For those looking for the subtle nuance in game definitions of the manifestly moon mad fan of dungeon diving.
Adventure Game
An adventure game as a type of game where the focus is on exploring a grander scale, often with outdoor or overland settings, as opposed to the more focused, detailed environments typical of dungeon crawls. In adventure games, the camera is “zoomed out,” presenting a wide-angle view of the game world, allowing players to experience a variety of encounters and events. These games usually involve roleplaying as characters who level up by acquiring new skills and loot. They often emphasize storytelling, with the player connecting the dots between different encounters to create their own narrative. Adventure games typically offer a sandbox feel, where the players have the freedom to explore the world in various directions, with the variety of events being a significant factor in the game’s appeal.
Dungeon Crawl
A dungeon crawl is a game in which the players move their characters through an enclosed space comprised of corridors, hallways, chambers, and rooms, or the characters are abstractly moving through a similar, dungeon-like environment. The dungeon does not need to be a literal dungeon, but it could be a spaceship, a cave, or even an old house. They tend to be more narrowly focused, with a zoomed-in POV, as opposed to the kind of wide-angle lens view found in many overland adventure games. These games often focus on interior locations, with characters who progress by gaining new skills, abilities, and loot, usually by defeating things in battle, overcoming challenges, tests, and traps, and exploring dangerous environments. The focus of these games is often on direct conflict, with lots of action and tension.