Top Dungeon Crawlers Games? [Archive]

Twiddle

02-09-2010, 08:25 PM

Hi guys, I recently played Sword of Fargoal for the iPhone, and I just LOVED it. I was just wondering what your favorite Dungeon Crawler games were, not just for the iPhone. I'm not talking about RPGs, I'm talking about Dungeon Crawlers. There's a difference. Diablo clones are good, too.

Here are a few I know of: (I'll list more as you guys tell me)
Sword of Fargoal (best)
Rogue Touch
Diablo
Torchlight
SketchDungeon (nice)

I would possibly include Dungeon Hunter and Underworlds in there, but those two are a bit iffy.

Again, I'm not talking JUST about iPhone games, I'm talking about PC games, too. I recently played Torchlight and just couldn't get into it. Don't ask me why. I would prefer iPhone games, but I am also a big fan of retro games. If you can think of any for the Atari, NES, SNES, Dreamcast, or any other old-school system, tell me and I could probably pick up a ROM along with an emulator.

Thanks, guys.

Somerandomdude

02-09-2010, 08:31 PM

You seem to have forgotten Necromancer Rising. That game is insane, and if you like dungeon-crawlers at all, I suggest picking it up.

And I'd consider Underworlds a dungeon crawler since over half the game, for me, was in the dungeon.

And if you don't mind waiting for a new PC game, Diablo 3 is on the way. That game is going to be insane... my friend is getting it and he has an insane computer, so I'm all set lol.

Twiddle

02-09-2010, 10:24 PM

Necromancer Rising, huh? I'll try that out.

GordonFreeman

02-09-2010, 10:34 PM

If you like SOF you may like Cavern too. I played both and I love them. Then you have Rogue Touch which I didn't finished yet but I like so far.

Santoron

02-09-2010, 10:42 PM

iNethack (or NetHack, depending on which port you like better)would be right up your alley. And they're free.

Twiddle

02-10-2010, 07:00 AM

iNethack (or NetHack, depending on which port you like better)would be right up your alley. And they're free.

I tried that game, and although I like retro graphics, those graphics seem to be just a little too small.

CommanderData

02-10-2010, 07:33 AM

Thanks for the Rogue Touch nods of approval, and I agree that Sword of Fargoal is great too!

If you have a Nintendo DS I would *highly* recommend playing Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer. It is one of my top 10 DS games of all time, and if you like dungeon crawlers you can't miss it! There's a 3-D version just released yesterday (2/9/2010) for the Wii, but I have not picked it up yet. Must resist a bit longer...

And then there's my next game, from which I posted this teaser image in another thread recently:

http://www.chronosoft.com/FFSHM/DialogSample.png

It'll be a while before this is done, so no holding your breath! :o Sorry I don't have any new photos to show yet. I've been digging back into code working on new dungeon generation algorithms for the various areas you will be able to go in the game. Plus my primary sprite artist is on vacation for a couple weeks :D

TheSporkWithin

02-10-2010, 07:35 AM

I tried that game, and although I like retro graphics, those graphics seem to be just a little too small.

Nethack is one of the most expansive games in existence. It has so many features that there are entire (http://www.statslab.cam.ac.uk/~eva/nethack/spoilerlist.html) websites (http://www.steelypips.org/nethack/) devoted to documenting them. The only game I can think of which surpasses Nethack in terms of size and depth is Dwarf Fortress. (http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/)

GordonFreeman

02-10-2010, 09:15 AM

And then there's my next game, from which I posted this teaser image in another thread recently:

http://www.chronosoft.com/FFSHM/DialogSample.png

It'll be a while before this is done, so no holding your breath! :o Sorry I don't have any new photos to show yet. I've been digging back into code working on new dungeon generation algorithms for the various areas you will be able to go in the game. Plus my primary sprite artist is on vacation for a couple weeks :D

This looks very good! Will be waiting for it.:)

Jorlen

02-10-2010, 10:26 AM

Cavern? This completely fell off my radar.

Anyone here play it? Impressions?

Edit: Found the original posting (http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=38113&highlight=cavern) in the games forum

GordonFreeman

02-10-2010, 10:56 AM

I played Cavern. I am fairly new to rogue game and my first one was SoF which I love. Then I played Cavern and let me tell you it is great. You have to go deep to the caverns just as SoF and retrieve something to the surface. Now, Cavern has a shop where you can buy weapons and stuff. You have the 3 classical characters to choose (fighter, adventurer and mystic). Cavern is a mix between SoF and a Rogue Touch, and both of them are excellent too. The dev is upgrading the game and is in contact.
I had a fun time playing Cavern and I recommend it if you like roguelike games. Oh, and also what I like about cavern is that the levels are random and there are secret areas with goodies (and baddies too)

Just saw your edit :)

nonentity

02-10-2010, 11:23 AM

Well, just so happens we have a new one coming out....

Catacombs - http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=44573

http://www.nonentity.com/New/Images/Art_Games/IMS_C/img_1.jpg

In review, coming soon...

Bradley Lewis
Art Director - InMotion Software

CommanderData

02-10-2010, 12:42 PM

Well, just so happens we have a new one coming out....

Catacombs - http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?t=44573

Interesting, appears to be an action game, sort of a dual stick remake of Gauntlet. Not that such a thing is bad, Gauntlet is a fantastic old game that I sunk way too many quarters into!

Catacombs is a very different animal than the dungeon crawlers the OP was looking for (which definitely slant towards roguelikes), but it will probably tickle the fancy of any dual stick shooter fans. If it ends up being anything like Gauntlet of the 1980s I'll give it a shot ;)

Madgarden

02-10-2010, 01:16 PM

CommanderData

02-10-2010, 01:46 PM

Cool, we should start a list of all the iPhone roguelikes... help people find more to play from the best genre in the App store. :D

CommanderData, can't wait to see your new roguelike, looks great. Perhaps it will be ready before the Sword of Fargoal update at the rate I'm going. ;)

Also Cavern sounds cool... I'll have to check it out!

Agreed that we need to group together... I will be contacting you soon with some of my ideas :)

Cavern is a neat new roguelike that is still evolving as we speak. I've played quite a few dives since the initial release, and am looking forward to the version 1.3 update soon.

Oh, and don't worry about taking a long time with the update. I probably hold the unofficial record for longest delay between planned updates with Rogue Touch!

Was going to submit a small update at one point, then shelved the idea until I could come up with more stuff to make it worthwhile... then I got 6+ months of contract work, and started the new game, and the iPad was announced! So basically I'm holding back until I can make a universal iPad/iPhone edition of Rogue Touch, which won't happen until almost a year after my last update. Time flies when you're working hard!!! :D

Twiddle

02-10-2010, 03:28 PM

I'm considering picking up Cavern, but I would like a little more feedback, because there are only like 5 ratings in the App Store. Also this "Catacombs" looks amazing. CommanderData, I'll probably pick up your upcoming game if you could fit a guy character in the game.

I could really do with seeing gameplay videos for Cavern, Catacombs and possibly Necromancer Rising. Thanks guys.

CommanderData

02-10-2010, 04:14 PM

CommanderData, I'll probably pick up your upcoming game if you could fit a guy character in the game.

I'm pretty flexible about much of my upcoming game, but I'm sorry to say making the main character a guy won't be in the cards... The storyline is written for her already, the portrait work is done, and the most important reason why not: That would be like turning Lara Croft, Faith, Samus or Bayonetta into a dude! Yuck! :p

Seishu

02-10-2010, 04:18 PM

A fun underrated game is Temple of Arkadoom. It's been out for quite awhile in the app store yet hasn't gotten much attention. It's in first person perspective and has randomly generated dungeons.

GordonFreeman

02-10-2010, 04:29 PM

Yes, I am playing Temple of Arkadoom now and I have to say is a nice surprise. It need some touches here and there but I love it so far.
And CommanderData, I can't wait for the new roguelike game!

CommanderData

02-10-2010, 05:39 PM

And CommanderData, I can't wait for the new roguelike game!

Thanks! I'll definitely be giving details in an upcoming games thread and sneak preview for TouchArcade as I get closer to releasing this beast to the world! :D

Twiddle

02-11-2010, 04:57 PM

Temple of Arkadoom doesn't seem for me. It seems too close to The Quest, and I wasn't crazy about that game.

I'm really interested in Cavern, though. Could anyone provide me with a gameplay trailer for it, or possibly tell me more information about it, and how it compares to Rogue Touch?

Thanks!

merkamerka

02-11-2010, 05:04 PM

Torchlight isn't too big. 860 MB.

Touch up those graphics to not-lag the iPod touch when it runs and it could easily be ported to the touch.

ckhapa

02-11-2010, 06:04 PM

I am surprised nobody mentioned Isle of 8-bit Treasures

I 2nd Shiren the Wanderer for the DS and Izuna 1 &2 for that matter

GordonFreeman

02-11-2010, 06:28 PM

I'm really interested in Cavern, though. Could anyone provide me with a gameplay trailer for it, or possibly tell me more information about it, and how it compares to Rogue Touch?

Cavern has a very limited mount of baggage

Basically you enter a cavern and advance through different levels until you reach your goal. While you are descending you can return to the town on the surface many time to buy/trade on the shops. You can actually buy a transporter which you can use to return to the surface whenever you want. Spoils are a little scant. In the caves your vision in blocked by the walls, meaning that is you enter a open area you may not see a enemy hiding to the wall until your vision field reaches it. You move by whether touching the corners of the display or by actually touching the area you want to move. I rather use the former because more than once I ended up closer to an enemy than I wanted. The combat system, as Rogue Touch is turn-base and your movement count as a turn; also if you have more than one enemy on sight you can choose which enemy to attack first. You face different kind of enemies and actually they change from one game to the other, also the levels change a lot. Sometimes you are in a cave and then you are like in a city with walls and secret areas. The amount of supplies that you can carry is very small but you can return it to the surface little by little to buy/sell. If you leave, say, a sword on the floor you will find it again in the same spot. Your character upgrade levels and some items can be used only if you reach certain level. At difference with Rogue touch if you are a adventurer with bow and arrows, your arrows are unlimited, so you can say that in Cavern items does not "wear off". Even thou they are different kind of animals, if you like Rogue Touch I would say you most probably would love Cavern too.

My list of dungeon crawlers:
Sword of Fargoal
RogueTouch
Cavern
Isle of 8-Bit Treasures
iNethack
Temple of Arkadoom
Mazugs
Dungeon Hunter

I think Sketch Dungeon was not mentioned yet

Twiddle

02-11-2010, 06:44 PM

My list of dungeon crawlers:
Sword of Fargoal
RogueTouch
Cavern
Isle of 8-Bit Treasures
iNethack
Temple of Arkadoom
Mazugs
Dungeon Hunter

I think Sketch Dungeon was not mentioned yet

Thanks for all the information on Cavern. I had no idea there were so many Dungeon Crawlers!

Of your list, I have played Sword of Fargoal(awesome), iNethack(not too crazy about it), and Dungeon Hunter(not bad).

Which of these games is the best? Is Rogue Touch better than Cavern? What about Mazugs and Isle of 8-Bit Treasures? Is Temple of Arkadoom a lot like The Quest? Because if it is, I'm passing on it.

I also cannot seem to find Sketch Dungeon in the app store.

GordonFreeman

02-11-2010, 07:33 PM

Which of these games is the best? Is Rogue Touch better than Cavern? What about Mazugs and Isle of 8-Bit Treasures? Is Temple of Arkadoom a lot like The Quest? Because if it is, I'm passing on it.

I also cannot seem to find Sketch Dungeon in the app store.

The 3 on the top are my favs; Honestly, it is hard to choose a best from SoF, RogueTouch and Cavern. Io8BT is really, really good but also really really HARD. You get kill all the time but but is great. I can't just put it with the favorite 3 cos is not roguelike, it is a excellent dungeon crawler, I had a fun time playing it. Mazugs is more like canabalt: You play it for 5 minutes and that's it, but still it is good, probably the weakest comparing it with the others but good. Temple of Arkadoom I played just one time, so I don't want to give bad information, but what I played I like a lot. I think it need some touches here and there, but I like it.
I don't see the similitude between The Quest and Temple of Arkadoom, they look alike on the presentation but ToA is only a dungeon crawler, while The Quest is a huge monster

Santoron

02-11-2010, 07:39 PM

I tried that game, and although I like retro graphics, those graphics seem to be just a little too small.

Then I'd suggest you give it a go on your PC. It's still free, and a true classic of the genre.

Twiddle

02-11-2010, 07:55 PM

I don't see the similitude between The Quest and Temple of Arkadoom, they look alike on the presentation but ToA is only a dungeon crawler, while The Quest is a huge monster

Yes, I'm talking on a presentation level, and for whatever reason, The Quests graphics and screen made me feel claustrophobic.

What is Sketch Dungeon, and for what platform? I don't see it in the app store.

GordonFreeman

02-11-2010, 08:12 PM

Yes, I'm talking on a presentation level, and for whatever reason, The Quests graphics and screen made me feel claustrophobic.

What is Sketch Dungeon, and for what platform? I don't see it in the app store.

Mmh, I don't know how to do links :(. It is on iTunes under Casual Distraction Games, for Iphone & Ipod Touch.
About ToA, you, in that case probably you are right, graphics are quite similar.

stutz

02-11-2010, 08:27 PM

Isle of 8 bit Treasure is easily one of the most overlooked and underrated games on the app store right now. Apparently in Japan the game was big in the mobile market but it just hasn't seemed to get much attention in the states. Sure, it has a few flaws (can't quick save) that keeps it from being awesome but it still is very good and definitely keeps you coming back for more. It's kind of like if a rogue like game had been made for the NES with fun but simple gameplay. I hadn't really heard much about it and I definitely circled it for awhile before clicking buy but I really am glad I did. Sword of Fargoal and Isle of 8 bit Treasure are the best casual rogue like dungeon crawlers on the Iphone out there.

frogtorch

02-11-2010, 08:41 PM

Here is Sketch Dungeon (US Store) (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sketchdungeon/id317379373?mt=8).

Madgarden

02-11-2010, 08:49 PM

Twiddle

02-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Glad you guys are liking Fargoal. :) The update (very soon) really makes it like a whole new game. You can also download the older PC/Mac remake for free if you want to fiddle around: http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/download/7118/

Man, I am looking forward to finishing with the update so I'll have some time to play some of these other games, heh. Also that 100 Rogues that is coming soon looks like it could be pretty spiffy.

Hi Madgarden, how ya doing? :)

What's this 100 Rogues you speak of?

That remake doesn't seem to work. My mouse can't click anything.

EDIT: Nevermind, mouse isn't used, keyboard only.

Madgarden

02-11-2010, 10:41 PM

Heya Twiddle!

Here's 100 Rogues: http://toucharcade.com/2009/08/05/100-rogues-an-upcoming-rogue-like-rpg-with-personality/

And yup, the 2003 remake is fairly low-tech compared to the iPhone version, but we whipped it off in 3 weeks and all. ;)

GordonFreeman

02-12-2010, 08:59 AM

Madgarden

02-12-2010, 01:10 PM

Oh man, so much stuff... new monsters, new magic, new maps, new items, wands, vaults, artifacts, and the addition of difficulty modes: Squire (easy), Hero (normal), and Legend (hard).

Not to mention the various bug fixes, graphical improvements, and improved gameplay balance and diversity.

GordonFreeman

02-12-2010, 02:48 PM

Wow! This is going to be great!
I really appreciate the effort giving to this wonderful game.

Twiddle

02-14-2010, 01:56 PM

I got SketchDungeon, and it's a great game. It's not really a roguelike, though. The dungeons aren't randomly generated. The difficulty is very roguelike, nonetheless. I would suggest this game to people that like dungeon crawlers with action, it replaces RPG with action, so it's not an RPG.

Vovin

02-14-2010, 02:00 PM

Twiddle

02-14-2010, 02:03 PM

YAY - and the BETA for 100 Rogues began at Feb. 10th!!! No long, and I can play this!

PM me if you like it or not.

Vovin

03-15-2010, 03:22 PM

Anyone got word from "100 Rogues"?

Vovin

03-15-2010, 04:22 PM

LOL - 21 minutes after posting this a new article appeared on the front page... :D

Twiddle

03-15-2010, 07:59 PM

LOL - 21 minutes after posting this a new article appeared on the front page... :D

Ha, why the hey did you revive this old thread of mine? It's ancient! ;)

For those of you wondering... Cavern is awesome. If you like roguelikes, pick that up.

Rumblecat

03-16-2010, 04:28 AM

Yeah, I've been playing Cavern all week, it's great. Took a few goes to get into it- a few deaths as well - :( - realised I was rushing everywhere to fast and running slap bang into trouble. Once I got my head round how the game was played (rather than how I thought it should be played based on other roguelikes) I really started to get into it. Good stuff, compliments Sword of Fargoal and Rogue Touch nicely as well- each of them offer a different enough experience to make them all worthwhile purchases.

Vovin

03-16-2010, 05:07 AM

Ha, why the hey did you revive this old thread of mine? It's ancient! ;)

For those of you wondering... Cavern is awesome. If you like roguelikes, pick that up.

Because there was no stand-alone thread for 100 Rogues yet. ;)

Cavern? Uh - did I miss that? I'll check.

GordonFreeman

03-16-2010, 07:30 AM

Cavern is awesome!!!

Twiddle

03-16-2010, 12:33 PM

Cavern? Uh - did I miss that? I'll check.

Yeah, if you liked Rogue Touch, you'll definitely like Cavern.

I own all three, Sword of Fargoal, Rogue Touch, and Cavern.

If you're looking for the best Rogue port, pick up Rogue Touch. It's basically Rogue with tiles: Very well made.

If you're looking for nice graphics and an intense challenge, pick up Sword of Fargoal.

If you're looking for a simple roguelike game that is easy to play and fun, pick up Cavern.

I personally like Cavern more than Rogue Touch, but it's probably because I got used to Caverns gameplay first; both are great games.