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Originally Posted by Derren  I don't really see much of a sandbox here. The only freedom the PCs basically have is that they can choose their railroad (5 room dungeon).
But then, I think dungeons are the worst environment for sandbox games anyway. |
I think you've missed the point of the Megadungeon, which is the antithesis of railroad dungeon design.
The Megadungeon is basically a campaign setting, that setting being the Underworld. How the players function in and around the Megadungeon is intended to be entirely up to them, whereas the normal dungeon, or "lair" as many megadungeon afficinados call them, is intended to be linear, with one way in, one way out, and one goal to accomplish.
The Megadungeon is a living breathing sandbox that can be the centerpiece of a campaign, without restricting the players to a single course of action. Numerous adventures can be had outside the dungeon, without ever decreasing its importance. PCs may build baronies or even kingdoms of their own in the lands surrounding the MegaDungeons.
I'm probably not describing this as well or as succinctly as I could, so I'd recommend checking out the wonderful Megadungeon threads on Dragonsfoot and Knights-n-Knaves Alehouse, or researching the many anecdotes about the original MegaDungeons: Greyhawk and Blackmoor.
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