What Pixel Descent Is
Pixel Descent is an action rogue-lite where you sign a contract, sever your ties to the world above, and descend into the abyss to uncover the secrets of the old world. Your death is guaranteed; the only question is when. You get one life per run, and permadeath sends you back to the start. Between runs, a permanent upgrade shop carries your meta progression forward, so failed attempts still move the needle. Shop upgrades can raise both your rewards and the difficulty, letting you dial the challenge up as you get comfortable.
Playing Together
The game supports 1-4 players in local co-op, and you can play online through Steam Remote Play. Combat is built around a twin-stick shooter control scheme: you hold your position and push forward while hordes of monsters try to break your foothold. The maps have multiple routing options, so a group can split up or stick together depending on how they want to handle a floor. Don't stall too long in one spot, though; a terrifying force may show up and try to steal your glory.
Before You Start
Expect lots of bullet hell and a lot of dying. The abyss is ever-shifting: 50+ handcrafted maps are randomly selected from a pool, with randomized enemy types, key locations, and entrance/exit positions layered on top. You'll fight through 10+ uniquely themed floors and can pick from 20+ playable characters. The control scheme is minimalistic and rebindable, with keyboard/mouse and gamepad both supported. The game handles 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, and 21:9 aspect ratios. It's in Early Access, so expect things to change over time.