Dark Scrolls Review
Doinksoft’s fantasy platformer Dark Scrolls draws inspiration from 8-bit classics like Ghosts ’n Goblins, giving it a roguelite spin.
Dark Scrolls. Credit: doinksoft / Devolver Digital
Doinksoft and Devolver’s Dark Scrolls is a fast, funny, relentlessly energetic action platformer that borrows the look of an NES fantasy game while stuffing it with the speed, chaos, and replayability of a modern roguelite. It isn't especially deep, but it's hard to stop playing. You pick one of a growing roster of ridiculous heroes and charge through auto-scrolling dungeons packed with monsters, traps, bosses, and secrets.
The nine playable characters all have distinct attacks, special abilities, jumps, and movement styles. I never settled on a favorite. Even after unlocking new characters, I'd regularly cycle back to the older ones. They don't just look different; they completely change how you approach the game.
Dark Scrolls rarely slows down. The constantly advancing screen keeps you moving, forcing you to fight while repositioning as enemies pour in from all sides. Controls are wonderfully responsive, and every attack, jump, and special feels immediate.
Dark Scrolls. Credit: doinksoft / Devolver Digital
Permanent upgrades are limited mostly to unlocking additional characters and expanding the pool of perks available during runs. You still have to earn those perks by collecting enough coins to buy them, making success depend far more on getting better at the game than grinding out permanent power. It feels closer to a traditional roguelike than many modern roguelites, and I appreciated that.
The graphics are a large part of the appeal. The NES-accurate four-color sprites pop against the old-school 8-bit backgrounds thanks to clever drop shadows, making everything easy to read even when the screen fills with projectiles.
Dark Scrolls is hard. Still, I never felt the same frustration I often did playing one of the game's clearest influences, Ghosts 'n Goblins. Having to start over never had the same sting as it does in many games in this style. The combination of the large variety of characters with incredibly sharp controls always made me want to jump back in.
Dark Scrolls. Credit: doinksoft / Devolver Digital
Adding another player changes the rhythm dramatically as you revive each other and combine abilities. Sharing the chaos is even more rewarding than keeping it to yourself. Definitely play this one with a friend.
Dark Scrolls wears its inspirations on its sleeve and then does one better. It understands why these games were fun in the first place, then gives them sharper controls, smart roguelite structure, and enough character variety to keep the game constantly fresh.
Dark Scrolls
Dark Scrolls is an endlessly replayable retro action game whose sharp controls and varied cast keep every run feeling fresh.
