- The Vibe: A pixel-art dungeon scroller that blends arcade shooting chaos with deep roguelike progression.
- The Heroes: 9 eccentric characters, ranging from a muscle-bound berserker to a saxophone-playing rat.
- The Loop: A mix of procedural generation and handcrafted level design, featuring the “Bruce & Goose” upgrade shop.
- Release Window: Slated for 2026 on PC and Nintendo Switch.
Indie publishing titan Devolver Digital and developer Doinksoft (the studio behind Gunbrella and Gato Roboto) have officially pulled back the curtain on their latest project: Dark Scrolls. Described as a “roguelike shooter adventure,” the game aims to capture the raw, unfiltered energy of 90s arcade classics while injecting a modern sense of growth and discovery.
A Motley Crew of 9 Misfit Heroes
In Dark Scrolls, your choice of hero fundamentally changes the flow of your run. The initial roster features nine distinct characters, each with its own sub-objectives and unique skill sets.
- The Berserker: For those who prefer raw power and up-close carnage.
- The Saxophone Rat: A fan-favorite in the making, utilizing musical chaos to disrupt foes.
- Customization: Beyond character choice, players can equip various trinkets and sub-weapons—ranging from traditional knives and axes to more unconventional projectiles like exploding steaks.
Handcrafted Chaos Meet Procedural Design
The game tackles the common roguelike pitfall of “aimless wandering” by blending two distinct design philosophies. While the overall layout is procedurally generated to ensure replayability, individual rooms and combat encounters are meticulously handcrafted.
- Bruce & Goose Shop: After surviving a floor, players can spend their hard-earned coins at this signature shop to purchase perks, powerful attacks, or even summonable companions to aid in the next descent.
- Co-op Mayhem: Dark Scrolls supports both local and online co-op. A unique revival system allows players to bring back fallen teammates, shifting the focus from individual survival to strategic teamwork.
“The Game I Couldn’t Find”: A Developer’s Vision
Cullen Dwyer, a key designer at Doinksoft, was candid about the game’s origins. Frustrated by a market saturated with “roguelike” titles that lacked the specific bite he was looking for, he decided to build it himself.
“No matter how much I searched for the specific roguelike I wanted to play, it didn’t exist,” Dwyer stated. “So, I figured I’d just make it. Not every game with random elements is the same, and we wanted to strip things back to that essential arcade-style destruction.”
Game Specification: Dark Scrolls
| Category | Details |
| Developer | Doinksoft (Subsidiary of Devolver Digital) |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Genre | Pixel Dungeon Scroller / Roguelike Shooter |
| Platforms | PC & Nintendo Switch |
| Multiplayer | Solo / Local Co-op / Online Co-op |
| Aesthetic | Authentic Old-School Pixel Art & Sound |
| Release Year | 2026 |
The Doinksoft Touch
Since being acquired by Devolver Digital in 2023, the Oregon-based Doinksoft has continued to double down on its “noir-punk” and retro aesthetics. Dark Scrolls looks to be their most ambitious shooter to date, prioritizing fluid controls and a ” 정통 (Authentic) Old-School” soundscape that feels like it was ripped straight from a 16-bit console.
Official Website: www.darkscrolls.com
Follow for Updates: @DevolverKR
