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your welcome! There are more cool things coming soon 😉

Update 2.3 "Fortune favors the bold" adds two new actions to combat, improvements, and better combat log!

See all that's new on my blog: http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/07/update-23-of-caverns-and-dryads-fortune....

Update 2.3 "Fortune favors the bold" adds two new actions to combat, improvements, and better combat log!

See all that's new on my blog: http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/07/update-23-of-caverns-and-dryads-fortune....

This is a nice retro game! Keep on the development

I've been following this thread a long time.

In my opinion it's ok to disclose if AI is used. It should read "using AI", simply.

It seems people tend to think into 100% made with AI and 100% handmade. But reality is different. There may be those, butlots of people use it in different proportions.

So even if itchio doesn't place a section to explain what is your use of AI, you can just do that in your game's description.

I do it. I use a hybrid technique manual painting + AI for graphics. I don't use AI for coding nor for writing. I just say it in the game page.

This way if someone doesn't want to play something with any use of AI, they can filter out. And if someone is more subtle, they can read and judge themselves. Because there's also a big portion of people that just want to know how much effort and care you put in what you do, no matter if you used AI or not. 

Even if you just use AI raw for everything you can just tell or say if the original idea of game design is yours, for example. Just people can know.

In a future many people may not care, but I think it's not bad anyway. 

This game looks amazing. Very original.

I was a child in the 80s and people did crazy games that didn't fit into any genre. Most people didn't even know what a game genre was.

Itchio is one of the few places where you see games that dare to be original.

No matter if your game is enjoyed by some few people or thousands, it is important to them.

So here's an Iron Maiden quote:

"So, understand: 
Don't waste your time
Always searching for those wasted years
Face up, make your stand
And realize
You're living in the golden years"

Caverns and Dryads is on the Steam Summer Sale! Save on all DLCS: Map and Bestiary! Your purchase helps with game development and you get great features like monster's lore and world map guides! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3634870/Caverns_And_Dryads/

Caverns and Dryads is on the Steam Summer Sale! Save on all DLCS: Map and Bestiary! Your purchase helps with game development and you get great features like monster's lore and world map guides! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3634870/Caverns_And_Dryads/

Sneak peek to upcoming combat interface improvements: http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/06/sneak-peek-combat-interface-improvements.html

Sneak peek to upcoming combat interface improvements: http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/06/sneak-peek-combat-interface-improvements...

Say your opinion about new combat features I'm working on! Read and comment here: (blog) 

http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/06/the-combat-system-of-caverns-and-dryads....

Say your opinion about new combat features I'm working on! Read and comment here: (blog) 

http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/06/the-combat-system-of-caverns-and-dryads....

My game Caverns and Dryads on Steam reached 1000 players!
It's so fantastic that they appreciate all the effort in these five years, all the hope and dreaming of decades, and the story and the gameplay.
I know people tend to celebrate bigger numbers, but for a solo dev this is so great!
What is important here is not to compete but to create and connect with the imaginal.
For 1000 people around the world, my original worldbuilding, my characters, the game and the story are alive. Thank you!
Read the announcement on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/693137145499485021

My game Caverns and Dryads on Steam reached 1000 players!
It's so fantastic that they appreciate all the effort in these five years, all the hope and dreaming of decades, and the story and the gameplay.
I know people tend to celebrate bigger numbers, but for a solo dev this is so great!
What is important here is not to compete but to create and connect with the imaginal.
For 1000 people around the world, my original worldbuilding, my characters, the game and the story are alive. Thank you!
Read the announcement on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/693137145499485021

See announcement on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/685254577766793829

See changelog on Steam or here below.

CHANGELOG

Version 2.2.3, May 23, 2026 - Balance and Challenge -----------------------------------------------------------------

MOST IMPORTANT:

- Atmospheric effects like rain are now visible if they are active both in the exploration screen and the camping screen. 

- Measures to balance the game both for beginners and experienced players.

- The availability of potions, demon hearts and fire essence in shops depends in the quantity of potions that you are already carrying. To get them when the shops don't have stock, search for them in dungeons' loot when you defeat monsters.

- Monsters now have critical hits. The force of these critical hits is variable and active only if your character is strong enough. This way combat keeps being exciting but still you remain powerful. Every combat can be dangerous now. But the best equipped and skilled you are, risk is lesser. Boss monsters don't have critical hits, because they are already too dangerous (most of their attacks can be considered critical).

- Armors above 18 only apply their full potential when fighting bosses. For other situations their effective armor is 16. This is to balance the game. The realism behind it is that although armor stops attacks, there is a contusion inherent to being hit. It protects from massive boss attacks, though, that is why the extra armor points are there.

OTHER:

- In the blacksmith now you can swap the weapons and repair the main and the secondary weapons in the same visit.

- Improved the narrative engine with some new features that I'll use.

- Fixed incoherence in the text of the chapter of dragon's defeat in Luminahad after the battle. 

See announcement on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/685254577766793829

See changelog on Steam or here below.

CHANGELOG

Version 2.2.3, May 23, 2026 - Balance and Challenge -----------------------------------------------------------------

MOST IMPORTANT:

- Atmospheric effects like rain are now visible if they are active both in the exploration screen and the camping screen. 

- Measures to balance the game both for beginners and experienced players.

- The availability of potions, demon hearts and fire essence in shops depends in the quantity of potions that you are already carrying. To get them when the shops don't have stock, search for them in dungeons' loot when you defeat monsters.

- Monsters now have critical hits. The force of these critical hits is variable and active only if your character is strong enough. This way combat keeps being exciting but still you remain powerful. Every combat can be dangerous now. But the best equipped and skilled you are, risk is lesser. Boss monsters don't have critical hits, because they are already too dangerous (most of their attacks can be considered critical).

- Armors above 18 only apply their full potential when fighting bosses. For other situations their effective armor is 16. This is to balance the game. The realism behind it is that although armor stops attacks, there is a contusion inherent to being hit. It protects from massive boss attacks, though, that is why the extra armor points are there.

OTHER:

- In the blacksmith now you can swap the weapons and repair the main and the secondary weapons in the same visit.

- Improved the narrative engine with some new features that I'll use.

- Fixed incoherence in the text of the chapter of dragon's defeat in Luminahad after the battle. 

My game Caverns and Dryads on Steam has a new update: 2.1 Malevolent Creatures, that includes the new quest type! 

Read on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/702141807556821997

My game Caverns and Dryads on Steam has a new update: 2.1 Malevolent Creatures, that includes the new quest type! 

Read on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/702141807556821997

New features coming! Read on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/702141174212723340

New features coming! Read on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/702141174212723340

Steam's Medieval Fest is Live, and I've put all DLCs and the Bundle 30% off to celebrate! 

See my game there, and read the announcement! Thanks adventurers!

Steam announcement on my game's page and links to DLCs/Bundle:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/577165112126735172

Steam's Medieval Fest is Live, and I've put all DLCs and the Bundle 30% off to celebrate! 

See my game there, and read the announcement! Thanks adventurers!

Steam announcement on my game's page and links to DLCs/Bundle:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/577165112126735172

Caverns and Dryads is included in Steam's Medieval Fest! Thanks adventurers for supporting my game and walking by my side into the subterranean cities! You are the best! All DLCs will be 30% off during the Fest! 

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/534380184755770149

Caverns and Dryads is included in Steam's Medieval Fest! Thanks adventurers for supporting my game and walking by my side into the subterranean cities! You are the best! All DLCs will be 30% off during the Fest! 

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/534380184755770149

I'm now working on adding more special job quests! Read on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/534380184755769657 Also stay tuned because something is coming this week! :)

I'm now working on adding more special job quests! Read on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/534380184755769657
Also stay tuned because something is coming this week! :)

If you play games on Linux or Steam Deck, you can participate in the beta for Caverns and Dryads. Just tell me in the comments.

The game is free. It's a fantasy game with elements of RPG, dungeon crawler, rogue, and mixes the genres of fantasy, rpg, and romance (not explicit, romantic).

Interested? Tell me in comments.

If you play games on Linux or Steam Deck, you can participate in the beta for Caverns and Dryads. Just tell me in the comments.

The game is free. It's a fantasy game with elements of RPG, dungeon crawler, rogue, and mixes the genres of fantasy, rpg, and romance (not explicit, romantic).

Interested? Tell me in comments.

DLCs sale on Steam for my game Caverns and Dryads! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/532126482488624306

DLCs sale on Steam for my game Caverns and Dryads! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/532126482488624306

DLCs sale on Steam for my game Caverns and Dryads! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/532126482488624306

Major Release 2.0 is here! At last!

Read the announcement on  Steam! https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/518615049848226581 Thank you so much to all the players for being part of this dream! 

Major Release 2.0 is here! At last!

Read the announcement on  Steam!
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/518615049848226581

Thank you so much to all the players for being part of this dream! 

I've released an update, 1.9, which solves many bugs. Next will be the major release!

See news on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/526495084411094065

If you want to see a sneak peek of 2.0, visit my blog here:

http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/02/how-do-i-write-story-of-caverns-and.html

I've released an update, 1.9, which solves many bugs. Next will be the major release!

See news on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3634870/view/526495084411094065

If you want to see a sneak peek of 2.0, visit my blog here:

http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/02/how-do-i-write-story-of-caverns-and.html

Post about how I write the chapters of my game's story in my blog:
http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/02/how-do-i-write-story-of-caverns-and.html

Post about how I write the chapters of my game's story in my blog:
http://www.beautifulfantasy.art/2026/02/how-do-i-write-story-of-caverns-and.html

Greetings, adventurers! 

WHAT I’M WORKING ON

Right now all the illustrations for Caverns and Dryads are finished, and the only thing left is connecting everything together so I can finally publish. It’s a very exciting moment, even though there’s still programming, testing, translating, and a few other tasks ahead. But with a bit of luck, I hope to wrap it all up during February.

CHECK OUT THE BLOG THESE DAYS

If you enjoy reading my blog at http://www.beautifulfantasy.art, I’ll be posting several entries over the next few days about my writing process, the art, and the game’s design. You might find them interesting.

If you’ve never visited the blog before, it contains posts about the game… and some stranger things. It’s probably not for everyone, but you might like it. There are no rules there. Alongside reflections and worldbuilding, you’ll find visual creations and poems.

In the coming days I’ll be sharing how I’m creating this game, so you can get a sense of the process, what inspires me, and why. It might be inspiring for you as well.

THE DLCs AND THE BUNDLE ARE DISCOUNTED AS A THANK YOU

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so I decided to show my love for you, the players, in two ways:

The DLCs are discounted. If you don’t have the Maps DLC yet—which is very useful—it’s 15% off, which is great considering its already low price. And the Bestiary DLC is also discounted, at 25%, making it very cheap.

The Bundle with both DLCs is now 30% off, and with the stacked discounts it’s extremely affordable. You can get everything for under 5 euros, or around 5 dollars, I think. You’ll get both the Bestiary and the Maps.

This discount lasts until the 14th of this month. Everything I earn from it will go directly into promoting and developing the game.

Thank you all so much! I’m incredibly excited to finish everything and release the adventure of the Emerald City! Thank you for being part of this dream.

— Louis

Greetings, adventurers! 

WHAT I’M WORKING ON

Right now all the illustrations for Caverns and Dryads are finished, and the only thing left is connecting everything together so I can finally publish. It’s a very exciting moment, even though there’s still programming, testing, translating, and a few other tasks ahead. But with a bit of luck, I hope to wrap it all up during February.

CHECK OUT THE BLOG THESE DAYS

If you enjoy reading my blog at http://www.beautifulfantasy.art, I’ll be posting several entries over the next few days about my writing process, the art, and the game’s design. You might find them interesting.

If you’ve never visited the blog before, it contains posts about the game… and some stranger things. It’s probably not for everyone, but you might like it. There are no rules there. Alongside reflections and worldbuilding, you’ll find visual creations and poems.

In the coming days I’ll be sharing how I’m creating this game, so you can get a sense of the process, what inspires me, and why. It might be inspiring for you as well.

THE DLCs AND THE BUNDLE ARE DISCOUNTED AS A THANK YOU

Valentine’s Day is coming up, so I decided to show my love for you, the players, in two ways:

The DLCs are discounted. If you don’t have the Maps DLC yet—which is very useful—it’s 15% off, which is great considering its already low price. And the Bestiary DLC is also discounted, at 25%, making it very cheap.

The Bundle with both DLCs is now 30% off, and with the stacked discounts it’s extremely affordable. You can get everything for under 5 euros, or around 5 dollars, I think. You’ll get both the Bestiary and the Maps.

This discount lasts until the 14th of this month. Everything I earn from it will go directly into promoting and developing the game.

Thank you all so much! I’m incredibly excited to finish everything and release the adventure of the Emerald City! Thank you for being part of this dream.

— Louis

Greetings, adventurers! 

Today’s update brings many new features! Read this post to learn everything.

WEAPONS

More realism for weapons: they can now be damaged through use and by the acidic attacks of monsters (or their acidic blood).

You will see the weapon’s durability next to the armor’s durability.

You can buy weapons in cities (not all cities have the same stock). Some cities offer stronger weapons, others less so. I plan to add even more weapons in future updates!

THE INTRO

I’ve made some adjustments that give you more hints about the protagonists. You can replay the intro from the menu (INTRO button).

For new players, the intro is now mandatory. Some new players didn’t understand the heroes’ purpose because they skipped it.

Since the story is a fundamental part of Caverns and Dryads, this change is necessary. This way, players see the narrative mechanics and the main plot of our adventures from the very beginning.

UPDATE TO FOUND ARMOR/WEAPON SCREENS AND ARMORY

When you find a weapon or armor in a dungeon, you will now see the differences with your current equipment more visually. This helps you compare and decide whether to switch or not. Along with the images, I added +, -, or = signs next to the stats to make comparison easier.

In the armory in cities, you can also compare weapons and armor more clearly, and buy different types of equipment. Cities have different stock, so check them whenever you visit.

MAPS DLC NOW HAS AN EXTRA USE!

Players who bought the Maps DLC can now open the map from the DLC screen and view it while in cities or dungeons, to plan routes and study the world.

If you bought the DLC, simply update the game and you’ll enjoy this new feature.

This is useful to understand the world better, or to evaluate whether to abandon or continue an accepted job. Also helpful to calmly decide where to go next.

REPLAY SIGNIFICANT CHAPTERS

By tapping the Heart icon, you open the screen where you can see details about the heroes’ relationship. Recently, I added a Friends button and a Milestones button. Tapping either showed a visual list with thumbnails and some information.

Now, when you tap on each friend or milestone, you will see a “Remember” button. Pressing it will replay an important chapter you already experienced.

For example, if you completed the quest to save the river, you will see the epilogue again.

This improvement allows players to remember the important moments and relive them.

WHAT’S NEXT?

I will continue working on the illustrations. I’ve been on them for weeks. You know my workflow is hybrid so it takes time. When I finish, I’ll release an update. I’ll call it 2.0, and it will be a major update, since it will include the full playable story of the Emerald City.

Will the heroes save Tamzyn’s mother?

Will they separate, or challenge the world to stay together?

What awaits them afterward?

Wait a little longer, and you’ll be able to experience it!

THANK YOU

I never get tired of enjoy exploring it as much as I enjoy creating it for you.

Thank you, adventurers! 

-- Louis

PD: Most of these screens are from the Windows version on Steam. But the Android version here at itchio has the same features, except the maps DLC.