Dark and Darker is a unique dungeon crawler merging adrenaline-fueled multiplayer with survival. Let’s see if any other title can deliver a similar experience!

Imagine a world where a group of daredevils explores gloomy dungeons and constantly confronts other players and AI-managed bloodthirsty monsters.

That’s Dark and Darker! Not many video games can guarantee a similarly thrilling experience – but we collected a few that may appeal to fans of this spine-chilling title.

GameReleaseGenreDeveloper
Hunt Showdown 1896 2018-02-22 Action Crytek Frankfurt
Escape From Tarkov 2017-07-27 Shooter Battlestate Games
Mordhau 2019-04-29 Indie Triternion
Darkest Dungeon II 2023-05-08 Indie Red Hook Studios
Darkest Dungeon Ancestral Edition 2017-06-19 Indie Red Hook Studios
Warhammer Vermintide 2 2018-03-08 Cooperation Fatshark
Rising Storm 2 Vietnam 2017-05-30 Action & Shooter Tripwire Interactive
Legend Of Grimrock 2 2014-10-15 Adventure Almost Human Ltd.
Slashers Keep 2020-11-19 Indie Damian Schloter
Valheim 2021-02-02 Sanbox, survival Iron Gate Studios
Gauntlet Slayer Edition 2014-09-23 Adventure Arrowhead Game Studios
Barony 2015-06-23 Adventure Turning Wheel LLC

Hunt: Showdown

Release date:2018-02-22
Genre:Action
Developer:Crytek Frankfurt

If you crave adrenaline, this is your ultimate must-play. Take part in a brutal hunt for hellish monsters overrunning 19th-century Louisiana to see if you are worthy of surviving this trial.

Hunt: Showdown combines survival, battle royale, and classic shooter to deliver a very Dark and Darker-like combination of PvE and PvP. Be careful, as being an experienced hunter does not necessarily mean you can deal with monsters and other players. Prepare well, get the trophy, and banish the beasts once and for all!

Key features
  • Hunt hellish beasts in 19th-century Louisiana
  • Confront unimaginable horrors and other players
  • Make good use of the available weapons and get the trophy
  • Enjoy unforgiving multiplayer competition

Escape from Tarkov

Release date:2017-07-27
Genre:Shooter
Developer:Battlestate Games

Discover a game where story quest completion meets PvE and PvP for the ultimate adrenaline-fueled experience.

When Terra Group and the Russian authorities enter the conflict, two groups of mercenaries must solve the problem in the fictional city of Tarkov. Choose the USEC or BEAR side and try to survive bandit attacks, exhaustion, the hostile attitude of other players, and many things that will want to kill you. Constructing a base and collaborating with others may help!

Key features
  • Choose from two factions to fight in a closed area of Tarkov
  • Enjoy intense PvE and PvP battles
  • Gather and craft necessary equipment
  • Play solo or in multiplayer

Rising Storm 2: Vietnam

Release date:2017-05-30
Genre:Action & Shooter
Developer:Tripwire Interactive

This multiplayer tactical first-person shooter takes players to times of the Vietnam War to put up to 64 soldiers in large-scale battles against each other.

Rising Storm 2 lets you pick one of two fighting factions – North (National Liberation Front and North Vietnamese Army) against South (Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Australian Army, United States Army, and United States Marine Corps). Their abilities are asymmetrical, as the North and South use unique skills to take over the battlefield. Thanks to that, the game offers epic replayability enriched with more than 20 unique maps, 3 modes, over 50 weapons, and 4 helicopters.

Key features
  • Choose from two factions (six armies) using unique sets of abilities
  • Play on more than 20 maps
  • Use over 50 highly realistic weapons and 4 helicopters
  • Try out 3 unique game modes

Legend of Grimrock 2

Release date:2014-10-15
Genre:Adventure
Developer:Almost Human Ltd.

Like Dark and Darker, Legend of Grimrock 2 is a dungeon-crawling game sharing a similar overall vibe to the story – but it’s recommended for solo players since it’s single-player only.

Unlike its predecessor, LoG 2 allows you to explore dungeons and the surface. The player’s task is to create a squad of four convicts trying to survive on the mysterious Nex Island. Prepare, as you’ll get more than 20 hours of terrifying adventure, 42 different types of monsters, and omnipresent secrets that may or may not prove dangerous to your characters’ health. Choose from 5 unique races and 8 character classes to create your dream team and endure this challenging trial.

Key features
  • Lead a group of four prisoners sent to Nex Island
  • Choose from 5 races and 8 character classes to further develop their unique skills
  • Explore dungeons and surfaces in search of riches and secrets
  • Defeat 42 different types of monsters that inhabit this cursed place

Mordhau

Release date:2019-04-29
Genre:Indie
Developer:Triternion

It is a third-person multiplayer slasher set in medieval times – but what makes it remarkably similar to Dark and Darker are the modded servers featuring massive dungeons.

Design your warrior in detail to participate in gigantic 64-player battles, cooperate with others in Horde mode, or practice your skills offline. This game focuses on intense combat using melee weapons, but you must remember heavier equipment makes you slower. If all this doesn’t sound fun enough, consider playing dungeon-based servers like Aeternis, where hordes of monsters and other players await you in gloomy undergrounds.

Key features
  • Design the perfect warrior and choose a game mode
  • Develop your signature fighting style in brutal battles
  • Choose from alternative Dark and Darker-like modded servers
  • Play solo or in epic multiplayer

Slasher’s Keep

Release date:2020-11-19
Genre:Indie
Developer:Damian Schloter

This single-player first-person roguelite is similar to Dark and Darker due to its dark setting, intense combat, and omnipresent loot!

Trapped in Slasher’s Keep, the ultimate prison for the worst criminals, you must do everything to escape the place. Prepare for randomly generated levels, spectacular melee combat, magic, and many items to increase your stats. There are two playable characters, but you can unlock more. Be careful because each death means a new dungeon to explore, and only a few items from the previous run may remain in your inventory.

Key features
  • Try to escape from the highest-security prison, Slasher’s Keep
  • Explore randomly generated levels and confront a variety of enemies
  • Loot everything and raise your stats
  • Start over after each death

Valheim

Release date:2021-02-02
Genre:Sanbox, survival
Developer:Iron Gate Studios

If you’re looking for challenging PvE, punishing mechanics, and fantastic replayability like in Dark and Darker, this recommendation has you covered.

The titular Valheim is a dangerous Viking-type of limbo testing whether dead warriors are worthy of Valhalla. As you find yourself in this place, you must prepare for brutal fights with ancient beasts, building a settlement, cooking food, and conquering unknown lands – solo or in cooperation!

Key features
  • Survive the highly dangerous Viking purgatory, Valheim
  • Collect resources and build a thriving settlement
  • Fight legendary beasts and conquer new lands
  • Play solo or in co-op for up to 10 players

Gauntlet

Release date:2014-09-23
Genre:Adventure
Developer:Arrowhead Game Studios

Gauntlet features a very similar dark fantasy dungeon-crawler vibe and co-op mechanics – it may make an excellent Dark and Darker alternative.

Choose from four available characters (Wizard, Warrior, Valkyrie, or Elf) to embark on a dangerous journey through dark dungeons. Use unique powers and skills of your class in battle against supernatural enemies, loot, avoid traps, and obtain super-valuable relics to upgrade your stats. It’s the perfect recommendation for 4-player co-op enthusiasts.

Key features
  • Choose one of four unique characters
  • Explore dark dungeons to collect unimaginable riches
  • Fight to utilize your class’s best skills
  • Play solo or in co-op for up to 4 players

Barony

Release date:2015-06-23
Genre:Adventure
Developer:Turning Wheel LLC

Since it is the most DaD-like recommendation on this list, you can expect a similar setting, PvE dungeon crawling, and epic loot on your way to ultimate victory.

Barony is a pixel-style dungeon crawler where up to four players decide to take down the evil Baron Herx. Choose from over twenty available character classes, personalize your look, and fight in the gloomy dungeons! It is a challenging game featuring permadeath, but you can help your team as a ghost using his supernatural powers.

Key features
  • Assemble your team and defeat the evil Baron Herx
  • Choose from 21 classes and personalize your character’s appearance
  • Beware of permadeath
  • Play solo or in co-op for up to 4 players

Conclusion

Isn’t it great that so many titles share our favorite features with Dark and Darker?

Now, you can loot, crawl, fight, and enjoy the murky atmosphere of entirely different environments full of similar details. Off you go to enjoy your brand-new DaD-like alternatives!