Best Dungeon Crawler Horror Games

Dungeon crawlers are the perfect setting for horror games. Often procedurally generated, the genre lends itself to a dark, foreboding atmosphere and uncompromising gameplay. Never easy to define, dungeon crawler horror games encompass a range of genres and art styles and are enjoyed by a wide range of players.

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These titles are ideal for gamers looking for deep lore, expansive exploration, and challenging enemies, which create an often claustrophobic and highly immersive experience. While all unique, these games have the ability to suck the player in and immerse them into dangerous worlds of monsters, aliens, and other horrors that lurk in the dark.

1 Diablo 2

Metascore: 88

Considered one of the all-time classic video games, Diablo 2 is an action role-playing hack-and-slash game that takes elements of horror and dark fantasy to create an immersive and addictive experience.

Diablo 2 follows on from the first game, giving players a new hero to control, new enemies to fight, and a richer, more complete narrative to follow. With five character classes to choose from, with an additional two added in the Lord of Destruction expansion, Diablo 2 is an ideal entry point for players looking to get into the genre.

2 The Binding Of Isaac: Rebirth

Metascore: 88

This popular roguelike dungeon crawler is a remake of the original cult classic from 2011. Based loosely on the biblical story of Isaac and the developer's religious upbringing, the game deals with themes of faith and abuse while players delve into the troubled mind of Isaac.

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Presented as almost cartoonish characters, the style belies the sinister undertones of the game. The Binding of Isaac is a challenging game, with its tough enemies and permadeath mechanic. Upon death, players will need to restart in a brand new procedurally generated game world.

3 Darkest Dungeon

Metascore: 84

Another cult favorite roguelike, this difficult RPG turned-based game was released in 2016 and allows players to control a variety of characters, who will take on the many dangers of the world. Characters can be chosen from 15 different classes and be upgraded throughout the game. The characters can’t be saved though, and when one dies, they die permanently for that playthrough.

Darkest Dungeon provides a highly challenging game world to explore and deals with themes of stress and the trauma of war. With a vibrant yet bleak art style, the game is an immersive experience that fans of dungeon crawlers, horror games, and RPGs will enjoy.

4 Alien Breed

IMDB Rating: 7.3/10

This top-down sci-fi shooter from 1991 is heavily influenced by the Alien movie franchise, but with fluid gameplay and heavy challenge, the game moves beyond being a simple knock-off and creates an identity of its own. The gameplay loop mainly revolves around different levels, where players need to eliminate enemies and find the lift to the next level to continue.

Alien Breed takes the idea of a dungeon crawler and places it in a dark sci-fi environment, where enemies can overwhelm the player. The game spawned five additional entries to the series and was later revived with a further four Alien Breed games in 2009.

5 Eldritch

Metascore: 77

At first glance, Eldritch doesn’t look like a typical horror game. Released in 2013, this first-person action roguelike seems more Minecraft than horror. The cute monsters and simple graphics hide a challenging and often terrifying experience that is heavily influenced by the works of H.P Lovecraft, the father of Cosmic Horror.

Eldritch randomly generates dungeons for the player to explore, creating a tense atmosphere for every playthrough. On top of this, dying in Eldritch means starting from the beginning, meaning players will need to be on their A-game to complete this tough dungeon crawler.

6 Lovecraft’s Untold Stories

Metascore: 77

Video games influenced by the works of H.P Lovecraft have become a sub-genre unto itself. With as many hits as there are misses. This entry into the ever-expanding range is an action roguelike that offers players a high level of challenge and an addictive gameplay loop.

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Based on many of Lovecraft’s works, the game takes players through a range of randomly generated rooms filled with enemies and traps. Additional characters can be unlocked throughout, puzzles can be solved and knowledge unlocked. Players will need to keep an eye on their sanity, as when this is lost, it's game over, which means starting once again in a newly generated level.

7 Bloodborne (Chalice Dungeons)

Metascore: 92

While the base game of Bloodborne can’t be considered a dungeon crawler, the chalice dungeons certainly can. These completely optional levels are a game within the game and offer brand-new enemies and bosses that can’t be found in the main Bloodborne world.

The chalice dungeons offer additional rewards for players along with progressively increasing difficulty. Some of the bosses in the later dungeons are some of the toughest in the entire game and will test players’ abilities to the fullest. Taking on the chalice dungeons can be a great way to farm blood echoes for leveling in the main game or extending a playthrough once the main story is complete.

8 Fear & Hunger

Steam Review: 94%

One of the most unforgiving and challenging dungeon crawlers released within the last few years, Fear & Hunger has become a cult favorite among gamers and continues to unsettle more and more players.

Fighting enemies in Fear & Hunger can lead to serious consciences, including dismemberment, and will take patience to complete the game fully. Fear & Hunger is not for everyone and includes some very disturbing themes that some might find too much. For players wanting a terrifying and challenging gaming experience, there are few better games.

Special Mention: Cryptmaster (Planned Release: 2024)

This upcoming dungeon crawler horror game takes players into the realm of death, as they attempt to escape the surreal black-and-white world of the beyond. Players can speak or type any word into the game to help overcome the many puzzles and quests encountered and will need to unlock various spells and charm the many strange characters in order to escape.

Following along with the players’ progress is the ever-present Cryptmaster, whose excellent voice work is more than a little influenced by Vincent Price. This creates a classic horror feel that will (hopefully) immerse players in this macabre dungeon crawler.

Special Mention: They Speak From The Abyss (Planned Release: 2024)

They Speak From The Abyss seems like a love letter to horror games of the past. Playing Vanessa, a troubled girl who becomes lost in a dark, horrific world of nightmares. Players will need to confront various demonic characters in order to survive the game by either charming or battling them.

This game will likely not be for the squeamish, as much of the title appears to revolve around body horror. Add in the surrealist cosmic horror element, and the game should create a unique and unsettling experience that deals with themes such as grief, depression, and abuse.

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