Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 63 | 40 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 61% | 61 | 78 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 34% | 41 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 6 reviews sampled · 6 total reviews in window · weighted 0.7 up / 1.3 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (36)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 65
“Dark Scrolls brilliantly blends bullet-hell intensity with platforming prowess, delivering a roguelite experience that’s genuinely challenging and packed with personality. The Mixed score at launch is honest about the problems, zero onboarding, run-ending bugs, balance inconsistency, visual clutter, but it undersells what the game is when those problems don’t get in the way. The perk combo system is original and satisfying. The character roster has real depth. Co-op is an excellent use of $7.99. doinksoft clearly has interesting ideas here, and if they address the onboarding and stability issues in post-launch patches, this could shift to a clear recommendation without caveats. Right now it’s a conditional one: buy it if you’re comfortable learning a system by doing, especially if you have someone to play with.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Dark Scrolls isn’t a disaster, far from it. Its fast-paced action, humour, quirky heroes and co-op mode make for a few enjoyable sessions, especially with a friend on the sofa. But the imprecise controls, confusing progression and overly repetitive gameplay prevent the game from becoming truly addictive.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“If you need a time waster and you're fond of sidescrollers, Dark Scrolls is an OK entry that can keep you busy for a while at a budget friendly price-point. It does the job for which it is designed, but the execution is a bit lackluster.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Devolver Digital often publishes experimental and unusual games, and Dark Scrolls certainly qualifies as such. But while playing, I'm reminded time and again of another recent release, Ball x Pit.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“There's no denying that the game has charm and solid foundations, but Dark Scrolls falls a notch short of Doinksoft's previous titles. Unlocking new perks takes time, and using them isn't worth the effort. The co-op mode is interesting but doesn't offer much beyond chaos. At the end of the day, I'm left with mixed feelings.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Dark Scrolls does a good job of balancing the cosy repetitiveness of a roguelike with the challenge inherent to the Soulslike genre. There are so many different ways to play, with six characters unlockable on top of the original three, all with their own unique abilities, movement and attack patterns.For the price, there's very little reason to not give this a shot, especially for those who gravitate towards pixel art or any of the genres encompassed within Dark Scrolls.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“A bit too much is left up to the player to figure out, and I would have welcomed a bit more transparency while I struggled through my first couple hours with the game. By the time I hit my stride, I was bored of fighting the same enemies and bosses over and over. Short bursts and co-op play feel like the best ways to enjoy Dark Scrolls. Even then, there's really not enough charm or polish to shine through an experience that references the classics without containing what gives them staying power.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Dark Scrolls is certainly fun at times, but it overall feels a bit insubstantial.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Dark Scrolls is a game which I reckon will be a perfect salve for some people, being a neat call-back to the days of 8-bit gaming and old school shmups, but I just found it to be a bit too samey. It's fun, sure, but it works best in shorter half hour bursts for me. I expect a bit more from my roguelites, but if you approach this as an arcade game instead, you'll be in a better frame of mind.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Dark Scrolls is retro for all the right reasons, and very few of the wrong ones, and you’ll get plenty of substance considering its budget price point.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“With a little more time, Dark Scrolls could be a delightful little arcade-style sidescrolling rougelike.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“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.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.