While they’ve been around for over 40 years, it seems roguelike and roguelight titles have become increasingly popular in recent years. In 2020,Supergiant’s roguelikeHadespicked up multiple “Game of the Year” awards, and in 2021, gaming awards nominees and AAA titles in general had more than a few roguelike or roguelight games to show off. It seems that games involving the player slowly work their way through a game and learning from each death are rather popular these days, displayed by the amount of roguelike or roguelight titles being announced every so often. Now, Gearbox has announced that it will be publishing an indie roguelike calledEyes in the Dark.
At first glanceEyes in the Darkseems verysimilar in style toDon’t Starve, with a cartoonish look combined with some eerie visuals. The roguelight marks the first game for developer Under the Stairs, a small studio based in Croatia. The game’s full title isEyes in the Dark: The Curious Case of One Victoria Bloomand puts the player in charge of the titular Victoria Bloom as she seeks to fight off creatures of darkness with her torch.
RELATED:Beamdog Announces MythForce, A Roguelite That Combines D&D With 80s Cartoons
In the short gameplay footage that was shown, it seems that the player can upgrade Victoria’s torch in a variety of different ways, likely picking uppower-ups on every run similar toHadesorThe Binding of Isaac. Some of these light-based weapons include the Shotgun Bulb, a traditional Torch, and Matches. Some of the upgrades can give Victoria a much-needed power boost in fighting the creatures of the night, such as allowing her to shoot lightning.
Like any roguelike or roguelight,Eyes in the Darkwill allow for players to have entirely different builds on each run. However, the game does make itself stand out from the crowd of roguelike games, and that is most striking in its aforementioned style. Opting for a monochromatic look,Eyes in the Darkkeeps its gothic style as a unique one. It also seems more of a callback toolder roguelike titles such asDead Cellswith its side-scrolling level design.
In terms of its narrative, fans know very little so far except for the fact that Victoria’s journey is one she takes to save her family from the monsters infesting a mansion. It’s likely that the more players attempt to run through the mansion, the more they will find out about the story. This marks Gearbox’s second very recent announcement of an upcoming title, following the reveal of aTales from the Borderlandssequel.
Eyes in the Darklaunches on July 14 on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
MORE:A New Tales from the Borderlands Being Made by Gearbox and Not Telltale is a Big Deal
