Highlights

• Enter the Gungeon is a fun co-op roguelike game that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. With its unique art style and tight gunplay, it's a great option for fans of the dungeon crawler genre.

While a steep departure from the main game, Minecraft Dungeons was a great success in its own right, with fans enjoying its cute graphics and enjoyable gameplay. While there are plenty of great dungeon crawler games out there, many of them are not suitable for younger audiences, which is one of the reasons that Minecraft Dungeons was so appealing.

If someone has utterly exhausted the secrets of Minecraft Dungeons and is now looking for a fresh dungeon crawler or rogue-like fix, then they can rest easy in knowing that they have options. Some of the recommended games like Minecraft Dungeons also have similar ESRB ratings.

Updated December 25, 2023 by Mark Sammut: The specifications have been added for every game similar to Minecraft Dungeons​​​​​​.

18 Rune Factory 4 Special

Entry-Level JRPG Option

Rune Factory is a niche but still reasonably successful RPG series that combines dungeon crawling with farming elements. This dichotomy creates a fun mix of action and slice-of-life relaxation, and Rune Factory 4 Special arguably represents the Japanese franchise at its best.

While not the deepest farming sim or action RPG on the market, Rune Factory 4 is polished, accessible, and charming. Like Minecraft Dungeons, it is a good entry-level option for people looking to dip their toes in dungeon crawlers (and also farming sims).

17 Death's Door

Intensive But Accessible Combat

Death's Door follows a young crow on its quest to cull the land of a series of "enemies" that plan on living forever. It's a charming game filled with entertaining characters and a story revolving around a mysterious door that a wise old Crow wants to see opened. Those who enjoy fantastical settings should love to visuals for this release.

From a gameplay standpoint, Death's Door plays a lot like a traditional ARPG mixed with a Metroidvania. Although players won't have as much depth concerning skills and abilities, there is still a lot of fun to be had with the fast-paced (and punishing) combat system.

16 The Binding Of Isaac

Roguelike Dungeon Crawler

The Binding of Isaac was originally released for PC in 2011, but this project was later remade and re-released as The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. After that, the remake gained a couple of expansions, starting with 2015's Afterbirth and concluding with 2021's Repentance.

This indie title is a roguelike game that features procedurally generated dungeon levels by using map seeds, which can also be shared with other players so they can attempt the same dungeon layout. The game offers single-player and multiplayer and also has permadeath that can pose a challenge for many players.

15 Torchlight 2

Vibrant & Fun Hack And Slash RPG

Torchlight 2 is an action RPG dungeon crawler that was released in 2012, as a follow-up to 2009's Torchlight. Players create custom characters, choosing between one of four different classes, and they then explore randomized dungeons, as well as being able to visit overland areas and hub towns.

The game builds on the original by adding a host of new features, such as day/night cycles, weather effects, a new UI, and more. Additionally, some returning features have been improved upon, such as fishing and pets. The game features both single-player and multiplayer.

14 Victor Vran

Great, Great Hack And Slash Combat

On the surface, Victor Vran might appear to be a typical dungeon-crawler action RPG but looks can be slightly deceiving. Unlike many of the projects developed for the genre, Haemimont decided to not focus too heavily on loot and grinding, instead prioritizing real-time combat and weapon classes. As such, Victor Vran plays out like a hack and slash game that just happens to be presented from an isometric angle.

Now, the game still provides new weapons and outfits frequently, they are just not presented as the main driving force pushing players forward (which does hurt the campaign's replayability to an extent). Victor Vran can be completed over a few hours, and while that might be short for this type of release, it does at least make great use of every second. Victor Vran might just have the best combat out of any action RPG.

13 Crypt Of The NecroDancer

Twist On The Dungeon Crawler Genre

If someone is looking for a dungeon crawler with a quirky twist, then Crypt of the NecroDancer is the project for them. The game mixes dungeon exploration with rhythm-based mechanics, with players having to move to the beat through the procedurally-generated dungeons. The character's actions are more effective when the player manages to keep the beat, with the actions being impaired if players miss a beat.

The game offers local co-op play for two players. Furthermore, Switch players can pick up the Cadence of Hyrule spin-off that sprinkles Zelda goodness all over Crypt of the NecroDancer.

12 Fate

Diablo For All Ages

Producing four entries across the span of less than a decade, Fate is a niche but beloved action RPG series that tweaks the Diablo formula to make it a better fit for younger players. Basically, these games were the family-friendly dungeon crawlers before Minecraft Dungeons, although they reached a much smaller audience since they were indie projects released exclusively on PC. Even though fairly old by this point, the original title holds up pretty well, with the gameplay still being a lot of fun all these years later.

Minecraft Dungeons and Torchlight do somewhat render Fate obsolete, in the sense that they are more modern action RPGs that scratch the same itch; however, the 2005 release and its sequels are nevertheless charming and worth seeking out. They are also quite cheap on Steam, so they do not require much of an investment.

11 Enter The Gungeon

Great Co-Op Option

Enter the Gungeon is a dungeon crawler with a gun-theme, hence the name. The game follows four misfit characters as they battle through procedurally-generated dungeons while fighting enemies and obtaining new guns, with the end goal being to find the ultimate legendary treasure – the gun that can kill their past.

The pixel style of the game coupled with the quirky yet adorable sentient living bullets and other gun creatures make for an enjoyable mix. The game offers local co-op play as well.

10 Slay The Spire

Challenging But Easy-To-Grasp Roguelike

Slay the Spire mixes things up in a refreshing way by combining the dungeon crawler genre with tabletop card game elements, with combat solely using this card-based system. Players can customize their decks before they head into the procedurally-generated dungeon levels of the Spire.

Players can choose one of four different characters, each with unique card sets. As players progress, they will earn new cards that they can use to make their deck even stronger.

9 Bastion

Beautiful World, Unique Story Presentation

Bastion is an action RPG that was originally released in 2011 and, despite its age, still looks stunningly beautiful to this day due to its vibrant hand-painted art style. Players take on the role of "the Kid" as they travel through various fantastical environments and battle weird and wonderful creatures.

The game is single-player only, but it offers a brilliant storyline, colorful graphics, and engaging gameplay Supergiant has established itself as one of the best indie developers on the market, and Bastion is still arguably the company's crowning achievement.

8 Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl - Gold

Cute RPG With Dungeon Crawling

Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl - Gold is a great blend of dungeon crawler levels and RPG elements to offer up a fun game with adorable graphics and characters. Players can collect "snack" monsters from levels, and then have them as companions to help in battle.

This game offers online co-op play for up to four players and is only available for Nintendo Switch, though reportedly iOS and Android versions are in development. Additionally, Snack World: The Dungeon Crawl Gold is an enhanced port of the original 3DS game that was released in Japan.

7 Diablo 3

Nowadays, It Is Great

In a post-Diablo 4 world, recommending its predecessor might seem silly, but the 2012 release is arguably a better match for Minecraft Dungeons fans. For one, Diablo 3's cartoonish art style is closer in spirit to Mojang and Double Eleven's project, even though Blizzard's game is obviously still a much darker overall experience. D4's shift to open-world proved to be a largely positive one, but this change did not arise from its predecessor's structure being outdated or broken. Most importantly, D3 is a complete package with years' worth of content under its belt, while its successor still has a ways to go to reach that point.

Regardless of which entry a Minecraft Dungeons fan picks, they simply should play Diablo. It is the quintessential dungeon-crawler franchise, and nearly all the games are excellent. Even beyond the most recent entries, there is always Diablo 2, which is probably the most iconic and influential release in the action RPG genre, and its 2021 remastered is a great option.

6 Children Of Morta

Clever Roguelite Dungeon Crawler

Children of Morta blends rogue-like dungeon-crawling elements with a solid storyline to offer players enjoyable and interesting gameplay, all while featuring a beautiful pixel style. The game follows the Bergson family as they fight to stop the Corruption spreading in Mount Morta.

Players unlock more characters as they progress, each with their own ability set to offer different styles of combat. While perfectly enjoyable solo, Children of Morta really comes alive when experienced with a few friends in co-op.

5 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

Pokemon Spin-off & Accessible Entry Into The Mystery Dungeon Franchise

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a Nintendo Switch remake of 2005's Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team. Players take on the role of a Pokemon as they and their fellow Pocket Monsters delve through mysterious dungeons. The game offers other gameplay elements, such as camp building, missions, story events, and more.

The combat is turn-based, similar to the battles of the main Pokemon titles, and also utilizes the same elemental strengths and weaknesses. This title improves upon its predecessors by allowing players to take control of teammates should their main Pokemon fall in battle.

4 Moonlighter

Dungeon Crawl To Run A Store

Moonlighter is a beautiful pixel-style game that features dungeon-crawling alongside more RPG-like elements, but not in the way that you think. Rather than taking on the role of the hero, the player is a shopkeeper who delves through procedurally-generated dungeons to collect items to sell in their store.

Players can run the shop by day, setting their prices, selling items, and stopping thieves, while digging through the different themed dungeons and defeating enemies in their free time.

3 Hades

Stellar Combat & Great Story

Hades was officially released in September 2020 to critical acclaim, though it had been released earlier in 2018 as an early-access title. This roguelike action game sees players take on the role of Zagreus, the son of Hades, as he attempts to escape from the underworld and join with his relatives on Mount Olympus, who regularly help Zagreus by granting him boons.

Death is to be expected in this game, but each escape attempt makes Zagreus stronger as he is able to improve his weapons and skills with the treasure he finds on each run. Hades 2 has been announced, so this is the perfect time to play through the original game. That said, Hades is considerably harder than Minecraft Dungeons, and players will be playing through the same stages over and over again.

2 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Star Wars Fun For Everyone (& Surprisingly Fun Combat)

The Lego games are generally a safe bet for young kids, all the while having more than enough charm to keep older players entertained. As Traveller's Tales has done a solid job adapting a slew of popular licenses, someone's preference is likely to come down to a pre-existing attachment to a property. Consequently, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga serves as a stand-in for the franchise in general; that said, it is the most recent and ambitious Lego game on the market.

The package covers the nine main movies, with each one containing a few levels that present abridged versions of the source materials' stories. Alongside the main missions, The Skywalker Saga incorporates semi-large planets that players can freely explore.

1 Riverbond

The Closest Alternative To Minecraft Dungeons

Riverbond offers very similar dungeon crawling gameplay as Minecraft Dungeons, to the point where it shares the same quest objectives such as "destroy the banquet" in some of the levels. The visual style is also very similar to Minecraft Dungeons with its voxel design, but the gameplay is far more forgiving as players have unlimited lives, which ultimately makes dying inconsequential.

This makes it one of the most similar games to Minecraft Dungeons and ideal for very young players. This game can be played either single-player or cooperatively with up to four players

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