Ron Gilbert's new Death by Scrolling RPG about "never-ending grind" and "the absurdity of social media" is out now

Ron Gilbert, widely known for his work on point-and-click adventure games like The Secret of Monkey Island, has ventured into new territory with his latest project, Death By Scrolling. While many still associate him primarily with classic adventure game comedies, this new title marks a shift towards roguelite RPGs, focusing on themes of bureaucracy, precarity, and the never-ending grind of life. Developed alongside Terrible Toybox NZ and published by MicroProse, Death By Scrolling feels like a natural fit for MicroProse’s legacy, eschewing flashy branding for a more straightforward gaming experience. The game throws players into a vertically scrolling, top-down pixel art world where the goal is to climb upward while avoiding the flames of purgatory rising from below. Along the way, you’ll face off against moblins and collect gold to pay the Ferryman at the top of each level. The gameplay has been described as if you’re a spider desperately trying to escape a paper shredder, all while battling insects and trading their remains for a ticket to the next stage. There are echoes of other games such as Super Dungeon Muncher, and some mobile titles involving chutes and pursuers, though Death By Scrolling carves out its own unique niche. Players can choose from several characters, each with distinct abilities and perks, adding variety and strategy to the experience. As you progress, you can pick up power-ups from vendors and take on side quests at level tops to earn bonuses. Besides dodging the ever-encroaching flames and defeating enemies, the Grim Reaper lurks as a relentless threat. This adversary can be temporarily stunned but never truly defeated, creating a constant sense of tension that’s akin to the nagging fear of a persistent wasp. Gilbert has openly discussed the game's concept on his blog, revealing that the idea has been in development since around 2018, shortly after finishing Thimbleweed Park. The project was put on hold while he worked on Return to Monkey Island in 2022, but it ultimately came to life as a commentary on greed, the grind of life and death, and the absurdity of social media. The game uniquely incorporates social media elements, especially noticeable upon the player's death. For longtime fans of Gilbert’s sharp wit and storytelling, Death By Scrolling offers a fresh, if somewhat satirical, take on modern life woven into an engaging roguelite experience. Overall, this game challenges players not just with fast reflexes and strategic choices, but also with its underlying critique of endless hustle and the digital age’s impact on our daily grind. Death By Scrolling may not have the same cult classic status as some of Gilbert’s earlier works, but it certainly establishes his versatility and willingness to explore new genres while maintaining his signature humor and insight.