# Pathos: Nethack Codex

> Roguelike dungeon crawler inspired by Nethack's rule set. (iPhone/iPad app by Callan Hodgskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathos-nethack-codex/id1045848120 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Callan Hodgskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1045848119)
- Category: Games, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 360 App Store ratings · 220 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 12.2 · 142 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese and 7 more
- Released: 2015-10-13
- Data updated: 2026-08-12
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathos-nethack-codex/id1045848120/reviews.md

## What is Pathos?

Pathos is a roguelike adventure game inspired by the rule set from Nethack.  Choose from 13 classes and journey deep into the dungeon. Descend to hell to defeat your nemesis before escaping the dungeon with all the loot you can carry!


Email
mailto:hodgskin.callan@gmail.com

Twitter
https://twitter.com/callan_hodgskin

Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/pathos_nethack

Discord
https://discord.gg/TRhRZhX

Made with Invention
https://gitlab.com/hodgskin-callan/Invention

## Key features

- Nethack-inspired gameplay
- 13 playable classes
- Deep dungeon exploration
- Defeat nemesis in hell
- Loot collection and escape

## Recent user reviews (10 of 220)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathos-nethack-codex/id1045848120/reviews.md

### 5/5 — 最高です

*2026-08-09*

こういうゲームを発掘出来た時、すごい幸せになりますねぇ
シンプルで奥深いローグライクゲームです。

### 5/5 — pathos

*2026-06-07*

面白いです！！見つけてからもう何年も遊んでます。定期的にアップデートしてるので本当に何年も遊べます！…とはいえ一つ要望があります…プレイヤーが死んで新たにやり直す際に先代からの遺産や積み上げたものが引き継がれる要素があったら…と思います。
先代冒険者たちの積み上げのお陰で最初からある能力に優れる、お金持ち、徳が高い、才能がある…などなどですがいかがでしょう♪

### 5/5 — Classic Roguelikes All in One

*2026-05-19, version 7.4*

I finally understand the beauty of these games and Pathos generates the classics by changing the codex within the opening screen. 
Wonderful game to add to any portable device.

### 2/5 — Too laggy now

*2026-05-12, version 7.4*

I can’t even play anymore because of the lag. This game was epic, and I had it installed for the longest time.

### 5/5 — Beautiful

*2026-04-05, version 7.4*

I managed to beat it after playing for a few weeks and it was fun all the way through. It’s one of the few games that’ll give you hundreds of hours of fun in such a simple package. It’s got deep mechanics with endless build variation and replayability, I strongly recommend. I also liked the way up (40-80) transforming the gameplay from “clear all rooms” to “survive until you can find the stairs”, it was a good spin. Thank you Mr. Hodgskin, looking forward to more of your work. Cheers.

### 5/5 — Just when I thought I was out

*2026-04-03, version 7.4*

I keep coming back, year after year…

### 5/5 — playable race

*2026-03-14*

i need a harpy

### 5/5 — Solid, with a lot of variety

*2026-02-23, version 7.4*

I’ve come back to this game many times over the years. Works great on all devices. Has a lot of options to play in so many different ways. Props to the developers for making a game I can’t forget!

### 5/5 — Awesome nethack variant AND MORE!

*2026-02-19, version 7.4*

I’d have been thrilled with just a great mobile port of nethack, but pathos is even better.  Callanh has expanded it into a super fun variant that retains the skill based YASD gameplay but has more going on.  Then there are several other modes which are also really fun.  I’ve drained my phone battery many times with this game, and will do so many times again

### 5/5 — The BEST Mobile Roguelike RPG! NO ADS!!!! NO PAY-TO-PLAY!

*2025-11-22*

You create your character, choose pets, optionally add companions/co-player characters and set out across several different scenarios. Play the classic “Nethack” dungeon - enter on level one, get to the bottom, e.g. level 40+ and then try to get back out again with all the loot - or choose from some different formats. Be as casual or as committed as you want. This game HAS THE BEST IN-GAME help of any mobile game around, with a totally comprehensive guide and index. I’ve already spent several hours on a playthrough and I’m HOOKED. NO ADS and NO PAY-TO-WIN, so if you like it, so give the developer some love.

## Frequently asked questions about Pathos

### What kind of game is Pathos: Nethack Codex?

Pathos: Nethack Codex is a roguelike adventure game. It draws heavy inspiration from the rule set of the classic game Nethack, offering a challenging experience with deep mechanics.

### What are the main objectives in the game?

The primary objective is to journey deep into a perilous dungeon, descend to hell to defeat your nemesis, and then successfully escape the dungeon with as much loot as you can carry.

### How many classes can I choose from?

You can choose from 13 distinct classes, each offering unique abilities and playstyles. This variety allows for different approaches to tackling the game's challenges.

### Is this game free to play?

Yes, the application is free to download and play. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a completely free experience.

### What platforms is Pathos: Nethack Codex available on?

The provided data does not explicitly state the platforms. However, it is described as a mobile application, suggesting availability on iOS and/or Android devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.4 — 2026-02-19

- see the full change log in help > updates
- swipe from the left edge to save & quit
- designed for tablets & phones; landscape & portrait
- autosave
- resurrect and continue
- custom characters
- dungeon adventure & overland quest
- ride your steed into battle
- choose from absurd, classic, geoduck & sonyvanda tiles
- 200+ monsters from Slash'em
- comprehensive help
- hall of fame (top 20)
- turn-based & real-time modes
- French, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Polish, Hungarian, Japanese, Vietnamese & Italian translations

### 7.3 — 2025-01-10

- see the full change log in help > updates
- swipe from the left edge to save & quit
- designed for tablets & phones; landscape & portrait
- autosave
- resurrect and continue
- custom characters
- dungeon adventure & overland quest
- ride your steed into battle
- choose from absurd, classic, geoduck & sonyvanda tiles
- 200+ monsters from Slash'em
- comprehensive help
- hall of fame (top 20)
- turn-based & real-time modes
- French, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Polish, Hungarian, Japanese, Vietnamese & Italian translations

### 7.2 — 2024-03-15

- see the full change log in help > updates
- swipe from the left edge to save & quit
- designed for tablets & phones; landscape & portrait
- autosave
- resurrect and continue
- custom characters
- dungeon adventure & overland quest
- ride your steed into battle
- choose from absurd, classic, geoduck & sonyvanda tiles
- 200+ monsters from Slash'em
- comprehensive help
- hall of fame (top 20)
- turn-based & real-time modes
- French, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Polish, Hungarian, Japanese, Vietnamese & Italian translations

### 7.1 — 2023-07-08

- see the full change log in help > updates
- swipe from the left edge to save & quit
- designed for tablets & phones; landscape & portrait
- autosave
- resurrect and continue
- custom characters
- dungeon adventure & overland quest
- ride your steed into battle
- choose from absurd, classic, geoduck & sonyvanda tiles
- 200+ monsters from Slash'em
- comprehensive help
- hall of fame (top 20)
- turn-based & real-time modes
- French, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Polish, Hungarian, Japanese, Vietnamese & Italian translations

### 7.0 — 2023-02-27

- see the full change log in help > updates
- swipe from the left edge to save & quit
- designed for tablets & phones; landscape & portrait
- autosave
- resurrect and continue
- custom characters
- dungeon adventure & overland quest
- ride your steed into battle
- choose from absurd, classic, geoduck & sonyvanda tiles
- 200+ monsters from Slash'em
- comprehensive help
- hall of fame (top 20)
- turn-based & real-time modes
- French, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Polish, Hungarian, Japanese, Vietnamese & Italian translations

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## More apps by Callan Hodgskin

- [Invention Manual](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/invention-manual/id1195335633)

All apps by Callan Hodgskin: https://appshunter.io/developer/1045848119

## Related topics

[pathos nethack](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pathos-nethack) · [inethack2](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/inethack2) · [nethack](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/nethack)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-12.*