There are plenty of different genres of game out there, from intense FPS games all the way to romantic RPGs, and everything in-between. Not all game genres have dozens upon dozens of games that make them up, some are rather smaller.
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One such genre with a small but loving fan base is that of first-person dungeon crawlers. There may not be many games that fall in this genre, but those that do are often unique in story and gameplay. What you’re able to expect are often RPG elements, varied enemies, and plenty of dungeons to fight in. Here are some of the best games in this somewhat niche genre.
11Wolfenstein
A classic entry to the list:Wolfensteinmay be a normal FPS now, but it started off as a first-person dungeon crawler.
Sent into Wolfenstein castle to stop the reich and their occult practices, B.J. Blazkowicz fights legions of horrific monsters including nazi soldiers and their boss, mecha-Hitler. It may be an older game, but it still holds up quite well with its simplicity. With this game, you’ll see how the genre and the series developed into what they are today.
10Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Society
A dungeon crawler with more than a little bit of JRPG influence.Labyrinth Of Galleria: The Moon Societytasks you with exploring a seriesof underground dungeonsat the behest of the mysterious and magical Madame Marta.
Here, you assemble a huge team of puppet fighters to take on the monsters you’ll face. Not only will there be plenty of combat, but also a great story with perhaps a bit of romance as well.
9Etrian Odyssey
Exploring the Yggdrasil Labyrinth is not an easy task. Inside are creatures that will test your party’s resolve in their quest not to mention their teamwork in combat.
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Etrian Odyssey is the first game in a long series now of first-person dungeon crawlers that have a pretty solid audience. It isn’t the best game for those new to the genre, as it is by far one of the more difficult ones out there to master. But if you’re up for a challenge then check this one out.
8Legend Of Grimrock
If you miss, the classic look of older PC games then Legend Of Grimrock is going to be right up your alley.
Mount Grimrock may be a prison for those who have been charged with the most heinous of crimes, but it is far more than that. Venturing from the safety of your cell will lead you to tunnels that snake throughout the mountain and promise a path to freedom. Of course, these dungeons are filled with many a bloodthirsty creature, as so many are.
7Mind Zero
Another dungeon crawler with some heavy RPG elements, Mind Zero is a bit more sci-fi than a lot of the other entries on this list.
You are a seemingly normal high-school kid until you decide that it’s a rather boring life, and decide to join forces with something known as the MIND. What follows is quite a journey of combat and growth that is surprisingly inventive.
6Demon Gaze
Having eyes that can control various demons sounds like a fun time until you realize it opens up a world of problems and plenty of fights for you.
Demon Gaze balances a pretty solid story, some cool art, and dungeon crawling into a package that is quite fun. It makes the genre easy to approach and fun to dive into with unique enemies and enough variation to keep things from getting boring.
5Lands Of Lore
Lands Of Lore is an older game to be sure. But, it has an interestingmix of nostalgiaand solid gaming elements that still make it fun to hop into.
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The graphics are definitely aged, so don’t go looking for high-end definition, but you’re able to’t help but appreciate how good they would have been for their day. In the labyrinthian forest you quest through, you’ll find a host of creatures that want to kill you and an even bigger host offantasy tropesthat you can’t help but love.
4Stonekeep
Stonekeep is another older game on this list, and it is definitely a treat. If you miss the days of old fantasy PC games, then you’ll love this.
There are a handful of locales to explore in this dungeon crawler from magical castles to classic stone-wrought dungeons, and even dark forests. The enemies are varied, but it will definitely feel like a classic D&D game as you face off against fairies and goblins alike.
3StarCrawlers
A rare sci-fi version of the first-person dungeon crawler genre, StarCrawlers puts you in the void of space to fight off high-tech creatures and rivals alike.
You’ve been hired by a space-age corporation as a bounty hunter. It is a job full of adventure and death in equal parts. Turn-based combat and multiple storylines are just some of the features that come along with this often-brutal game.
2Doom
An absolute classic game and one you may not typically think of when you consider first-person dungeon crawlers.Doomhas been a memorable series for decades now, and for good reason.
Fight waves of demons through various dungeons across Mars and hell itself. A wide variety of weapons and powerups are here for you to explore as you lay waste to the demons assaulting the Mars base. It’s definitely not too late to see why Doom has been a fan-favorite series across generations.
