Good DS Dungeon Crawlers

[namzep]

I've just about finished up playing LEGO Indiana Jones (good game but kind of quick) and have decided to look for some dungeon crawlers for my DS. I'm looking for games that are similar in style/playability to Diablo (basically fun hack-and-slash dungeon games) but would probably be interested in other types, too. I just want some mindless maiming and treasure hunting.

[Lady Jaye]

Not Dungeon Explorer. Unfortunately, it's a disappointing title.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for GBA is ok, but if you've played it on one of the home consoles, then you've played it already. I'd still get it before Dungeon Explorer, though.

I've read reviews that say that the new Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for DS has a good dungeon crawl side to it, but personally I'm getting tired of the chibi (cute) charadesign in handheld RPGs. Before getting it, check out gameplay videos of the game on youtube (search for Ring of Fates or Crystal Chronicles DS).

[Snapple]

Whatever you do, don't get Tao's Adventure. It's the sequel to Azure Dreams, which was a tremendous dungeon crawler for PS1. Tao's Adventure is pure ass though.

[Jorpho]

There sem to be lots of fans of Etrian Odyssey, if that's what you mean by "dungeon crawler".

For truly mindless maiming and treasure hunting, Contact should do you good.

[namzep]

Does anyone know if the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games are any good? They look kind of interesting.

I've been looking for the original Etrian Odyssey for awhile. Do you need to have played the first one to understand the story for the second? I have Dark Alliance for my Gamecube but I may have to look into getting it for the GBA (I play portables much more than my home systems). Contact may have to be my next pickup (I love Atlus RPGs).

[Lady Jaye]

Ooooh, thanks Jorpho for the heads up about Etrian Odyssey!!! It's on my want list now.

[Gapporin]

I've heard good things about Mystery Dungeon: Shiren The Wanderer,but I've not yet played it myself, so I cannot give my own opinion of it.

[carlcarlson]

Orcs and Elves is supposed to be pure hack n slash, but I also think it got bad reviews. Summon Night: Twin Age has been compared to Diablo, but I haven't played it either. It looks pretty decent though, and it might be your best bet.

If you're looking for a Diablo experience I don't think either Etrian Odyssey or Contact are going to do you much good. Etrian Odyssey is a dungeon crawl to be sure, but it's definitely not hack n slash or mindless. I haven't played Contact, but nothing about it really screams hack n slash dungeon crawl to me. I'm looking to pick it up, but not to scratch my Diablo itch.

[Cantaloup]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and Shiren the Wanderer are both excellent if you like rogue-like games (sort of turn-based versions of Diablo). I'd recommend Shiren over PMD if you're considering both, but PMD is good too. Orcs and Elves is a first person, turn-based dungeon exploration game. It's pretty good, although the length is fairly short and there is limited replay value; the dungeons are not randomized so it's the same every time.

If you're looking for real-time action dungeon crawlers, you might check into The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King for the GBA. They are basically Diablo clones set in the LOTR story. There's also a new Gauntlet game coming out for the DS later this month.

[dsullo]

I completed Orcs and Elves on Normal Mode. While I found it limited due to the last of different weapons. I found it somewhat charming and old school. It held my attention enough to finish the game. If you can find it cheap, its worth a look. If they make a part 2 I will buy it.

[mailman187666]

I'll second the etrian oddysey games also. They are first person turnbased dungeon crawlers, but as an owner of both, I recommend them if that is the style of game you are looking for. Lots of grinding in it and lots of oldschool style to it.

[calthaer]

Etrian Odyssey is kind of the definitive dungeon crawler on the DS, to be quite honest. But it's hard(er) to find now and of course the price has gone up a tad from its initial offering - usually around $40, which is what I paid some months ago.

Definitely worth playing...not quite as good as the old-school Bard's Tale, but...

Too bad nobody makes an Apple II / Amiga emulator for the DS.

[Jorpho]

Deep Labyrinth is also an old-school first person dungeon crawler.

[Gapporin]

Too bad nobody makes an Apple II / Amiga emulator for the DS.

Ah, but there is!

[Trebuken]

Seriously...everyone needs to play Puzzle Quest...RPG in disguise...

[namzep]

Seriously...everyone needs to play Puzzle Quest...RPG in disguise...

I second that. One of the more interesting RPGs I've played in recent memory. Can't wait for the second one to come out.

I've seen a bunch of good suggestions in the thread and think I may have to try and track down Etrian Odyssey (or I might just get the second one). Would I be totally lost playing it before the original?

[calthaer]

Ah, but there is!

YOU, SIR, ARE = TEH R0><0R!
My day has now been made. Now I need to find somebody who can transfer my old Bard's Tale saves to my PC, and I will take up the mantle once again.

EDIT: Seriously...I wish I had some meseta to reward fellow posters with.

[hbkprm]

i have to give props to deep labrynth

[namzep]

I ended up picking up Orcs and Elves to play around with (it was only $10) but will look into picking up some of the other games this weekend.

[walrusmonger]

Deep Lab. was great, but I would have to go with Etrian 1 or 2 (both are fantastic and they're pretty much exactly the same in the gameplay department)