OpenTube

How Dungeon Crawling became a vibe

Shelfside

9,063 views

The genre of dungeon crawling has transformed immensely throughout the years! From being a simple dungeons and dragons + HeroQuest type of board gaming, it now has crossover with Euros in Gloomhaven but has historically been overtaken by the Ameritrash players. Now, with Awaken Realms games like ISS Vanguard and Lands of Evershade, the genre is transforming yet again. How does dice rolling and flavor text with asymmetric characters fit into all of this? Are there any new BGG games that are actually Dungeon crawlers, even though they don’t seem like so?

Wondrous Creatures Winterfall Expansion: https://badcomet.co/products/wondrous...

Other games featured: Zeroday.exe, Arkham Horror LCG, Cthulhu Death May Die, Pandemic legacy Season 1, Spirit Island, Eldritch Horror, Tainted Grail Kings of Ruin, Mansions of Madness, Gloomhaven, Jaws of the Lion, Descent: Journeys into the Dark, Munchkin, Cutthroat Caverns, Shadows of Brimstone, Legend of Drizzt, Wrath of Ashardalon, World of Warcraft, Fate, Diablo, The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth, Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era, Euthia, Last Night on Earth, Zombicide, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Descent: Legends, Imperial Assault, Oathsworn, Nemesis: Retaliation, Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners, Arcadia Quest, Zombicide

Table of Contents:
Intro - (0:00)
Dungeon Crawling Definitions - (2:06)
How did we get here?- (7:18)
So what finally is dungeon crawling -(15:08)
Final Thoughts - (19:31)

Support us:
Patreon: shelfside
https://ko-fi.com/shelfside

Our Website!
https://www.shelfside.co/

Purchase Games We’ve Reviewed! (Paid Link)
https://amazon.com/shop/shelfside

Shelfside Social Media:
Twitter: ShelfSideYT
Instagram: shelfsideboardgames
Facebook: ShelfsideYT
Discord: discord

Links to our other stuff:
Ashton's Channel: ashtonwu
Daniel's Channel: doyduh2

Stuff used:
Age of Empires 2: The Conquerors - Track 2
Age of Empires 2: The Conquerors - Track 2
Lukrembo - Biscuit
lukrembo - biscuit

#boardgames #tabletop #tabletopgames

20 Comments

@alyxquinncases 3 months ago

The real dungeon crawl is the hunt to find one to play

@n4tune8 3 months ago

4:47 We prefer the term Murderhobo

@viniciuspolicena 3 months ago

I really liked this “dungeon crawler definition analysis” format

@lucask1665 3 months ago

You should really try Shadows of Brimstone, as the challenging combat, as well as the different worlds and atmosphere really hit. Thank you for all the great content ❤

@conangoinham 3 months ago

My bro and I played Hero Quest as kids and then again as adults with a full 4 man party + DM. Game is still fire 🔥

Have played about half the others you listed and they're just such a great reason to get friends around a table to share laughs and triumph against all odds

@LaBibliotecaEterna 3 months ago

Thanks for the vid, as someone trying to find the perfect mix for his own dungeon crawl its reallt usefull

@lcronovt 3 months ago

Even Nemesis is a Dungeon Crawling game.

@CareyMcDuff 3 months ago

I appreciate your taking the time to do these deep dives and to put some thought into the games we play. Very interesting!

@lu7ky 3 months ago

0:49 LoL tiny gloomhaven

@Sitbear 3 months ago

I think it might just be about exploring a limited space where the goal is to manage obstacles and surprises thrown at you.

@NisseHult101 2 months ago

Before "HeroQuest" there was the Swedish game "Drakborgen" (later released in English as "DungeonQuest"). It is possible that "HeroQuest" was at least partly inspired by it.

@JuraIbis 3 months ago

People keep forgetting Dark World my favorite tabletop from Canada Games Company

@justacynic 3 months ago

I see B roll footage for an Oathsworn full review! 🎉🥳🎉

@xSean0607 2 months ago

Its my fave genre.
In no specific order: shadows of brimstone, dungeon crusade, dungeon universalis, league of dungeoneers, dungeons of doria, dungeons of infinity, quest for the lost pixel, iron helm and the new underquest.

@trevorpayton90 3 months ago

Great video!
I've played most of the games that you mention here, and I've enjoyed each of them for different reasons. I've played all of Star Wars: Imperial Assault with my boys and we had a blast with it.

Personally, my favorite dungeon crawler ever (alongside Imperial Assault, but this time in the fantasy genre) is Chronicles of Drunagor: fabulous combat, meaningful character progression, cooperative elements between players, monster variety, terrain considerations, etc, etc. There's a new Gamefound campaign going on right now, too: "Chronicles of Drunagor: Aftermath"

@kevinmackay757 3 months ago

I find it interesting that it's almost never mentioned by reviewers, but to me Sword and Sorcery most closely approximates the ultimate D&D dungeon crawler experience. The only think you need to get beyond is the goofy writing. The mechanics and levelling are great though.

@EarthenGames 3 months ago

Personally, I’m happy to have so many ‘dungeon crawler’ options in the market. For me, it’s the most fun genre of board games to play solo, which I enjoy nowadays since it’s hard to get groups together. And crawlers are even more fun with a group.

Look at all the unique mechanics and flavors between the ‘Haven games, Shadows of Brimstone, Tidal Blades 2, Earth Under Siege (more of a tactical xcom style), etc. Insane diversity within the genre

@snakebizz 3 months ago

Mice and Mystics and Gloomhaven in the mid-2010s def resparked interest in the genre, crowdfunding moreso

@Mystery101bc 3 months ago

15:28 I never looked at Project: Elite as a dungeon crawler. Interesting take and video topic. Thanks again!

@some-viewer 3 months ago (edited)

Dungeon crawling in ttrpg , or even crpg for that matter, has exploration and perhaps also procedural generation (vs complete pre-generated/assembled battleground) as its core feature. Most of the games mentioned in the video don't seem to have that.
There are many titles that fit the bill better: League of Dungeoneers, Dungeon Universalis, and of course the classic Warhammer Quest 1995.
Or if you really long for a more narrative, world building and character growth experience, simply playing a solo-able ttrpg with miniatures is definitely a way to go. There has been an explosion of products along this line over the last few years. Games by Free Leagues, such as Dragonbane, Forbidden Lands and Blade Runner all have great solo modes. Many other very popular ones like Cyberpunk Red, Traveller, and even D&D itself have fantastic solo supplements and adventures. Frankly I can't tell how the current trend of component creeps and price hikes can really boost dungeon crawling experience better than an approachable, reasonably priced, and refined solo ttrpg ruleset.