If you’ve ever dreamed of leading a 19th-century expedition through uncharted jungles—only to find yourself bargaining with a parrot for treasure or chowing down on donkey meat to survive—Curious Expedition is here to deliver that absurdity in spades. This beloved roguelike adventure, praised for its blend of strategy, humor, and chaos, is currently on sale for a mere $1.50 on Steam, making it the perfect time to dive into its delightfully deranged world.
A Roguelike Where Everything Can (and Will) Go Wrong
Developed by Maschinen-Mensch, Curious Expedition tasks players with guiding explorers through procedurally generated landscapes teeming with danger, mystery, and outright weirdness. Think Indiana Jones meets Monty Python. One moment, you’re recruiting a pygmy chef who claims his soufflé can tame wild beasts; the next, you’re fleeing a swarm of vengeful bees after pilfering their hive. The game’s charm lies in its unpredictability: every decision, from rationing supplies to placating local tribes with trinkets, spirals into hilarious or harrowing consequences.
“It’s like Oregon Trail, but if the Oregon Trail had cannibalistic shrines and a sanity meter,” quipped one Steam reviewer. And they’re not wrong. Your crew might succumb to madness after stumbling upon an ancient cursed idol—or simply because you fed them expired sardines. Survival hinges on creativity, luck, and a willingness to embrace the absurd.
Why You’ll Love It (Besides the Donkey Meat)
At its core, Curious Expedition is a game about storytelling. Each run generates fresh tales of triumph or disaster, like the time a player’s star geologist abandoned the team to start a coconut farm, or when a “friendly” gorilla demanded tribute in exchange for directions to a hidden temple. The pixel-art style oozes retro charm, while the jazzy soundtrack keeps the mood light—even as your explorer nibbles on their trusty pack animal. (Pro tip: Don’t name the donkey.)
The game also boasts a cult following for its clever meta-progression. Unlock new characters, from sharpshooting cowgirls to occultists, each with unique skills. But beware: permadeath is always lurking. Lose your leader to a poison dart frog, and it’s back to the drawing board.
Grab It While It’s Hot (and Cheap)
Originally priced at 1.50**—roughly the cost of a gumball. For less than a cup of coffee, you get a game that’s equal parts challenging, hilarious, and endlessly replayable.
Snag Curious Expedition on Steam here and prepare for expeditions gone gloriously off the rails.
What Players Are Saying
Since its 2015 launch, the game has racked up over 5,000 “Very Positive” Steam reviews. Fans praise its razor-sharp balance between strategy and silliness, with one user noting, “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve screamed, ‘WHY DID I THINK STEALING THAT TOTEM WAS A GOOD IDEA?!’” Others highlight the recent sequel, Curious Expedition 2, but insist the original remains a “must-play” for its pure, unadulterated chaos.
Final Verdict: A Steal You Can’t Ignore
At $1.50, Curious Expedition isn’t just a bargain—it’s a comedic masterpiece wrapped in a roguelike. Whether you’re a strategy savant or just here for the story of how your botanist got elected chief of a mushroom tribe, this game delivers. Just remember: when the going gets tough, the tough eat donkey.
Sale ends soon, so rally your crew (and maybe a backup donkey) before the deal vanishes into the jungle mist.