nethack-console

nethack-console [-u username] [-d directory] [-D] [-s] [-v] [-?]

-u username
    Starts the game for a specific username, overriding the default login name. This is useful for multiple players on the same system.

-d directory
    Specifies an alternative directory for saving game files and other NetHack-related data. This can be used for testing or isolating save games.

-D
    Enables 'explore' mode. In this mode, scores are not recorded, and players can save and restore their game without penalty, allowing for experimentation or learning without the risk of permadeath.

-s
    Displays the scoreboard, showing the top ten (or more, depending on configuration) recorded scores without starting a new game.

-v
    Prints the version information of the nethack-console executable and then exits.

-?
    Shows a brief usage message with available command-line options.

nethack-console is the terminal-based variant of NetHack, a single-player roguelike video game. It is a descendant of the 1980 game Rogue. Players assume the role of a hero adventuring through a procedurally generated dungeon, fighting monsters, collecting items, and ultimately seeking the Amulet of Yendor. The game is renowned for its depth, complexity, and open-ended nature, featuring numerous character classes, races, alignments, items, spells, and monsters. Unlike graphical versions, nethack-console renders the entire game world using ASCII or ANSI characters, providing a minimalist yet highly functional interface. Its turn-based gameplay, permadeath (unless in exploration mode), and challenging difficulty have made it a beloved classic in the roguelike genre, offering endless replayability due to its randomized elements.

NetHack has a notoriously steep learning curve; new players may find it overwhelming. Its permadeath mechanic means a single mistake can lead to the loss of hours of progress, unless playing in explore mode. The console interface relies entirely on keyboard commands, which can be unintuitive for those accustomed to modern graphical user interfaces. It is also important to note that the game is highly complex, with many obscure interactions and hidden mechanics that often require consulting external wikis or guides.

NetHack features turn-based combat, a rich inventory system, spellcasting, alignment-based gameplay affecting interactions, and a deep lore. Its procedural generation ensures each playthrough is unique. The game is notorious for its 'YASD' (Yet Another Stupid Death) moments, where unexpected circumstances lead to a player's demise, adding to its challenge and replayability.

The console version relies on basic ASCII characters for its visual representation. For example, '@' represents the player, 'd' a dog, '$' gold, and '.' a floor tile. This design choice contributes to its classic roguelike aesthetic and allows it to run on virtually any terminal environment.

NetHack was first released in 1987, evolving from the 1985 game Hack, which itself was inspired by the original Rogue (1980). It was one of the first games to introduce persistent dungeons (where a saved game's layout remains the same), a feature not present in Rogue. Development has been continuous by the NetHack DevTeam, a group of volunteers, making it one of the longest-supported video games. The 'console' distinction emphasizes its heritage as a terminal-based game, leveraging character graphics that preceded widespread graphical user interfaces.

rogue(6), crawl(6), angband(6)