I'm a big fan of dungeon crawlers. I absolutely love playing them on the screen and on the table. Heck, some of my favorite memories as a kid were playing LEGO Rock Raiders, which while it's technically not a dungeon crawler, it still has quite a few elements of one and adds in some baddie fighting in a kid-friendly package. As I grew older, I started playing things like Overlord and Diablo III and while I preferred games that revolved around more adventuring themes with dungeons thrown in, I still loved the idea of playing through dungeons and my favorite game series easily became The Legend of Zelda. I just loved having an overall theme of exploration with some dungeons thrown in here and there to change up things and with the newest release in the series (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) cranking that exploration to 11, I'm in love with the series even more.
I have also been really enjoying the more chaotic exploration aspects of dungeon crawling and exploration too. As an early adopter of Minecraft all the way back in 2010 right when they had released update v1.2.0 which added in the Nether, I spent most of my time digging around and exploring the randomly generated cave systems that the world generated. More often than not I would find myself building a base, exploring and then dying in a cave, only to create a new world and do it again. There's also the dungeon-crawling chaos of Dead Cells and while it tends more towards an action game, I still would argue that the randomized levels are built around a dungeon crawling theme and incorporate finding loot and fighting monsters in an ever-changing and growing world. I'd also make the argument that Deep Rock Galactic is a dungeon-crawler, since the game is built around randomized areas where the player is assigned a task to complete and has to delve into the wild depth of Hoxxes III and fight off hordes and hordes of monsters, all while collecting loot and yelling Dwarven things (FOR ROCK AND STONE!).All of this is just to say that I know my stuff when it comes to dungeon crawlers, especially those that are on the screen. So, naturally, when it came to taking the idea of a dungeon-crawler and throwing it on the table, I was all for it. I love the idea of smashing through hordes of enemies and getting loot and powering up again and again, especially when there an element of rogue-lite thrown in there. There's so much in the way of dungeon crawlers out there and I wanted to put together a brief list of games that I know of and some that I've personally played that fit this theme very well.
:strip_icc()/pic7336034.jpg)
Ok so this is one that I feel like I'm cheating a bit on with since I've talked about it in the past and I even mentioned the video game in my introduction up above. Yet, I still cannot help but coming back to this game again and again, partly because I'm so excited about getting to play it (theoretically) in September when it ships out to me, and partly because I know how much fun I'm going to be having with the game. I did see an interesting video that was put out by Chris Meeusen a few days ago (link to video) where he posited that it still waits to be seen if the game is going to be good on the table or if it is going to make people want to play the video game (seriously, check out his crowdfunding videos as they are great!). I would have to respond directly to Chris by saying this: While I do really enjoy playing the video game, the tabletop version feels different enough that I want to play it too. There are absolutely times where I'll probably choose the video game over the tabletop version, but in my mind, they are different enough that I would have different reasons to play both. Additionally, I might also note that a tabletop version of a popular video game might be the perfect entry point for non-board gamers to join the hobby as they are familiar with the theme and overall gameplay of the original game, but will have new concepts thrown in with the table top version.
All that being said, I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to play through the dungeons, caverns and dilapidated fishing towns of Dead Cells on the table top. With each run through being randomized and each run being bite-sized, just like the video game that it's based off of, I can anticipate this game dragging me back for more and more each time. Average runs in the video game run about 15-30 minutes (45 if I manage to make it to the end) and can be saved mid-run for a return if I need to. This makes it super easy to say "one more run" after I die to a poorly executed jump into a zombie attack as I know that it won't take me too long to complete the run. With the board game seeming to be similarly built, I have a feeling that the motto of "Kill, die, learn, repeat," will be on full display with this game. It seems to be short enough to warrant multiple runs and the constant draw of more to unlock is a Skinner Box that is waiting to be tapped for me.
:strip_icc()/pic4449526.jpg)
With this blog there's been quite a bit of times that I've mentioned Clank! A Deck-Building Adventure and I would like to feel sorry for that, but with how much fun I've had playing the game, I really don't have any qualms for mentioning it multiple times over. The series really takes the idea of dungeon crawling (building up a character and then fighting enemies and stealing loot) to perfection in my book. With each run being different due to card decks being changed around, secret locations being randomized and numerous other factors, this really adds a whole ton of replayability for me.
I really enjoy how each version of Clank! takes the formula and adds a twist to it. For instance, while the original Clank! has a static board that doesn't see it's passages change from play to play, the most recent "sequel", Clank!: Catacombs has a stack of tiles that players pull from to build out the catacombs, representing a varied structure of the game every single play. It also introduces new cards, and other mechanics to the gameplay that aren't present in the original game, adding additional differences to the base version. Clank! In! Space!: A Deck-Building Adventure adds not only a science fiction twist to the normal mechanics of the game, but also adds in new card mechanics and has variable setup with multiple double-sided tiles that can be added to the board, which makes it a nice in-between version from base Clank! and Clank! In! Space! Add in the legacy version, Clank! Legacy: Acquisitions Incorporated, which adds more mechanics and makes the board something that builds over the course of multiple games, and there are several different flavors that players can enjoy the loot-stealing, deck-building, noise-making mischief that is Clank!
:strip_icc()/pic1180640.jpg)
While I haven't personally played Descent: Journeys in the Dark, this is a game that consistently pops up on "You have to play these dungeon crawler" lists. I included the Second Edition of the game as that seems to be the overall version preferred by the community here on BGG, but there has been a third edition (confusingly named Descent: Legends of the Dark) and expansion The Betrayer's War that came out back in 2021. The idea of being able to play a game while acting as the dungeon master versus players is something that really intrigues me as a long-time player and DM of Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition). I love that the game itself is built around dungeon-crawls and that there are so many minis included with the game to take it from the theater of the mind (as I'm used to playing D&D with) and put it onto the table.
I know that the newer version comes with an app that enables solo play, but there's something that I like just a bit better with playing without an app. Maybe it's my old-school gamer coming out, but especially with all the talk nowadays of digital preservation and losing access to items that are paid for, I'm more likely to get a game that is fully complete on the table rather than getting something that requires me to download a separate app.
Still, the idea of having a dungeon crawl in a box is a really cool idea and one that I hope that I get to experience soon as it looks to be a really fun game that is right up my alley.
:strip_icc()/pic8211747.png)
Ah the unrelenting terror of being stalked by a nameless monster that lurks in the crevasses and shadows of the ship that you have taken to exploit the resources of the vast reaches of space. I love the Alien franchise and being able to play a game on my table based on the series is definitely one that I would love to experience. There's something just so heart-poundingly fantastic about the original movies and being able to play that on the table is a really cool concept for me.
I love that the game also has players work through the game with their own objectives that may or may not be compatible with the other players objectives, all the while attempting to survive the invasion of alien beings that are attempting to kill them, the slowly degrading ship, and other various issues that arise while playing the game. From what I've read about the game, it sounds as if it racks up the tension quite quickly and having played Sub Terra and really enjoyed the constant pressure of monsters potentially attacking, this seems like one I absolutely want to get to the table to play.
As the quote goes: "In space, no one can hear you scream."
:strip_icc()/pic6096569.jpg)
While Deliverance doesn't necessarily fall in the normal theme of fighting hordes of monsters attempting to gain as much loot and XP as possible in a dungeon environment, I would argue that this game does an excellent job of taking much of what makes dungeon-crawlers good and adding it to a fantastic angelic theme. While the story is not anything to write home about for the campaign (which is being fixed with an updated version later this year), the gameplay is absolutely fantastic and at times, brutally difficult, even on the lowest setting. The miniatures that are contained within the game are brilliantly done and the entire production value just screams that Andrew Lowen and his team really put their all into this game.
As the game is a cooperative dungeon-crawler, there is a constant tension of attempting to defeat the demonic horde that you are facing each turn. Player choices feel significant and there is a constant pressure of attempting to keep the darkness cards in check, all while attempting to defeat the various demons that harangue your player character. Each angel feels significantly different to play as and while there are some combinations that work better, there isn't necessarily one angel that is better than the others, and each has their own playstyle that allows players to find their niche. The skirmish mode (which is the base version of the game) allows players to level up and gain XP to add new equipment and powers, making each angel a powerhouse at the end of the game, all balanced out with intelligent enemies that respond to your movements and also have a series of potential actions they can take to quickly whittle away your health pool.
:strip_icc()/pic3019101.jpg)
I've been trying to build this list with a little dash of everything to really round out what is on here. While One Deck Dungeon isn't my favorite game that I've listed here, I do want to mention it as it is fairly good at what it attempts to do: build a dungeon crawler for a solo play that is portable and easy to learn. The game itself is very well-contained and has an excellent feel to it, but I think it stumbles a bit when it comes to execution, especially with some of the boss fights. Because the game is fully based on dice rolls, there can be a series of horrid dice rolls that end your run prematurely, which is disappointing when it happens. There is some mitigation that can happen in the game by the form of various powers, potions, and abilities, but it happened a bit too much for my liking when I played.
Still, if you are looking for a good option to play a dungeon-crawler solo, One Deck Dungeon is a fairly good and often cheaper way to accomplish this. I do have to admit that the cards offering multiple uses also is part of its appeal in my mind and the iconography is well designed to allow players to understand it rather than being too difficult to learn. Take my feelings as you will, but this might be the perfect small dungeon crawler to help scratch that itch for solo players.
:strip_icc()/pic1312072.jpg)
Finally, I would like to also add Mice and Mystics to the list of dungeon crawlers here. The story even starts off in the dungeon of a castle, making this effectively one of the most on-point games that I have listed here. It's a pure, story-driven, cooperative game that tasks players with playing through various scenarios in a campaign. While the initial ruleset is fairly heavy to learn, the game itself is excellently designed and really fun to play.
Levelling up your various characters and adding new abilities and items as you fight through the various pipes, underground passages and rooms that span the castle as a diminutive mouse works great with the overall story of the game and it leans heavily into the theme, to its benefit. Having a story-driven dungeon crawl is a fantastic experience and this game does it very well too.
There is also Stuffed Fables for your consideration if mice aren't your thing. This game tasks players with playing as stuffed animals fighting through hordes of nightmare monsters and protecting the little girl who owns them. Both Mice and Mystics and Stuffed Fables are fairly high on the BGG rankings, so take your pick on which one you'd like to experience, or enjoy them both!
Give me your thoughts:What are your thoughts on dungeon crawlers? Hate them? Love them? Indifferent? What makes a game a "Dungeon Crawler" and what mechanics are pivotal to the category? Have you played any of the games that I've listed here and what are your thoughts on them?
Thank you so much for checking out this blog. If you liked it, please hit the green thumb at the top of the page and feel free to leave a comment on the post. I appreciate all interactions and will respond to everything that I can. If you really liked the post and want more ramblings, feel free to subscribe and get new posts every Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
/pic7229993.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment