Caves of Qud Review (Android, GeForce Now & PC)

After more than a decade of development, Caves of Qud has earned its place as a truly special game. It combines deep world-building, innovative systems, and unparalleled freedom of choice. With an emphasis on creativity, the game lets players tackle challenges in countless ways, ensuring each playthrough feels unique and full of surprises. While Caves of Qud rewards exploration and experimentation, its complexity raises the question: is it accessible to all players? Let’s dive in and find out.

A World Like No Other

One of the first things that hits players when they start Caves of Qud is how weird and expansive the world is. It’s a post-apocalyptic Earth; however, it’s not of the type we’re used to seeing. The planet is overrun with mutants, strange plants, and high-tech ruins from old civilizations. The game world feels like a mix of retrofuturistic sci-fi and ancient fantasy. 

What really sets Caves of Qud apart is how alive the world feels. It’s not just about exploring random dungeons and fighting monsters. The game’s world is constantly reacting to what you do. Players will encounter factions of strange beings, from intelligent apes to talking trees. Now, here is the interesting part: the factions have their own agendas. That means the world can shift in all sorts of unexpected ways depending on how you interact with them.

Additionally, the level of detail in Caves of Qud is wild. Everything is simulated, from the monsters you fight to the weather patterns. For instance, players can dig through walls if they don’t like the terrain. They can also use fire to clear out a space when they feel particularly destructive. 

Endless Freedom

One of the greatest things about Caves of Qud is the freedom it gives you in terms of your approach to the game. Want to play a mutant who can grow wings and fly around? You can do that. Prefer to be a tech-savvy cyborg with laser eyes and enhanced strength? That’s also an option. The game has more than 70 mutations and a whole bunch of cybernetic upgrades. Consequently, you can pretty much build the character you’ve always dreamed of. Players can sprout extra arms to wield more weapons or become telepathic masterminds who can control animals and creatures around them.

In addition to all this, the game features a deep, layered system of simulation. Creatures aren’t just random enemies; they are complex characters in their own right. They have stats, equipment, and even factions they’re loyal to. Some can be tamed; some can be fought, while some might even become your allies if you play your cards right. The level of interaction with these creatures is impressive. For instance, players might find a spider they can control with their minds. On the other hand, you could encounter a gang of mutant apes that might decide to either help or attack you, depending on your actions.

There’s also a dynamic faction system with over 70 factions, each with its own culture and goals. Players can align with factions, betray them, or stay neutral. However, it’s good to note that your decisions will impact your relationships with everyone around you. Players can side with the robots and help them preserve their ancient knowledge. Alternatively, get cozy with the sentient plants and see how far their power can take you. Ultimately, player choices matter, making the world feel more alive than most roguelike adventure games can manage.

Play Smart

Combat in Caves of Qud isn’t just about hacking and slashing. It’s a strategic, turn-based affair where players carefully strategize their moves. Every battle feels like a puzzle, and players must rely on their character skills, abilities, and environment to come out at the top of the list.

The beauty of the combat system is that it is flexible. It doesn’t lock players into a single playstyle. For instance, a mutant with fire-based abilities can burn enemies to a crisp from a distance. Players who are more tactical can position themselves carefully, using the terrain to their advantage. 

Additionally, some of the environmental hazards in the game are seriously cool. Lava, gas clouds, and other natural dangers can help players take down tougher foes. This means players can use the environment as a crude weapon of destruction.

The turn-based combat is methodical and rewarding. You can take your time to think about your upcoming moves, plan your attacks, and set up traps for enemies. The game doesn’t rush you, and it’s not about being the fastest player. It’s about being the smartest. That said, the challenge is very real. The game can be brutally difficult, especially in permadeath modes, where one wrong move could end your run. But that’s part of the fun: overcoming tough odds and feeling the satisfaction of winning a tough battle.

Endless Possibilities

For a game that’s all about choice, the character creation system in Caves of Qud is one of its most impressive features. The game offers a ton of options for creating an ideal character. Want to be a mutant with the ability to regenerate limbs or teleport across the map? Go for it. Or, probably, you’re more into the idea of being a heavily equipped cyborg with implants like night vision, reinforced skin, and spring-loaded tendons. The possibilities are nearly endless.

Additionally, the game offers more than 70 different mutations to choose from. Interestingly, each one drastically changes the behavior of your characters. You could be a flying mutant, a walking tank, or even a creature with multiple heads, which is as fun as it sounds. To top it off, you can collect dozens of cybernetic implants, each adding new abilities or powers. You can play around with combinations to create a character that suits your playstyle. From the random nature of the game, each run can feel completely different based on the choices you make during character creation.

The many choices can be overwhelming at first, but do not worry; there are preset characters you can pick that come with unique traits. These presets are great for new players who want to dive into the game without spending too much time in the character creation menu. Nevertheless, players can always return to the deeper customization options later.

Variety

Players approach games in diverse ways, and Caves of Qud understands that. For this reason, the game offers multiple modes to cater to a variety of playstyles. The Classic Mode is the hardcore feature where players can’t save their progress once they die. It offers the toughest challenge in the game. However, players who bleed for a good roguelike experience where every decision counts will find this very inviting.

The Roleplay mode is the second alternative playstyle. Here, players can save their progress at certain checkpoints, making the game more forgiving. This option mostly suits players who are more inclined to engage in narrative development and exploration. This mode lets you enjoy the game without the constant panic of death and progress loss.

Wander Mode might be perfect for the times when you don’t prefer combat. In this mode, most creatures won’t attack, and you won’t earn experience through fighting. Instead, experience is gained by exploring new areas and interacting with the legendary creatures of Qud.

Lastly, the Daily Mode allows players to get a new fixed character daily. It’s a fresh daily challenge that gives you only one shot at it. For players who like testing their skills in new and random situations, Daily Mode brings variety to the table. Ultimately, these different modes let you approach the game however you want.

The Bad

Caves of Qud is undoubtedly a fascinating epic roguelike but has flaws. One of the most significant drawbacks is its steep learning curve. Without much guidance or an intuitive tutorial, players are often left to survive on their own. This can lead to frequent deaths, confusion, and frustration as you try to figure out the game’s systems. 

Another downside of Caves of Qud is the lack of clear direction and a structured narrative. While the game’s sandbox nature allows you to explore freely, it can lead to aimlessness. On top of that, the game suffers from occasional performance issues and bugs that can disrupt the flow of the game. Although the 1.0 release has improved stability, players may still encounter crashes or slowdowns. This happens especially in larger areas or during complex simulations. While it’s an incredibly rewarding experience, it can be a challenging and frustrating journey for others.

Verdict

The sheer amount of content and variety in Caves of Qud means you’ll always find something new to discover. The way the game reacts to players’ choices ensures that no two actions are ever the same. It’s a game that rewards creativity, exploration, and thoughtful decision-making. 

While Caves of Qud does have a few drawbacks, it’s still a highly rewarding RPG experience for those who enjoy deep and strategic gameplay. Ultimately, for those looking for a roguelike that is full of surprises, Caves of Qud is worth diving into.