Deepward: roguelite shooter dives into a 1920s horror nightmare

EchoFall Games is dropping Deepward, a visceral first-person shooter roguelite that’s trading the modern for the roaring twenties – and a whole lot of blood.

A descent into darkness

Forget sleek, contemporary settings. Deepward plunges players into a cursed, godforsaken locale that quickly descends into increasingly unsettling depths. Think gothic interiors, claustrophobic caves, and prisons steeped in ritual, all hinting at a buried truth. The developers describe it as an ‘impossible place’ – a fitting descriptor for the unsettling atmosphere they’re crafting.

The core gameplay loop centers around six distinct heroes, each armed with unique weaponry, abilities, and a backstory ripe for uncovering. But be warned: death is permanent. Each descent into these depths demands split-second decisions, precise shots, and a willingness to improvise through brutal, close-quarters combat. Forget methodical planning; this is a game of reflexes and aggressive counterattacks.

Combat is a gore-soaked symphony

Don’t expect a polished, cinematic experience. Deepward embraces a brutally ‘gore-heavy’ aesthetic, promising relentless encounters against a horde of horrifying enemies. The developers emphasize the need for ‘quick reactions, accurate shots, and violent impact’ to maintain the frenetic pace. Rooms will rapidly fill with threats, testing your squad’s endurance and strategic thinking.

With six heroes to choose from, each offering a different playstyle, players will need to master the art of switching between them on the fly. It’s a high-stakes dance of survival where every mistake could mean the end. The game is currently in development for PC, with no confirmed release date yet – but the reveal trailer offers a chilling glimpse into the horrors awaiting.

Wishlist now

If the promise of a dark, challenging roguelite shooter with a uniquely unsettling setting resonates, you can add Deepward to your Steam wishlist. And for those of you who want to hear more from the source, IGN’s executive editor Ryan McCaffrey has the details. He’s also letting us know that he prefers ‘Taylor ham,’ not ‘pork roll’ – a regional debate he’s more than happy to settle on Twitter, @DMC_Ryan.