The best first-person Dungeon Crawler

Key conclusions

• Dungeon crawling has its origins in tabletop role-playing games such as D&D and offers exciting gameplay loops.
• Recent additions to the genre are available that bring back old-school designs while offering modern twists.
• Games like Devil Spire, Slasher's Keep, Dark And Darker, Barony, Lunacid, and Mortal Sin are worth exploring.

Dungeon crawling is one of the most valuable pastimes in gaming, dating back to old-school tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. The simple but addictive gameplay cycle of delving into dungeons, defeating monsters and looting as much treasure as possible can be extremely fun – and easy to learn – if done right.

While countless dungeon crawlers have been released throughout history, many of which featured a first-person perspective, recent additions to the genre have found themselves accessible while bringing back the old-school design and presentation of the greats. Of course, these modern names stand on the shoulders of giants: Tsar's field, Shadow towerand The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall these are huge old-school dungeon crawlers that any fan of old games should try. However, those who have exhausted the annals of dungeon history should consider the following.

1 Devil's Spire

Slow-paced pseudo-3D Dungeon-Crawler

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2023
• Developer(s): Ichiro Sumi, Lucas Perdama, Lucas Bresson
• Genre: Dungeon Crawler

Combining 3D environments with 2D sprites, Devil's Spire offers a nostalgic aesthetic rooted in dark dungeons and gloomy environments. The game is relatively slow paced, especially compared to other dungeon crawlers, but this ensures that each encounter is intense and methodical.

Devil's Spire is not the deepest of roguelike dungeons (see more traditional experiences such as Caves of Kud or Cognitive mind). However, the 3D exploration and first-person perspective may make it more appealing to those who find it hard to enjoy the minimalist look of classic roguelikes.

2 Slasher's Fortress

Hack and slash Dungeon-Crawler in cartoon style

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2020
• Developer(s): Damian Schlotter
• Genre: Raguelite

This hack and slash dungeon crawler features a unique hand-drawn cartoon aesthetic that combines digital 2D images with similarly stylized 3D environments, offering magical visuals that can be deceiving. Slasher's Fortress can be quite a challenge.

Slasher's Fortress is a first-person roguelite that features a power-up system and the ability to save gear for the next run. At first glance, the hack-and-slash combat is fairly simple, but the variety of weapon types and unique moves deepens the experience. Combined with more exciting elements such as an innovative weapon crafting system and simple additions such as the ability to trap enemies, Slasher's Fortress creates a dungeon crawler that takes full advantage of the first-person perspective.

3 Dark and darker

Admittedly a bit uneven and following the familiar extraction shooter gameplay cycle, Dark and darkerthe structure will be instantly recognizable to fans Escape from Tarkovbut the game has a medieval fantasy theme that is kind of old school Dungeons & Dragonsand a slow combat system that takes some time to get used to.

Dark and darker the slow and methodical combat and the deadly swarm of enemies can be a decisive factor in the player's enjoyment in the dark and dangerous dungeons, as painstaking animations make every action count. For lovers of the old school Dungeons & Dragonsslow games and the gameplay structure of extractive shooters, Dark and darker worth a try, especially since the game is free to play with few restrictions.

4 Barony

Relentless Roguelike Dungeon-Crawler with online co-op

Featuring voxel-based 3D models and environments rendered with rich pixel art textures, Barony is a uniquely stylish indie dungeon crawler with a first-person view. Barony often unforgiving as his dungeons are full of deadly traps and dangerous enemies. This is aided by the game's status as an action roguelike, though the role-playing systems and abundance of loot often reward players as they progress.

Barony can be rewarding on its own, but the inclusion of online and local multiplayer takes the gameplay to new heights, providing a chaotic and cooperative experience. The harshness of its dungeons and the frequency with which runs end in sudden death may frustrate some, but overcoming BaronyThe challenges are part of the fun.

5 Lunacid

Atmospheric RPG Dungeon-Crawler that goes back to the old school FromSoftware

Taking inspiration from old FromSoftware titles such as Tsar's field and Shadow tower, Lunacid is a deeply atmospheric first-person RPG with a focus on dungeon-crawling gameplay and methodical combat. LunacidThe biggest strength, however, is not in the combat, but in the exciting and atmospheric dark fantasy world.

Despite the obvious old-school influence in both design and visuals, Lunacid it's a polished experience that's often enjoyable to play and has a well-realized aesthetic. Lunacid definitely has its own style and sense of the absurd, with some unique characters and enemy designs that create a sense of discovery throughout the experience.

6 Deadly sin

Fast-paced dungeon crawling with visceral hand-to-hand combat

Although its visual appearance may be an acquired taste with its bright and gaudy, not to mention abrasive, use of color, Deadly sin is an intuitive hack-and-slash dungeon crawler that never gets boring. This is largely due to the game's well-crafted hand-to-hand combat, which is both weighty and engaging, attributes that are aided by the crisp animation, presentation and combo system.

A strange, dark fantasy world Deadly sin is also intriguing, with visuals and enemy designs that create dungeons and environments that are often rewarding to explore. Loot is also heavily rewarded, primarily because Deadly sin the variety of weapons is incredibly diverse.