Orcthal is an action indie casual game on PC that puts players in control of an orc raiding human strongholds in a horde-survival action roguelite format. The core loop centers on entering fortified territory, cutting through waves of enemies, destroying structures, completing objectives, and escaping with loot before the defenses overwhelm the attacker. Each attempt ends in either success or failure, but permanent progress carries forward through town-based systems that improve future runs.
Gameplay
The gameplay revolves around short, intense raids where the orc must navigate growing enemy forces and fortified positions. Players select from character classes that emphasize different combat approaches, such as close-quarters fighting, ranged attacks, summoning allies, or using magic. During a raid, leveling up grants perks and abilities that can be combined in varied ways, with every fifth level offering stronger options and rare unlocks introducing new mechanics. Builds evolve through equipment choices and upgrades that alter playstyle, encouraging experimentation across multiple attempts.
After each raid, resources and items return to town for refinement. Equipment can be equipped persistently across runs, unwanted pieces salvaged for materials, or three matching items transmuted into improved versions. This system supports hunting for specific stat combinations and preparing loadouts tailored to different classes. The progression board known as Orc Bingo tracks challenges across combat, survival, destruction, abilities, and playstyles, with completed lines or full cards unlocking new classes, passives, buildings, and further options.
Game Modes
The game focuses on a single core activity of conducting raids into human territory. Each raid functions as an independent run with escalating difficulty as enemy numbers and responses increase. Objectives within the raid involve demolishing structures and securing loot while adapting to counterattacks. There are no separate named modes, but the roguelite structure allows repeated attempts with evolving builds and permanent town upgrades that affect all future raids.
Progression and Customization
Long-term advancement comes from the Orc Bingo board and town systems. Completing challenges across raids fills the 5x5 grid, yielding rewards that expand available classes, abilities, and facilities. In town, players also collect cosmetic items to alter the orc's appearance on arms, body, head, legs, and shoulders, mixing styles and colors without affecting combat performance. This layer adds variety to repeated runs without changing the fundamental raid loop.
Is It Worth Playing?
Orcthal suits players who enjoy horde-survival roguelites with a focus on build crafting and incremental progression. The raid structure rewards quick sessions where each attempt tests new combinations of perks, abilities, and equipment. Permanent upgrades through salvaging, transmuting, and the Bingo system provide clear goals beyond individual runs. Those who prefer action gameplay centered on adapting to increasing threats and refining loadouts will find the systems engaging. The game remains in active development with its described features intact, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre on PC.
