I don't know if any of you are into roguelikes but I think this game deserve to be posted here.
Website: https://cataclysmdda.org/
Wiki: https://cddawiki.chezzo.com/cdda_wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/cataclysmdda/
Downloads: https://cataclysmdda.org/releases/
Launcher (Windows only): https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/cdda-game-launcher-automatic-updates-and-more/11168
GitHub repo: https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA
If you're using Windows the launcher is the best option. If you download the game manually, make sure you download the tiled version, not the ASCII.
So, what is CDDA?
How do I play?
First you need to create a new world. I don't recommend changing any default parameters (maybe increase the item spawn and change the starting season to summer so you don't have to deal with frozen food and drinks) or selecting more mods until you're familiar with the game. Once you have the world generated you can start a new game and create a new character. When you create a new character you're asked to pick a world, then you can set up your char. You can pick a scenario to start, your profession, skills, traits, stats, etc. Once you finish you will be ready todie play.
Then what?
If you selected a hardcore scenario where you're surrounded by many zombies you will die pretty quickly. If you selected a safer one like the evacuee you will probably make it to the next day without problems unless you try to scavenge into the nearest city.
Get something to drink and something to eat. Move next to the item, press e to examine, select where to examine and you will see a list of the items there. Mark the ones you want to grab with the right arrow key and then press enter. To consume food/drinks press shift + e or E. You can also drink from several sources like toilets, rivers, etc. I don't know about rivers but don't drink from toilets unless you want to feel bad and throw up. Explore the nearby zones. If you want some action look for something to hit zombies with. You can directly wield something from the ground pressing w. To hit a zombie just walk into him.
Inventory
The inventory is a bit more complex and we're used to. Not only you have a kg limit to carry around but also a volume limit which is where the problem is. You will realize that you run out of space after getting a few things. Sometimes you don't have enough space to pick something up so if you want to wield it, you do it directly from the ground. Most actions allows you to use stuff from your inventory but also from your surroundings.
You need bags, purses or any big container. Sometimes it takes a while to find a bag so you better craft something to keep going. Go next to a window, press c to close it if it's open and then c again to close the curtains. Examine them and tear them down. It will give you a sheet, a heavy stick which you can wield to kick some ass, some nails and string. Then press & to open the crafting menu. Go to the armor tab by pressing tab, then move to storage with the arrow keys and make a makeshift knapsack (you don't need to pick up the items from the ground to craft it as long as you're near them). This will allow you to carry more things until you find a good bag.
There are more advanced ways to carry stuff around like cars, bikes, motorcycles or supermarket cart (or craft a draggable container).
Your first base
Building a base from the ground up takes a lot of time and resources. You not only need the supplies to build things but also supplies for you to live long enough and not die of starvation.
Houses are a good start, the farthest from the city center, the better. Try to get in through the door. If its closed, go near a window and bash it 2 times pressing s. Be careful as sound attracts enemies. Once you're in the house, close all the curtains and grab any piece of furniture (shift + g) and place it in front of the broken window.
Usually you can find houses near the forest, swamps (good source of salt to preserve food) and rivers. These houses are safer as there are no zombies around.
There are several buildings that are also good for setting up base like churches, cathedrals, refugee centers, etc. Labs are even better but first you need to manage to get inside one. Prison are also cool, surrounded by fences, hard walls but you will probably die seconds after breaking into one. Why? Go check.
Some people prefer mobile bases. There are different kind of vehicles. Some big enough for a wheeled home and you can even expand them. Get a mini refrigerator, some solar panels, an alternator, some big batteries and a good engine and you're good to go. Add a turret on top of it if you want to go full mad max.
What else can I do?
Well, you probably don't have enough time to try everything. Do you like trans-humanism? Then get some bionics installed on your body. Do you want to see the world burn? Set some buildings on fire and watch them go down. Even better, do it with a flamethrower but make sure you're not inside when you do it. Do you have Diogenes syndrome? Good. Store all the **** you find. Do you like crafting? Then you can craft things from simple food and tools to powerful explosives, weapons and electronics. Do you hate kids? Raid a school and kill several dozens of zombie kids. Your morale will go down but whatever. Do you want to live a quiet life far from the city? Get some seeds to grow your own food, domesticate some animals and breed them.
The game can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating but you get used to it very quickly. If you need any tip or help, ask me.
Edited to add some videos
Website: https://cataclysmdda.org/
Wiki: https://cddawiki.chezzo.com/cdda_wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/cataclysmdda/
Downloads: https://cataclysmdda.org/releases/
Launcher (Windows only): https://discourse.cataclysmdda.org/t/cdda-game-launcher-automatic-updates-and-more/11168
GitHub repo: https://github.com/CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA
If you're using Windows the launcher is the best option. If you download the game manually, make sure you download the tiled version, not the ASCII.
So, what is CDDA?
How do I play?
First you need to create a new world. I don't recommend changing any default parameters (maybe increase the item spawn and change the starting season to summer so you don't have to deal with frozen food and drinks) or selecting more mods until you're familiar with the game. Once you have the world generated you can start a new game and create a new character. When you create a new character you're asked to pick a world, then you can set up your char. You can pick a scenario to start, your profession, skills, traits, stats, etc. Once you finish you will be ready to
Then what?
If you selected a hardcore scenario where you're surrounded by many zombies you will die pretty quickly. If you selected a safer one like the evacuee you will probably make it to the next day without problems unless you try to scavenge into the nearest city.
Get something to drink and something to eat. Move next to the item, press e to examine, select where to examine and you will see a list of the items there. Mark the ones you want to grab with the right arrow key and then press enter. To consume food/drinks press shift + e or E. You can also drink from several sources like toilets, rivers, etc. I don't know about rivers but don't drink from toilets unless you want to feel bad and throw up. Explore the nearby zones. If you want some action look for something to hit zombies with. You can directly wield something from the ground pressing w. To hit a zombie just walk into him.
Inventory
The inventory is a bit more complex and we're used to. Not only you have a kg limit to carry around but also a volume limit which is where the problem is. You will realize that you run out of space after getting a few things. Sometimes you don't have enough space to pick something up so if you want to wield it, you do it directly from the ground. Most actions allows you to use stuff from your inventory but also from your surroundings.
You need bags, purses or any big container. Sometimes it takes a while to find a bag so you better craft something to keep going. Go next to a window, press c to close it if it's open and then c again to close the curtains. Examine them and tear them down. It will give you a sheet, a heavy stick which you can wield to kick some ass, some nails and string. Then press & to open the crafting menu. Go to the armor tab by pressing tab, then move to storage with the arrow keys and make a makeshift knapsack (you don't need to pick up the items from the ground to craft it as long as you're near them). This will allow you to carry more things until you find a good bag.
There are more advanced ways to carry stuff around like cars, bikes, motorcycles or supermarket cart (or craft a draggable container).
Your first base
Building a base from the ground up takes a lot of time and resources. You not only need the supplies to build things but also supplies for you to live long enough and not die of starvation.
Houses are a good start, the farthest from the city center, the better. Try to get in through the door. If its closed, go near a window and bash it 2 times pressing s. Be careful as sound attracts enemies. Once you're in the house, close all the curtains and grab any piece of furniture (shift + g) and place it in front of the broken window.
Usually you can find houses near the forest, swamps (good source of salt to preserve food) and rivers. These houses are safer as there are no zombies around.
There are several buildings that are also good for setting up base like churches, cathedrals, refugee centers, etc. Labs are even better but first you need to manage to get inside one. Prison are also cool, surrounded by fences, hard walls but you will probably die seconds after breaking into one. Why? Go check.
Some people prefer mobile bases. There are different kind of vehicles. Some big enough for a wheeled home and you can even expand them. Get a mini refrigerator, some solar panels, an alternator, some big batteries and a good engine and you're good to go. Add a turret on top of it if you want to go full mad max.
What else can I do?
Well, you probably don't have enough time to try everything. Do you like trans-humanism? Then get some bionics installed on your body. Do you want to see the world burn? Set some buildings on fire and watch them go down. Even better, do it with a flamethrower but make sure you're not inside when you do it. Do you have Diogenes syndrome? Good. Store all the **** you find. Do you like crafting? Then you can craft things from simple food and tools to powerful explosives, weapons and electronics. Do you hate kids? Raid a school and kill several dozens of zombie kids. Your morale will go down but whatever. Do you want to live a quiet life far from the city? Get some seeds to grow your own food, domesticate some animals and breed them.
The game can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating but you get used to it very quickly. If you need any tip or help, ask me.
Edited to add some videos
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