Underground setting is rare and interesting! Especially now that people are entertaining the conspiracies like hollow earth, Agartha, Hyperborea, DUMBs (deep underground military bases), and connected hidden tunnel systems. That’s why, I did some research and found 15 interesting games set in underground, subterranean cities, caves, and tunnels. I hope you find them interesting as well.
First 10 games entirely set in underground environment. The rest, either partly set in undergrounds or about visits underground areas for a chapter. So, pick the game that suits you the best.
10 games set in underground environment:
1. Undertale
You fell underground into the world of monsters, now you must find your way out or stay trapped forever! Basically, that’s the story of Undertale.
It’s a pixel RPG heavily focused on the concept of choices / consequences. Killing is unnecessary in Undertale, you can talk your way out in every situation. But that’s just one way of playing. Going dark side is fun too.
What’s down below? Oh, just reptilians, demons, skeletons, goat-humanoid hybrids, robots with souls, etc.
2. Noita
3. The Forgotten City
Story of The Forgotten City starts in modern times Tiber River, Italy. You’re looking for a disappeared explorer in the ruins nearby. As you explore the ruins yourself, you’ve find yourself in an underground city, unable to escape.
The strange thing about this city is, the moment you enter, you travel 2000 years into the past. Now you must unravel the mystery behind the destruction of this underground city. See, the game is a mix between detective / RPG genres.
City is filled with statues. These statues will attack and kill everyone if a crime is committed. Your job is to prevent it from happening.
4. UnderRail
5. Legend of Grimrock
6. The Longing
7. Kentucky Route Zero
8. Sunless Sea
9. Scanner Sombre
10. Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason
Delisted from Steam and GOG in 2013. In order to play you gotta find a physical copy or download it from shady parts of internet.
11. Arx Fatalis
12. Ultima Underworld 1 & 2
13. Assassin’s Creed Revelations
Assassin’s Creed Revelations is the last game of Ezio’s trilogy. In the game his saga ends then Assassin’s Creed III releases.
Anyways, Assassin’s Creed Revelations is set in Constantinople (Istanbul) during feud between the Ottomans and the Byzantines. Most of the game you hang out in Istanbul. But during a certain quest, you visit Derinkuyu / Malakopeia – Cappadocia in Assassin’s Creed Revelations. Which is a subterranean city build by Phrygians in the 8th–7th centuries BC.
The underground cities and structures of Derinkuyu are carved out of unique geological formations. They may have been used as hiding places during times of raids. The locations are now archaeological tourist attractions.
14. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of my favorite RPG releases of the recent years. It’s party and turn based tactical RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons lore.
In the game, there is a place called Underdark, which is a magical underground location with its own biome, residents, and secrets.
15. Metro Franchise
Metro franchise explores a world that is destroyed by nuclear apocalypse. As a result of that, people went to underground metros to live. Because the air outside is poisonous and mutants inhabit the what’s remaining.
So, you get to go outside from time to time in Metro games. But most of your playtime will be in underground metros facing various factions, mutants, etc.