PLAGUN – The Plague Goes On: A Roguelike Plague Worth Catching

When you first boot up PLAGUN – The Plague Goes On, it’s clear you’re stepping into a world that thrives on chaos. Developed by Talkinguns and published by indie.io, this roguelike shooter doesn’t waste time with lengthy tutorials or hand-holding. Instead, it throws you headfirst into a plague-ridden kingdom where immortality experiments have gone horribly wrong, leaving behind a grotesque landscape of husks, vampires, robots, and other twisted creations. The premise alone sets the stage for a game that revels in its dark fantasy-meets-sci-fi aesthetic, but what makes PLAGUN stand out is how it balances that eerie atmosphere with fast, addictive gameplay loops designed to keep you coming back for “just one more run.”

The game is set in a kingdom devastated by a failed experiment with immortality. In this world, alchemists and doctors sought to cheat death, but their cure twisted into something far worse: a plague that mutates flesh, corrupts machines, and spreads endlessly. Instead of eternal life, the people were cursed with eternal suffering, becoming husks, vampires, and biomechanical horrors.

You play as a plague-mutated doctor, someone who has survived the infection but is forever changed by it. Rather than succumbing, you wield the plague as a weapon, donning cursed masks and scavenging corpses to grow stronger. This duality of being both victim and wielder of the plague gives the protagonist a tragic edge. You’re not a traditional hero; you’re a survivor fighting through endless waves of abominations in a world where the line between medicine and monstrosity has blurred.

At its heart, PLAGUN is a roguelike bullet hell shooter built around short, intense runs. Each session throws you into plague-ridden arenas where enemies swarm relentlessly, forcing you to adapt quickly. Unlike sprawling roguelikes that emphasize long-term progression, PLAGUN thrives on immediacy: runs are deliberately compact, designed to deliver a concentrated dose of chaos and keep you chasing that “just one more try” feeling.

You begin each run as a plague-mutated doctor, scavenging corpses to grow stronger. Every kill feeds into your progression, encouraging aggressive play rather than cautious survival. This mechanic makes combat feel rewarding and pushes you to stay in the thick of the action instead of retreating.

One of the standout features is the cursed mask system. Masks aren’t just cosmetic as they fundamentally alter your playstyle. Some grant defensive buffs, others warp your attacks into bizarre plague-infused forms, and a few impose dangerous trade-offs that make runs riskier but potentially more rewarding. This system ensures variety, as no two runs feel identical, and it encourages experimentation.

Weapons are grotesque biomechanical creations, dripping with plague-inspired design. They’re satisfying to use, both mechanically and thematically, with each gun feeling like an extension of the corrupted world. Combat is fast, frantic, and often overwhelming, with enemies ranging from shambling husks to vampiric monstrosities and plague-twisted robots. The sheer diversity of foes keeps encounters unpredictable, and the bullet hell intensity ramps up quickly.

Visually, PLAGUN embraces a gritty pixel art style that manages to be both nostalgic and distinctive. The plague-ridden world is rendered in grim detail, with environments and enemies that ooze atmosphere. However, the game’s chaotic nature can sometimes work against it, during peak bullet hell moments the screen becomes a storm of projectiles, enemies, and effects that can overwhelm even seasoned players. While this visual chaos is part of the thrill, it occasionally sacrifices clarity for spectacle. Still, the overall presentation succeeds in immersing players in a world that feels both grotesque and strangely beautiful.

Pros

• Addictive, fast-paced roguelike gameplay with strong replay value

• Unique cursed mask system that dramatically changes playstyles

• Grotesque, plague-infused weapons that feel satisfying to use

• Atmospheric pixel art that blends horror and sci-fi themes

• Multiple endings encourage experimentation and replay

Cons

• Visual chaos can obscure clarity during heavy bullet hell sequences

• Short runs may feel limiting for players who prefer longer progression arcs

• Difficulty spikes can frustrate newcomers unfamiliar with roguelike mechanics

PLAGUN – The Plague Goes On is not a sprawling epic, nor does it try to be. Instead, it distils the roguelike shooter formula into a concentrated shot of plague-fuelled chaos, offering quick, brutal runs that demand adaptability and reward experimentation. Its cursed mask system is a standout feature, adding depth and variety that keeps the game fresh, while its grotesque weapons and eerie pixel art create a world that is as unsettling as it is compelling. The game’s chaotic nature may occasionally overwhelm, and its brevity might not appeal to those seeking long-term progression, but for players who thrive on intensity and unpredictability, PLAGUN delivers a uniquely satisfying experience.

In the end, this is a roguelike that knows exactly what it wants to be: fast, grotesque, and endlessly replayable. If you’re a fan of bullet hell shooters with a dark twist, PLAGUN – The Plague Goes On deserves a spot in your library.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

PLAGUN - The Plague Goes On is available now!

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