Caves of Qud

Open-world science-fantasy roguelike shaped by mutations, factions, and physical simulation

Freehold Games · Published by Kitfox Games · Released Dec 5, 2024

Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive; 95% of 13K
Recent reviews: Very Positive; 93% of 91 in 30 days
Playing now: 145; peak 24h 314
Steam Deck: Verified
Last update: 1 month ago; Aug 8, 2026

What is Caves of Qud?

A single-player, open-world science-fantasy RPG and traditional roguelike set among the ruins of ancient civilizations. You create a mutant or cybernetically augmented character, explore procedurally generated regions and caves, take quests, manage faction relationships, and handle turn-based encounters through combat, skills, and environmental interactions while investigating whether Qud is dying or changing.

For you if...

+you enjoy difficult turn-based roguelikes built around repeated runs
+you like experimenting with mutations, implants, factions, and environments
+you value unusual science-fantasy worldbuilding and dense prose

Not for you if...

−you want a gentle learning curve and clear guidance
−you prefer straightforward visuals and simple controls
−you dislike repetition and abrupt, poorly explained deaths

What players say

95% of 12,666 reviews are positive · 93% of 91 in the last 30 days

Players most often praise the science-fantasy setting, prose, character-building freedom, and surprising interactions among factions, creatures, and environments. The most common complaints are a steep, poorly explained learning curve, opaque controls and visuals, repetitive exploration and combat, and procedural encounters that can feel arbitrary or unbalanced.