Ron Gilbert, creator of the Monkey Island series, has unveiled his latest project, Death by Scrolling, a roguelike RPG revealed at Gamescom: Opening Night Live, featuring a unique gameplay mechanic.
The game is set in Purgatory and features a top-down perspective similar to classic Zelda games, combined with a fast-paced combat system. Players must continuously move upwards to evade the encroaching bottom of the screen, battling enemies, collecting gold, and acquiring loot along the way. The ever-present threat of Death adds urgency to the gameplay, discouraging hesitation as the screen relentlessly scrolls.
Gilbert revealed that Death by Scrolling has been in development since 2019, but was temporarily halted due to his involvement with Return to Monkey Island. Following the completion of Monkey Island, Gilbert initiated another RPG endeavor but deemed it overly ambitious, reallocating the two contractors working on that project to Death by Scrolling.
Players will be able to select from various playable characters, each possessing distinct perks that influence their gameplay experience. Although the Gamescom trailer did not specify a precise release date, Gilbert indicated that Death by Scrolling is slated for launch in 2025.
The game offers a new spin on doomscrolling, according to IGN’s Rebekah Valentine, blending roguelike elements with constant pursuit within a purgatorial setting.
