---
title: Qud
description: A short review of Caves of Qud, a roguelike video game I've been playing recently.
date: 2025-01-01T10:48:30-08:00
resources:
  - name: screenshot
    src: uumuuyushum.png
    title: >
      My best game so far. A vaguely turtle-shaped (?) being that can emit
      sleeping gas when under threat, is pretty handy with a revolver, and eats
      Snapjaws for breakfast.
  - name: loading-screen
    src: load-uumuuyushum.png
    title: Uumuuyushum, level 10
    params:
      alt: >
        A screenshot of the load game menu showing my most recent game: a
        character named Uumuuyushum with a turtle-like carapace.
tags:
  - Video Games
  - Roguelikes
  - Caves of Qud
---

[Caves of Qud](https://www.cavesofqud.com) is an expansive roguelike game with a
2D top-down perspective, and tons of procedurally generated content. It has a
very <abbr title="The Dev Team Thought of Everything">TDTTOE</abbr> attitude,
much like [Nethack]({{< ref "/nethack" >}}), and is notable for procedurally
generating everything from maps to quests to characters to foundational in-game
lore. Despite that, it does a really great job tying all that random content
together into a cohesive world that feels rich, deep, and ripe for exploration.

{{< figures/image name=loading-screen >}}

After being initially a little put off for it, the recent 1.0 release along with
a bunch of praise from folks I follow on social media persuaded me to grab a
copy. I've put several hours into it now, including spending most of a 6 hour
flight back from the east coast on the screenshotted game, and I am really
enjoying it.

{{< figures/image name=screenshot >}}

Live and drink, friend.