Delver
First-person roguelike dungeon crawler with permadeath and procedural levels.
Delver is a first-person action dungeon crawler with roguelike elements, released on February 2, 2017, for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It was created by the studio Priority Interrupt.
In the game, players control an explorer searching for the Yithidian Orb within dungeons that mix the feel of *The Legend of Zelda*’s dungeons with randomly generated levels. There is no jump button. Each run begins at a campfire, where two weapons, two potions or food items, and other scrolls are randomly provided. To progress, players must find a rope ladder on each floor while avoiding traps and enemies. Loot includes potions (whose effects are hidden until drunk), light sources like lamps and candles, books, armor, skulls, luxury items (automatically turned into gold), wands, arrows, and melee weapons. Defeating enemies grants experience; leveling up gives an extra heart and one point to assign to three random stats that change each time. Health is tracked with hearts, and losing all hearts triggers permadeath, forcing a restart with a new dungeon.
An alpha version for Android was released commercially in April 2012, with its last update in December 2013. The game entered Steam Greenlight on August 30, 2012, and was greenlit less than a week later on September 5, 2012. It launched on Steam Early Access on September 6, 2012. After continued updates, Priority Interrupt officially released the full version on February 2, 2017, for Windows, macOS, and Linux, adding a level editor and Steam Workshop support. In November 2018, the source code was released on GitHub under the GNU General Public License version 3, later switching to the zlib License.
Pocket Gamer’s Paul Devlin gave the 2012 Android alpha a 4/5, praising its fluid feel but criticizing the clunky inventory. John Walker of Rock Paper Shotgun reviewed the 2013 Early Access build, noting a lack of collectibles and purpose while suggesting shops, though he praised its potential. Brendan Caldwell, also from Rock Paper Shotgun, reviewed a 2016 build, commending its opening moments, the absence of plot, and improvements since 2013. Andrew Hayward for Macworld included Delver in a list of “10 Mac games you need to play from February 2018.”
Quick Facts
- Title
- Delver
- Developer
- Priority Interrupt
- Engine
- libGDX
- Platforms
- Linux · macOS · Microsoft Windows
- Released
- 2 February 2018
- Genre
- Roguelike
- Modes
- Single-player
- Designer
- Chad Cuddigan
- Artist
- Joshua Skelton
- Composer
- Tobias Arnold
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Delver began as an alpha for Android in April 2012, with its last update for that platform in December 2013. The game was submitted to Steam Greenlight on August 30, 2012, and was greenlit less than a week later on September 5, 2012. It entered Steam Early Access on September 6, 2012, and continued receiving updates until its full release on February 2, 2017, for Windows, macOS, and Linux, accompanied by a level editor and Steam Workshop support. In November 2018, the source code was released on GitHub under the GNU General Public License version 3, later switching to the zlib License.
Reader's Guide
Delver is significant as a modern example of a first-person roguelike that blends classic dungeon-crawling mechanics with procedural generation. Its development spanned several years, from an Android alpha in 2012 to a full PC release in 2018, illustrating the evolution of an indie game through early access. The game's permadeath system, procedurally generated loot, and leveling mechanics—where players assign points to random stats upon gaining experience—define its roguelike identity. Reception varied over time: a 2012 Android alpha was praised for its fluid experience but criticized for a clunky inventory system; the 2013 Early Access build was noted for lacking collectibles and purpose, though potential was recognized; a 2016 build was commended for its opening moments and absence of plot. Delver was included in Macworld's list of 10 Mac games to play from February 2018. Its release of source code under open-source licenses also contributed to its legacy, allowing community modification and study.
Did You Know?
- Delver was first released as an alpha for Android in April 2012.
- The game was greenlit on Steam Greenlight less than a week after being placed on an open vote in August 2012.
- The source code was released on GitHub in November 2018 under the GNU General Public License version 3, later changed to the zlib License.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delver?
Delver is a first-person roguelike dungeon crawler built by the studio Priority Interrupt, featuring permadeath and procedurally generated levels. It launched on February 2, 2017, for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What's the player's goal in Delver?
You take on the role of an explorer hunting down the Yithidian Orb across dungeon floors that blend hand-crafted Zelda-style design with randomized layouts.
What do you start with at the beginning of a run?
Every attempt kicks off at a campfire where the game randomly deals you two weapons, two potions or food items, and a handful of scrolls.
How do you move to the next floor in Delver?
You must locate a rope ladder on each level while navigating around traps and hostile enemies. There is no jump mechanic, so all movement is strictly on foot.
What open-source license does Delver use?
The game is distributed under the zlib License, having previously been released under the GNU General Public License version 3.
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