If last year's Absolum put you in the mood for more fantasy roguelike action, then Dark Scrolls is here to fit the bill with a retro twist.
From Gato Roboto and Gunbrella dev Doinksoft, with Devolver Digital on publishing duties, Dark Scrolls is a 'dungeon scroller', that's part procedurally-generated roguelike, part shmup.
In it, you'll choose from a cast of nine fantasy characters and adventure through dungeons, taking out hordes of enemies and dodging their attacks while you're at it. There are branching paths, boss fights, shops for some sweet upgrades, and the opportunity to do it all either solo or in local/online co-op.
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The most eye-catching part, however, is the retro aesthetic. Just look at those chunky pixel art heroes! Listen to the music! Talk about a throwback.
Here's a rundown of the game's key features and a handful of screenshots, courtesy of Devolver:
- Choose from a cast of nine playable characters and hurl axes, fling arrows, toss knives and even flip steaks at a rogues’ gallery of bizarre enemies
- Each character, whether it’s a burly berserker or a saxophone-playing rat, has unique skills, side objectives and customizable trinkets to experiment with
- Play solo or invite a pal aboard to help. Dark Scrolls supports both local and online co-op and collaborating players can strategize and revive each other mid-level
- Super authentic old school visuals, SFX and music. Looks and sounds like classic games of yore, but with the sparkle of modern controls and design
- Procedurally generated levels stitched together from hand-crafted rooms. Every run offers new surprises, branching paths and skill-testing bosses
We still don't have a precise release date for this one just yet, though Devolver has confirmed that it'll be launching at some point this year. We'll be keeping an eye out for more info in the coming months, because this looks like it could be a slice of couch co-op fun.
What do you make of Dark Scrolls? Adventure down to the comments and let us know.





Comments 26
Woah this looks so rad. I loved Gato Roboto, never played Gunbrella, but it looked pretty sweet too. Go Doinksoft!
What we need is Gauntlet Legends in roguelike.
My wizard needs food badly.
I clearly have to fix an early retirement soon to make room for more gaming
I am absolutely in for this.
Chunky pixels indeed. Looks splendid. Why wouldn't you?
Though I do always get a bit sus when a game's title puns on the Souls name. Like ... if it's a good game, where's the confidence to give it its own identity rather than piggybacking on something else?
This looks great! Probably just online co-op with friends though?
@neogyo Same, though I played the demo for Gunbrella. It was great.
@Misima Yesssss, please!!!!
@Misima love gauntlet legends. Still play my dreamcast copy on occasion.
This looks awesome. I dig it.
@OldManHermit we are of a kind.
Love Doinksoft. Got a Gato Roboto t-shirt. Honestly, is a contender for a top 10 list of most underrated games of all time, in my opinion. Fantastic, simple metroidvania. Gunbrella was good too. Not sure I love the title of this one, in that it’s a bit on the nose as a parody, but I’ll definitely get it when it launches regardless!
Definitely grabbing since it’s doinksoft
Lost me at roguelike
Sigh
@AussieMcBucket heck yea. I just learned about Demon Throttle too. Apparently physical only which is kinda cool imo tho I always buy indie games digitally for reasons. I’m seeing the collection with Gato, Gunbrella and Demon for only $20 so might just get it!
Gato Roboto was pretty nifty, sweet and short. I'm not entirely sold on this concept, yet. The characters seem very generic. I mean a wizard in a robe that looks a bit like a jawa... we all seen that before.
@neogyo Oh, I hadn't heard of that one. Looks great, too! That does sound like a good deal.
The video looks a bit chaotic.
But I do like the pixel art and animation in this game.
This doesnt remind me of Absolum one bit, I agree with some others that it looks chaotic and maybe so chaotic it is messy.
This looks rather good. Doinksoft/Devolver usually know how to throw a good game together, and have their own original look that I appreciate. I to thought of gauntlet when I saw the thumbnail for this. The color coded classes dungeon crawling together is similar. I spent a lot of time on legends and dark legacy back in the day, I’d love to see it return, but this is good news on its own to.
Great look and sounds. Love it.
Love what they've shown of this, definitely interested in seeing and hearing more about it (hopefully including a review here on Nintendo Life if possible) and most likely playing it myself when it comes out and I have the time for it - that said, I should give the mentioned Absolum a try first and foremost, especially considering that I've just got a copy of it!
Anyone else seeing some visual references to Mario 2? The ice blocks look very similar style, and that snowman enemy reminds me of the cactus enemy. There’s even a rocket we see briefly. Hits right in the nostalgia bone.
Overall the game looks super fun, it has my attention.
@AussieMcBucket Says local... Now I'm worried 😹
I don't know what the hell is going on but I love what I see.
@Zeeba Oh, multiplayer? I know. It seems like no one cares to add matchmaking except for big online games where that is largely the focus.
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