Developer Doinksoft has firmly established itself as one of the most beloved names in the indie scene. Following the charm of Gato Roboto and the action of Gunbrella, the team returns alongside publisher Devolver Digital with Dark Scrolls. Shifting away from their previous title, this latest release plunges headfirst into a fast-paced loop that blends 2D platforming, shoot ’em up mechanics, and roguelite progression. Available on Nintendo Switch and PC, this arcade-style adventure aims to win over players seeking quick sessions and, above all, chaotic coop fun.
A Whimsical Adventure with Minimal Pretensions
The premise of Dark Scrolls serves mainly as an excuse to plunge players straight into the action. Set in a humorous dark fantasy setting, the game tasks players with recovering ancient, cursed scrolls that have plunged the kingdom into absolute chaos. However, far from delivering a deep story like the studio’s previous hit Gunbrella, Doinksoft opts for a lighthearted tone here. The overall narrative takes a backseat to visual gags, quirky NPC interactions, and an eccentric roster of characters.
Narrative progression is almost non-existent in the traditional sense. Each protagonist arrives with their own peculiar secondary objectives and humorous lines of flavor text that inject personality into the experience. While the studio’s signature comedic charm remains completely intact, gamers hoping for a rich, lore-heavy campaign will find this setup markedly lightweight. It exists purely to keep the pace fast while framing the endless arcade runs with a charming, satirical backdrop.
Arcade Action with Roguelite Elements
At its core, Dark Scrolls fuses the fast-paced agility of side-scrolling platformers with the bullet-dense intensity of classic shmups and roguelite progression. The primary gameplay loop is straightforward: players select an adventurer from the roster, dive into procedurally generated stages, and fight through swarms of enemis to defeat the zone’s final boss. Defeating enemies rewards currency and experience, which can be spent to acquire temporary upgrades, elemental powers, and ultimate attacks for the active run.
Each of the nine unlockable heroes features a distinct attack pattern, mobility tools, and upgrade options that alter the combat approach. Furthermore, sub-weapons and trinkets allow additional loadout customization.
However, despite the responsive controls, the overwall design suffers from simplicity. Compared to the refined momentum and combat synergy of Gunbrella, Dark Scrolls feels somewhat flatter over long-term play. The procedurally generated room layouts and predictable enemy attack patterns begin to feel repetitive after just a few hours. Because overall progression and perk costs are quite high, the core loop can feel overly grindy.
Pixel Art Meets Flawless Retro Performance
In terms of presentation, Dark Scrolls carries forward the vibrant design identity that Doinksoft fans have come to love. The game adopts a carefully detailed pixel art aesthetic reminiscent of 16-bit classics, enhanced with modern dynamic lighting effects and a rich color palette that pops on screen. Character sprites are expressive, bringing personality to every battle. From bizarre monster designs to charming map screens inspired by classic titles, the visual execution remains a clear highlight.
Performance is equally excellent across platforms, tested extensively on Nintendo Switch. The game maintains a locked 60 frames per second target even during chaotic firefights filled with overlapping projectiles and explosions. Loading times between rooms and instant run resets keep downtime non-existent.
Audio design also adds to the retro experience. The energetic chiptune soundtrack complements the frantic speed of every encounter, featuring catchy melodies and punchy sound effects. While a few repetitive sound effects can occasionally get annoying during long sessions, the overall presentation is a polished and loving homage to classic arcade design.
Designed With Multiplayer in Mind
Where Dark Scrolls truly shines and finds its rhythm is in its multiplayer mode, fully supporting both local couch co-op on a shared screen and online play. While the single-player experience can occasionally feel repetitive over long sessions, introducing a second player transforms the title into an entertaining, frantic battle.
Gameplay mechanics adapt cleverly to two-player dynamics. Combining the abilities of distinct heroes unlocks strategies for clearing tricky rooms and taking down bullet-spongy bosses. Furthermore, the inclusion of a revival system adds a vital layer of strategic teamwork. This cooperative focus mitigates many of the single-player progression hurdles, making team sessions feel significantly more lively and rewarding.
A Charming Retro Distraction That Falls Just Short of Greatness
Dark Scrolls stands as an enjoyable arcade distraction that delivers quick bursts of action, a great retro presentation, and a highly entertaining cooperative experience at a budget-friendly price point. The distinct personality of its roster, paired with Doinksoft’s signature humor, ensures that the initial hours are engaging and full of charm, particularly when shared with a co-op partner on the couch or online.
However, when placed alongside the developer’s illustrious back catalog, it is difficult to ignore a sense of missed potential. Following Gato Roboto and Gunbrella, this latest outing feels noticeably simpler and less ambitious. The repetition that comes with its procedural room layouts, combined with an overly grindy meta-progression system, causes momentum to stall prematurely. Single-player adventurers, in particular, may find the core gameplay loop growing stale long before unlocking every character and trinket.
Ultimately, Dark Scrolls is a solid recommendation for enthusiasts of retro side-scrollers and gamers seeking a lighthearted cooperative title for brief play sessions. While it may not represent a major leap forward for Doinksoft or reach the top tier of Devolver Digital’s indie lineup, its vibrant energy and accessible price make it a fun, albeit minor, addition to any Switch or PC library.
Dark Scrolls
Summary
Dark Scrolls delivers an entertaining arcade experience that excels in local and online co-op play. Its vibrant pixel aesthetic, catchy soundtrack, and character roster provide plenty of initial charm and fluid gameplay. While repetitive layouts and a grindy progression loop keep it from matching the heights of its peers, it remains a fun, budget-friendly option for fans of quick action sessions.
Played on Nintendo Switch 2.
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