Best Dungeon Crawler Games for Beginners

Key conclusions

• Dungeon crawling is popular in video games, especially RPGs, influenced by board games such as Dungeons & Dragons.
• Modern dungeon crawlers vary in accessibility, challenge, and playstyles, all of which appeal to beginners.
• Games like ENDLESS Dungeon offer accessible, immersive experiences with unique gameplay loops.

Dungeon crawling is a common pastime in the video game world, mostly in RPGs, no doubt due to the popularity of dungeon crawling in tabletop RPGs such as Dungeons & Dragons. With names like A scoundrel and multiplayer dungeon crawlers (MUDs) that help popularize the familiar gameplay loop, dungeon crawling has become a staple of video games.

While modern games tend to squash and stretch the dungeon subgenre, you can find a lot of the same hack-and-slash gameplay interspersed with puzzle-solving, looting, and exploration. Dungeon crawlers are typically challenging experiences that have their origins in hardcore RPGs and roguelikes. Such games as Darkest Dungeonfor example, not the most affordable. However, there are plenty of modern dungeon crawlers available that are perfect for beginners.

8 ENDLESS dungeons

A twin-stick shooter with dungeon crawling structure and tower defense gameplay

ENDLESS dungeons cannot be cut from the same cloth as Dungeon of Infinitybut what it lacks in complexity it makes up for in accessibility, providing an action-packed experience that focuses on atmosphere and excitement rather than elaborate strategy. This, along with the game's roguelite progression system, allows players to quickly and easily get into the action with two sticks.

Fans of tower defense, twin-stick shooters and online co-op will surely find something to enjoy ENDLESS dungeons. While the dungeon crawling elements are simple, the addition of resource management and tower defense strategy helps make the experience more strategic.

7 Dungeons Guild

Roguelike Dungeon Crawl with a unique twist

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: July 14, 2015
• Developer(s): Gambrinous
• genre: Roguelike Deckbuilder

Although Dungeons Guild is a fairly simple experience, both on the surface and in its gameplay mechanics, it's elevated with a unique twist and level of accessibility that makes it great for newcomers to the genre. Dungeons Guild is a light rogue-like deck builder that tasks players with building the dungeon itself, creating the most profitable path to the goal while trying not to kill their dungeon.

Although dungeons can die forever, Dungeons Guild not overly punishing like — unlike games like XCOM or Darkest Dungeon — it's not that difficult to set up new dungeons for speed with the rest of the team. Beginners to the genre should enjoy it Dungeons Guild short sentences, and it has many mechanics that will surely prepare them for more complex experiences.

6 Crawl

Local co-op Dungeon Crawler with arcade gameplay

Designed around local multiplayer, Crawl is an asymmetric dungeon crawler that puts one player in the role of hero, tasking him to face his friends in a hack-and-slash battle. When a hero is killed, their attacker will become a new hero, resulting in a truly unique gameplay experience that constantly changes in pace.

Crawl it's decidedly old school with its nostalgic pixel art and retro sound effects, not to mention its chiptune soundtrack. This pairs perfectly with the accessible local co-op gameplay, resulting in a synergistic arcade experience that's easy to pick up and play.

5 Hades

A story-driven roguelite dungeon crawler

Hades it's not necessarily a simple game, but its roguelite nature makes it much more accessible than it would otherwise be. The game's meta-progression ensures that players are always progressing, and the well-crafted narrative gives enough reasons to keep playing.

Hack and slash combat Hades relatively easy to learn, though his boss fights can take some getting used to, which is a big part of the game's challenge. Players who don't like the structure of roguelites won't change their minds Hadesbut it is arguably one of the best efforts in the genre.

4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate

Roguelite Dungeon Crawler Co-op

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is an accessible roguelite in the vein of games like Hadesbut with an emphasis on cooperative play that fits TMNT the packaging is perfect. Battling enemies in a hack-and-slash mode and slowly accumulating a combination of meta-currency and passive upgrades will instantly feel familiar to fans of Supergiant's epic roguelike, but Split fate stands out on its own TMNT themed and cooperative gameplay.

Combat classic TMNT enemies as one of the four iconic turtles is a great experience for fans, and intuitive combat and smooth animations ensure smooth gameplay. However, supporters of Hades who may have exhausted themselves in the gameplay, could quickly find themselves tired Split fatefor the latter clearly borrows from the former.

3 Tiny crooks

A minimalistic Roguelite Dungeon Crawler

Tiny crooks is a top-down roguelite with RPG elements that focuses on a minimalist dungeon crawling through simplistic rooms, fighting enemies in a bullet hell environment. The game's simplistic visuals, as rudimentary as they are, lend themselves to read frenetic action, allowing players to deliberately use the game's evasion mechanics to avoid damage with ease.

Stamina management also plays an important role in the moment-to-moment gameplay, allowing you to show off some skills, but Tiny crooks perfect for beginners due to its roguelite structure and minimalistic nature. While there are decisions to be made when leveling up and choosing the next room to travel to, Tiny crooks makes the process relatively stress-free, and players are never forced to dwell on their mistakes for too long thanks to an execution-based gameplay loop.

2 Going under

Roguelite Brawler with unique colorful dungeons

This bright and colorful action roguelite invites players to fight in corporate dungeons, fighting various enemies in chaotic combat encounters. The game's focus on moment-to-moment action rather than overarching strategy makes it much more accessible, and players are actively encouraged to experiment with a variety of weapons thanks to the durability system.

Weapons break constantly, meaning players can't rely on one good drop, but it also reduces the amount of luck required to win and instead puts the emphasis on player skill. This does lead to a game that cannot be won by chance, but Going under's brawler combat is easy to learn, and the colorful art style, quirky characters, and tongue-in-cheek tone will keep you from losing.

1 For the king

Roguelike role-playing game that alternates with Dungeon Crawl

Fans of both strategy RPGs and roguelikes will love it For the king's unique style – exploring the world using a hexagonal map, traditional quests, boss battles and of course dungeon crawling are all fine.

Combat in this game, despite the many strategies placed in its systems, is extremely simple, combining tactics, teamwork and luck in almost equal measure. Strategic use of abilities and items makes combat interesting, but it's rarely more complicated than choosing which ability to use against which enemy, and the abilities themselves are often easy to understand.