Darkest Dungeon is a roguelike-esque turn-based RPG developed by Red Hook Studios and published by the same studio, as well as by Merge Games for the physical copies of the game and Degica for the Japanese version.
It is a dungeon-crawler in which the player explores dungeons and fights the monsters that are found in them. If you enjoyed playing Darkest Dungeon and you just can’t wait for the sequel to be released some time this year, these games are for you.
1. Crypt of the NecroDancer
Crypt of the NecroDancer, released in April 2015, developed by Brace Yourself Games, and published by Brace Yourself Games and Klei Entertainment, is another bullet-hell roguelike dungeon-crawler that received raving reviews upon release, including an 8.8/10 from IGN.
It is a unique twist on the classic roguelike, as it features arcade-shooter traits while also being a rhythm game. If you enjoy mystery dungeons in a musical rhythmic environment that relies on your timing and patience, then this is the game for you.
2. Enter the Gungeon
This bullet-hell roguelike will fascinate the player as much as it frustrates them. Released in 2016 after being developed by Dodge Roll and published by Devolver Digital, it was the subject of overwhelmingly positive reviews, including 87% on Metacritic and 8.5/10 on IGN.
This game can be replayed over and over and over again and still be highly entertaining. The unique artwork holds its own charm, and the bosses will give you frustration-related nightmares. If you are into fast-paced roguelikes that combine arcade shooters with its base style, this should be the next game you play.
3. Curse of the Dead Gods
This February 2021 title developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Home Interactive has been the subject of raving reviews, including a 9/10 on IGN and a 78% on Metacritic. It is a roguelite dungeon-crawler with an isometric perspective. You play an explorer who navigates dungeons in search of money, power, and eternal life.
When you venture into new rooms, purchase items with blood instead of gold, or fight enemies without a light source, your curse meter increases. Explore this dark, twisted roguelike today on Steam, the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation 4, or the Xbox One.
4. Synthbiotic Dungeon
As the name implies, this April 2021 title was developed and published by Synthbiotic Studios. It is an action roguelike dungeon-crawler in which the player must “run the gauntlet” or play as the dungeon master. If you enjoyed the dungeons and fast pace of Darkest Dungeon, you will assuredly enjoy this title on Steam if you pick it up today.
5. Gods Will Fall
This action-adventure fighting game is suitable for everyone who wants more from the combat style of Darkest Dungeon. This recent title was released in January 2021, developed by Clever Beans, and published by Deep Silver.
In this game, the gods have tortured mankind for eternity. The player must fight the gods for vengeance or face a violent, painful death. If you’re intrigued by the concept of a beat-’em-up against fictional realms of gods, this is the game for you.
6. Deep Sky Derelicts
Turn-based strategy with tactical card combat and roguelike elements, all on a retro-futuristic comic book-style backdrop? What more could a Darkest Dungeon fan ask for? Released in November 2017, developed by Snowhound Games, and published by 1C Company, this indie game is for fans of card games, tactical strategy, and exploration.
If you want to explore ancient spaceships and encounter enemies and other perils along the way, this is the game for you.
7. Dead Cells
This installment on the list was inspired by Metroidvania-style action-adventure games. It was first released in August 2018, developed by Motion Twin and Evil Empire, and published by Motion Twin and Playdigious. It was the runner-up for IGN’s Best of 2017 awards and has won multiple other awards, including Best Indie Game at the 2018 Golden Joystick Awards.
Described as a “roguevania,” the player controls a mass of cells that occupy and control a corpse. As a reanimated corpse, you must dungeoncrawl, fight monsters, and collect helpful items. If you are interested in playing as a zombie mass of cells in a roguevania setting, this is the game for you.
8. Stoneshard
If you enjoy the top-down turn-based roguelike combat of Darkest Dungeon, Stoneshard should be the next game you pick up. Stoneshard was released in November 2019 and developed by Ink Stains Games and published by HypeTrain Digital.
In this game, time only moves when you do, so you must strategically move around the map in order to not be defeated by the enemies. Its retro-style art style is enough to draw any potential player in.
9. Mad Crown
This January 2018 roguelike dieselpunk RPG was developed and published by S-Games and is available for Microsoft Windows. If you enjoy turn-based combat in a post-apocalyptic dystopian roguelike setting, Mad Crown is definitely worth giving a try.
Rated 7/10 by Turn Based Lovers, this game allows the player to explore the dieselpunk world and defeat scavengers, looters, mutants, and other beasts along the way. This dungeon-crawler is just waiting for you to download and play on Steam, on your PC.
10. Vambrace: Cold Soul
Released in May 2019, this roguelite fantasy game was developed by Devespresso Games and published by Headup and WhisperGames. If you want to wield magical powers, avoid traps, and survive combat encounters with strange enemies, this is the game for you. Though it was the subject of mixed reviews, with a 59% on Metacritic, you will enjoy the art style and setting of this roguelite.
11. Into the Breach
This 2018 turn-based strategy game was developed and published by Subset Games, an indie studio consisting of developers Justin Ma and Matthew Davis, who also created FTL: Faster Than Light.
Available on multiple computer-based platforms, the player controls soldiers who operate giant mechs that can be equipped with a variety of equipment. If you enjoyed the roguelike structure of Darkest Dungeon, you will enjoy the environment of this indie-developed game.
12. Mistover
This October 2019 roguelike turn-based dungeon-crawler RPG was developed and published by KRAFTON and Bluehole, the same developers as PUBG and TERA Online. It is available for PC, the PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch.
If you were a fan of the dungeons in Darkest Dungeon, this is the game for you. Prepare for complex combat while exploring the forests, mountains, and cities of the Mist.
13. Slay the Spire
Also featured on our list of 15 Games Like Gloomhaven, this 2019 roguelike developed by MegaCrit and published by Humble Bundle is a combination of a roguelike and a deck-building game.
Available for PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, the PlayStation 4, and the Nintendo Switch, your goal as the player is to work through the levels of a spire, with a boss fight at the top of the spire. If you enjoyed the roguelike structure of Darkest Dungeon and want to add cards into the mix, this is the game for you.
14. For Honor
This 2017 action game developed and published by Ubisoft for PC, the PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One allows the player to choose from four different factions for their character: the Iron Legion (Knights), the Warborn (Vikings), the Dawn Empire (Samurai), and the Wu Lin (Ancient Chinese).
Members of each faction have quotes in their native languages: Latin for Knights, Icelandic for Vikings, Japanese for the Samurai, and Mandarin for the Wu Lin. If you enjoyed the enemy-defeating aspects of Darkest Dungeon and want to try out a three-dimension medieval fantasy action game, this game is for you.
15. The Binding of Isaac
This 2011 indie roguelike title designed, drawn, developed, and published by Edmund McMillen (also known for creating Super Meat Boy and designing Gish) is one of the goofier titles on this list. Its roguelike structure opens it up to multiple replays.
In this game, you can retrace your steps through rooms that you have already cleared, all culminating in the boss fight against Isaac’s mother on the eighth floor. If you enjoy toilet humor combined with religious retrospective, this is the game for you. The remake, released in 2014, is available to play on Steam for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and OS X.
16. The XCOM series
Featured on several other lists on our site, this turn-based strategy sci-fi game requires player to defeat invading enemy aliens. Currently developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games, the XCOM series has a number of titles to choose from, the most recent of which is XCOM: Chimera Squad, which was released in April 2020 for the PC. If you were most interested in the enemy-defeating aspect of Darkest Dungeon, this is the game series for you.
Our top choice for games similar to Gloomhaven is Card Hunter, as they both feature a tabletop simulation with deck building, tactical combat, and fantasy RPG elements.
Do you agree with our choice, or do you think we should have chosen a different game for the top spot? Let us know in the comments below!
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