Best Roguelike Dungeon-Crawlers

Dungeon-crawling is inherent to traditional roguelikes, it's a key part of their formula, and it's integral to the genre's simplistic gameplay loop. The density of information, complex mechanics, and interlocking systems of traditional roguelikes make learning them a rough experience, especially for newcomers, so the simple and immediately satisfying loop of dungeon-crawling is almost necessary in preventing these games from being inaccessible.

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By  Harry Ted Sprinks

While there are many action roguelikes and roguelites out there that follow the dungeon-crawling formula (The Binding Of Isaac, Hades, and Tiny Rogues, for example), these games are more closely related to traditional turn-based roguelikes and, in most cases, are true roguelikes. Players who don't enjoy permanent death, a lack of meta-progression, resource management, and turn-based gameplay are unlikely to enjoy many, if not all, of these games.

1 Dungeon Of The ENDLESS

Traditional Roguelike Dungeon-Crawler Meets Tower Defense

Although its sequel, ENDLESS Dungeon, may have been unsuccessful in recapturing the magic of the original, Dungeon Of The ENDLESS is still a superb roguelike worth revisiting. Its imaginative redesigning of the roguelike formula is still impressive to this day, expertly crafted by combining the roguelike structure with elements of tower defense and strategy games. The dark and gritty sci-fi theme and grizzled pixel art aesthetic make for a grounded, intense experience, perfectly mirrored by its challenging gameplay.

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By  Harry Ted Sprinks

Combat in Dungeon Of The ENDLESS plays out in real-time, but the rest of the game is almost turn-based. Every time players open doors, the game acts: enemies may spawn, resources may be gained, etc. This results in a hybrid experience that still feels traditional, especially when exploring, but allows for a little more strategy - and excitement - during combat.

2 Jupiter Hell

A Classic Roguelike With Fast-Paced Shooter Gameplay

Though it's a sci-fi game rather than a traditional fantasy dungeon-crawler, Jupiter Hell is a brilliant choice for both newcomers and veterans of the roguelike genre. This successor to DRL (Doom, The Roguelike) is a fast-paced shooter that follows the classic roguelike formula, resulting in an experience that's traditional while also offering a more consistently engaging experience. Furthermore, Jupiter Hell is not only mechanically accessible but looks great in comparison to the minimalist graphical styles of older roguelikes.

The dark 3D environments, lighting, and easy-to-read user interface make for a game that's easy to play but just as challenging as many traditional roguelikes. Players on the lookout for a dungeon-crawler that isn't fantasy-themed and prefer intense gunfights to sword-and-sorcery should certainly give Jupiter Hell a try.

3 Caves Of Qud

An Ambitious Roguelike RPG With Dangerous Dungeons

Caves Of Qud is a deep and atmospheric roguelike that takes place in a science-fiction fantasy world, brought to life through evocative writing and an immersive soundtrack. The game's careful balance of hand-crafted and procedural content makes for a world that's consistently mysterious and engaging to explore, driving gameplay forward by piquing the player's curiosity as often as it can. Above ground, Caves Of Qud is an intriguing wilderness interspersed with ancient ruins and humble communities, but below, in the sprawling underground networks, lurk many dangers.

Caves Of Qud is a traditional roguelike, and players can expect to lose many characters beneath the surface. However, exploring the tunnels and caverns of Caves Of Qud can be tremendously rewarding, thanks in large part to the game's diverse abundance of items to find and loot. However, Caves Of Qud is not strictly a dungeon-crawler, as players can spend many hours exploring its open world and the wilderness in and around it before ever delving into its dungeons.

4 Cogmind

A Unique Roguelike All About Adaptation

Death and decay is Cogmind's middle name. A traditional roguelike, this game constantly forces players to adapt, as items are fragile and almost everything can and will be easily destroyed. This may seem antithetical to the loot-focused gameplay of classic roguelikes, but it gives Cogmind a unique flavor despite its traditional style. In Cogmind, players take on the role of a robot, attempting to escape a complex dungeon, building themselves using salvage found along the way.

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Cogmind is almost entirely focused on items. However, players should avoid getting attached to items, since they'll regularly have to swap them out for newer/better models. It's a game of survival, rather than build-crafting, missing the RPG elements that these games usually rely upon. Again, though, this is what makes Cogmind such a unique dungeon-crawler.

5 Dungeons Of Dredmor

An Oldie But A Goldie

Dungeons Of Dredmor may be beginning to show its age, even as a more recently released roguelike, but its traditional gameplay combined with quality-of-life improvements make it a game that's still worth revisiting time and again. Dungeons Of Dredmor plays like the classics; turn-based gameplay, permanent death, and RPG elements, all wrapped up in a traditional dungeon crawl. It's good old-fashioned fun, and it also features an imaginative character creator that dramatically improves its replay value.

One of this game's greatest strengths is its refusal to take itself seriously, a quality that is immediately noticeable when creating a character. This only becomes more obvious as players crawl through its dungeons, with its ridiculous cast of enemies and humorous tone. Despite its silly nature, Dungeons Of Dredmor is still a solidly built game, with sturdy roguelike systems and a great variety of items to loot.

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