There is no shortage of excellent roguelikes on Steam, and Caves of Qud stands out as one of the highest-rated for good reason. Since its early access launch in July 2015, it has achieved an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ 95% rating on Steam. A substantial update has been released, introducing a plethora of new activities and discoveries. While it may not boast the same level of recognition as titles like Hades, Dead Cells, Spelunky, Dwarf Fortress, or The Binding of Isaac, Caves of Qud is undoubtedly a must-play roguelike.
The Creatures of the Seventh Plague, a substantial update for one of Steam’s premier roguelike games, is described by the developer, Freehold Games, as a “year-long patch” and one of the most significant expansions since the game’s launch. Set in a intricately simulated world featuring physical and political systems, this roguelike offers a compelling narrative where players can assume diverse roles, ranging from a gunslinger to a telepath. Players interact with various NPCs, confront a variety of adversaries, and make impactful decisions in a game known for its deeply memorable story.
In this new chapter in the game’s main quest, you’ll meet the Girsh Nephilim across five new dungeons and get your hands on all manner of new gear, skills, furniture, items, implants and more, including late-game mecha that you can make use of to overcome its toughest tests. There are also grappling guns, new cybernetics, a rework to the first aid systems, a new single weapon fighting skill tree and hefty rebalancing to dual wielding, and plenty more.
The eponymous ‘Seventh plague of the Gyre,’ the Girsh Nephilim are mythical beings that serve as the next step in the extensive Caves of Qud main questline. You’ll have to track these to the cradles that they call their home in order to put a stop to this threat, but watch out: with each nephilim you kill, the remaining few absorb its essence, becoming even more powerful.
Freehold Games announces that The Creatures of the Seventh Plague “will be our last major update to Caves of Qud before we shift our focus completely to the 1.0 release.” The team has previously stated that wrapping up the main narrative arc is its core focus, so expect to see that then – although we’ll probably be waiting a while longer for it yet.
For now, though, Caves of Qud: The Creatures of the Seventh Plague is out now on Steam. It’s a free update for all players. You can check out the full details courtesy of Freehold Games, and get your copy of Caves of Qud via Steam – expect to pay $19.99 / £15.49 to discover why it’s so beloved.
Looking for more of the deepest and best simulation games? We’ve picked out the most essential names. You might also be curious what the best free Steam games are, and we’ve made sure to highlight those as well.
You can also follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides.