Rugcrawl

Rugcrawl is a single-player action-puzzle roguelike video game developed by Nightfall Studio and published by Harrow Interactive. Released in 2023 for Windows, macOS, and Nintendo Switch, it later received ports to PlayStation and Xbox. The game follows a sentient rug that must navigate a living, shifting house to recover a set of stolen runes and restore order to the fabric of the home.

Gameplay combines grid-based exploration with real-time puzzle solving. The player controls the rug, which can crawl across floors and climb along walls and ceilings in places where the environment allows. The rug can wrap around objects to pull levers, detach segments to reach small gaps, and use its fringe to interact with distant switches. Each run is procedurally generated and features permadeath, with players unlocking new rug variants and abilities between runs. Collecting runes grants permanent upgrades for future attempts and unlocks new areas.

The setting is a whimsical, haunted house where everyday objects are alive. The narrative centers on restoring harmony after a household curse, with minimal text dialogue and a focus on environmental storytelling. The art direction emphasizes a pastel, painterly aesthetic and a sound design that blends fabric sounds with ambient creaks.

Development and release: Nightfall Studio, based in an undetailed locale, developed Rugcrawl using the Unity engine. The concept was partially funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2021. The game received post-launch updates adding new rug designs, additional dungeons, and quality-of-life improvements.

Reception: Critics praised the game's originality, tactile puzzle design, and art direction, noting that the rug’s physics provide a unique interaction in a roguelike. Some reviews cited a steep learning curve and occasional repetition in level layout. Overall, Rugcrawl was considered a standout indie title for its inventive premise and charming presentation.