dungeoncrawl

Dungeoncrawl is a term used to describe a game design approach centered on exploring labyrinthine dungeons, fighting foes, solving puzzles, and gathering treasure. It is used across tabletop role-playing and computer or video games and is often treated as a synonym for the broader dungeon crawler genre, or as a subset that emphasizes dungeon exploration and loot within a mapped environment.

In typical dungeoncrawl titles, players navigate a series of connected rooms or levels, encounter monsters and traps, and encounter puzzles that block progress. Movement is frequently grid-based, with combat that may be turn-based or real-time. Progression usually involves gaining experience, acquiring better gear, and unlocking access to deeper areas. Procedural generation is common, creating new layouts for replayability, and some games incorporate permadeath or limited saves to heighten risk.

Historically, the concept roots in tabletop play and early computer RPGs. The dungeon crawl idea originates from Dungeons & Dragons and was popularized in early roguelikes such as Rogue, Hack, and NetHack, which framed dungeon exploration as the core activity. In video games, dungeon crawling evolved through titles like Wizardry, Dungeon Master, and Diablo, each bringing different pacing, combat styles, and loot systems. In contemporary game design, dungeoncrawl often denotes roguelikes and roguelites that emphasize dungeon exploration, as well as action RPGs that centralize dungeon-based progression.

See also: dungeon crawler, roguelike, roguelite.