Wishlist on Steam | Gameplay Trailer | Linktree for Socials

Zeroth is a challenging Action RPG with physics-based traps, deadly liquids and noxious gases. Smash everything, take your chances with unidentified items and fight to escape the 0th circle of Haell.

Our ambitious game takes on complex mechanics from the OGs Rogue/NetHack but reimagined in a real-time platformer perspective and comical paper-doll artstyle.

Zeroth can also be played in turn-based mode. Time runs forward when moving but automatically pauses when you stop. So take your time in the inventory, in situations that demand a careful decision.

Contrary Games is a father-daughter team of Callan (dev) and Isla (artist). This is our studio’s second game after Pathos, a traditional roguelike with 1m+ lifetime players.

You can follow our progress in monthly dev logs, all the way to release in Q1 2027. We’re also now ready to work with community translators, see details in the June dev update.

Dev Logs

• #4 June 2026
• #3 May 2026
• #2 April 2026
• #1 March 2026

Hi everyone!

Just sharing some dev progress on my upcoming game - I'm having fun adding gelatinous cubes that slurp you up and dissolve you with their digestive juices.

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4062680/Zeroth

Zeroth is a challenging action RPG with physics-based traps, deadly liquids and noxious gases. Play in real-time or turnbased. Smash things, take your chances with unidentified items and fight to escape the 0th circle of Haell.

Turn-based video showcase: https://youtu.be/lxZxxh5FyWw (~3 minutes)

Hello, sharing here for the first time about my upcoming game, Zeroth. You might know me by my first game, Pathos, which is a traditional roguelike based on Nethack rules and has been in development for over 10 years.

Zeroth is a side-perspective remake of Pathos, with full character progression, inventory management, world procgen and lots of content including 750+ items, etc. I like to imagine that when a hero dies in Pathos, they are sent to the 0th circle of Haell for one last chance at redemption.

The video linked above showcases turn-based mode in Zeroth. Time runs forward when moving but automatically pauses when you stop. So you can take your time rifling through your inventory, in situations that demand a careful decision. This is likely similar to WazHack, although it’s been quite a few years since I last played it.

I’m interested to hear your ideas and suggestions on how to improve this mode to be more approachable for TRL players. As an example, I recently added afterimages to indicate the speed and direction of enemies and objects, which you can see in the video.

I've learned a lot about roguelike game design over the years and challenging myself in a new perspective is helping me to better understand roguelike mechanics and what makes it fun. If you'd like to know more about Zeroth, I've linked the steam page below.

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4062680/Zeroth/

Welcome to the 0th circle of Haell.

Customise your hero, choose from 10 distinct classes and enter a world that never stays the same. Weave through physics-based traps, deadly liquids, noxious gases, fire, ice and electricity. Smash anything that might be hiding loot and shove boulders to crush your enemies. Hunger sets in and before long, you’ll be eating the remains of your enemies.

Take your chances with unidentified items, trade with merchants and upgrade your gear. That rare fur coat might complete your outfit… or curse it. Rub a lamp to release a djinni who grants wishes that you may come to regret. Power comes easily but so do curses, afflictions and consequences that rapidly escalate into chaos.

You will die. A lot. But each run teaches you something new. Explore, fight, level up and apply what you’ve learned to push a little further each time.

Zeroth is deep, complex and rich in comedic and tragic moments. Every fallen hero cast into the 0th circle of Haell is given one final, desperate chance for redemption.

Gameplay Trailer: https://youtu.be/nVJ7-g5xjzs

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4062680/Zeroth

Zeroth is by Contrary Games, the creators of Pathos (a traditional roguelike with over a million lifetime players).

If you’re interested, you are welcome to join our Discord (3.1K members): https://discord.gg/M6MmU2m 

Welcome to the 0th circle of Haell.

Customise your hero, choose from 10 distinct classes and enter a world that never stays the same. Weave through physics-based traps, deadly liquids, noxious gases, fire, ice and electricity. Smash anything that might be hiding loot and shove boulders to crush your enemies. Hunger sets in and before long, you’ll be eating the remains of your enemies.

Take your chances with unidentified items, trade with merchants and upgrade your gear. That rare fur coat might complete your outfit… or curse it. Rub a lamp to release a djinni who grants wishes that you may come to regret. Power comes easily but so do curses, afflictions and consequences that rapidly escalate into chaos.

You will die. A lot. But each run teaches you something new. Explore, fight, level up and apply what you’ve learned to push a little further each time.

Zeroth is deep, complex and rich in comedic and tragic moments. Every fallen hero cast into the 0th circle of Haell is given one final, desperate chance for redemption.

Gameplay Trailer: https://youtu.be/nVJ7-g5xjzs

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4062680/Zeroth

Zeroth is by Contrary Games, the creators of Pathos (a traditional roguelike with over a million lifetime players).

If you’re interested, you are welcome to join our Discord (3.1K members): https://discord.gg/M6MmU2m 

Welcome to the 0th circle of Haell.

Customise your hero, choose from 10 distinct classes and enter a world that never stays the same. Weave through physics-based traps, deadly liquids, noxious gases, fire, ice and electricity. Smash anything that might be hiding loot and shove boulders to crush your enemies. Hunger sets in and before long, you’ll be eating the remains of your enemies.

Take your chances with unidentified items, trade with merchants and upgrade your gear. That rare fur coat might complete your outfit… or curse it. Rub a lamp to release a djinni who grants wishes that you may come to regret. Power comes easily but so do curses, afflictions and consequences that rapidly escalate into chaos.

You will die. A lot. But each run teaches you something new. Explore, fight, level up and apply what you’ve learned to push a little further each time.

Zeroth is deep, complex and rich in comedic and tragic moments. Every fallen hero cast into the 0th circle of Haell is given one final, desperate chance for redemption.

Gameplay Trailer: https://youtu.be/nVJ7-g5xjzs

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4062680/Zeroth

Zeroth is by Contrary Games, the creators of Pathos (a traditional roguelike with over a million lifetime players).

If you’re interested, you are welcome to join our Discord (3.1K members): https://discord.gg/M6MmU2m