Exit the Gungeon
A bullet hell platformer spin-off about escaping the crumbling Gungeon.
Exit the Gungeon is a bullet hell platformer that came out in 2019, developed jointly by Dodge Roll and Singlecore Games and put out by Devolver Digital. A spin-off of Enter the Gungeon, it puts players in charge of one of four characters, known as Gungeoneers, who must flee the Gungeon as it falls apart. The title drew a mixed critical response at launch. In terms of gameplay, Exit the Gungeon is a 2D bullet hell platformer. Players pick from four Gungeoneers, each with their own set of levels, and ride an elevator while gun-themed enemies appear around them. To fight back, they use a gun that randomly changes shape over time due to a "blessing." Killing enemies in a row without getting hit makes it more likely the next transformation will be into a stronger weapon. Defeating bosses unlocks new gun types, using Hegemony Credits earned from those fights to buy them; once unlocked, the gun can randomly shift into those new forms. Players can dodge roll or jump to avoid attacks, becoming immune to damage while in the air. As a roguelike, players are sent back to a safe area called the Underbreach every time they die, where they can swap characters, talk to NPCs, or spend Hegemony Credits on guns and items that might appear during runs. Reviews for the Nintendo Switch version, as tracked by Metacritic, were mixed or average. OpenCritic found the game got fair approval, with 45% of critics recommending it. IGN’s Nic Vargus disliked the constant weapon swapping but noted the chaotic feel of each run made it enjoyable. Jon Mundy of Nintendo Life gave it a 7/10, calling it a tough action-platformer that lacked the imagination and adventure of its predecessor. Shacknews said the game was shorter and offered less exploration than the original, but praised its arcade-style gameplay and comparable combat difficulty.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Exit the Gungeon
- Developer
- Dodge Roll · Singlecore Games
- Publisher
- Devolver Digital
- Platforms
- Windows · macOS · iOS · Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One
- Released
- iOS (Apple Arcade) · September 19, 2019 · Mac, Windows, Switch · March 17, 2020 · PS4, Xbox One · November 13, 2020 · Android, iOS · August 14, 2025
- Genre
- Bullet hell, platform
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Exit the Gungeon is a 2D bullet hell platform game. Players control one of four characters, called the Gungeoneers, who must escape the crumbling Gungeon. Each Gungeoneer has a unique set of levels and travels aboard an elevator, where they are attacked by gun-themed enemies that spawn around them. Players defeat enemies using a gun that randomly transforms over time due to a 'blessing'. Killing enemies in succession without taking damage increases the chance that the next gun transformation will be into a more powerful shape. More gun transformations can be unlocked by defeating boss enemies, which grant Hegemony Credits that can be spent to unlock new guns. Once unlocked, the gun may randomly transform into the new shape. Players can dodge roll or jump to become immune to losing hit points while airborne. As a roguelike game, players are sent back to a safe area called the Underbreach upon death, where they can switch Gungeoneers, talk to non-player characters, or use Hegemony Credits to buy guns and items that may appear randomly during play.
Reader's Guide
Exit the Gungeon received 'mixed or average reviews' for its Nintendo Switch version according to Metacritic. OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 45% of critics. Nic Vargus of IGN disliked the constant swapping of guns but said the chaotic nature of each playthrough made the game fun. Jon Mundy of Nintendo Life rated the game a 7/10, calling it a challenging action-platformer that lacked the 'freewheeling imagination and tantalising sense of adventure' of Enter the Gungeon. Shacknews noted the game was shorter than its predecessor and had less exploration, but considered it comparable in combat difficulty and praised the arcade-style gameplay. The game's significance lies in its role as a spin-off that attempted to distill the core combat of Enter the Gungeon into a more compact, arcade-like experience, though it was seen by some critics as less imaginative and shorter than the original.
Did You Know?
- Exit the Gungeon was co-developed by Dodge Roll and Singlecore Games.
- The game was released for iOS through Apple Arcade on September 19, 2019.
- Players can unlock new gun transformations by defeating boss enemies and spending Hegemony Credits.
- The game received mixed reviews on release, with OpenCritic finding 45% of critics recommended it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Exit the Gungeon?
Exit the Gungeon is a 2D bullet hell platformer that launched in 2019 as a spin-off of Enter the Gungeon. Players take on one of four Gungeoneers tasked with fleeing the Gungeon before it crumbles around them.
Who developed and published Exit the Gungeon?
Dodge Roll and Singlecore Games co-developed the title, while Devolver Digital served as the publisher. It first appeared on iOS in September 2019, then reached PC and Nintendo Switch in March 2020, with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One following in November 2020.
What are the Gungeoneers and how do they fight?
The Gungeoneers are the four selectable protagonists, each carrying their own dedicated level set and a distinct gun-based attack kit. Combat takes place inside an elevator as gun-themed enemies swarm in, forcing players to dodge bullets and shoot back in a bullet hell rhythm.
How does Exit the Gungeon differ from Enter the Gungeon?
Where Enter the Gungeon asks you to explore and conquer the dungeon, Exit the Gungeon reverses the goal: you are running for your life as the structure collapses. The core loop shifts from room-to-room exploration to a continuous elevator ride punctuated by intense gunfights.
How was Exit the Gungeon received by critics?
The game drew a mixed critical response when it debuted in 2019, with reviewers split on whether the elevator-based structure and bullet hell density hit the right balance. It nonetheless remains a recognizable entry in both the Gungeon franchise and the broader 2010s platformer landscape.
More in Platform Games of the 2010s, Part 1 1-24
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