Thoth
THOTH is a challenging twin-stick shooter you can conquer alone or cooperatively with a friend. Each stage is handcrafted to test coordination and puzzle-solving skills. Colorful minimalist graphics combine with an intense unnerving soundtrack, making for an exciting mix of art and arcade.
SCREENSHOTS
HISTORY
Thoth (stylised as THOTH) is an abstract shoot 'em up video game created by Jeppe Carlsen, former lead gameplay designer of Playdead games Limbo and Inside. It is published by Double Fine Productions.
Development
As a solo developer, Carlsen had previously worked on independent platformer 140. Carlsen had thought about designing a game inspired by Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved and Robotron: 2084 before he started working on Limbo.
Music for the game was composed by experimental composers SØS Gunver Ryberg and Cristian Vogel.
Gameplay
Progress through the levels of the game is made by eliminating all enemies. Doing so transforms them into ghostly voids that relentlessly chase the player. The game can be played solo or with two players cooperatively; when playing with a second player, the first player to die will become a ghost void that haunts the player. The main sequence of levels are divided into sets of four, each introducing new enemy types and game mechanics. If the main 64 levels are completed, the player gains access to procedurally generated levels.
References
GAMEPLAY VIDEO
TRAILERS
STORES
Prices are cached from each storefront and may be out of date. Last checked 24 Sept 2026.
PRICE HISTORY
Every price change we know of, per shop. Flat means the price held; PC shops reach back through IsThereAnyDeal's archive, console shops start when this site started watching.
Fanatical low: $4.99 (28 Jul 2020) , Humble Store low: $0.99 (9 Feb 2026) , Steam low: $0.99 (7 Aug 2026)
REVIEWS
Published elsewhere, collected here. Every score is the outlet's own, on the outlet's own scale. Follow the link for the full review.
“THOTH is a blissfully difficult twin-stick shooter that challenges your reflexes and puzzle-solving skills on the fly. Never have 2D shapes been creepier.”
“Old-school shooter fans who are looking for a challenge will find a lot to love in the stylish and enjoyable Thoth.”
“Colorful, chaotic geometry simultaneous made me want to run to the hills and try "just one more time" when playing through Thoth. Excellently polished game that deserves a spot on everyone's Nintendo Switch without a doubt.”
“THOTH by Carlsen Games is a geometrical twin stick shooter with an attitude. With a kaleidoscope of killer shapes impeding your progression, twin stick fans will find THOTH a worthy adversary. Despite a few design decisions meant to extend the speed of completion, like checkpoints only available every few levels, and increased difficulty of levels upon death, THOTH still manages to provide an enjoyable experience.”
“Simple controls and mechanics are your best bet for solid gameplay, and Thoth delivers these on a silver platter.”
“When it comes to shooters minimalist looks can work nicely, but with quite a number of budget shooters already in that vein on Switch it can be hard to make an impression...”
“While lacking in certain areas, THOTH remains a really fun game at a very affordable price. Pick it up.”
“THOTH seems almost upset you've come to see what lies in its depths. While it excels at creating tension and feelings of uneasiness, it occasionally feels like it was left unfinished on purpose, like it was meant to make you feel abandoned upon. This may be enough to turn away a lot of players, but still it's hard to match the feeling of dread as an empty vessel of your former foe hunts you down faster and harder than before. Non-shmups fans should pass by this gem, but be forewarned, because it seems at times, THOTH can't wait to see you fail.”
“The result of all its elements is a shooter that requires thought and planning, but Thoth won’t let you go light on the arcade reflexes, either.”
“Thoth is a refreshing change of pace and an enjoyable shooter.”
“However, the game is still very basic and doesn’t feel offer much that wowed me over compared to the many other twin stick games I’ve played. Combine that with the infuriating fact that if you so much as try to pause, you’ll get booted to the level select menu, and you have a decent shooter that isn’t anything special, but is still a fun ride as it lasts, and definitely a good local co-op afternoon.”
“Thoth’s main addition to the twin-stick shooter is its constant intimidation tactics. The short segments you set out to beat—64 in all—keep you aghast constantly, and you’ll learn quickly that even when things look peaceful it can mean that something deadly hasn’t shown itself to you yet. Silence is just an opportunity for a bomb to go off.”
“All in all, this is a game that is trying to set itself apart from the classic conventions of the genres it is placed in, and while it is an interesting experience, I think it follows too many of those old-school mechanics that were made to eat up your coins, not give you a pleasant time.”
“THOTH is neither bloated nor even comfortably full. It is an exercise in restraint in every possible way, from its visual design to its length of less than a movie, to its soundtrack which dips in and out as if just checking in on how you’re doing. What THOTH is not is hollow.”
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