting schlock and am pleasantly surprised. Tower Umbra can fuck off though that was way too long