GnollHack

GnollHack is a modernized and remastered version of NetHack, one of the most influential traditional roguelikes in history, whose first version was released in 1987 and is still under active development today. The first version of this variant, which is open source like the original version, was released in 2019 and is also regularly updated with new features and content.

Just unzip and play

With GnollHack, no installation is required; simply unzip the compressed file in a folder and double-click on the "GnollHackW" executable to start playing. Please note that if you run the other executable (GnollHack), you'll open a traditional version of NetHack, with the usual ASCII graphics instead of the new tileset and without the mouse-accessible controls.

Advantages of GnollHack over NetHack

The main goal of GnollHack is to make a title as harsh and seemingly inaccessible as NetHack more approachable for players. To achieve this, the game introduces several very interesting modernizations. For starters, there are the graphics, which aren't incredible, but do considerably improve the original ASCII. Additionally, the mouse can be used to move or to interact with any element of the game. The game also features sound effects and even the voices of some characters. Lastly, you can also find some contextual clues and hints within the game itself.

An exceptional traditional roguelike

Despite this series of changes, GnollHack still offers an experience practically identical to that of the original NetHack. In other words, it's still essentially one of the most complex, interesting, and fun roguelikes you can find on PC. The game will allow you to explore a literally infinite number of procedurally generated dungeons, where you can encounter all sorts of situations. This is especially true thanks to the wide variety of characters you can create.

Create the hero you want

Of course, you'll be able to create your character before you start playing GnollHack. You'll have a wide variety of character classes at your disposal (barbarian, wizard, rogue, samurai, tourist, etc.) and also several different races (orc, elf, human, and more). You can choose one alignment or another depending on your class and race combination, and, as usual in NetHack, you'll start with a pet that will accompany you everywhere.

Enjoy the classic NetHack comfortably

Download GnollHack and enjoy one of the most accessible and fun NetHack variants available. There are dozens of different variants of the classic NetHack, and each one adds some interesting new feature to the game. This one, luckily, manages to introduce a lot of changes that make the game more comfortable and accessible, all while remaining moderately faithful to the original game.