Role-Playing Games of the 2010s, Part 1 Codexery

Children of Morta

A family defends Mount Morta from the Corruption.

Children of Morta

Children of Morta is an action role-playing game that incorporates roguelike elements. It was launched in September 2019 and developed by Dead Mage. The story centers on the Bergson family, who serve as the guardians of Mount Morta and must protect it from a malevolent force known as the Corruption.

In terms of gameplay, players control different members of the Bergson family. As the game progresses, additional family members become available, eventually totaling seven playable characters. Each character has a distinct playstyle and set of mechanics, and they gain experience individually, which also provides benefits to other family members. The player explores procedurally generated dungeons inside Mount Morta, clearing them of enemies and bosses. Each dungeon run begins and ends at the family home, where the narrative may advance or extra dialogue can be seen. Certain story events occur after in-game actions.

The game received "generally favorable" reviews across all platforms, according to Metacritic. In 2025, it was nominated for Best Foreign Mobile Game at the Pégases Awards.

Quick Facts

Title
Children of Morta
Developer
Dead Mage
Publisher
11 Bit Studios
Platforms
Linux · macOS · Microsoft Windows · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch · Android · IOS
Released
Microsoft Windows · September 3, 2019 · PlayStation 4, Xbox One · October 15, 2019 · Nintendo Switch · November 20, 2019 · Android, IOS · October 7, 2024
Genre
Action role-playing, roguelike
Modes
Single-player, multiplayer

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Children of Morta centers on the Bergson family, the hereditary custodians of Mount Morta. The family must defend their home from an encroaching evil known as the Corruption. Players take on the role of various Bergson family members, with additional characters unlocked as the player progresses, for a total of seven playable characters. Each family member has a distinct playstyle and gameplay mechanics, and levels up individually, granting improvements both to themselves and to other family members. The player traverses procedurally generated dungeons within the caverns of Mount Morta, clearing them of enemies and bosses. Individual dungeon runs are bookended by returns to the Bergson family home, which sometimes advances the narrative or allows players to witness additional dialogue. Some parts of the story take place after events that occur in the game.

Reader's Guide

Children of Morta was met with generally favorable reviews on all platforms, according to the review aggregator Metacritic. The game was nominated for Best Foreign Mobile Game at the 2025 Pégases Awards. Its significance lies in blending action role-playing mechanics with roguelike elements while centering a family narrative, where each character offers a unique playstyle and progression system. The procedurally generated dungeons and the home base sequences create a rhythm of combat and story development. The game's legacy is marked by its critical reception and its nomination at the Pégases Awards, indicating recognition within the industry. The Bergson family's story and the Corruption as a central threat provide a cohesive framework for the gameplay loop.

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