Autodelve is a strategy indie simulation roguelike for PC in which players oversee generations of challengers who explore and fight without direct control. The core loop centers on setting long-term strategies through resource allocation and upgrades while automatic systems handle exploration, combat, and progression. Challengers descend into dungeons, gather resources upon death, and pass gains to successors, building cumulative power over extended play sessions that can span dozens or hundreds of hours.
Gameplay
The experience revolves around five interconnected growth systems that activate progressively. Permanent Upgrades provide baseline improvements to challenger capabilities. Legacy Upgrades carry forward across runs to accelerate future attempts. Camp facilities expand capacity for more simultaneous operations. Alchemy converts depth-specific reagents into lasting buffs. Research advances a real-time tree that continues even when the game is closed, supporting offline income and steady advancement.
Up to six dungeons operate on screen at once once the Camp grows sufficiently. Each challenger can recruit Companions from four types: Warrior, Archer, Scout, and Guardian. These units influence combat outcomes independently, allowing loadout choices to shape how battles resolve without manual intervention. Reagents collected from different depth bands feed into Alchemy for collection completion and further buffs.
A dedicated Stats tab displays lifetime records alongside line and bar graphs that track personal progress curves. Depth serves as the primary metric, with progression toward defeating the Lord of the Abyss and unlocking a True Ending. The minimalist interface uses geometric shapes throughout, designed for background running on a second monitor.
Game Modes
Restriction Challenges form the main variation, where players compete on rankings based on maximum Depth achieved under specific limitations. These modes emphasize strategic planning and efficient resource use across multiple runs. Standard play focuses on incremental Depth increases, with looping biomes and recurring bosses every 50 Depth adding structure to the endless format.
No direct player input occurs during delves themselves. Strategy instead occurs between runs through upgrade investments and Camp development. The systems unlock gradually, beginning with simpler mechanics before layering in complexity that rewards sustained attention over time.
Progression and Systems
Essence and Legacy Points return with each challenger death for distribution across the five growth layers. Prestige mechanics accelerate rather than reset progress, as investments compound across generations. The Research Lab operates continuously, advancing its tree and generating income offline to maintain momentum without constant session time.
Camp expansion directly enables parallel dungeon runs, scaling from single operations to the maximum of six. Companion selection alters party composition and fight dynamics in each automatic encounter. Collection of reagents by depth band encourages deeper exploration to complete Alchemy options fully.
Is It Worth Playing?
Autodelve suits players who enjoy idle strategy and simulation elements combined with roguelike progression. The automatic combat and exploration free up time for planning and resource management, while the stacking systems provide visible long-term growth through graphs and records. Offline functionality keeps Camp and Research active during breaks, supporting steady advancement without requiring full attention.
The game includes 20 achievements and support for seven languages. Its design prioritizes numbers-driven satisfaction and background operation, making it appropriate for those who appreciate watching curves rise across extended periods. Restriction Challenges add competitive depth for players focused on optimization and ranking. Overall, the title delivers consistent mechanical unfolding for fans of incremental strategy without requiring constant active input.
