There’s just something about dungeon crawl games. The claustrophobic and dark environments force players to focus on gameplay and navigation. This distracts us from the sometimes-total lack of a coherent story that some of these games present to us.
Another reason why dungeon crawlers may be so enchanting is that they speak to something primordial that’s entrenched in our DNA. Who doesn’t want to venture into a dark cave or trench for discovery or reward? The answer is probably sane people.
Nonetheless, in this guide we will cover ten of the best Dungeon Crawlers so you can get lost in a cavern without losing your life.
Top 10 Dungeon Crawlers of All Time
The first Dungeon Crawl based game (pedit5) was developed in 1975. Since then rogue-likes and RPG games have adopted dungeon crawl elements. Purists may posit that roguelikes and RPGs that have complex story elements and character interaction don’t fall under the dungeon crawler umbrella.
We beg to differ. We firmly believe that any game that involves a rich amount of dungeon exploration should be considered a dungeon crawler – even just partially. It isn’t always a cut and dry though. You may not find games like Darksiders 2 or Prince of Persia here, because they feature platforming quite heavily.
#1 Best Overall: Baldur’s Gate: Shadows of Amn
- Developers: Bioware (Original), Overhaul Games (Enhanced Edition)
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS (original version) Nintendo Switch, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox-One, Linux, OS X (Enhanced Edition)
- Initial Release Date: 21 September 2000 (original version), 15 October 2019 (Enhanced Edition for Consoles)
- Game Modes: Multiplayer, Single Player
- Sub-genres: Role-playing
It’s hard to imagine a world without the Baldur’s Gate series. It’s the reason why Bioware is such a tour de force today. If it wasn’t for the success of the original Baldur’s Gate, it’s unlikely that we would have the Mass Effect or Dragon Age series. It’s one of the most important RPGs of the last 30 years.
The original’s dungeon crawl elements were minimal. The sequel traded open scenery for more cavernous and tight surroundings.
Baldur’s Gate II Plot and Story
Dungeons and Dragons is rife with enough lore to build thousands of video games from – and it actually has. Tabletop RPGs gave us our first taste of what it would be like to experience a J.R.R Tolkien or a Fritz Leiber-like world.
It gave us an unpredictable shared storytelling experience where we could pick our own ending in real-time. The biggest issue with Dungeons and Dragons is that it requires a lot of admin. You need to understand the rules, lore and actually have friends to play it.
Just like the first Baldur’s Gate, Shadows of Amn is set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons. The story starts off immediately where the previous game left off. You play the ex-ward of the mage Gorion, now captured by a wizard.
Baldor’s Gate II has a very deep story that is best experienced, not read. A key element of its enjoyability lies in all the mysteries you uncover as the main character. We cannot summarise the story without spoiling it for you. For completionists, the entire game could take up to 300 hours to finish. While the main quest will require a maximum of 60 hours of your time.
Baldur’s Gate II Gameplay
Baldur’s Gate gameplay is based on the second edition of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons’ rules. Players get to create their own character at the beginning of the game. You have your choice of eleven different classes that include fighter, barbarian, paladin, thief, mage, monk, sorcerer, bard, ranger, druid or cleric.
Just like many other RPG games, each character class has its own pros and cons. In addition to controlling the protagonist, players can build up a party of up to six characters (including the protagonist) to join them on their quest.
These characters can be recruited in various areas of the game. The game is played from a top-down isometric view. Because the camera isn’t necessarily fixed on the main character or his/her party, it can be moved around to check the surroundings.
Combat features a mixture of real-time and turn-based elements. Players can engage in an attack by clicking on a hostile NPC. You can also pause the game and set a couple of commands that will be executed upon unpausing the game.
Additionally, you can specify instances where the game should be paused automatically. This gives players a chance to strategize and automate some of their attacks and interactions to eliminate any monotony. You will do this while exploring and crawling through various dungeons and open maps.
Baldur’s Gate II Graphics
Just like the original Baldur’s Gate, the developers created it using its in-house graphics engine, the Infinity Engine. The enhanced edition was made using Infinity Enhanced Engine. It’s strange how well the graphics still hold up today.
Upon its initial release, the Shadow of Amn’s graphics seemed to receive the most praise. The amount of detail that is embedded in the various corridors, rooms, and dungeons is staggering. At times, it really does feel like playing through an oil painting.
Baldur’s Gate II Overall Review
The original Buldar’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn still holds up. If you feel like escaping the current crop of near photo-realistic spectacles to something a lot more simpler and nostalgic, you should definitely give the original Baldur’s Gate a try as well as the sequel.
The enhanced edition comes bundled with the first game. Play these games, not just because they’re amazing games but because they give you a chance to educate yourself on games that laid the foundation for modern RPGs such as Icewind Dale, The Witcher and a host of other games. Since Baldur’s Gate III is just around the corner, you might benefit from refreshing yourself on the lore by playing Baldur’s Gate II .
4.8/5
#2 Best JRPG Dungeon Crawler: Dark Cloud
- Developers: Level 5
- Platforms: PlayStation 2
- Initial Release Date: 14 December 2000
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Sub-genres: Japanese Role-playing
If Dark Cloud should be remembered for anything, it’s its wholesome gameplay and narrative. A good game for kids that offered a deep enough story to keep adults engaged. Much like Kingdom Hearts, it offered players a mixture of gameplay.
However, today, what we’re focused on is the dungeon crawl aspect, which features quite heavily. Some players may scoff at the fact that it’s even being featured on this list. Hopefully, after reading this short review, they’ll be able to see why Dark Cloud is considered to be one of the greatest Dungeon Crawlers of all time.
Dark Cloud Plot and Story
Dark Cloud follows an Alice in Wonderland-like story. Players mainly control Toan, a young boy whose village has been destroyed. At first, his quest is to rebuild his village and the western part of the game’s world, after an evil force tries to attack and destroy it.
Samba the Fairy King prevents the complete annihilation of the west by sealing the land, its buildings and people in magical orbs. After the evil entity’s attack, the orbs are flung all over the world. It’s the player’s job to find these scattered orbs, rebuild the world and defeat the evil entity responsible for all the chaos.
Dark Cloud Gameplay
In addition to Toan, the game features six playable characters that you can control upon entering a dungeon. Each character has their own specific abilities. A bulk of the dungeons in the game feature procedurally generated maps.
While crawling through dungeons, players need to pay attention to both their health as well as thirst levels. Thirst levels can be maintained by drinking water from your inventory or dipping in one of the pools found in the dungeon. If you find that your thirst meter hits zero, your health begins ebbing over time until you can replenish the thirst meter once again.
Combat is hack and slash based. You also get the rare occasional quick time duel event but these are a bit rare. Duels allow you to end fights early and you can get rewards for performing them well. Fail during a duel and you’ll watch your character get killed.
Each playable character has their own type of weapons. You get hammers, ranches, guns, swords, daggers, rings, slings, etc. Weapons can be upgraded using experience points. There isn’t much combat to speak of outside of the game’s dungeons.
Players need to rebuild villages to unlock new villages and areas. It’s a key piece of gameplay that allows you to progress through the game. You also get the typical game mechanics of a Zelda-like modern RPG. Dark Cloud allows you to fish, shop, communicate with random NPCs, explore the world and engage in side quests.
Dark Cloud Graphics
Dark Cloud was released in the first year of the PS2’s existence. It wasn’t pushing the limits of the hardware like Killzone was. Nevertheless, the game’s visuals are simple, smooth and cohesive. It is rare to get a graphical glitch.
Upon its release, Dark Cloud was praised for its water effects and lighting. We quite like the character models and designs. Because there is no voice-acting or audio-based speech in the game, it is up to the character’s body language and facial expressions to convey the tone of each cut scene.
It works. The cut scenes really pull you into Dark Cloud’s emotional and heart-warming story.
Dark Cloud Overall Review
Dark Cloud gets praised for being a monumental JRPG, but it seldom receives its flowers for being one of the best Dungeon Crawlers of all time. Today, that changes. You’ll spend the bulk of the game’s playthrough grinding through its procedurally generated dungeons so you can get some experience points for your weapons or test your characters’ abilities. It’s from a time when games were just fun.
4.78/5
#3 Best Dungeon Crawler for PCs: Diablo II
- Developers: Blizzard North
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS, macOS
- Initial Release Date: 29 June 2000 (original release), 11 March 2016 (macOS release)
- Game Modes: Single Player, multiplayer
- Sub-genres: Action RPG, hack and slash
We had a little on whether to include Diablo III or Diablo II. Don’t get us wrong, Diablo III is an amazing game but it just didn’t have the impact that Diablo II did. Diablo II gives you more control and depth in character creation and customization.
Your decisions in the game feel like they have more weight. Diablo III is far more accessible. However, if you can get Diablo II running quite right, it’s a better game in almost every department but the graphics.
Diablo II Plot and Story
The story takes place immediately after the events of the first Diablo. After the protagonist from the previous game defeated Diablo (the game’s antagonist), s/he tried to contain Diablo’s spirit in his/her own body. S/He achieves this by placing Diablo’s Soulstone onto his/her own forehead.
This was a bad idea, as Diablo’s spirit slowly started to corrupt the hero. The game has you control a warrior who tries to track down the corrupted hero from the previous and stop him from resurrecting Diablo’s brothers, Baal and Mephisto.
Diablo II Gameplay
Just like any other RPG worth its salt, Diablo II allows the player to create his/her own custom character. You have five classes to choose from; Necromancer, Barbarian, Sorceress, Paladin, and Amazon.
Each character class has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. As the game progresses, you can upgrade your player using experience points. You can also hire a computer-controlled mercenary to accompany you on your journey.
Combat consists of mostly point and click real-time hack and slash. You can change items and weapons in real-time. Depending on your character’s class, you have your choice of various weapons such as axes, bows, crossbows, daggers, javelins, wands, etc.
Diablo II Graphics
Diablo II was released in the same year as Baldur’s Gate. Similarly, to Baldur’s Gate, the game is played from a top-down isometric view – classic dungeon crawler style. While Diablo boasts better and richer combat and looting, Baldur’s gate remains superior in aesthetics and storytelling.
The environments in Diablo II are randomly generated, save for a few key areas and cities. Besides the awesome combat, this is a key reason as to why Diablo II is one of the most replayable games of the early 2000s.
Diablo II Overall Review
We hope that the rumors of a Diablo II remaster are true and we get it bundled with Diablo IV or released before it. Another area where Diablo may outshine Baldur’s Gate is in the sound design, voice, and soundtrack.
This and the gameplay makes it one of the most important games of the noughties. For any fans of dungeon crawlers, it’s worth revisiting, even in the 2020s.
4.8/5
#4 Best Indie Dungeon Crawler: Darkest Dungeon
- Developers: Red Hook Studios
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox-One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Linux, PlayStation Vita
- Initial Release Date: 19 January 2016
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Sub-genres: Turn-Based, Role-playing, Roguelite
If indie developers hope to survive in the current climate of gaming, they have to be creative. Most simply do not have the budget to compete with AAA studios. However, fresh ideas can go a long way in an industry that seems to think that the only element that makes a game good is 4K graphics.
What makes Darkest Dungeon so good is it’s art-style, simplicity and the fact that it could probably run on a potato.
Darkest Dungeon Plot and Story
You play a character who has just inherited a large manor from a close relative. You learn that the previous owner of the estate while excavating the various caverns and catacombs beneath the manor, has opened a portal to another realm and has unleashed evil forces upon the earth.
It is now your job to gather a band of warriors and adventurers and lead them to the dungeons below the manor to plug the portal and stop the evil entities from overtaking the Earth.
Darkest Dungeon Gameplay
Darkest Dungeon is a side-scrolling turn-based dungeon crawler. However, the best feature of Darkest Dungeon is its recruitment system. Players have a chance to recruit a maximum of seventy-three characters.
The game has fifteen unique character classes, which include abomination, bounty hunter, arbalest, antiquarian, hellion, highwayman, etc. Each character class and each hero that belongs to it have their own set of strengths and weaknesses.
You can upgrade your heroes using the experience points you gain from each dungeon run. However, if your hero should die during a confrontation, then there is no way to revive them.
Darkest Dungeon Graphics
Reviewing 2D or cell-shaded games can be a bit trickier than reviewing a modern 3D game. This is because the latter aims for realism while the former tends to be more artistic.
Darkest Dungeon plays out like a moving comic book. We found the various menu screens and inventory to be well designed and organized. Each room and dungeon seems to have been created with a lot of care and a fine eye for detail.
From the character designs and the cut-scene journal entries, which push the story forward, what Red Hook Studios managed to pull together with this game is very impressive.
Darkest Dungeon Overall Review
Darkest Dungeon is one of the best Indie games to come out in the last decade. It’s fun, challenging, enthralling and addictive. The only real con is that it is not available on Android (yet).
Play it on the go or play it at home, just play it, if for nothing else but to support indie games and developers.
#5 Best First Person Dungeon Crawler: Legend of Grimrock
- Developers: Almost Human
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS
- Initial Release Date: 18 March 2012
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Sub-genres: First-Person Action RPG
For a long time, it felt as if first-person 3D dungeon crawlers died along with the 90s. Not a lot of games have been able to give us the same magic that games like the Ultima Underworld series have. In fact, we felt that Ultima Underworld II should take this spot on the list but it is a bit too old and obscure.
Instead, we felt that we should include the first Legend of Grimrock because of how it seemingly resurrected a dying genre for the current generation. While the second is larger in scope, it doesn’t have as much pure dungeon crawling as the first game does.
Legend of Grimrock Plot and Story
You control a band of prisoners who have been condemned to the dungeons of Mount Grimrock for crimes against the king. If they somehow manage to escape Mount Grimrock, they earn their freedom and full acquittal of their crimes.
The catch is no one has ever managed to escape Mount Grimrock. You and your party will navigate through the dungeons, corridors, and hallways of Mount Grimrock while being guided by a disembodied voice as well as notes left by an ex wanderer.
Legend of Grimrock Gameplay
In the game’s campaign, you will encounter various enemies such as ogres, undead skeletons, Lovecraftian creatures, and giant spiders. You will have to fight them off using a combination of weapons and magic.
Members of your party can earn experience points by felling the various monsters in the game. New equipment can be earned from solving puzzles in the game.
Legend of Grimrock Graphics
Legend of Grimrock was built using an in-house game engine (Legend of Grimrock Engine). The level of independence maintained while developing and publishing this game is extraordinary.
The 3D rendered grid dungeons feel old school but not dated. They’re a beautiful homage to the first person grid-based crawlers of the 90s. The game also utilizes lighting pretty well.
While navigating through dark rooms, you can really see the sheen and grime on the bricks. Enemies and character models are well designed. You can tell that the developers really put some forethought in the art style even if the character development is paper-thin.
Legend of Grimrock Review
If you like challenging combat that requires you to switch up your strategy in real-time, then this game is for you. If you appreciate smart puzzling solving and nostalgia, then this game is definitely for you.
Play this game and play the sequel. Support indie developers.
4/5
#6 Best Multiplayer Dungeon Crawler: Crawl
- Developers: Powerhoof
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS
- Initial Release Date: 11 April 2017
- Game Modes: Single Player, Multiplayer
- Sub-genres: Beat ‘em up, Brawler, Rroguelite, Bullet Hell (Shoot ‘em up)
The Nintendo Switch has created an indie development renaissance of sorts. Nintendo and most Indie game developers seem to share the same aspirations. Which is to make fun titles with less powerful equipment.
The Nintendo Switch has the best Indie games and is arguably one of the best hybrid hand-held consoles for parties or social gatherings. Crawl, (although a cross-platform game) is a great example of this.
Crawl Plot and Story
The story in Crawl is simple. You play as a character that must advance through multiple randomly generated dungeons and rooms.
The hero must try to defeat all the traps and enemies in each dungeon before moving on to the next room. You do this until you reach the final boss. However, there is more to it.
Crawl Gameplay
Crawl is a very gameplay focused title. The developers made sure that it had high pickup and playability so it could be accessible to any neophytes.
The game revolves around four players. Three of these players start out as spirits while one of them plays as the hero. If you’re friendless just like me, three of the players can be bots/AI.
If you play as a spirit, the objective of the game is to defeat the hero by summoning monsters and using the various traps and weapons in a room. If you land the last hit on the hero, you become him. As you progress in the game as the hero, you level up.
Your objective as the hero is to be the last man standing after you meet the last boss who is also controlled by the three other players (spirits).
Crawl Graphics
The graphics are somewhere between pixelated 8-bit and 16-bit graphics. Indie Developers love capitalizing on nostalgia. Maybe it is because they feel that is when games were fun – when they were simple.
Nonetheless, you can barely see any of the characters’ faces. Menus, including the title screen, are simple and easy to use. We also enjoyed the art style of the character/monster cards.
Crawl Overall Review
Crawl only requires you to use two buttons (excluding the direction pad or analog stick). You have your basic attack as well as a special attack.
The best thing that can be said about Crawl is that you don’t need to be an expert on its lore or story. It’s a local-only multiplayer game which makes it a great way to bond with your friends in person.
In addition to this, the developers promise to add more features to Crawl in the future. All of this makes Crawl an awesome dungeon crawler and an amazing multiplayer experience.
#7 Best Roguelike Dungeon Crawler: Hades
- Developers: Supergiant Games
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
- Initial Release Date: 10 December 2018
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Sub-genres: Hack-n-slash, Rogue-like
If you’re looking for a game that mixes the gameplay of Bastion, Devil May Cry and the God of War series in a roguelike dungeon crawl experience, then let us introduce you to Hades. It comes from the same developers who produced the award-winning and critically acclaimed Pyre.
Hades is the first game in Supergiant’s impressive portfolio to undergo early access. Supergiant wanted gamers to be more involved in the development process. Did it pay off? The answer is a resounding yes!
Hades Plot and Story
As the player, you control Prince Zagreus, the son of Hades. Zagreus aspires to leave the underworld and get as far away from his cold-eyed father as possible. His ultimate goal is to reach Mount Olympus.
Along the way, he will face hordes of lost souls but some of the gods of Mount Olympus will aid him.
Hades Gameplay
As Zagreus, players will go through Hades’s palace and Tartarus, clearing each room and dungeon. You’ll be equipped with a primary weapon, a special attack and magic spells.
Combat involves a mixture of close and ranged attacks. You’ll be able to wield shields, spears, daggers, bows, etc. as you travel through Tartarus. If you hope to progress through the game, you’ll have to use a combination of offense and defense. In order to survive the game’s many traps and enemies, you will need to know when and where to duck and when and where to attack. It can be very challenging.
You will also be able to collect gifts and coins throughout the game. However, if you should die, you’ll face Hades who strips you of all your gifts and put you back in your room to start over again.
Hades Graphics
Hades is in the style of Supergiant Games’ other offering but it’s a lot slicker. It’s a mix of animation and 3D graphics. Like most rogue-like games It’s presented in a top-down isometric view. Games in this style can often feel stiff but the movement in the game feels very fluid.
You’d expect the underworld to be drab and dreary but Supergiant Games made it look disco club-like. It’s full of sheen and vibrant colors. The water effects are astonishing. They never feel out of place against the cartoon-like vistas.
You simply can’t play a Supergiant Game without giving kudos to the visuals. From the menus to the sub-character designs, Supergiant Games delivered another masterclass with Hades.
Hades Overall Review
Many games let you get your bearings before bringing the action. Hades cuts to the point and throws you in the deep end. It is engrossing, enthralling and feels rewarding. It is one of the best roguelike games of the past three years and it’s shaping up to be one the best dungeon crawls of all time.
The developers have hinted that they have more in store for the game. We can expect future DLCs to add to what is already an extremely satisfying game.
4.9/5
#8 Best Grid-based Dungeon Crawler: Vaporum
- Developers: Fatbot Games, s.r.c
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
- Initial Release Date: 29 September 2017
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Sub-genres: Steampunk, Grid-Based RPG
After reading through the list, you should see a pattern by now. Most modern dungeon crawlers and roguelike games are developed by Indie developers. Vaporum is another one of those games.
Vaporum Plot and Story
The plot is quite similar to the legend of Grimrock with a few exceptions. You control an unknown character who is stranded on a nameless islet. At the center of the islet stands a giant mechanical tower.
To progress through the story and unlock the mystery of your character’s past, you’ll need to enter the tower and conquer the challenges within. The protagonist narrates the story as you progress through the tower.
You’ll be able to uncover more of the story and your character’s past by reading the little notes you find strewn all over the tower’s rooms. The game also has optional areas you can explore. Each area has its challenges and rewards.
Vaporum Gameplay
Vaporum is a grid-based first-person dungeon crawler. Combat is in real-time. You can defeat enemies with a combination of close-range direct attacks and scattered area attacks. You’ll also be able to employ defensive and offensive buffs.
Most of the enemies are automatons. You’ll face giant robotic spiders, bugs, flying robots, giant machine-man hybrids, etc.
You’ll be able to customize and upgrade your gear from the experience points from felled enemies as well as the loot around each room.
Vaporum Graphics
It’s hard not to compare this game to the Legend of Grimrock. They look and feel so similar. I must say the graphics on the Legend of Grimrock are slightly superior to Vaporum’s. However, Vaporum does have a greater variation of textures.
We enjoy the steampunk aesthetic that is consistent throughout the tower. Character designs are unique and varied. Exploration and puzzle-solving are huge parts of this game. The design is quite conducive to searching and exploration.
Vaporum Overall Review
Vaporum has terrific voice acting. Something that a lot of indie dungeon crawlers seem to overlook is the sound quality and audio content. While picking up each of the audio files and notes you find strewn across the game’s dungeons isn’t mandatory, you’ll be glad you did just to hear some of the voice acting.
Vaporum is what Bioshock would be if it was a Dungeon Crawler. It’s adequately challenging and its grid-based environments are varied and inspire exploration. If you want to ditch the sword and dagger setups that most dungeon crawlers use, Vaporum is a breath of fresh air.
#9 Best Hack ‘n Slash Dungeon Crawler: Darksiders Genesis
- Developers: Airship Syndicate
- Platforms: Stadia, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
- Initial Release Date: 5 December 2019
- Game Modes: Single Player, Multiplayer
- Sub-genres: Hack ‘n Slash, RPG
We were disheartened to learn that the next Darksiders in the series would not be a third-person hack and slash like the previous games in the series. Instead, it would give players a more Diablo-like isometric experience.
We didn’t anticipate how fun the game would actually be. We’re thankful to report that it’s more than just the poor man’s Diablo.
Darksiders Genesis Plot and Story
Darksiders Genesis is the fourth game in the series. It’s somewhat considered to be a soft spinoff. However, it is completely canon in the world of Darksiders. It acts as a prequel to the previous games in the series. This time, players get to control both Strife and War.
This time, you will have to make your way to hell to confront Lucifer who threatens to upset the balance between realms.
Darksiders Genesis Gameplay
At the beginning of the game, you will control Strife. You’ll also be able to team up with his brother, War, who you may recognize from the first game. You can switch between characters on the fly or you can get a friend to join you and play as one of the apocalyptic equestrians in co-op play.
Combat consists of hack ‘n slash. You’ll have your pick of close quarters and ranged attacks. You can upgrade your character(s) gear and abilities using the souls you acquire from fallen enemies in the game.
Darksiders Genesis Graphics
Graphics, character models and design are very much similar to the previous games, despite the game’s isometric top-down view. Navigating through the world of Darksiders in this way makes it feel fresh.
The artwork in the cut scenes is well done and so is the voice acting. Darksiders has never been a powerhouse when it comes to graphics. This is not necessarily bad as it means you’ll be able to run it on a budget gaming rig.
Darksiders Genesis Overall Review
We said we wouldn’t include Darksiders II in this list but we could not resist including the latest (at the time of writing this article) installment of Darksiders. Publications have accused it of being a Diablo III copycat.
This is quite far from the truth. You get the action and puzzle-solving present in previous Darksiders titles but in the form of a dungeon crawler. Airship Syndicate has succeeded in preserving the feel of the series while bringing something completely different and refreshing to it.
4/5
#10 Best Turn-Based Dungeon Crawler: Battle Chasers Nightwar
Turn-based style RPGs and roguelikes originated from tabletop games. Okay, it can be said that tabletops can take the credit for the existence of nearly all video game RPGs.
But there’s just something about turn-based RPGs that take you back to the D&D days. Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a game that’s bound to bring out that nostalgia in you.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar Plot and Story
Battle Chasers is based on a series of fantasy comic books of the same name. It is strange how dungeon crawlers seem to share similar plots and storylines. You control a band of characters who are stranded on a mysterious island after their airship is shot down.
Does this remind you of any other games? As you progress through the island, you’ll face all sorts of enemies, attracted to the island’s giant source of mana.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar Gameplay
The gameplay is largely linear. Exploration is conducted through a top-down isometric view. The camera switches into a side-view angle, not dissimilar to the Darkest Dungeons’. Puzzle-solving is also a huge part of the game.
Not only will you have to face enemies in the games various procedurally generated dungeons but you’ll have to avoid numerous traps as well. The combat is deep. It takes a few ideas from other dungeon crawl based games like Diablo and incorporates them in a turn-based style.
You’ll need to strategize and time your attacks perfectly. You’ll need to use your mana and overcharge attacks carefully. It brings something a little fresh and challenging to turn-based combat.
Battle Chasers: Nightwar Graphics
We can’t praise the graphics and arcane-punk art style enough. Like many games on this list, the game uses a hybrid 3D animation style. It successfully preserves the art style of the source material. It’s like playing through a moving comic book.
Environments are plush and colorful. You’ll seldom see any sharp or jagged edges in the game’s graphics. The cut scenes are also a mixture of animation and still pictures. The menus suit the game’s art style.
Battle Chaser: Nightwar Overall Review
It is said that the value of a game is dependent on how addictive it is and how much content it gives you. We found ourselves itching to play this game and revisit its story and many dungeons, repeatedly.
We recommend this dungeon crawler to any gamer that enjoys turn-based style RPGs. For PC gamers, all you need to run it is an Intel HD 4000 graphics card and a CPU with a clock speed of at least 2.0 GHz.
4.5/5
Honorable Mentions
- The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ (Nintendo Switch/PS4)
- Enter The Gungeon (Nintendo Switch/PS4)
- Divinity Original Sin 2 (Nintendo Switch/PS4/Xbox One)
- Wizard of Legend (Nintendo Switch/PC)
Final Thoughts
We know some purists will say: “hey! You didn’t include Dungeon Master, Black Crypt, Eye of the Beholder or Angband”. While all of those titles are great and influential, we felt that we needed to bring awareness to titles that are a bit more modern. It was also our way of escaping rosy retrospection and gauging where the genre is going in the future.
These are currently the best dungeon crawlers of all time. In the future, this list may change. If you are a purist, we hope this list doesn’t have you pulling out your hair. Beneath the pedantry and semantics, we hope you can use this guide to discover new games. As always, thank you for reading and happy gaming.