The developers behind Dark Scrolls have released an official instruction booklet on Steam, titled the Scroll of Forbidden Knowledge, to help players get up to speed with the fantasy action platformer’s mechanics and roster.
The manual covers every hero available in the game, breaking down their individual strengths and unique abilities so you can identify the playstyle that matches your preferences. According to the team, the guide is designed for both newcomers stepping into what they call the Doinkverse for the first time and players already familiar with the roguelite’s systems, though they acknowledge not every secret will be spelled out in the booklet.
Dark Scrolls combines shmup-style intensity with roguelite progression across procedurally generated runs built from hand-crafted rooms. Players hack, slash, and dodge through enemy hordes and deadly traps, collecting coins to spend at Bruce & Goose’s Shoppe for perks and summoned allies, all while contending with evolving boss encounters and branching paths that shift based on player choices. The game supports solo play and cooperative modes, both local and online.
If you’re interested to know how the game came about and what inspired it’s weird ideas, developer Tucker Hazell sat down for a Dark Scrolls deep dive.
The Scroll of Forbidden Knowledge is downloadable now on Steam. I’ll admit, this is something I could have benefitted from when I dove into the Doinkverse for the first time! Still on the fence about whether or not to try this popular action roguelite? Take a look at our Dark Scrolls review if you missed it last month.