Caves of Qud
{{short description|2024 roguelike role-playing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Caves of Qud
|image = Caves of Qud low-res header image.jpg
|caption =
|developer = Freehold Games
|series =
|engine =
|genre = Roguelike
|modes = Single-player
|platforms = Windows, Mac OS, Linux
|designer = {{plainlist|
- Brian Bucklew
- Jason Grinblat{{cite web |title=Freehold Games |url=http://www.freeholdgames.com/ |website=freeholdgames.com |accessdate=18 December 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218212855/http://www.freeholdgames.com/ |url-status=live|archivedate=18 December 2019}}
- Caelyn Sandel{{cite web |title=Press Kit – Caves of Qud |url= https://www.cavesofqud.com/press-kit/ |publisher=Freehold Games}}
- Nick DeCapua
}}
| artist = {{plainlist|
- Samuel Wilson
}}
| composer = {{plainlist|
}}
}}
Caves of Qud is a roguelike role-playing video game developed by American{{cite web |title=Press |url=https://freeholdgames.com/Press/ |website=freeholdgames.com |accessdate=28 April 2023 |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524170326/https://freeholdgames.com/Press/ |url-status=live }} studio Freehold Games set in an open world that is partially pre-made and partially randomly generated.{{cite web |title=It's best to play this roguelike the same way you'd read The Grapes of Wrath |url=https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/best-play-roguelike-read-grapes-wrath/ |website=Kill Screen |accessdate=18 December 2019 |date=7 August 2015 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219003926/https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/best-play-roguelike-read-grapes-wrath/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Roguelike Lets You Kill Your Evil Twin With Mind Bullets |url=https://kotaku.com/roguelike-lets-you-kill-your-evil-twin-with-mind-bullet-1794265424 |website=Kotaku |date=12 April 2017 |accessdate=18 December 2019 |language=en-us |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219004021/https://kotaku.com/roguelike-lets-you-kill-your-evil-twin-with-mind-bullet-1794265424 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Caves of Qud Gameplay Overview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRolH9MWEFE |publisher=Polygon |language=en |access-date=2019-12-18 |archive-date=2020-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905160943/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRolH9MWEFE&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first1=Dominic |last1=Tarason |title=These 3 roguelikes are pushing the genre's boundaries while remaining true to its roots |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/these-3-roguelikes-are-pushing-the-genres-boundaries-while-remaining-true-to-its-roots/#caves-of-qud |website=Pc Gamer |accessdate=18 December 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218203601/https://www.pcgamer.com/these-3-roguelikes-are-pushing-the-genres-boundaries-while-remaining-true-to-its-roots/|date=3 October 2017 |archivedate=18 December 2019 |quote=The spirit of Rogue lives on in this trio of indie roguelike trailblazers. |url-status=live}} The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic science fantasy setting and is inspired by the pen-and-paper role-playing games Gamma World and Dungeons & Dragons.{{cite web |title=Procedurally Generating History in Caves of Qud |via = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0sLa1y3BW4 |accessdate=18 December 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218204040/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0sLa1y3BW4 |archivedate=18 December 2019 |language=en |url-status=live}}
Development
Freehold Games began development on Caves of Qud in 2007, with the first public beta released in 2010. Caves of Qud was released on Steam in 2015, under their early access model.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/games/roguelike/legendary-roguelike-rpgs-9-years-in-steam-early-access-was-possible-as-devs-wanted-a-positive-lifestyle-and-great-game-rather-than-maximum-profit/ | title = Legendary roguelike RPG's 9 years in Steam Early Access was possible as devs wanted a "positive lifestyle and great game, rather than maximum profit" | first = Catherine| last = Lewis | date = July 28, 2023 | accessdate = December 31, 2024 | work = GamesRadar+ }} Content was gradually added through weekly updates.
In July 2023, Kitfox Games, the publisher of the Steam version of Dwarf Fortress, announced that they would be publishing the 1.0 version of Caves of Qud the following year.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/dwarf-fortresss-publisher-is-now-helping-the-best-early-access-roguelike-across-the-finish-line-after-8-years-on-steam/ | title = Dwarf Fortress's publisher is now helping the best early access roguelike across the finish line after 8 years on Steam | first = Fraser | last = Brown | date = July 28, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = PC Gamer | archive-date = July 28, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230728174617/https://www.pcgamer.com/dwarf-fortresss-publisher-is-now-helping-the-best-early-access-roguelike-across-the-finish-line-after-8-years-on-steam/ | url-status = live }} The game was fully released on December 5, 2024.{{Cite web |title=Save 15% on Caves of Qud on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/333640/Caves_of_Qud/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}
Gameplay
File:Caves of Qud reputation change screenshot with modern UI.jpeg
Contrary to other traditional roguelikes such as NetHack, Caves of Qud has a quest system as a core mechanic. Some quests are scripted, while others are procedurally generated.{{cite web|first1=Jonathan|last1=Bolding |title=Caves of Qud introduces a sprawling new dungeon: The Tomb of the Eaters|website=PC Gamer|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/caves-of-qud-introduces-a-sprawling-new-dungeon-the-tomb-of-the-eaters/ |accessdate=2020-07-23|date=18 July 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723090653/https://www.pcgamer.com/caves-of-qud-introduces-a-sprawling-new-dungeon-the-tomb-of-the-eaters/ |archive-date=2020-07-23}} Players can choose to follow the main quest line, but can also choose to ignore it and play the game without following the pre-written plot. When creating a character, the player can choose between playing as a True Kin or a mutant. True Kin, being unmutated humans, have higher base stats and access to cybernetic augmentations, while mutants can possess physical and mental mutations offering a wide range of utility. By default, the player character will start in the unique village of Joppa, but it is also possible to choose to spawn in a procedurally generated town.
Caves of Qud has "deeply simulated physical and political systems" which are randomly generated and different each session. At the start of each run, the game generates a set of historical events and group relationships centered around a set of five randomly generated ancient rulers, dubbed Sultans. It takes inspiration from the history systems of the games Dwarf Fortress and Epitaph. The procedural history system is based on historical accounts such as word of mouth and ancient texts, allowing for bias and conflicting perspectives.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| state = collapsed
| MC = 91/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/caves-of-qud/ |title=Caves of Qud for PC Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=31 December 2024}}
| OC = 92%{{cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/17907/caves-of-qud |title=Caves of Qud |website=OpenCritic |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=31 December 2024}}
| Edge = 8/10{{Cite magazine |date=24 January 2025 |title=Caves of Qud |magazine=Edge |pages=104 |issue=407}}
| EuroG = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/caves-of-qud-review|title=Caves of Qud review - come in and get lost|last=Donlan|first=Christopher|date=10 December 2024|website=Eurogamer|access-date=31 December 2024}}
| PCGUS = 94%{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/caves-of-qud-review/|title=Caves of Qud review: An epic science-fantasy RPG and a new great in the genre. |last=Bolding|first=Jonathan|date=5 December 2024|website=PC Gamer|access-date=31 December 2024}}
}}
=Early Access=
While most reviewers during the game's early access period rated the game highly for being more accessible than other roguelikes, some found the game's interface confusing.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Adam |title=Have You Played… Caves Of Qud? |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/09/have-you-played-caves-of-qud/ |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |date=9 June 2017 |access-date=18 December 2019 |archive-date=25 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725063754/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/06/09/have-you-played-caves-of-qud/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first1=Marsh |last1=Davies |title=Premature Evaluation: Caves of Qud |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/20/caves-of-qud-review-early-access/ |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |accessdate=18 December 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218205110/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/20/caves-of-qud-review-early-access/ |archivedate=18 December 2019 |date=20 July 2015|url-status=live}}
=Full Release=
The version 1.0 release of Caves of Qud received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Caves of Qud for "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year" at the 28th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/awards/506810/dice-awards-nominations-2025 | title = Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a GOTY front-runner at the DICE Awards | first = Oli | last = Welsh | date = January 10, 2025 | accessdate = January 11, 2025 | work = Polygon }}
Caves of Qud won the Excellence In Narrative Award at the 2025 Independent Games Festival.{{cite web |last1=Elderkin |first1=Beth |title='Consume Me' Wins Grand Prize, Nuovo Award at the 2025 IGF Awards |url=https://gdconf.com/news/consume-me-wins-grand-prize-nuovo-award-2025-igf-awards | date= 19 March 2025 |access-date=27 March 2025 |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.cavesofqud.com/}}
Category:Roguelike video games
Category:Role-playing video games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in the United States