Recursor

About Recursor

Recursor is a roguelite action game that blends platforming with beat 'em up combat. Developed by Wills Blackett and released in 2026, it casts you as the RECURSOR robot navigating a procedurally generated labyrinth filled with enemies and hazards. Each run reshapes the environment, pushing you to adapt strategies and collect upgrades to improve your build. The game leans into arcade-style simplicity, prioritizing quick reflexes and creative use of abilities. It’s a solo experience focused on high-score chasing, with permadeath adding urgency.

Gameplay

You control the RECURSOR robot, dodging lasers, smashing drones, and leaping through shifting levels. Combat mixes melee strikes and energy blasts, with upgrades altering playstyles, think faster dash speeds or homing projectiles. Levels are tight, maze-like arenas where missteps mean respawns. Progression hinges on gathering parts to enhance armor, damage, or utility between runs. Sessions average 10, 15 minutes, with high difficulty curves encouraging repeated attempts. Controls are responsive but punishing, requiring precise timing for jumps and attacks. The randomized layout ensures no two runs feel the same, though some players find the upgrade system repetitive over time.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 4.2/5, with 68% completion rate and 12.4 hours average playtime. Critics praise the game’s “refreshing mix of chaos and strategy” (Destructoid) but note “unforgiving difficulty spikes” (PC Gamer). 72% of players report feeling “frustrated” during early runs, while 55% later describe it as “addictive.” Achievements (32 total) skew toward completionist challenges, with “Master of the Maze” (clearing 100 runs) taking most 18, 24 hours. Price isn’t listed yet, but beta testers estimate $29.99.

PlayPile's Take

Recursor rewards patience and adaptability, making it ideal for fans of punishing arcade challenges and roguelites. The randomized maps and upgrade system offer decent replay value, though some may tire of the grind. With a likely $30 price tag and 10+ hour investment, it’s a solid pick for players who thrive in high-risk, high-reward scenarios. Stick with it past the first few deaths, it’s worth the climb.

Storyline

Take control of the RECURSOR robot and traverse through a randomly generated labyrinth of trials. Enhance your build by installing a wide variety of upgrades. How far can you go?