Death by Scrolling: Everything We Know

Imagine being trapped in a chaotic afterlife where the only way out is straight up. Wild idea, isn’t it? Death by Scrolling is an upcoming game that dares to ask: what if Purgatory was an endless climb with the Grim Reaper hot on your heels? It comes from Ron Gilbert – the creator of Monkey Island, and this rogue-like RPG puts a wild new spin on escaping the afterlife. It was recently unveiled at Gamescom 2025, and we’ve gathered everything we know so far about Death by Scrolling.

The buzz around this title is already building. We’re talking about a vertically scrolling action-RPG set in a tongue-in-cheek afterlife with non-stop movement and quirky humor. Who’s making it? Ron Gilbert and his team at Terrible Toybox, backed by publisher MicroProse. What’s it about and how will it play? We’ll get into the story and gameplay that have gamers intrigued. And the big question: when can we play it? Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered too.

What is Death by Scrolling?

Death by Scrolling is a new roguelike RPG designed around a vertical-scrolling format. Instead of the usual side-to-side dungeons or static arenas, the game is set in Purgatory, where the action constantly pushes upward. The premise is wild and unique, blending old-school arcade movement with modern roguelike systems. It’s not a typical afterlife setting either — it’s filled with humor, quirks, and a satirical twist on bureaucracy that already sets it apart from darker or more serious roguelike titles. At its core, the game is about navigating this chaotic climb while dealing with the absurd rules of the underworld. Also, the tone is very much in line with Ron Gilbert’s trademark style, the same kind of clever absurdity that made Monkey Island such a classic.

Story

The game’s story drops you into Purgatory, and guess what – it’s under new management. This isn’t your typical gloomy, somber afterlife. Instead, it’s portrayed with a tongue-in-cheek twist, full of bureaucratic humor and cheeky characters. Your ultimate goal is simple: to escape. The catch is you’re dead, and to move on to the proper afterlife, you owe the Ferryman a hefty fee of 10,000 gold. Consider it the most absurd post-mortem toll ever devised.

That setup is more than just a backdrop. It’s the reason everything you do makes sense in this bizarre vertical climb. The underworld is presented as a chaotic system where rules are made to frustrate souls rather than guide them. Every encounter, whether with a vendor, a monster, or even the Reaper himself, ties into this comedic take on “afterlife bureaucracy.” Instead of dread, you get satirical storytelling that turns a grim concept into something both ridiculous and strangely motivating.

Gameplay

The core of Death by Scrolling is built around constant upward movement. The screen never stops rising, which means you can’t stand still for even a moment. If you fall behind or hesitate, the bottom of the screen will swallow you, ending the run instantly. On top of that, the Grim Reaper himself lurks just behind you. You can’t kill him, only dodge or briefly stun him before he comes back again. The pressure is non-stop, forcing you to make quick choices as you climb.

At the start of each run, you choose a character, and every option has its own perk or special ability. That makes runs feel different depending on who you pick. Some characters may give you a combat advantage, while others might boost your survivability or resource collection. Once you’re in, you’ll face bizarre monsters, quirky hazards, and mid-run vendors where you can spend your gold on upgrades, weapons, and power-ups. The challenge is to survive long enough to stack resources and build momentum. You will also see bonus runs and side quests at higher levels that give extra rewards.

Development

Death by Scrolling is being created by Ron Gilbert’s studio Terrible Toybox, and it’s a surprise genre shift for Gilbert – the mind behind The Secret of Monkey Island and other classic adventures Instead of narrative-driven adventures, he’s trying his hand at a roguelike RPG packed with constant action and satirical humor. That alone is enough to make long-time fans curious. And with MicroProse publishing, the project has serious backing.

Trailer

From what we saw, the trailer highlights the constant upward movement and the humorous afterlife theme. It shows different characters with unique perks, and plenty of moments dodging the Grim Reaper while scooping up gold and power-ups. It definitely has a bit of that roguelike chaos and humor that might remind you a little of games like Enter the Gungeon or other roguelikes with a quirky twist. So, in short, that's the vibe they’re going for!

Release Date, Platforms and Editions

Death by Scrolling is expected to release in late 2025 and is currently confirmed only for PC through Steam. The game is already available to wishlist. No console versions or special editions have been announced yet, and there’s no word on pricing or pre-order extras. For now, the focus is on delivering the full experience on Steam at launch. In the meantime, to stay updated with the latest news, you can follow the official social media accounts of MicroProse here.