Summary
The idea ofdungeon crawlingis broad, and the concept can be implemented into multiple genres and gameplay styles. They can be action RPGs in the same vein as theDiablofranchise, or a first-person shooters likeDestiny, but as long as it features one or more players being able to plunge through dungeons, it counts as a dungeon crawler.
Typically, dungeon crawling can be found in fantasy games, but occasionally, game developers swap genres and create science fiction games that allow players to experience new types of dungeons. They can be in cyberpunk facilities or the derelict ruins of an alien civilization on another planet, while still providing dungeon-crawling gameplay that’s fun and challenging.
During the height of theJustice Leagueanimated series' popularity, DC competed with Marvel to create an action RPG in which superheroes fight villains in different dungeon-like locations. InJustice League Heroes, players choose from several members of the titular team, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and more.
The DC characters inJustice League Heroescontend with different villains, from Brainiac to Gorilla Grodd, with each having a unique high-tech dungeon for heroes to traverse through. It may not bethe most well-knownJustice Leaguegame, but it features comic book fun with each hero providing what fans expect from the characters regarding both abilities and personality.
A space station taken over by an alien organism is nothing new, with games likeDead SpaceandAlien: Isolationalready using that concept. However, rather than a traditional survival horror,Hellpointputs a twist on it by making the gameplay into a Soulslike experience akin toElden Ring,Bloodborne, orDark Souls,which may not be traditional dungeon crawlers, but all carry the dungeon crawler formula in their veins.
Suddenly, the alien monsters inHellpointare much scarier when the main hero can be killed if they aren’t careful as they progress through the different areas of the ship. With each new boss, the gamedelves more into gory cosmic horror,a laEvent Horizon,or stories written by H.P. Lovecraft.
Mixing horror and action,Aliens: Dark Descentis a strategy dungeon crawler, with colonial marines traversing through pitch-black colonies and other locationswhere terrifying Xenomorphs are lurking aroundevery corner. Instead of mashing attacks, players are forced to use tactics to keep their Fireteam alive, similar to XCOM games but more hands-on.
Aliens: Dark Descentshows that the franchise is not afraid to experiment with different genres, as it manages to do something unique from all other games in theAlienuniverse. Fans of theAlienfranchise can also enjoy the experience as it continues to add new lore to the series, such as humans who worship the Xenomorphs.
After a long hiatus,Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Orderbrought the action RPG franchise back with more characters and a new visual style. As the title suggests, the game focuses on Marvel’s heroes going up against Thanos' children, AKA The Black Order, in an adventure that spans from the X-Mansion to Knowhere, locations that are each treated as dungeons.
With the largest roster of characters in the trilogy,MarvelUltimate Alliance 3remains the onlyUltimate Alliancegame that can still be purchased. It is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, and while it is often considered the weakest of the three games in terms of story, the number of characters from the Avengers, X-Men, Guardians Of The Galaxy, and various other Marvel teams make it worth checking out.
While it does feature more open-ended worlds for players to explore as Tennos,Warframeis known for its procedurally generated levels in which up to four players can charge through by fighting enemies and leveling up while collecting loot along the way. The futuristic alien worlds are as visually appealing as they are challenging, resulting in a massive fanbase that still cherishes the game over ten years later.
The game’s warriors, known as Tennos, have allowed gamers to express themselves over the years, crafting the ultimate space ninjas inWarframe. It features melee and third-person shooter combat that is deceptively simple, because the more gamers play, the gameplay evolves to be more complicated and the dungeons get more challenging.
Though Marvel began their dungeon-crawling franchise with theX-Men Legendsgames,Marvel Ultimate Alliancewas a follow-up that gave fans the chance to create the four-member team of their dreams. It featured Doctor Doom as the main villain, taking the heroes to locations like SHIELD bases, Atlantis, Planet Skrull, and Doctor Doom’s castle, just to name a few.
TheUltimate Alliancegames can be surmised as clones ofGauntlet, but well-executed ones. Each of the many characters feels like a unique class and can even have unique dialogue with other characters depending on who is on the player’s team. The game is perfect for either solo or co-op play.
TheWarhammer 40Kfranchise has branched into nearly every kind of action-oriented video game genre out there, from shooters to RPGs to strategy sims.Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyris more-or-less their take on theDiablofranchise, one of the most famous dungeon crawler franchises out there, with this game bearing similarly dark and grim tones, as the main protagonist is far from a hero.
With multiple Inquisitor classes to choose from,Warhammer 40,000: Inquisitor - Martyrthrows the player against hordes of enemies in service of the Emperor. It’s an intergalactic adventure that fuses fantasy and sci-fi and injects as much over-the-top action as possible, resulting in a game that is often considered theideal isometric hack-and-slash gamefor fans ofWarhammer.
With multiple planets to explore and a constantly evolving story,Destiny 2has become a prime example of a first-person dungeon crawler thatmixes addictive looter shooter gameplaywith MMORPG elements akin toWarframe. Every season and every expansion introduces new dungeons for Guardians to explore on their own or to attempt as raids.
There are robots, aliens, and more, with everything so advanced that it blurs the line between science fiction and fantasy. Those who are not fond of the typical MMORPG have attested thatDestiny 2is an ideal choice, as players are given more direct control of their character, and the worlds it presents can satisfy that itch for a more sci-fi twist on dungeons.
As it is based on theCivil Warstoryline,Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2is much darker than its predecessor. The game is split up into two campaigns, with Iron Man and Captain America’s factions at war over the Superhuman Registration Act. As a result, those wanting to play asheroes such as Deadpool or Wolverinewill have to replay the game with each faction.
On top of the darker story,Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2features a more diverse cast with more villains to play as in a more Earth-based adventure compared to the first game. With Iron Man, Reed Richards, and Black Panther as major players, the sci-fi elements are even more prevalent as the heroes fight each other.
EverSpace 2and its predecessor feel like the spiritual successorto classic space combat gameslikeDescentandStar Fox. The biggest difference is thatEverSpace 2adds more exploration across space, allowing the player to fly to dangerous planets, ships, and other galactic locations, each of which is the equivalent of a dungeon that tests their starfighting skills.
Every new location inEverSpace 2looks worthy of being a wallpaper for a desktop, featuring exotic designs enhanced by vibrant colors. WhereEverSpace 2shines is with its starship gameplay, with tight controls that keep the dogfighting combat fun to play at all times and many types of ships to satisfy anyone’s play style.
