Sisyphus: The Horselike

Sisyphus: The Horselike reimagines the myth of Sisyphus as a cerebral roguelike that blends strategy, deck-building, and a hoofed hero. It is a menus-based experience where you don’t directly control Horsyphus; you steer his ascent and then watch him climb.

Pray to the gods to obtain powerful magical Sigils and to secure favorable Weather during the climb. Build a deck of Event Cards that reflect Horsyphus’ philosophy, and let your choices shape what happens every few meters of the way up—because a horse’s character is its destiny.

Equip Horsyphus with legendary items drawn from Greek myth and history, purchasing gear to prepare him for the ascent. You can also take a calculated risk by committing Blasphemy to gain a powerful temporary buff that pushes you farther—yet carries dangerous consequences if you fail.

The terrain itself can be altered through a Terrain Tiles system, letting you shape sections of the Underworld as you climb. Progress spans six levels, guiding you through different realms of the Greek underworld: Tartarus, Asphodel, and Elysium.

Each area has a limited number of Climb Attempts. If you fail an Attempt, you fall back to the start of that level; running out of Attempts sends you back to the bottom. You regain Attempts when you reach a new level, creating a tense balance between risk and careful planning.

This masocore roguelike emphasizes strategy and risk management over reflex-based execution. It began as a compact prototype driven by a mix of myth, dream, and pop culture, and has grown into a focused experience where thoughtful deck-building, resource management, and terrain control determine success.