Diablo 4 may have had a shaky start but is already rolling with the punches with seasonal content. Although some players dislike it, Seasons are great as they mean you can take a break from a title without falling behind. If you’re skipping a season but still want something to scratch that Diablo itch, you’re spoiled for choice. Let me show you the options with the 10 best Dungeon Crawlers like Diablo 4.
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Top Dungeon Crawlers like Diablo 4
In this list, I’ll provide plenty of options that offer similar gameplay to Diablo 4 and then we’ll dive into outliers you may not have considered. Whether you want a game that will consume your life or one to enjoy in short bursts, I’ve got you covered.
Diablo 3
Let me get the low-hanging fruit out of the way first. Diablo 4 may be getting most of the media attention, but Diablo 3 is still a thing and is quietly flourishing in the background. Not only that, Diablo 3 still receives updates and seasonal content of its own.
If your first foray into the franchise is Diablo 4, its predecessor will feel familiar but different enough to warrant a playthrough. The cutscenes are stunning, and many prefer the end-game loop of Rifts and Greater Rifts. One build in Diablo 3 also lets you play as a turbo-speed exploding chicken; what’s not to like?
Path of Exile
Path of Exile has a steep learning curve, but it’s a masterpiece in the ARPG space and a title you should try at least once. Movement and combat aren’t too far removed from Diablo 4 and the big difference is complexity. Path of Exile is a hard game, and the years of seasonal content make it even more unforgiving.
A steep learning curve doesn’t make Path of Exile bad, but you’ll need to be prepared to take notes and have the Wiki open in the background. If you’re into theory crafting, you might just fall in love with the skill tree. Path of Exile isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy it, kiss goodbye to the next 1000 hours of your life.
Last Epoch
Last Epoch is a superb ARPG and fills a vital niche squarely in the middle of Diablo and Path of Exile.
Path of Exile is infamous for offering so much content but being insurmountable for all but the most dedicated newcomers. On the other hand, Diablo 4 is known for being fairly simple.
Last Epoch is known for resting squarely in the middle. There’s plenty of build diversity across 15 Mastery Classes, and although there’s a lot of info to sift through, it will click pretty quickly. There’s also tons of endgame content to wade through after you’ve beaten the campaign.
Grim Dawn
Grim Dawn is a solid ARPG with heaps of content, and Diablo 4 players will immediately feel at home with the mechanics.
The standout with Grim Dawn is the ambitious dual-class system. You’ll pick a class early in your journey and will get to pick another later on. Whatever two you choose will combine to make something completely new. It’s clear how much care has been put into these, as they feel entirely unique.
The story didn’t resonate with me, but the gameplay more than makes up for its shortcomings.
Torchlight 2
Torchlight 2 is a classic ARPG that’s gracefully survived the test of time. While the visuals aren’t particularly detailed, they are colorful and vibrant, contrasting the dour tone of most other ARPGs.
While not the most complex game on this list, Torchlight 2 nails the ‘loot grinder’ gameplay loop. Out of every game on this list, Torchlight 2 had me absolutely hooked. If you’re a loot goblin like me, you’ll struggle to put this game down. It’s been a while since I properly played through Torchlight 2, and even just writing about it makes me want to create a new character and do it all over again.
Balders Gate: Dark Alliance 1&2
Unless you’ve been living under a rock on the moon, you’ve probably heard of Baldurs Gate 3, but what about the Dark Alliance games? Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance had humble beginnings on the PlayStation 2 but has been remastered for modern platforms.
The gameplay is similar to Diablo 4 but much more linear. There’s little in the way of side content, and build options are more limited. That said, it’s not a bad thing, and the Dark Alliance games feel like tidy, curated experiences. If you don’t have hundreds of hours to invest in an ARPG epic, the Dark Alliance titles respect your time and can be enjoyed in small doses.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
Van Helsing wins the award for the longest ARPG title, but it’s so much more than that. Gameplay is the standard ARPG affair with everything you expect from the genre. The skill tree looks quite overbearing at first, but it’s quite straightforward once you get used to how the mechanics work.
If you’re not looking for a game to consume your life, you’ll be pleased to learn that Van Helsing’s main story can be beaten within 15 hours. One thing Van Helsing brings to the table is humor, a welcome addition among so many bleak, gritty titles of the genre. There’s plenty of sassy conversations, tongue-in-cheek jokes, and the odd pop culture reference.
Cat Quest 1&2
The Cat Quest games are arguably the simplest on this list, but they don’t claim to be anything else. The gameplay is very straightforward but shares many ARPG tropes, including the never-ending grind for gear.
Like Van Helsing, Cat Quest is full of humor and never misses the opportunity to assault the player with terrible puns. If you enjoy the co-op aspect of Diablo 4, you can play through Cat Quest 2 with a friend in the same room. The Cat Quest games won’t dethrone your favorite ARPGs but are well-made and a delight to play when you don’t want to think too hard about stats and build choices.
Diablo 2: Resurrected
This wouldn’t be a Dungeon Crawler list without the grand master itself, Diablo 2 making an appearance. Even today, many revere Diablo 2 as the best ARPG of all time. If you can look past the dated visuals, I recommend trying the game and losing yourself in its world.
Diablo 2 is easy to understand and a ‘must play’ for fans of the genre. The Resurrected version is a faithful remaster, offering improved effects and graphics. If you’d rather have the true ‘old school’ aesthetic, you can swap to it at the touch of a button.
Hades
Alright, I know we’re stretching the boundaries here a little, but hear me out. Progression in Hades is entirely different from Diablo, but it still shares the traditional look and feel of an isometric Dungeon Crawler. At launch, this title also received near unanimous praise for its outstanding storytelling and gorgeous art style.
I’ve added Hades to the list for players who want a break from Diablo and don’t want to invest mountains of time into a replacement. You can beat Hades in about 20 hours. The story is worth the cost of admission, and the weapon variety and build options will keep you busy as you explore the depths of the Underworld.
