Caves of Qud is a science fantasy roguelike epic steeped in retrofuturism, deep simulation, and swathes of sentient plants. Come inhabit an exotic world and chisel through layers of thousand-year-old civilizations.
The game allows you to interact with the environment in flexible and creative ways. Every element, from walls to objects, has specific properties that you can manipulate. You can dig through walls with tools, melt them with heat, or even eat through them with corrosive mutations. This level of interactivity enables you to find unique solutions to problems by leveraging the simulation.
Every non-player character, whether a monster, animal, or sentient plant, has their own attributes, skills, equipment, and faction allegiances. These creatures behave in complex, unpredictable ways, and you can even take control of them through various mutations and abilities, such as psionic domination. This depth of simulation contributes to the game's sense of a living, breathing world.
The game features a deep and complex faction system that governs the relationships between over 70 different factions, ranging from apes and crabs to robots and highly entropic beings. You can choose to align yourself with different factions, which can have significant consequences on your gameplay experience. The faction system adds an additional layer of strategy and depth to the decision-making process.
You can choose from over 70 different mutations, ranging from wings and multiple heads to teleportation and cloning abilities. Additionally, you can equip a variety of cybernetic implants that grant you unique abilities and powers. This level of customization allows you to create truly unique and specialized characters that cater to your playstyle.
The game's procedurally generated world, combined with its deep simulation and complex systems, creates an environment that is constantly in flux and rife with unexpected outcomes. You often encounter unique and bizarre situations that you must navigate through a combination of strategy, creativity, and quick-thinking, resulting in highly memorable and personal experiences.
The turn-based combat system offers a wide range of solutions for you to utilize. In addition to traditional melee and ranged weapons, you can leverage your mutations, implants, artifacts, and skills to come up with creative and tactical approaches to combat. This versatility allows you to approach each encounter in a unique way, further contributing to the game's replayability.
The game's complex systems, emergent mechanics, and procedural generation create a gameplay experience that is both highly replayable and depth. You can spend hundreds of hours exploring the rich world, experimenting with different character builds, and uncovering new and surprising interactions. This depth is a key factor in the game's longevity and appeal.