Best Turn-Based Dungeon-Crawlers

Key Takeaways

Dungeon crawlers like Caves of Qud offer turn-based combat and strategic resource management in a low-pressure environment.
Dungeons of Dredmor stands as an accessible and engaging roguelike with creative character creation and turn-based combat.
Dicey Dungeons combines colorful art with gameplay that’s easy to learn, rewarding, and diverse, with unique playable characters.

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from the pixelated beginnings of dungeon-crawling to the vibrant, modern takes that grace our screens today. Each title on this list has left an indelible mark in its unique way, offering a blend of strategy, adventure, and replayability that keeps me coming back for more.

It’s not surprising that there are numerous dungeon crawler games available, given their origin in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. These games often employ turn-based gameplay and range from the old-school roguelike dungeons of games such as Caves Of Qud to the strategic battles found in Darkest Dungeon. There’s a wide selection to explore within this genre.

Instead of diving headfirst into high-octane, first-person dungeon explorers like the latest ‘Dark And Darker’, I prefer games with turn-based mechanics. These games offer a more relaxed pace that lets me delve deeper into resource management, which is a key aspect of this genre. In contrast to real-time dungeon crawlers where combat relies heavily on quick reflexes and skills, the strategic nature of these turn-based games allows for thoughtful planning and execution of moves. The slower tempo also gives me the freedom to explore at my leisure in an unhurried, stress-free environment.

1 Dungeons Of Dredmor

An Older Innovator That Holds Up Well

Dungeons of Dredmor boasts an older yet innovative character creation feature that’s entertaining in itself, enabling players to craft distinct and vividly descriptive heroes for dungeon exploration. Although it’s starting to feel a bit dated, the game is incredibly user-friendly and straightforward to play, offering an intuitive gaming experience, despite following traditional design principles.

Dungeons of Dredmor is truly a roguelike game, featuring permanent character death and combat rounds where you plan your moves carefully. The game offers a wealth of creativity in its character customization, enemy designs, and loot variety, all wrapped up in a humorous tone. This unique blend creates an engaging roguelike experience that’s surprisingly accessible for such a genre.

2 Caves Of Qud

A Retro-Futuristic Roguelike RPG With Sprawling Dungeons Full Of Danger

The game titled “Caves of Qud” transcends the boundaries of dungeon-crawling; it’s a blend of classic roguelike elements, role-playing games (RPG), and an open-world sandbox immersed in retro-futurism. It’s evocative, atmospheric, and boasts one of the genre’s most comprehensive character creation systems. Few games can match the unique appeal of “Caves of Qud“. For both beginners and experienced players, the game consistently provides a fresh sense of wonder and exploration. One distinctive feature of “Caves of Qud” is its harmonious blend of procedurally and hand-crafted content, with many procedural elements showcased in its subterranean caves.

In the shadowy recesses of Caves of Qud, peril abounds. Encountering monstrous creatures, hidden traps, or finding oneself in the wrong place during a skirmish between pilgrims and lizard men are common hazards for an aspiring adventurer. The straightforward combat system underscores the importance of resource management, tactical use of abilities, and careful risk assessment, especially when playing with the ‘permanent death’ feature activated, making every decision feel crucial.

3 Cogmind

A Challenging Traditional Roguelike With A Robotic Theme

Cogmind, being a classic roguelike and dungeon-crawler game, features a sci-fi theme with a computer terminal aesthetic, heavily influenced by ASCII art (though beautifully crafted, it might not appeal to everyone initially). It can be challenging for beginners until they understand the fundamentals.

Cogmind offers a strategically intricate playstyle that combines classic game design principles with occasional forays into fresh, innovative ideas. Players navigate through a labyrinthine dungeon, simultaneously constructing and customizing their robot character. As parts wear out, they must swiftly replace them and adapt to each unique scenario as effectively as possible.

4 Dicey Dungeons

A Bright And Colorful Deck-Building Dungeon-Crawler

This semi-deck-building game catches the eye with its vibrant and captivating artwork design, created by the creative mind behind games like VVVVVV and Super Hexagon – Terry Cavanagh. But what’s equally appealing is its gameplay. It’s straightforward to grasp yet frequently offers rewards, while maintaining a balance of challenge and diversity to keep things engaging for quite some time. A significant aspect contributing to the replay value of Dicey Dungeons is the array of exceptionally distinct playable characters, each boasting unique abilities.

In Dicey Dungeons, gamers engage in combat against various whimsical adversaries within the main dungeon, employing dice-based mechanics in a turn-based fighting system. Players roll dice and position them in the relevant equipment slots, which represent the deck-building element of the game. As players advance, they can uncover new equipment items and replace their current ones, enhancing their strategy as they go along. This results in a one-of-a-kind, repeatable gaming experience that’s hard to tear yourself away from.

5 Darkest Dungeon

A Stress-Inducing Strategy Dungeon-Crawler With A Gothic Art-Style

The gritty, hand-drawn style and ominous Gothic ambiance of Darkest Dungeon aligns flawlessly with its challenging and merciless gameplay mechanics. In essence, Darkest Dungeon is a game centered around dungeon exploration, where you journey through various dungeons, each featuring unique, Lovecraftian-inspired adversaries. Your party consists of four heroes, each distinctly different in class and abilities.

In these types of games, such as XCOM: Enemy Unknown, players are tasked with overseeing a team of characters throughout their campaign journey. As they progress, they can enhance their abilities and arm them with fresh gear. Yet, it’s heartbreaking when these characters meet their end in either noble or less-than-noble battles. The pain is intensified because sometimes the enemies aren’t solely responsible for a player’s party’s defeat; the very act of venturing into the dangerous dungeon can take its toll on them, too.

2024-10-12 11:33