They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but I actually think it’s fan fiction, art, and modding. Being inspired to create something new by someone else’s artistic vision is, in my opinion, the ultimate compliment. That being so, if I were Freehold Games, I’d be utterly delighted by the video I just watched.
That’s because a wonderful soul using the name countless bats has taken the award-winning turn-based roguelike, Caves of Qud, and managed to get it working inside the game engine of the original Doom.
Starting in Joppa and then heading out to explore the wider world, this determined modder has somehow – possibly using witchcraft – persuaded Doom’s engine to render a bunch of Qud assets, and if you know both games, it’s clear that he’s done a good job, too!
What’s most impressive, I think, is their determination to preserve the integrity of the data from Caves of Qud. countless bats is making sure that the original vision of the roguelike is being respected, despite the shift to first-person and what must be the temptation to make quick fixes for convenience.
You’ll see plenty of familiar textures and in-game items, although there’s still a lot missing, such as functioning dialogue and working mutations. That said, the amount of stuff that has been achieved is impressive; they’ve even been working on underground terrain, and the long-distance views are fun – when they work, of course.
This is a lovely little modding project, and I’m really glad that it exists. There’s so much love and reverence for Caves of Qud, and the narrated tour embedded below is well worth a watch!
