Most role-playing games whisk players on an adventure where they must encroach on hostile territory and take on several imposing foes as they head toward their goal. These dungeons may seem daunting at first glance, but players who decide to brave these dangers will be rewarded with everything from valuable loot to story progression.
Some ofthe best RPGsknow how to craft engaging dungeons that are a blast to explore. A combination of fun mechanics, engaging encounters, memorable boss fights, and innovative design goes a long way in making these dungeon crawls more manageable, to the point where some players will actively relist the idea of exploring these dungeons and witnessing everything they have to offer.
Final Fantasy 15has its fair share of issues, but one thing that most fans agree on is that the game’s dungeons are a joy to explore. The flashy combat feels great in these enclosed spaces as long as the camera doesn’t act up, and the mechanics in these hostile areas are innovative enough to keep fans engaged until the final hurdle.
Frequent party banter and bombastic boss fights go a long way in making these dungeons more engaging than ever before. While the recycled environments may dampen the experience somewhat, players will love signing on for a hunt as they make slow yet steady progress in these dungeons before reaching the end.
A game that harkens back to the glory days of the CRPG genre,Pillars of Eternityis a great titleto check out for players who want to enjoy some classic role-playing gameplay or familiarize themselves with the world that Avowed is set in. The Watcher of Caed Nua goes on several adventures where they explore their fair share of dungeons and take out the many enemies standing in his way.
It would be impossible to talk about the best dungeons inPillars of Eternitywithout mentioning the Endless Paths of Od Nua. This multi-level dungeon is present under Caed Nua and compels players to explore the entire environment at their own pace, returning to tougher regions after getting stronger as they slowly uncover the mystery of this impossible structure.
Golden Sunis a beloved JRPG series that has remained dormant for way too long. It’s a shame since the games boasted a unique approach where players assigned Djinns to set classes and acquire unique abilities that can be used either in battle or during exploration.
This means that dungeons can be quite dynamic and feature a focus on puzzles as players figure out the best way to navigate certain obstacles. With both exploration and combat being driven by player agency, it’s easy to see why dungeons inGolden Sunbecome a great playground for players to test out their skills and make progress.
The underground city of Arx doubles as a massive dungeon where players slowly make progress, and it helps that the elements of immersive sim design coupled with a unique magic system helpArx Fatalisstand out as a unique RPG more fans should check out.
Players should be stocked and ready to take on tough enemies every time they leave a safe zone, exploring every nook and cranny to find valuables and secrets. It may be a hard game to get into, but a few hours are all it takes for players to adapt to the gameplay systems ofArx Fatalisand succeed in their goal to stop the God of Destruction from laying waste to this underground refuge.
The environmental design ofFallout: New Vegasis in a class of its own and goes a long way in making its “dungeons” feel amazing to traverse. Along with its amazing role-playing elements and stellar writing, what helpsNew Vegasfeel so memorable is the magic of exploration that is rampant in this title.
It’s not uncommon for players to stumble upon an abandoned settlement or Vault that is teeming with stories to uncover as players fight wave after wave of hostiles in these locations. The environmental storytelling and numerous options to make progress helpNew Vegas' dungeons some of the very best theFalloutseries has to offer.
One of the greatest role-playing games that needs no introduction,Baldur’s Gate 3is loadedwith numerous dungeons that are daunting yet engaging to explore. The best part about any game made by Larian Studios is an immersive sim-esque approach to the gameplay, giving players numerous opportunities to tackle the challenges thrown their way in these dungeons.
This means that players who know what they’re doing can game the system and trivialize a lot of the challenges in these dungeons, rewarding their creativity with easier solutions. Even if players don’t stray from the beaten path, these dungeons feature interesting mechanics that make progression quite satisfying.
Dark Soulsis a game that became a phenomenon courtesy of its hard-as-nails combat and amazing environmental design that fans adore. The magic of exploration is prevalent in a title where exploration feels magical, which is why players enjoy making progress across its many areas.
Theentirety ofDark Soulscan be considered as one large interconnected dungeon that boasts some impressive verticality. Beating the area boss and making slow yet steady progress is extremely rewarding and helpsDark Soulsstand strong as one of the greatest action RPGs ever made.
Persona 3&4are some of the greatest JRPGs ever made, but there was one area that fans constantly complained about. The randomly generated dungeons that players had to get through could be rather repetitive after a point, becoming a chore in some instances.
This is whyPersona 5felt like a love letter to fans, addressing these complaints by hand-crafting every Mind Palace to feel more unique than ever before. These Palaces feature unique sections with fun gameplay switch-ups to keep exploration fresh and engaging for every Mind Palace in the game.
