Caves of Qud PC

Caves of Qud is an indie roguelike RPG with a partially randomly generated open world. From 2015 to 2024, the game was available in early access, during which the creators expanded the narrative layer featuring a rich sci-fi universe. The game was made by the Freehold Games studio, which has a similar genre product in its portfolio, titled Sproggiwood.

Plot

The action of Caves of Qud is set in a post-apocalyptic world full of salt deserts. The game features intricately simulated political systems and partially procedurally generated tasks.

During each session, sets of historical events and relationships between a set of five random ancient rulers, called sultans, are generated. The initial location where we start our adventure is the city of Joppa. We can alternatively choose one of the procedural cities.

Gameplay

Before we get caught up in the whirlwind of adventures in the world of Qud, we use an extensive character creator, in which we design our hero. We have two significant paths to choose from in creating our character. Our hero can be an unmutated human or a mutant.

The first choice offers a character with higher base stats and access to dozens of cybernetic enhancements. In turn, the mutations are based on both physical and mental, which we combine from 70 to choose from.

Additionally, we have the opportunity to belong to one of the 24 social castes. The character creator also offers 9 ready-made characters, which will allow to start the game without delving into the details.

The core of the game is the story mission system, which includes those prepared by the creators and those procedurally generated in each session.

Additionally, the authors allow for fun without major limits, meaning we can dig a tunnel anywhere, every wall and blockade can be destroyed or even clone ourselves and by using mind control be our own enemy.

Gameplay and exploration are based on a turn-based system, which offers many move types depending on mutations, implants, artifacts, and abilities.

Game modes

We can choose from four game modes. The first three affect the level of difficulty and type of experience.

The Classic mode offers an extra challenge based on roguelike mechanics, including instant death. In Roleplay, the game is closer to a traditional RPG, with the possibility of saving in settlements. In turn, Wander mode focuses on exploration, and experience is gained solely through discovering new locations.

The fourth Daily mode gives us the opportunity to play a session with a defined character and a specific world. The challenge is to survive as long as possible.

Last updated on 23 October 2024