dungeonbased

Dungeonsbased, often written as dungeon-based or dungeon based, is a descriptive term used in game design and criticism to describe games or modules in which progress is primarily achieved by exploring, conquering, and surviving within a series of interconnected, enclosure-shaped spaces called dungeons. The concept emphasizes compact environments, thematic substructures such as cells, corridors, and rooms, and a focus on spatial navigation.

Core elements of dungeon-based design include map exploration, enemy encounters, resource management, puzzle or trap solving, and item collection to access deeper areas or overcome challenges. Dungeons may be procedurally generated to provide replayability, or handcrafted to deliver a specific pacing and atmosphere. Difficulty is often structured around per-run health, limited resources, and progression through multiple dungeon levels; in roguelikes, permadeath raises stakes and encourages strategic planning.

In video games, dungeon-based design appears across roguelikes, dungeon crawlers, action role-playing games, and roguelites, with examples such as NetHack, Rogue, Angband, Diablo, Darkest Dungeon, The Binding of Isaac, Enter the Gungeon, and Hades. In tabletop role-playing games, dungeon-based scenarios are a staple of dungeon crawls where players explore multi-room complexes under the guidance of a game master.

Etymology and usage: the term is descriptive and not a formal genre name; it intersects with terms such as dungeon crawl, dungeon crawler, roguelike, and roguelite. The concept remains central to discussions of spatial design, resource economy, and player decision-making in enclosed environments.