I was three when the ’80s ended so I don’t remember much of them, but even today pop culture definitely holds the decade in a certain reverence. Many of those who grew up at the time probably wish the ’80s never ended, and they get their wish in the worst possible way in Black Future ’88, a slick, stylish, and hardcore roguelike that’s just launched on Steam.

The world is reeling from a nuclear cataclysm unleashed by Duncan, the architect of a sinister living tower known as Skymelt. The bombs fell in summer 1988, and by December the fallout had blacked out the sun and caused rain to fall without end. Everything is doomed and counting years doesn’t really make sense any more, so time is measured in minutes, and it’s 1988 forever.

This is the cheerful backdrop for an exciting mission of revenge. As one of the last – but still doomed – survivors, you fight your way to the top of Skymelt tower to give its Wardens (a series of unique bosses) the payback they deserve. Levels are vertical, procedurally generated, and full of things trying to kill you – including your own heart. Each run has a fixed time limit before your ticker explodes, but this being a roguelike, you’ll try and try again.