dungeon crawlers Archives

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

My biggest pleasant surprise of 2025 so far has been the free prequel to one of my favorite indie RPGs, made with FromSoft’s 25-year-old game making toolset

Lunacid, a first-person RPG inspired by the King's Field series, was released in 2023 by Kira LLC. A prequel titled Lunacid: Tears of the Moon is set thousands of years before the original game and was developed using the Sword of Moonlight toolset. The game features user-generated dungeon crawlers and has drawn comparisons to atmospheric exploration titles like Thief and System Shock. Players engage in melee combat without blocking or dodging options, and character progression occurs automatically upon leveling up. Mana regenerates through successful melee attacks, and health is fully restored at the home base. The game lacks a tutorial, prompting players to refer to a classic-style manual. Players must locate five shards of a legendary sword while navigating a world filled with secrets, including hidden doors and challenging enemies.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

One of my favorite indie RPGs is getting a follow-up made with FromSoftware’s 25-year-old Super Mario Maker for first person dungeon crawlers

Lunacid: Tears of the Moon, a spinoff of the first-person RPG Lunacid, will be released on April 12. It is developed using the Sword of Moonlight toolkit by FromSoftware, which has a cult following. The game draws inspiration from classic dungeon crawlers like King's Field and Shadow Tower and features a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of early PlayStation graphics. Players will navigate a mysterious underground world and manipulate their environment using unique mechanics, such as stacking coffins. The narrative takes place thousands of years before Lunacid, focusing on the character Calamis Cerulean and themes of preservation. The game will include a PDF manual styled like a vintage release and is expected to be priced competitively, likely under the price of Lunacid. Players can wishlist the game on Steam.

BetaBeacon

November 8, 2024

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – November 2024 round-up

Bloons Card Storm is a turn-based card collecting game with multiplayer at its core, where players need to think about both attack and defense. The game has some balancing issues and a problem where if your opponent quits, you get a smaller reward.

AppWizard

October 28, 2024

Finally, a dungeon crawler with what I’ve been missing in so many other fantasy adventures: common sense

Monomyth's initial hour features unobtrusive tutorial pop-ups and encourages exploration through straightforward commands, allowing players to interact with the environment in unconventional ways, such as attacking or burning locked doors. The game does not impose invisible barriers, promoting a mindset similar to classic titles like Ultima Underworld. Players can engage in stealth, extinguish light sources, or use creative combat strategies. The design fosters a sense of ownership over the journey, making choices feel personal. Monomyth is currently available in early access on Steam and is noted for its refreshing approach to the RPG genre.

AppWizard

August 28, 2024

Minecraft Dungeons is North America’s next Nintendo Switch Online Game Trial

Minecraft Dungeons is now available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Game Trial for subscribers in North America. This is the second trial for the game, with the first occurring in 2021. Active members can play the full game and retain their progress if they purchase the complete version. Participants will receive 100 Platinum Points on My Nintendo for joining the trial. The game features a vibrant world where players can save villagers from the Arch-Illager, with options for solo or co-op play for up to four players. Players can encounter new mobs, unlock unique items and weapon enchantments, and customize their characters and combat styles.

AppWizard

July 4, 2024

The making of Cult of the Lamb: ‘A lot of the design was trying to encourage the player to be evil’

In Cult of the Lamb, players brainwash woodland creatures into devotion to unlock the ability to sacrifice them for dark power, with dungeon-crawling being the main focus of the game. The game received post-launch support with updates and a crossover with Don't Starve, with co-op mode added in late 2024. The developer had planned for post-launch support from the beginning, ensuring it was part of the deal with publisher Devolver Digital.