Adam Anwar
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Codebound: Turn-Based Terminal RPG Engine

Turn-based terminal RPG in C++17 with a multi-phase boss, audio events and a saved leaderboard.

3 min read

Source on GitHub

A modular, turn-based terminal RPG and battle simulation engine written in modern C++ featuring audio integration, multi-tier enemy AI, and persistent leaderboard tracking.

Description

Codebound is an interactive console role-playing game built from scratch in C++. It demonstrates advanced object-oriented architecture through polymorphic character hierarchies, state-driven battle encounters, multi-phase boss mechanics, audio event management, and score persistence.

Key Game Systems

  • Polymorphic Entities: Base Character class inherited by Player, regular Enemy, and multi-phase Boss subclasses with virtual action methods.
  • Combat Mechanics: Dynamic damage calculation incorporating critical strikes, defense mitigation, elemental vulnerabilities, and special abilities.
  • Boss Encounter Architecture: Multi-phase boss battle with adaptive decision-making depending on player health and tactical state.
  • Audio Management Subsystem: Event-driven AudioManager triggering sound effects and ambient tracks for critical encounters and level transitions.
  • Persistent Leaderboard: File-backed Leaderboard subsystem that serializes player statistics, high scores, and run duration to disk.

System Architecture

┌─────────────────┐       ┌─────────────────┐
│     Player      │       │      Enemy      │
└────────┬────────┘       └────────┬────────┘
         │                         │
         ▼                         ▼
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
   │         Character (Base)            │
   └──────────────────┬──────────────────┘
                      │
                      ▼
   ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
   │        Battle / Combat Engine       │
   └───────────┬───────────────┬─────────┘
               │               │
               ▼               ▼
     ┌─────────────────┐ ┌───────────────┐
     │  AudioManager   │ │  Leaderboard  │
     └─────────────────┘ └───────────────┘

Repository Structure

Codebound/
├── AudioManager.h/cpp  # Audio playback driver and sound effect triggers
├── Character.h/cpp     # Base entity class with attributes and virtual methods
├── Player.h/cpp        # Player class with inventory, skills, and stats
├── Enemy.h/cpp         # Regular enemy variations and encounter behaviors
├── Boss.h/cpp          # Multi-stage boss entity with specialized attack patterns
├── Leaderboard.h/cpp   # High score record management and disk serialization
├── main.cpp            # Game loop, input handling, and terminal rendering
└── Makefile            # Automated compilation script

Requirements

  • Compiler: GCC (g++) or Clang supporting C++17
  • Operating System: macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL)
  • Audio Libraries: Native macOS audio utilities (afplay) or SDL2/OpenAL on Linux

Installation & Compilation

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/ADM1SH/codebound.git
cd codebound

Compile using the Makefile or manual command:

g++ -std=c++17 -Wall -Wextra -O2 -o codebound *.cpp

Usage

Start the game:

./codebound

Gameplay Controls

  • Navigate menus using numeric keys [1], [2], [3].
  • During combat:
    • [1] Attack: Standard physical strike.
    • [2] Skill: Special energy attack dealing scaled damage.
    • [3] Defend: Reduce incoming damage by 50% for one turn.
    • [4] Inventory: Consume healing potions or stat buffs.

Support

Report bugs or game balance suggestions to: https://github.com/ADM1SH/codebound/issues

Roadmap

  • Done: Core character inheritance and combat math.
  • Done: Multi-phase boss battle logic.
  • Done: Persistent leaderboard file I/O.
  • Done: Terminal audio manager integration.
  • To do: Add procedural dungeon room generation.
  • To do: Implement equipment inventory system with randomized loot drops.

Contributing

  1. Fork the repository.
  2. Create a branch: git checkout -b feature/procedural-dungeon.
  3. Write clean, modular C++ code adhering to existing conventions.
  4. Test thoroughly and open a Pull Request.

Authors and Acknowledgment

  • Adam Anwar (ADM1SH) - Game designer and lead developer.

License

MIT License. See LICENSE for details.

Project Status

Active indie game project. Periodic updates for content balance and engine expansion.

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