15 Dungeon-Creation Games Every Builder Should Try

There’s something undeniably captivating about stepping into the shoes of a villain every now and then. While most games revolve around the hero’s journey—saving the world and emerging victorious—a different allure arises from games where the player embodies the antagonist, striving to build their ideal dungeon lair.

Although this concept may seem a bit niche, there are quite a few games that cater to this desire. These games might differ significantly in their mechanics and genres, but they all share a common theme: the player’s goal is to manage or construct a dungeon while fending off intruders.

In traditional games, players often protect a town or region from monsters by hiring heroes, upgrading buildings, or crafting new weapons. However, dungeon management games flip this concept. Players typically assume the role of the villain, managing their own dungeon, and must prevent adventurers and heroes from breaching it. This can be achieved through the use of traps, summoning monsters, creating labyrinths, and more. Despite the variety, it can be challenging to perfect this type of game. Below is a glimpse at some standout titles in this unique genre, along with what makes them great examples.

1. Dungeon Tycoon

The newest addition to this list, Dungeon Tycoon, was released less than a month ago (at the time of writing), and it has already established itself as one of the top dungeon management games. Although it may not have the same level of complexity as some other entries, it strikes an ideal balance. With its charming voxel-inspired art style, the challenge of deciding whether to kill or allow heroes to progress, and the extensive control players have over every detail of their dungeon, Dungeon Tycoon offers an outstanding experience.

One of the game’s most distinctive features is the balance between killing and exploiting heroes. Eliminating too many heroes may result in fewer ‘customers,’ though this allows the player to accumulate more souls for upgrades. However, allowing heroes to progress too far will cause them to become stronger, potentially outmatching the player’s monsters. The story may not be the game’s strongest point, but the engaging gameplay more than compensates for any narrative shortcomings.

2. Orcs Must Die (Series)

While the Orcs Must Die series might not fully qualify as a dungeon-building game, it fits well enough within this genre to be included. In these games, players construct deadly traps to eliminate waves of orcs, and their task is to eliminate and outsmart the invading forces to rack up combo points and look impressive—especially in co-op mode.

Rather than building a dungeon fortress, Orcs Must Die feels more like constructing something akin to the infamous Sen’s Fortress from Dark Souls—a treacherous dungeon filled with deadly traps at every turn. Although Orcs Must Die: Unchained took a different direction in terms of gameplay, the original Orcs Must Die and Orcs Must Die 3 remain must-plays for those who enjoy tower defense and dungeon-building elements.

3. Impire

Impire is a game that proudly wears its influences—such as Dungeon Keeper and KeeperRL—on its sleeve. However, despite its best efforts, Impire falls short in both gameplay and quality. The game suffers from numerous bugs, good ideas marred by poor execution, and tedious gameplay. But if Impire isn’t widely adored, why include it here?

Given the limited number of games that focus on dungeon-building, it felt necessary to highlight every title that fits this category, even if it has its flaws. Plus, while Impire may not have left a stellar impression on everyone, others might enjoy it differently, so it's worth acknowledging its existence within the genre.

4. Overlord 2

Let's turn our attention to Overlord 2. It's important to distinguish this game from the original Overlord, as the sequel is generally more polished and well-received. When people think about playing as a villain, the Overlord series often comes to mind, even if they haven't actually played it. This could be due in part to memorable marketing for the first game, but also because the gameplay itself has been described as an "evil version of Pikmin."

In Overlord 2, players spend most of their time traversing various biomes, solving puzzles, and toppling a Romanesque empire. While the game's focus isn't heavily on base-building, there is a hub area called the Netherworld. Although you won’t do much actual construction in this hub, you can upgrade and explore it extensively as part of the game’s progression.

5. Evil Genius & Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Next up are two well-known titles in the dungeon-building genre: Evil Genius and its sequel Evil Genius 2: World Domination. Let's focus on Evil Genius 2, which improves upon the original in nearly every aspect. This game takes place after the player has already achieved global domination in the first game. However, that control is starting to slip, so players must design the ultimate lair, recruit minions, and execute schemes to regain total world domination.

For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, Evil Genius 2 offers a sandbox mode, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in lair-building without the pressure of objectives. While the game’s humor remains lighthearted, the mechanics are more intricate than you might expect—an exciting prospect for fans of dungeon management games.

6. Legend Of Keepers: Career Of A Dungeon Master

Now, let’s look at Legend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon Master, a game that fits perfectly into the dungeon-building genre. In this roguelike management sim, players assume the role of a 'Keeper,' an employee of the Dungeons Company, who is tasked with defending the company's treasure-filled dungeon from greedy human adventurers.

Unlike typical dungeon crawlers, where players guide a party of adventurers through trap-laden rooms and monster encounters, Legend of Keepers turns the concept on its head. Players build the dungeon and use monsters and traps to stop the heroes from reaching the Keeper. Along the way, they recruit new monsters, expand their dungeons into new areas, and even partake in company retreats, blending business and dungeon management in a fun, creative way.

7. Dungeons 4 & The Dungeons Franchise

Lastly, we have Dungeons 4, part of a franchise that leans more into dungeon management than defending it. In Dungeons 4, players once again take control of Thayla, an evil and sharp-witted Dungeon Master, who commands an army of "Snots" (small goblin-like creatures) to build the perfect underground dungeon.

The core gameplay revolves around designing and expanding the dungeon itself. While there are action-oriented sections, they are purposefully simplified, allowing the focus to remain on construction and management. Though opinions are divided on whether this installment improves on its predecessor, Dungeons 4 offers plenty of depth for players to lose themselves in for hours.

8. KeeperRL

KeeperRL follows in the footsteps of many dungeon-building games influenced by the classic Dungeon Keeper series. However, this game stands out by leaning more into the roguelike genre compared to the others on this list. While there are frequent comparisons between KeeperRL and Dwarf Fortress, KeeperRL is somewhat simpler but includes both dungeon management and defense in its core gameplay.

Despite its unassuming graphical style, KeeperRL is a complex game with a surprising depth of strategy. Its blend of dungeon building, creature management, and combat gives it a high replay value, making it a favorite among fans of the genre who enjoy strategic planning.

9. War For The Overworld

When it comes to games inspired by Dungeon Keeper, War for the Overworld is arguably the most faithful spiritual successor. Built on the foundation of Dungeon Keeper 2, this game modernizes some of the more dated mechanics while maintaining the charm of its predecessor.

Players can dive into various gameplay modes, including single-player, multiplayer, and custom scenarios created by the community through the Steam Workshop. Its dedication to both staying true to the original formula and offering modern conveniences makes it a beloved title in the dungeon-building genre.

10. Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master

One of the newer entries on this list, Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master blends humor with dungeon management. Though its title may be hard to pronounce, the gameplay is accessible and engaging. In this game, dungeons are managed like companies, and the one players take over has been mismanaged up to this point.

While it bears similarities to other notable titles like Dungeon Keeper 2 and Evil Genius, Naheulbeuk's Dungeon Master introduces new elements to the subgenre, offering a fresh take on dungeon management with its own quirky identity.

11. Boneraiser Minions

Perhaps the most unexpected entry on this list is Boneraiser Minions. This game is more akin to Vampire Survivors than Dungeon Keeper, but it still warrants inclusion due to its dungeon-building mechanics. Players control a "Boneraiser" who continually summons (or "raises") minions to survive against waves of enemies, primarily human invaders.

Each stage is essentially a dungeon that players can enhance with traps and structures to fend off enemies and boost their minions’ effectiveness. The combination of survivor-like gameplay and dungeon-building elements makes Boneraiser Minions a unique and enjoyable experience.

12. Legend Of Grimrock 2's Map Editor

While Legend of Grimrock 2 is primarily a dungeon-crawling game, its map editor mode earns it a spot on this list. The map editor allows players to create custom dungeons that can be explored either solo or shared with others.

The core gameplay of Grimrock already offers hours of enjoyment, and the addition of user-generated content extends the game’s longevity. Fans can continuously create and experience new dungeons, offering nearly endless replayability for players who enjoy both crawling through and designing challenging labyrinths.

13. Steamworld: Build

Though Steamworld might not be the most widely recognized franchise, it has earned a dedicated following over the years. With titles like Steamworld Dig, Steamworld Quest, Steamworld Heist, and even Steamworld Tower Defense, there’s a Steamworld game for nearly every genre.

Now, with Steamworld Build, the series expands into the city-management genre. While the game’s core mechanics don’t revolve around traditional dungeon building, the mines players develop throughout the story essentially function as dungeons. So, even though dungeon construction isn’t the main focus, players end up engaging in dungeon-building gameplay without even realizing it.

14. Buggos

Buggos brings a fresh twist to the dungeon-building genre by blending elements of real-time strategy (RTS). Instead of controlling an evil overlord defending a dungeon from heroes, players lead a race of alien bugs, building their hive and methodically eradicating human bases across the map. With its straightforward yet strategic gameplay and distinctive art style, Buggos offers a unique take on the genre, even if it’s a lesser-known title in the gaming world.

15. Dwarf Fortress

No list of dungeon or base-building games would be complete without mentioning Dwarf Fortress. Widely regarded as one of the most beloved and complex games of all time, it has earned a cult following for its sheer depth and intricacy.

While Dwarf Fortress doesn’t strictly fit into the "dungeon-building" mold, it involves building an underground fortress where players manage the lives of dwarves. The level of detail in the game is staggering, and it offers nearly endless replayability. For anyone looking for a game that can provide years of engagement, Dwarf Fortress is a solid recommendation.

Source: GameRant