Caves of Qud

Caves of Qud is a science-fantasy roguelike from Freehold Games that combines handwritten story with procedural systems and a heavily simulated world. Characters, creatures, factions, body parts, items and environments interact systemically, so many situations can be solved in different ways.

The PC version left early access on Dec 5, 2024 after a long early access development and reached version 1.0. On Nintendo Switch, Caves of Qud was released on Feb 16, 2026. On Sept 30, 2026, a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition was additionally announced; a digital release date for it has not yet been set.

Lost In Cult also plans a physical Switch 2 edition. The Retail+ and EDITIONS versions are set to include the full game on cartridge; shipping is currently given as Q1/Q2 2027.

Caves of Qud is available on PC for Windows, macOS and Linux. The Nintendo Switch version was released in February 2026. A dedicated Switch 2 Edition has been announced for Nintendo Switch 2; Lost In Cult is additionally producing a physical edition for it, which runs only on Nintendo Switch 2.

Exploration and combat run turn-based. The world reacts strongly to abilities and items: walls can, for example, be dug out, melted or overcome with suitable mutations. Creatures and NPCs have their own stats, abilities, equipment, faction affiliations and body parts. There is also a dynamic faction system with numerous groups and a mix of hand-built places and procedurally generated areas.

The PC base game can be supplemented with Pets of Harvest Dawn for additional starting companions. The Dromad Deluxe Edition bundles the main game with this smaller DLC and the soundtrack.

The first major expansion Diaspora is set to launch on Steam on Dec 9, 2026. The base game is required for it. Unlike Caves of Qud itself, which reached version 1.0 in 2024, the separate expansion content begins in early access first. Freehold Games gives roughly one year of development time as a guide, but no fixed date for the finished DLC version. No native Diaspora launch has been confirmed for Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 yet.

On Windows, Steam lists at least Windows 10 21H1 or Windows 11 21H2, a processor from 1 GHz with SSE2 support, 4 GB RAM, a DirectX 10/11/12 compatible graphics unit and 2 GB free storage. For macOS and Linux, 4 GB RAM and 2 GB storage also apply; the graphics and OS requirements differ by platform.

Characters can be built as mutants or True Kin. More than 70 mutations, numerous cybernetic implants and 24 castes and kits are available. If you do not want to build from scratch, you can start with one of nine pre-made characters and dive deeper into character creation later.

Four modes change how harshly Caves of Qud handles failure. Classic uses permadeath. Roleplay allows progress to be saved at checkpoints in settlements. Wander puts more emphasis on exploration and more peaceful encounters. Daily gives a single attempt with a fixed character and World Seed.

With Diaspora, Freehold Games expands character creation with mutated animals and plants alongside the existing humans and True Kin. Nine animal species and three plant species are planned for the early access launch, including animals with their own body parts and mutations derived from them. For example, tails, claws or other species-specific traits can be included in developing a character.

The announced permanent game systems include new mutations and equipment for unusual body shapes, spears with attacks reaching two tiles, and additional True Kin castes from another arkology. Revised road and river networks are to change navigation through the procedural world. Dromad caravans and rideable saltbacks add to encounters and transport within the game world.

The announced early access scope is not the same as the planned full expansion. Freehold Games names more species of animals and plants, new factions, underground settlements, roaming great caravans, dynamic tasks and larger dungeons as later development goals. A multi-stage story about new population movements is also planned.

According to the studio, the staged release is meant to test new systems under real play conditions together with the community. Neither an exact completion date nor a binding scope for each future update is promised. The already released version 1.0 of the main game remains a standalone, complete base product.