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There’s some exciting news for fans of roguelikes. Diaspora, the first expansion for Caves of Qud, which PC Gamer named the best roguelike of 2024, is coming to Early Access in December. The most unique feature is that you can now start the game as a “tree.”
(Image credit: Kitfox Games)
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What new can be added to a game that already has everything?
Caves of Qud is renowned for its strange and incredibly deep simulation. You can start out as a normal human, and by the end of the run, you’re playing as a clone of yourself, who has evolved into a four-armed psychic turtle-man, armed with a gun that shoots blood and fires a life-sucking vacuum pulse.
So the question arises: what more could a game with so much “everything” add? According to PC Gamer’s Lincoln Carpenter, the answer already begins with “playable trees.”
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The journey from tree to human
According to publisher Kitfox, Diaspora will feature several new feature arcs, focusing on a new wave of life and culture in the swamp-encircled ruins of Qud. The biggest one is that you’ll now be able to start the playthrough as an already mutated animal or plant.
Experienced players might say that animal and plant mutations already exist in the game. Yes, they do. But previously, you started as a human and transformed into an animal or plant form. Now, in a beautiful symmetry, you can start as a tree and transform into a human. Or even into an even weirder tree, like one with wings, or maybe even one with a scorpion tail.
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What else will be available in the initial launch?
The list of mutations for players will also expand with the addition of new mutant animals and plant stock. New creatures and artifacts will also be added to the world of Qud with Early Access, which will, of course, bring their own new threats.
The camel-like people (camelfolk)’s trading caravans have also been addressed. Their “saltback tortoises,” or giant tortoises, will be available for rides for the first time.
Development will last for a whole year
This is just the beginning. During Early Access, which is expected to last about a year, the developers plan to add even more features:
- A new multi-step questline
- New factions and underground villages
- Roaming, seasonal mega-convoys
- More items, creatures, and mutant stock
- New fungal infections
The last statement may sound strange, but Qud fans understand. The author jokingly notes that anyone who hasn’t experienced the pleasure of “hosting” a small-mouthed infection won’t find it exciting. This infection sometimes speaks in a “tuned” voice and reveals a secret of the world.
Launch Date and Platform
Caves of Qud: Diaspora launches in Early Access on Steam on December 9th.
Why is this news special?
Caves of Qud is one of those games that has already garnered a cult following for its strange and immersive world. The Diaspora expansion shows that the developers are not just looking to make the game bigger, but also more quirky and creative.
For veteran players, it will offer new beginnings and new paths. For newcomers, the “playing like a tree” idea alone could be a good reason to try the game.
This is currently in Early Access, so there will be limited content initially, with more to come over time. We’ll keep you updated with all the latest information on this expansion.
Sources: PC Gamer
