This console generation has seen the proliferation of certain genres, like two-stick shooters, puzzle-platformers, and online FPS.  Other genres, however, have gotten less and less attention over the last few years.  One of the most neglected genres has been the dungeon crawler.  With the exception of a few mediocre fantasy games and the Marvel Ultimate Alliance series, the genre has largely been ignored since the beginning of HD era.  Where are this generation’s Champions of Norrath, Balder’s Gate, and Bard’s Tale?  Hell, I’d take a Gauntlet update.  Atari and Bedlam Games are looking to do something about it, however, and have announced their next project; Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale, a multiplayer action-RPG for the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and PC.

The four-player hack-and-slasher will challenge players to fight their way through the "Mines of Tethyamar" either online or on a single console, in a bid to restore order to the Dalelands.  As they progress, players will upgrade their weapons, armor, powers, skills, and feats, as they gear up for the final encounter with the evil Rezlas.

The trailer isn’t mind-blowing, but shows what looks to be a capable dungeon crawler.  I’m hopeful that Atari and Bedlam (developers of Scratch: The Ultimate DJ) are able to recapture some of the magic that older dungeon crawlers brought to us.  Some of my fondest memories in gaming took place with three friends fighting skeletons and searching for gold coins in a dank dungeon.