Information Revealed on Retro-Style Roguelike Shooter ‘Dark Scrolls’

▶ Repetitive gameplay structure combining procedural generation and manual dungeons
▶ New release enhancing retro vibes with pixel art and old-school sound

Global indie game publisher Devolver Digital and developer Doink Soft have unveiled the pixel-style dungeon scroller ‘Dark Scrolls’. Blending the chaos characteristic of shooting games with the growth fun of roguelikes, the game is scheduled to be released on PC and Nintendo Switch in 2026.

From muscular berserkers to saxophone-playing rats… 9 unique heroes

The most notable element of Dark Scrolls is the nine characters appearing in the game, featuring heroes with distinct personalities such as a muscular berserker and a rat playing the saxophone.

You can break through dungeons by firing off a variety of weapons, including axes, bows, knives, and even steaks. With unique character skills, sub-objectives, and accessory customization, the flow of gameplay changes significantly depending on which hero you choose.

A combination of procedural generation + handcrafted dungeons… a new challenge every time

The dungeons in Dark Scrolls adopt a structure that combines procedural generation with hand-designed elements. You must advance by slashing and dodging numerous enemies and traps, and each time, a new structure, branching paths, enemies, traps, and bosses appear.

After clearing the dungeon, you can use coins at the ‘Bruce & Goose Shop’ to purchase new perks, powerful attacks, and summoned companions. The key to survival is to unleash arcade-style destructive power that fills the screen through the right combination.

This game supports not only single-player but also local and online co-op modes. In particular, the co-op mode allows you to revive fallen teammates, enabling you to experience the true essence of strategic cooperative gameplay rather than simple free-for-all battles.

“Authentic old-school” sound… Classic vibes harmonizing with pixel visuals

In terms of sound, Dark Scrolls puts ‘authentic old-school’ front and center, from sound effects to music. The development team explains that they have recreated the sensibility of classic retro games with modern controls and design. Combined with pixel art visuals, it evokes the unique nostalgia of arcade and console games from the 1980s and 90s.

Developer’s candid comment : “There wasn’t a roguelike I wanted, so I made it myself.”

Doinksoft is an Oregon-based indie studio acquired by Devolver Digital in April 2023. Over the years, it has built a solid fanbase in the indie scene through original genre experiments such as Gato Roboto, Gunbrella, and Demon Throttle.

Developer Cullen Dwyer candidly shared his thoughts on the game’s development intent. “No matter how much I searched for the keyword ‘roguelike,’ I couldn’t find the kind of game I wanted. I decided that if that was the case, it would be better to make it myself,” he stated.

He pointed out that the current roguelike genre is being used as an overly broad concept, emphasizing, “Just because there are random elements does not mean it is the same game.” It is a statement that reflects the determination to twist genre conventions and create the game one truly wants.

Ultimately, Dark Scrolls positions itself as a title closer to a “roguelike that isn’t a roguelike,” restructured around the gameplay style the developers desire rather than adhering to the framework of the existing genre.

With fast-paced action, screen-filling bullet hell, and a simple yet deep progression structure, ‘Dark Scrolls’ is a modern reinterpretation of the essential fun of 80s and 90s arcade games. The attention of countless retro action fans is focused on how the game’s chaotic dungeons, which are both familiar and unfamiliar, will be unveiled to the world.

Dark Scrolls related information