indiegame.fan
Zorbus header art

Zorbus

Zorbus is a fantasy-themed, tile-based, turn-based, traditional roguelike game.

Steam Page
Developer
Publisher
Release
September 14, 2022
3 years and 322 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive373 reviews90.3%

Does this feel indie?

Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.
No votes yet
Vote on More Games
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 16, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 16, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Updated: Jul 16, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Zorbus and Zorbus funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Zorbus and Zorbus?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 16, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

Media

8 items

About the Game

A TRADITIONAL ROGUELIKE

Zorbus is a fantasy-themed, tile-based, turn-based, traditional roguelike game. Your goal is to delve deep into a dungeon, find a portal to a mythical place called the Zorbus, where a mere mortal can ascend to demigodhood. You can recruit other creatures along the way so you don't have to adventure alone.

Being a roguelike game, Zorbus creates the dungeon randomly so that every played game is slightly different. The game has permadeath, meaning that when a character dies, it really is permanent, and the player must begin a new game. You can save the game, but the save file is deleted when loaded. Zorbus does not have item identification or a hunger mechanic.

A LIVING DUNGEON

Thematically Zorbus draws influence from the late 70s and early 80s tabletop D&D campaigns, adventures and lore.

The game tries to create a dungeon which feels alive, eventful, and rich in content. Something more than just empty rooms and corridors. Diversely shaped levels with themed content (throne rooms, prisons, hidden treasure caches, etc.) with good connectivity between the areas.

The dungeon denizens act intelligently, fight each other, flee when threatened, and try to gather their friends to overcome a threat. Most creatures can use items, and can also pick them up from the dungeon floor. Creatures are not silent either, but comment on things with speech bubbles.

The dungeon has dynamic lighting. There are light sources as dungeon furniture and in the hands of creatures, and these both can be lit and unlit. Some creatures have darkvision. Creatures react to light and sound.

RPG RULE SYSTEM

The rule system for the game is slightly influenced by the d20 system used in the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Zorbus has races and experience levels but no character classes. On each level up, you point buy skills and talents.

CONTROLS & UI

Keybindings are configurable. Mouse control is supported, but is not ideal for playing the game. A game controller can be used. The game has a targeting system, making it very easy to use ranged attacks or talents. Usable items and talents can be assigned to quickslots.

Display size can be configured. You can play in windowed mode or fullscreen and with 32x32-, 48x48- or 64x64-pixel tile graphics or ASCII characters. The font can be changed, and text size can be adjusted.