The roguelite genre officially has another contender in the form of Dark rollsan upcoming Steam game that may sound like Dark soulsbut more reminiscent of retro title Ghosts 'n Goblinswith a healthy dose of bullet hell. This exciting Steam title is supported by publisher Devolver Digital and will be released on June 22nd on PC and Nintendo Switch.
When it comes to smaller titles from relatively unknown developers—in this case, doinksoft—few have a track record like Devolver Digital. The publisher has an excellent track record of publishing great titles from talented indie developers, where the main obstacle to success is simply word of mouth. When looking at some of the best Devolver Digital games, titles like Hotline Miami and Cult of the Lamb you think of immediately with games like Enter the Gungeon and Encryption serve as reminders of the publisher's versatility in the genre.
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Dark rolls instantly looks like a game from another era, heavily committed to its retro side-scroller aesthetic. On the surface, this 2D action platformer looks very much so Ghosts 'n Goblinsbut it becomes immediately clear that there is much more going on here. The game is run-based, allowing players to enjoy “handcrafted screens, unique bosses, and evolving paths shaped by player choices and missions.” There are nine unique heroes to play as in total, each with their own “skills, side objectives and customizable game-changing trinkets.” The main gameplay loop involves dodging hordes of particles on the screen, giving it a fun-as-hell vibe.
Guess the games from the emojis.
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Guess the games from the emojis.
Light (120s) Medium (90s) Hard (60s)
Dark Scrolls Key Features
- NINE UNIQUE HEROES – Choose from nine heroes, each with their unique skills.
- PROCEDURALLY GENERATED RUNS – Every run is different and offers endless replayability.
- BRANCHING WALKS – “Choose Your Own Adventure” element offers choices in every run.
- ONLINE CO-OP – Play through the chaos with a friend.
- PERK SYSTEM – Chain perks for explosive constructs.
- HARD BOSS FIGHTS – Unique boss fights that challenge your build.
- BULLET HELL FIGHT – Enjoy excellent visual feedback with visually stimulating bullet hell combat.
The good news is that while Dark rolls is not released yet, it's not far. Developer doinksoft – previously behind games like Gunbrella and Gato Roboto – is launching its next title on June 22, so players won't have to wait long to get their hands on this bullet hell title. Both of the studio's previous Steam titles have received “Very Positive” reviews from players, and it looks like it has the potential to reach similar heights.
Steam is filled with so many great titles from lesser-known developers, and it's easy for them to go under the radar. But for players willing to take the time to look for these types of games, they can result in some of the most unique experiences that often can't be found from AAA studios.
