18 Narrative games like Darkest Dungeon® that you should try

It shares the essentials of what Darkest Dungeon® does: punishing difficulty, tactical combat and a medieval setting. Both also lean on single-player focus and 2D presentation. The distance is in setting — its own ground is a cartoon aesthetic.

What brings it close to Darkest Dungeon® is punishing difficulty, tactical combat and a medieval setting, and the two track each other on genre, game mode and tone. The common ground extends to single-player focus and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is setting: a cartoon aesthetic.

The resemblance to Darkest Dungeon® is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus.

The resemblance to Darkest Dungeon® is about as close as this list gets: they line up on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to fantasy world and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is setting and tone: a sci-fi setting.

If Darkest Dungeon® worked for you because of strong narrative focus, tactical combat and fantasy world, the same is here. The common ground extends to single-player focus and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is visuals: an isometric view.

If Darkest Dungeon® worked for you because of strong narrative focus, procedural generation and tactical combat, the same is here. Both also lean on fantasy world and single-player focus. The distance is in progression and setting — its own ground is resource management and pixel art.

It comes from the same genre as Darkest Dungeon® and shares strong narrative focus, procedural generation and tactical combat. To that it adds fantasy world and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings a sci-fi setting and skill tree progression.

Genre puts it alongside Darkest Dungeon®, and so does dark, oppressive atmosphere, tactical combat and horror setting. Both also lean on single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and setting — its own ground is a cyberpunk setting and a third-person camera.

It comes from the same genre as Darkest Dungeon® and shares dark, oppressive atmosphere, tactical combat and horror setting. To that it adds single-player focus. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings a sci-fi setting and a third-person camera.

Shelved next to Darkest Dungeon® for good reason: strong narrative focus, procedural generation and tactical combat. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on tone and progression: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and resource management.

What brings it close to Darkest Dungeon® is strong narrative focus, tactical combat and historical setting, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to loot and gear systems, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is tone and progression: a casual, approachable feel and skill tree progression.

Genre puts it alongside Darkest Dungeon®, and so does strong narrative focus, tactical combat and fantasy world. To that it adds single-player focus. They part company on visuals and tone: this one brings a sci-fi setting and an isometric view.

Shelved next to Darkest Dungeon® for good reason: strong narrative focus, tactical combat and fantasy world. To that it adds single-player focus. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings a sci-fi setting and an isometric view.

On paper it is what Darkest Dungeon® is — strong narrative focus, tactical combat and fantasy world — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds single-player focus. They part company on visuals and tone: this one brings an isometric view.

The genre is the same as Darkest Dungeon®’s, and with it strong narrative focus, tactical combat and fantasy world. Both also lean on single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and setting — its own ground is a sci-fi setting and an isometric view.