Best Games Like Minecraft Dungeons

While a steep departure from the main game, Minecraft Dungeons was a great success in its own right, with fans enjoying its cute graphics and enjoyable gameplay. While there are plenty of great dungeon crawler games out there, many of them are not suitable for younger audiences, which is one of the reasons that Minecraft Dungeons was so appealing.

If someone has utterly exhausted the secrets of Minecraft Dungeons and is now looking for a fresh dungeon crawler or rogue-like fix, then they can rest easy in knowing that they have options. Some of the recommended games like Minecraft Dungeons also have similar ESRB ratings.

Updated December 25, 2023 by Mark Sammut: The specifications have been added for every game similar to Minecraft Dungeons​​​​​​.

18 Rune Factory 4 Special

Entry-Level JRPG Option

Rune Factory is a niche but still reasonably successful RPG series that combines dungeon crawling with farming elements. This dichotomy creates a fun mix of action and slice-of-life relaxation, and Rune Factory 4 Special arguably represents the Japanese franchise at its best.

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While not the deepest farming sim or action RPG on the market, Rune Factory 4 is polished, accessible, and charming. Like Minecraft Dungeons, it is a good entry-level option for people looking to dip their toes in dungeon crawlers (and also farming sims).

17 Death's Door

Intensive But Accessible Combat

Death's Door follows a young crow on its quest to cull the land of a series of "enemies" that plan on living forever. It's a charming game filled with entertaining characters and a story revolving around a mysterious door that a wise old Crow wants to see opened. Those who enjoy fantastical settings should love to visuals for this release.

From a gameplay standpoint, Death's Door plays a lot like a traditional ARPG mixed with a Metroidvania. Although players won't have as much depth concerning skills and abilities, there is still a lot of fun to be had with the fast-paced (and punishing) combat system.

16 The Binding Of Isaac

Roguelike Dungeon Crawler

The Binding of Isaac was originally released for PC in 2011, but this project was later remade and re-released as The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. After that, the remake gained a couple of expansions, starting with 2015's Afterbirth and concluding with 2021's Repentance.

This indie title is a roguelike game that features procedurally generated dungeon levels by using map seeds, which can also be shared with other players so they can attempt the same dungeon layout. The game offers single-player and multiplayer and also has permadeath that can pose a challenge for many players.

15 Torchlight 2

Vibrant & Fun Hack And Slash RPG

Torchlight 2 is an action RPG dungeon crawler that was released in 2012, as a follow-up to 2009's Torchlight. Players create custom characters, choosing between one of four different classes, and they then explore randomized dungeons, as well as being able to visit overland areas and hub towns.

The game builds on the original by adding a host of new features, such as day/night cycles, weather effects, a new UI, and more. Additionally, some returning features have been improved upon, such as fishing and pets. The game features both single-player and multiplayer.

14 Victor Vran

Great, Great Hack And Slash Combat

On the surface, Victor Vran might appear to be a typical dungeon-crawler action RPG but looks can be slightly deceiving. Unlike many of the projects developed for the genre, Haemimont decided to not focus too heavily on loot and grinding, instead prioritizing real-time combat and weapon classes. As such, Victor Vran plays out like a hack and slash game that just happens to be presented from an isometric angle.

Now, the game still provides new weapons and outfits frequently, they are just not presented as the main driving force pushing players forward (which does hurt the campaign's replayability to an extent). Victor Vran can be completed over a few hours, and while that might be short for this type of release, it does at least make great use of every second. Victor Vran might just have the best combat out of any action RPG.

13 Crypt Of The NecroDancer

Twist On The Dungeon Crawler Genre

If someone is looking for a dungeon crawler with a quirky twist, then Crypt of the NecroDancer is the project for them. The game mixes dungeon exploration with rhythm-based mechanics, with players having to move to the beat through the procedurally-generated dungeons. The character's actions are more effective when the player manages to keep the beat, with the actions being impaired if players miss a beat.

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The game offers local co-op play for two players. Furthermore, Switch players can pick up the Cadence of Hyrule spin-off that sprinkles Zelda goodness all over Crypt of the NecroDancer.

12 Fate

Diablo For All Ages

Producing four entries across the span of less than a decade, Fate is a niche but beloved action RPG series that tweaks the Diablo formula to make it a better fit for younger players. Basically, these games were the family-friendly dungeon crawlers before Minecraft Dungeons, although they reached a much smaller audience since they were indie projects released exclusively on PC. Even though fairly old by this point, the original title holds up pretty well, with the gameplay still being a lot of fun all these years later.

Minecraft Dungeons and Torchlight do somewhat render Fate obsolete, in the sense that they are more modern action RPGs that scratch the same itch; however, the 2005 release and its sequels are nevertheless charming and worth seeking out. They are also quite cheap on Steam, so they do not require much of an investment.

11 Enter The Gungeon

Great Co-Op Option

Enter the Gungeon is a dungeon crawler with a gun-theme, hence the name. The game follows four misfit characters as they battle through procedurally-generated dungeons while fighting enemies and obtaining new guns, with the end goal being to find the ultimate legendary treasure – the gun that can kill their past.

The pixel style of the game coupled with the quirky yet adorable sentient living bullets and other gun creatures make for an enjoyable mix. The game offers local co-op play as well.

10 Slay The Spire

Challenging But Easy-To-Grasp Roguelike

Slay the Spire mixes things up in a refreshing way by combining the dungeon crawler genre with tabletop card game elements, with combat solely using this card-based system. Players can customize their decks before they head into the procedurally-generated dungeon levels of the Spire.

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Players can choose one of four different characters, each with unique card sets. As players progress, they will earn new cards that they can use to make their deck even stronger.

9 Bastion

Beautiful World, Unique Story Presentation

Bastion is an action RPG that was originally released in 2011 and, despite its age, still looks stunningly beautiful to this day due to its vibrant hand-painted art style. Players take on the role of "the Kid" as they travel through various fantastical environments and battle weird and wonderful creatures.

The game is single-player only, but it offers a brilliant storyline, colorful graphics, and engaging gameplay Supergiant has established itself as one of the best indie developers on the market, and Bastion is still arguably the company's crowning achievement.