Daniel from (@DungeonDive) covers runners-up for his Top 10 Dungeon Crawls and Top 10 Adventure Games, exploring some fantastic titles that didn’t quite make his main lists. He reflects on the challenges of narrowing down so many excellent games and highlights the diversity in both categories.
Dungeon Crawl Runners-Up
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Escape the Dark Castle (2017, Themeborne Limited)
A minimalist, story-driven dungeon crawler. Best enjoyed as a party game, it shines with a group but lacks depth for solo play. -
Secret Unknown Stuff: Escape from Dulce (2018, Sentient Cow Games)
A zany sci-fi crawl through a conspiracy-laden Area 51-style base. Daniel enjoys its quirky characters and unique 3D tower setup. -
Space Cadets: Away Missions (2015, Stronghold Games)
This 1950s-inspired sci-fi dungeon crawl features inventive combat mechanics and thematic charm, though setup can be time-consuming. -
Hellboy: The Board Game (2019, Mantic Games)
A tactical, narrative-rich crawl through the Hellboy universe. Daniel recommends the deluxe Kickstarter edition for its added content. -
HeroQuest (Modern Edition) (Avalon Hill)
A nostalgic favorite with a strong fan community, HeroQuest thrives as a base system for custom adventures. -
Darklight: Memento Mori (2018, Dark Ice Games)
A brutally difficult Warhammer Quest-inspired crawl. While Daniel enjoyed its random questing mode, the campaign proved overly punishing. -
League of Dungeoneers (2022, Von Brau Publishing)
A love letter to Warhammer Quest with a detailed world map and questing system. Initial rulebook issues and complexity limited its appeal. -
Dungeon Universalis (2019, Ludic Dragon Games)
An ambitious and sprawling dungeon crawl blending tactical depth with sandbox exploration. Its complexity kept it off the top 10. -
Shadows of Brimstone (2014, Flying Frog Productions)
A massive, pulp horror-western crawl with countless expansions. Daniel’s hybrid solo RPG approach keeps it enjoyable, but its size and scope are daunting. -
Cthulhu: Death May Die (2019, CMON)
A pulpy, fast-paced Mythos game focusing on battling cultists and great old ones. Modular scenarios and insane investigators make it a standout.
Adventure Game Runners-Up
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BN1 (2022, Bedsit Games)
A charming urban adventure game set in Brighton. Daniel loves its quirky, modern-day setting and flavorful encounters.
https://www.bedsitgames.co.uk/blank-1 -
Fallout: The Board Game (2017, Fantasy Flight Games)
A post-apocalyptic adventure enhanced by expansions like Atomic Bonds. Daniel appreciates its quest system but finds combat a bit fiddly. -
Hand of Fate: Ordeals (2018, Rule & Make Games)
An underrated deck-building roguelike that blends strategy and adventure. Daniel enjoys the endless mode for solo play. -
Tales of the Arabian Nights (2009, Z-Man Games)
A whimsical story-driven adventure game. Its random, humorous encounters encourage players to embrace the journey over the destination. -
Darkest Night (Second Edition) (2018, Victory Point Games)
A detailed, small-step adventure game with 27 unique characters. Its streamlined threat management makes it a standout. -
Freelancers: A Crossroads Game (2023, Plaid Hat Games)
A vibrant mix of role-playing and adventure. Daniel praises its humor, app integration, and innovative character creation, predicting it could climb into his top 10 with more plays. -
Talisman (Second Edition) (1985, Games Workshop)
The definitive roll-and-move adventure game. Daniel treasures its nostalgic charm and house rule potential. -
Defenders of the Realm (2010, Eagle-Gryphon Games)
A fantasy adventure combining threat management with rich, thematic gameplay. Expansions elevate its scope and replayability. -
Fortune and Glory: The Cliffhanger Game (2011, Flying Frog Productions)
A cinematic treasure-hunting adventure filled with pulp action and cliffhanger mechanics. -
Xia: Legends of a Drift System (2014, Far Off Games)
A grand space sandbox where players mine, trade, and battle for fame. Its open-ended design stands out despite a lack of narrative depth.