LambdaHack
| LambdaHack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Roguelike, Engine, RPG, TBS |
| Latest release | 0.11.0.1 (Announcement) |
| Release date | 2023-10-28 |
| Code license | BSD3 |
| Media license | BSD3 |
| Engine | LambdaHack |
| P. language | Haskell, HTML5 |
| Library | SDL |
| Contribute | |
| LambdaHack is a free game. This means that the source code is available to be studied, modified, and distributed. Most projects look for help with testing, documentation, graphics, etc., as well. | |
LambdaHack is a Haskell [1] game engine library for ASCII roguelike games of arbitrary theme, size and complexity, with optional tactical squad combat. It's packaged together with a little example dungeon crawler in fantasy setting that can be tried out in the browser at http://lambdahack.github.io.
Overview[edit]
To use the engine, you need to specify the content to be procedurally generated. You specify what the game world is made of (entities, their relations, physics and lore) and the engine builds the world and runs it. The library lets you compile a ready-to-play game binary, using either the supplied or a custom-made main loop. Several frontends are available (SDL2 is the default for desktop and there is a JavaScript browser frontend) and many other generic engine components are easily overridden, but the fundamental source of flexibility lies in the strict and type-safe separation of code from the content and of clients (human and AI-controlled) from the server.
Please see the changelog file for recent improvements and the issue tracker for short-term plans. Long term goals include multiplayer tactical squad combat, in-game content creation, auto-balancing and persistent content modification based on player behaviour. Contributions are welcome.
A larger, different game that depends on the LambdaHack library is Allure of the Stars.
Gameplay[edit]
LambdaHack is a small dungeon crawler illustrating the roguelike game engine of the same name. Playing the game involves exploring spooky dungeons, alone or in a party of fearless explorers, avoiding and setting up ambushes, hiding in shadows from the gaze of unspeakable horrors, discovering secret passages and gorgeous magical treasure and making creative use of it all. The madness-inspiring abominations that multiply in the depths perform the same feats, due to their aberrant, abstract hyper-intelligence, while tirelessly chasing the elusive heroes by sight, sound and smell.
Once the few basic command keys and on-screen symbols are learned, mastery and enjoyment of the game is the matter of tactical skill and literary imagination. To be honest, a lot of imagination is required for this rudimentary example game, but it has its own quirky style and is playable and winnable.
If the game window is too large for your screen or you experience other technical issues, please consult the game documentation [2] or describe your problem on gitter or the issue tracker. The gameplay manual [3] may also help.
Sample screenshots[edit]
A showcase of shooting down explosives. A couple were shot down close enough to enemies to harm them. Others exploded closer to our party members and took out of the air projectiles that would otherwise harm them.
This is a semi-automatic stealthy speedrun of the escape scenario. The enemy gang has a huge numerical and equipment superiority. Our team loots the area on auto-pilot until the first foe is spotted. Then they scout out enemy positions. Then hero 1 draws enemies and unfortunately enemy fire as well, which is when he valiantly shoots down explosives to avoid the worst damage. Then heroine 2 sneaks behind enemy lines to reach the remaining treasure. That accomplished, the captain signals retreat and leaves for the next area (the zoo).
This is actual in-game footage.
See more screenshots at http://www.roguebasin.com/index.php?title=Allure_of_the_Stars