Publisher Devolver Digital and developer doinksoft have announced Dark Scrolls, a fantasy-themed side-scrolling action platformer that “fuses shoot ’em up-style chaos with roguelite progression.” It will launch for Switch and PC via Steam in 2026.
“Whenever I search for ‘roguelike’ I don’t find what I’m looking for,” said Doinksoft’s Cullen Dwyer in a press release. “I get a poker game or a pachinko game or a heartfelt narrative about a Greek god or a Yu-Gi-Oh! card game. How are those at all like a 1980s turn-based, grid-locked dungeon crawler that you can play in the command line with vim control bindings? They have ‘randomness?’ Pathetic. And here I am, part of the problem. Might as well call it a Metroidvania, too.”
Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:
About
Dark Scrolls is a fantasy-themed action platformer that fuses shoot ’em up-style chaos with roguelite progression and is packed with charm, challenge, and secrets.
Set forth on your quest to [INSERT GOAL HERE] with one of the worthy yet quirky heroes in solo or cooperative play, local and online. Hack, slash, and dodge through hordes of enemies and deadly traps in procedurally generated runs of hand-crafted rooms and levels using each hero’s unique attacks and abilities to your advantage.
Sharp reflexes and split-second decisions are crucial to survival as the intensity ratchets up as each run delivers new surprises, branching paths, and unrelenting bosses to conquer. Gobble up coins to spend at Bruce & Goose’s Shoppe as you take a breath from the action to gain new perks, devastating attacks and summoned allies. Stack them right, and you’ll unleash screen-filling destruction of arcade legend.
Keep an eye out for secrets among the chaos as this land holds many mysteries with new paths and locations, new heroes to rescue and add to your roster, and more…
Key Features
- Double Trouble – Charge forth alone or bring a co-op buddy to tackle dungeons together, combine powerful attacks and revive one another if you fall in battle.
- Choose Your Own Adventure – Each run offers hand-crafted screens, unique bosses, and evolving routes shaped by player choices and quests.
- Rogue’s Gallery – Unlock nine distinctive heroes with unique skills, side objectives, and customizable trinkets that alter gameplay.
- Arcade Alchemy – Chain perks and elemental powers through combat performance for explosive, high-reward playstyles.
Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.