Alexis Kestler
As a long-time gaming enthusiast and self-proclaimed dungeon crawl expert, I‘m thrilled to share my list of the top 10 dungeon crawlers that will transport you to enthralling realms of magic and monsters.
After playing hundreds of titles in this beloved RPG subgenre, I‘ve come to appreciate the key ingredients that set the great crawls apart from the mediocre ones. That‘s why I‘ll be evaluating each game across several criteria:
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Satisfying Combat – Battling swarms of enemies and bosses should feel impactful and responsive. Carefully timed attacks, dodges and skills must factor into the frenetic real-time combat.
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Rewarding Progression – The best crawlers respect your time investment by constantly granting new loot, abilities and character upgrades that show tangible results.
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Engrossing Exploration – Dungeons should expand, split off into diverging paths and hide secret treasures to make mapping them out and uncovering all their mysteries immensely rewarding.
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Hero Customization – Having diverse classes, skills and gear to build your hero your way enhances replay value tremendously. Granular character development options are a huge plus.
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Clever Enemies – Foes that work together, exploit terrain and have unique attack patterns make combat more engaging than simple damage sponges.
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Performance & Polish – From smooth frame rates to excellent UIs, flawless presentation removes all barriers between you and dungeon delving euphoria.
Let‘s descend into the depths and go crawl by crawl to determine which ones best exemplify those ideals!
1. Torchlight II – Favorite Crawl of Enthusiasts
Release Date: September 2012
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genre: Action RPG
Kicking off our list is Torchlight II, the sequel to the beloved 2009 dungeon crawler. This action-packed RPG truly caters to fans of the genre.
Right from character creation, you have four diverse classes to choose from. The flashy Embermage channels powerful spells, while the fierce Outlander dominates with bow and pet. My personal favorite is the Berserker with their life-leeching claws and brutal up-close playstyle.
While the story is pretty barebones, nobody plays Torchlight just for the plot. It‘s all about plowing through hordes of fantasy creatures and watching colorful loot explode from their corpses in a glorious shower!
With randomized dungeons and epic boss battles every few floors, exploring the forsaken overworld and multiple dungeon areas is a blast. Plus, New Game Plus mode lets you carry over your decked out hero into a harder difficulty. Top-notch combat, rewarding progression and tantalizing loot earn Torchlight II the crown of enthusiasts‘ favorite dungeon crawler.
2. Grim Dawn – Unparalleled Character Building
Release Date: February 2016
Platforms: Windows
Genre: Action RPG
In terms of sheer character customization and party building potential, no crawler comes close to Grim Dawn. The dual class system lets you combine any of the 8 base classes, like the inquisitor and necromancer, for a total of 28 unique class combos.
The theorycrafting possibilities are endless here. But more importantly, each mastery combo plays vastly differently thanks to the synergy between their active and passive skills. A shield throwing Commando feels nothing like a primal Shaman, for example.
With hundreds of abilities and items to experiment with, you can fine-tune your hero build down to the smallest detail. Grim Dawn is also packed with hidden quests, fully voiced lore notes and branching faction choices that react to your playstyle.
This degree of depth extends to the enemies as well. Many bosses have special attacks that force you to utilize the game‘s excellent dodge and resist mechanics. While the bleak world and story doesn‘t appeal to everyone, Grim Dawn undoubtedly delivers best-in-class character progression and customization.
3. Path of Exile – Complexity and Replayability
Release Date: October 2013
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Action RPG
Path of Exile‘s intimidating passive skill tree with over 1300 nodes is symbolic of the game‘s staggering complexity. Don‘t let that scare you away though, because underneath lies one of the most replayable and rewarding dungeon crawlers around.
There‘s a class suited to every playstyle, from the intelligence-focused Witch to the hulking Marauder. Once you pick an Ascendancy like the Juggernaut or Assassin, the level of specialization goes even deeper. Combine that with PoE‘s flexible gem skill system and practically infinite gear combos, and you have unlimited ways to build your ideal hero.
While the free-to-play model turns some people off, I assure you that Path of Exile never feels pay-to-win. The excellent combat carries you through randomized maps full of close calls and epic boss encounters. If you crave limitless character development paired with leagues, events and insane endgame challenges, Path of Exile 100% delivers.
4. Chronicon – Retro Perfection
Release Date: April 2016
Platforms: Windows
Genre: Action RPG
The brilliant pixel art style of Chronicon transports you straight into the SNES era – and the satisfying gameplay keeps you there. This indie ARPG clearly takes heavy inspiration from classics like Secret of Mana. Yet it manages to feel distinctly modern thanks to addictive class designs and progression.
Of the 10 playable classes, the Crusader and Cannoneer are personal favorites of mine. The abilities for each class synergize extremely well, encouraging experimentation. Small touches like monster gibs and screenshake make combat feel great.
While simple on the surface, cronologically ascending dungeons introduce new hazards that keep you on your toes. The real crown jewel of Chronicon is the intricate item modification system. Forges, soul crystals and unique enchantments allow for deep gear customization that significantly affects your abilities. If you crave the glory days of 16-bit RPG greatness, Chronicon is a must-play.
5. Hades – Fluid Roguelike Excellence
Release Date: September 2020
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Genre: Roguelike
Dungeon crawlers meet Greek mythology in Hades – the hit 2020 release from indie studio Supergiant Games. Unlike traditional crawlers, your starting abilities, weapons and upgrades randomize in each punishing Underworld run.
The stellar presentation immediately pulled me into this game. Voice acted characters, gorgeous vistas and a stirring soundtrack bring the dark fantasy setting to life. Each of the six weapons feels great to wield thanks to crunchy hit feedback and combo complexity.
Dodging and parrying enemy attacks with precise timing becomes crucial as you descend deeper into the depths. Minor persistence between runs like permanent upgrades and side quest rewards keep you hooked. Once a run clicks, moving through randomized rooms slaying mythical beasts just feels sublime. Fluid combat, impactful pacing and striking art cement Hades as a modern roguelike masterpiece.
6. Dungeon Siege II – Tactical Party-Based Combat
Release Date: August 2005
Platforms: Windows
Genre: Action RPG
While most crawlers focus on a single controllable hero, Dungeon Siege II stands out by letting you build and control a full party of 8 members. If micromanaging a team sounds fun, this classic has tons of tactical depth.
You take on the role of a humble farmer tracking down a powerful stolen sword. The story spans 5 meaty chapters and loads of side quests across the sun-scorched land of Aranna. Tougher enemies force you to utilize your party‘s synergies to the fullest – like grouping foes with a Legion mage then barraging them with archers.
Each character can equip two classes, so you have plenty of flexibility for your dream team. With co-op support for the entire campaign, coordinating epic attacks with friends produces huge thrills. If you crave large-scale tactical battles instead of intimate solo crawls , Dungeon Siege II undoubtedly delivers.
7. Children of Morta – Beautifully Melancholy Crawl
Release Date: September 2019
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action RPG, Roguelike
Children of Morta tells a somber yet beautiful tale of a family sworn to protect Mount Morta from Corruption. When playing, I was gripped not just by the fluid combat, but the touching narrative of loss and hope.
You play as the Bergsons, with seven family members to choose from. Linda the mom wields a gentle frost magic, contrasting Kevin the monk and his hard-hitting fists. Permadeath means switching between characters often, keeping runs fresh.
Though you gain strength with each failed run, the key story moments remain fixed. Seeing the siblings tease each other between battles or having the father offer encouraging words for an upcoming crawl brought me deeper into their world.
With motivations beyond loot acquisition and plenty of environmental storytelling, Children of Morta is far more poignant and memorable than a typical hack and slash crawler.
8. Undermine – Charismatic Pixel Art Style
Release Date: August 2020
Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre: Roguelike
The vibrant voxel art style of Undermine is an absolute delight and helps it stand out in the crawler field. Making your way through the ever-changing Tazal Terminals, you‘ll bash slimes, gather gold and take down memorable bosses like the Mine Flayer.
Combat is snappy and responsive thanks to a simple dash and swing mechanic. Each of the six classes like the sneaky Rogue bring unique relics and abilities that diversify your dungeon runs. Go on multiple expeditions in a run and you may even stumble upon zany NPCs to rescue or hidden puzzle rooms.
While combat is simple on the surface, mastering enemy attack patterns and using items effectively is key to survival. The colorful and expressive pixel art gives Undermine a friendly charm that‘s hard not to enjoy. It‘s a great casual crawler option with plenty of secrets to uncover across repeated runs.
9. Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance – Co-op Hacking & Slashing
Release Date: June 2021
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre: Action RPG
As a long-time Dungeons & Dragons fan, the lore and world of Dark Alliance excited me right off the bat. Teaming up with iconic heroes like Drizzt Do‘Urden to battle frost giants and beholders in Icewind Dale is a wish fulfillment dream.
The satisfying combat strikes a nice balance between offering depth without being overly complex. Chaining Drizzt‘s knife attacks into powerful flourishes and maneuvers feels great. Each party member has varied combo strings and abilities to keep real-time fisticuffs fresh.
Playing on couch co-op is an absolute riot – surrounding a hulking minotaur with your party then unleashing coordination ultimate attacks elicits epic moments. The linear mission structure means you‘ll replay areas, but random item drops and adjustable challenge modes provide replay incentives. If you‘ve yearned to step into the boots of legendary D&D heroes, Dark Alliance is a thrill ride.
10. Moonlighter – Shopkeeping & Dungeon Crawling
Release Date: May 2018
Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre: Action RPG, Roguelite
Part shop sim and part dungeon crawler, Moonlighter‘s dual-layered gameplay loop provides uniquely fun progression. By day, you sell goods retrieved from dungeon trips to hungry customers. Then you use the profits to buy potent artifacts and upgrades.
Venturing into the ever-changing dungeons at night and taking down various themed bosses like the pulsating Hive Queen is challenging but rewarding. Managing your shop stocks based on demand, discovering rare blueprints and stacking powerful gear combos becomes addictive.
Moonlighter really succeeds because both shopkeeping and combat are fleshed out and engaging on their own. If traditional crawlers leave you wanting more metagame variety beyond combat, Moonlighter‘s innovative mix of merchant capitalism and action hits the spot perfectly.
Conclusion
That concludes my epic quest to crown the best of the dungeon crawling crop! From the exquisite action of Hades to Moonlighter‘s novel shopkeeper gameplay, each of these 10 titles excels at specific elements that make for an exemplary crawl.
Here‘s a quick recap of my top overall picks across crucial categories:
- Best Overall – Torchlight 2
- Deepest Progression – Grim Dawn
- Most Replayable – Path of Exile
- Best Retro Revival – Chronicon
- Best Roguelike – Hades
- Best Co-op – Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance
Of course, taste plays a major role as well. I encourage you to follow your instincts when selecting a crawler to really get lost in. Maybe you crave mystery and storytelling like Children of Morta. Or perhaps you pine for Moonlighter‘s unique shopkeeping simulation.
There‘s truly a top-notch crawl out there for everyone! I hope this guide provides a great starting point for discovering new dungeon delving addictions. Happy looting my fellow adventurers – may your journeys underground be epic yet safely navigated!
