Say “long development” and people often picture games like Star Citizen and Grand Theft Auto 6, but Caves of Qud dwarfs both. After 15 years of development, this roguelike RPG has finally got a release date trailer with a December 5 target. Judged by the retro graphics alone you might wonder where all that dev time went. Yet, like the sprawling dungeons in the wilds beyond Joppa, there are layers of hidden depth here. Few games of any genre rival the complexity of Qud. Beneath the simple tileset and monster sprites is an RPG enthusiast’s dream, with some of the deepest gameplay and worldbuilding around. Here’s why Caves of Qud took so long.
Caves of Qud 1.0 Gets a December Release Date
With more than 60 persistent factions covering everything from dogs and cultists to anthropomorphic camel merchants, just getting your head around social relationships can take dozens of hours in Qud. As a roguelike, the game is every bit as lethal as Frostpunk 2, but here the focus is on a single hero, not a frost-locked city. Thanks to the 70 mutations, dozens of cybernetic implants, and plentiful skills, Caves of Qud has some of the best build variety this side of Path of Exile. In addition to finishing the main story, 1.0 will also improve the tutorial experience, making its massive world more inviting than ever.
Qud‘s complexity is a huge factor in the game’s long development. Monsters and NPCs are fully simulated, just like the player. That means levels, faction allegiances, and severable body parts. Tired of questing? Wander into the swamps, psychically dominate a croc, and chow down on the local fauna as your best reptile self. Annoyed by a wall in your way? Melt it with lava, dissolve it with acid, or break it with a pickaxe. Every time you think you’ve found the bottom, there’s another layer to peel back. You can dive into the caves yourself when Caves of Qud gets its 1.0 release on December 5.
