Pit Panic launches its vertical roguelike chaos on GOG and consoles

Flying Rat Studio's vertical roguelike platformer Pit Panic is out today on PC (including a DRM-free release on GOG), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and Switch 2. The launch follows an initial announcement back in May. It is the studio's first fully in-house project to reach the finish line.

The Prague-based development team previously worked on console ports and performance optimization for games like Darkest Dungeon and Beat Saber. Now, they have released their own arcade-inspired project. The premise is straightforward: you are an archaeologist trapped at the bottom of a sinking Aztec temple. The only way out is up.

To survive the ascent, you rely on a multipurpose grappling hook. This tool lets you smash through blocks, swing across gaps, and grab items to throw at enemies. The physics-driven movement system requires you to navigate traps and make split-second decisions about which blocks to break. The hook also interacts with the environment in specific ways. You can turn sand into glass or ignite jelly to clear a path.

The gameplay borrows from arcade classics like Mr. Driller and modern roguelikes like Spelunky. Blocks explode, enemies swarm the screen, and massive temple guardians try to crush you as the floor slowly collapses beneath your feet.

Risk and reward

One of the more interesting mechanics is the altar system. You can sacrifice your own health in exchange for permanent upgrades or god-like powers.

It is the classic roguelike gamble. Giving up a heart container for a double jump might save your life in the next biome, or it might just mean you die faster to a stray arrow trap. We've all been there: staring at an upgrade screen, convincing ourselves we definitely will not take any damage on the next floor, right before immediately walking into spikes.

The game has four distinct biomes and over 1,000 handcrafted levels. Instead of pure procedural generation, Pit Panic shuffles these premade rooms based on a seed. This means the layouts feel designed rather than random, but you still never know exactly what is coming next. If you somehow exhaust the built-in content, the PC version includes a level editor to build your own gauntlets.

Daily punishment

Once you actually manage to escape the pit, the game opens up daily challenges. These use a fixed seed. Players can compete on global leaderboards for the best clear times and unique rewards. The release trailer's narrator specifically jokes about trying to beat your 10-year-old neighbor Jimmy in the daily run. I am fully prepared to lose to Jimmy. He probably has better reflexes anyway.

If you want to test your luck before committing, Flying Rat Studio has left a free demo up on Steam. Just remember that every time you trade your health for a shiny new power-up, the game is probably laughing at you.