IVAN
| Iter Vehemens ad Necem | |
|---|---|
| Stable game | |
| Developer | Timo Kiviluoto and others |
| Theme | fantasy |
| Influences | ??? |
| Released | Dec 10, 2001 (0.301) |
| Updated | Jun 7, 2016 (0.50.6) |
| Licensing | Open Source (GPL v2) |
| P. Language | C++ |
| Platforms | DOS, Windows, Linux |
| Interface | Tiles, Keyboard |
| Game Length | long |
| Official site of Iter Vehemens ad Necem | |
Iter Vehemens ad Necem (meaning violent way to death; better known as IVAN) is a graphical roguelike game by Finnish developers which mixes addictive gameplay with brilliant humor and a lot of violence. Graphics and easy interface make it a good game for beginners, but completing the game is very hard due to unpredictable and dangerous situations that the game throws at the player.
Body part system
Game includes body parts but only for humanoids. Yes, in IVAN you can lose your arm. This is far from game over though. You can have it reattached. Sometimes you will leave a leg to hungry lion and flee with rest of your body. This situation can be remedied by finding new limb. Do this by taking it from a poor unsuspecting monster or have it summoned by a god pleased with you.
Limbs are replaceable but if hit points in your head, chest or groin reach zero you are dead.
Item materials
Each item is defined to be composed of one or two materials. Pine spear with iron tip, steel mace with fir handle or copper short sword with bronze hilt are all possible combinations. Double material property is also used to code many containers. Can of pepsi is a can with second substance set to pepsi.
One very interesting and valuable item is Scroll of Change Material. It is so useful developers made wishing engine recognize "SoCM" as a valid phrase. As name suggest this magical trinket is able to turn material an item is made of to something else. There is intelligence stat requirement to make this feature balanced.
Pantheon
IVAN features fifteen gods of varying alignments. Player character may establish relationship with any deity. Unlike most other roguelike games it is possible to pray regardless of alignment. However, to do so one must first know correct rituals. Those can be learned by reading a special book or by visiting dedicated altar.
Offering sacrifices increases relationship. There exist certain items and substances which raise standing with given deity more than others.
IVAN community can be found at this unofficial forum. Original forums lack active members with moderator privileges and are overrun with spambots.
Active and ongoing unofficial development can be found here: IVAN community github repository Releases can be found here: [1]