Exploring The: Bullet Heavens
A look into what is a Bullet Heaven, great examples, unique takes on the genre, and upcoming games to look at.
I’ve been a fan of Bullet Heavens since the impactful Vampires Survivors was released in 2022, even if they started in 2021 through Magic Survival, which is a phone game, many games were inspired by the latter. I’d put these games, at least some of them, in the Casual games category, as they’re games that can be played quickly and easily and are focused on making the player feel like an overpowered character.
In a simplified way, the genre is composed of:
Rogue-lite elements (meta-progression, Pseudo-permadeath, randomized upgrades or items each time you level up),
Horde / Wave based (Enemies attack in waves and usually a large amount and the wave is based on the kill count or timer),
Usually automatic attacking and targeting, with a focus on dodging enemies.
Time based, and usually a short timer.
When put together, they create a Bullet Heaven.
I associate Bullet Heavens with Casual games because they’re not very challenging, their runs are usually 30 minutes or less, and their combat is generally simple. This doesn’t mean that the games aren’t chaotic or intense, but they are all very easy to pick up and play and not complex.
While I haven’t played every Bullet Heaven, I’ve played a good amount and made a list where I quickly go over some that I recommend, as well as some upcoming games I have my eye on. I recommend this group if you’re looking for Bullet Heavens on Steam, as there’s no Bullet Heaven Tag. https://store.steampowered.com/curator/43402758-Bullet-Heaven-Fandom/
Bullet Heavens closer to Vampire Survivors
Rogue Genesia
Become the knight who solos all.
Developer and publisher: Ouadi Huard
Price: $8.99
In Rogue Genesia, the player can select from a variety of characters with different playstyles and can select their path in Rog’s Mode, which takes you on a Slay the Spire-like map, allowing you to select your path and dangers. There are even challenges, where you are forced to abide by set rules that, if completed, unlock upgrades in the Meta-progression shop or items.
If the player would prefer to avoid that, they can pick Survivors Mode, which is the normal Vampire Survivors mode; it has the player in one arena until the timer runs out. Both modes have their difficulties that can be unlocked by playing either mode or a Quick-Game feature. It also features Active and Passive Talents, allowing the player to start with specific equipment, as well as increasing the drop rate of specific ability types.
Keeper’s Toll
A Souls inspired experience.
Developer: Stingbot Games
Publishers: Stingbot Games, Doyoyo Games
Price: $4.99
In Keeper’s Toll, you explore dark lands in a slower-paced Bullet Heaven where you can play as 6 unique heroes with their own playstyles and individual progression trees. To level up each character means you’ll have to play as each one of them, acquiring EXP to attain unique buffs, though through these adventures the player can get Tome of Knowledge through different feats to improve the team.
While the game has a slower pace when compared to other Bullet Heavens, it doesn’t mean it’s easier. With flasks in their inventory, and even getting invaded by foes, it’s obvious that the game’s atmosphere and gameplay are inspired by the Souls Series. And the slower pace doesn’t mean the enemies are any slower, as they can easily crowd you in tight spaces, and, just like the Souls Games, the bosses are fun and challenging. Remember to dash (roll).
Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok
A Norse-themed Bullet Heaven after the End of the World.
Developer and publisher: Noxfall Studios
Price: $8.99
In Nordic Ashes, you pick from 10 unique survivors to play as after the End of the World, battling creatures in 9 different realms. Each character has their own Talent Tree, which can be improved by playing as the character, as well as having their own weapons tree while going off on your adventures. The meta progression is shared by all the characters by obtaining leaves for Yggdrasil.
With 5 different modes, a very interesting mode is Custom Mode, which allows you to modify your run by selecting the difficulty and restrictions, giving a bonus to expedite the overall meta progression.
Soulstone Survivors
An explosive and chaotic experience each run.
Developer and publisher: Game Smithing Limited
Price: $9.99
In Soulstone Survivors, you battle Lords of the Void and fight countless creatures that fill the screen as you also fill the area with countless projectiles. It’s a very chaotic and fast game that will have you constantly reminding yourself not to step in the wrong direction.
You pick from 17 unique characters with their unique skills and playstyles, as well as upgradable equipment from the materials attained through runs. Progressing through each character allows you to unlock runes that have unique effects on your characters, and through resources gained through runs you can also further upgrade each class through their Skill Tree that adds unique buffs and abilities to their arsenal.
Unique Bullet Heavens (Twists that adds a whole new flavor)
Vampire Hunters
A First Person Bullet Heaven, but how do they shoot 12 guns at once?
Developer and publisher: Gamecraft Studios
Price: $9.99
As the game’s description says, “To hunt vampires, you’ll need guns. Lots of guns.” A unique twist to the genre by making it first person, but still follows everything else just as you’d expect. Every character has a unique playstyle, a progression tree, and an overall meta-progression tree. The Constellation system, which is the game’s challenge system, allows you to play the levels in unique ways, such as all your weapons switching to a different weapon every minute.
But with this unique twist, it almost feels like a boomer shooter, especially when it comes to the bosses. The unique take allows for a different kind of chaos and maneuverability not possible in any of the other games. The perspective also allows players to experience the maps differently than the other games, as each map has its verticality and structure. There’s also a Classic Mode in the main menu of the game, which is a mode where you run down a corridor, how the game originally started.
Brotato
Fight of hordes of enemies as a potato with guns.
Developer and publisher: Blobfish
Price: $.4.99
In Brotato, you play as different potatoes with their unique attributes and buffs. Whether they excel in melee combat, can only carry one weapon, or are great with magic weapons, each potato has its way of playing. And if you don’t like meta-progression, well this is Bullet Heaven without meta-progression.
This means that all you worry about is dodging, killing, and doing the requirements to unlock different potatoes. After being dropped in a small area and surviving the allotted time, you get an option of weapons to purchase, and you upgrade them by buying and then combining duplicate weapons.
Boneraiser Minions
Yes, that’s the joke.
In Boneraiser Minions, you pick between 18 different classes with their unique way of playing. What makes this game unique is that the player doesn’t fight, but his minions fight for them. But with the many hazards that fill the screen, it’s a good thing they take the load off you.
The meta progression in this game also includes adding enemy waves, allowing you to get more resources, but having to fight more enemies. And each time you level up, you get to transform your minions into stronger or different versions, some requiring you to take specific paths to attain.
Picayune Dreams
Psychedelic trip down amnesia lane.
Developer: Stepford, Andyland, milkypossum
Publisher: 2 Left Thumbs
Price: $4.99
In Picayune Dreams, you play as a person lost in space, and unaware of where and what you are, all you know is that you must complete your mission. You uncover what that means through character dialogues, as well as flashbacks that occur throughout gameplay.
While it technically plays like the average Bullet Heaven, the game’s presentation, from the art-style to item descriptions, and the game’s actual Bullet Hell bosses set it apart from other games of its genre. With an interesting story with its twists, it’s a game that should be experienced.
God of Weapons
Optimize your inventory, optimize your damage.
Developer: Archmage Labs
Publisher: Archmage Games Studio
Price: $5.99
In God of Weapons, you venture through dungeons defeating and dodging monsters, and unlocking characters and weapons by completing different feats. What makes this game unique is the inventory system. While in other games you gain skills when you level up, in here, you gain inventory space.
This Bullet Heaven is centered around item management, as you need to optimize weapons and item placement to create an efficient build, as well as to upgrade your weapons by combining 3 duplicate weapons.
Upcoming Bullet Heavens
Pinball Storm: Lokanta
Pinball mayhem!
Developer and publisher: Aastral Dynamics
In Pinball Storm: Lokanta, you are part of a resistance and you fight the power by throwing marvels are people. It looks like a fun game, coming from a person who enjoys pinball games.
Relic Abyss
A cozy looking Bullet Heaven.
Developer and publisher: Reverse Loop
Relic Abyss promises 20 different adventures who you can play as that all want to prevent the world from impending doom. It also promises a story that contrasts the game’s cutesy art-style, over 134 unique character skills, over 154 unique equipment, and overall, lots of things to grind for.
Nautical Survival
Blast through the ocean and hordes of sea monsters.
Developer and publisher: Idan Rooze
Nautical Survival has you zooming through the seas and mowing down creatures which each twist and turn you take on your boat. With its unique in-run building system, which you upgrade to increase vision and weapons, the game promises an action packed and different experience.
Fourspell Survivors Online
Survive hordes of enemies with your friends.
Developer and publisher: Supernova Games
Fourspell Survivors Online promises a fun online Bullet Heaven experience, where you will be evolving and dodging alongside your friends. It also includes local co-op, which could turn this into a game quick session with friends.
Give them a try!
The genre is very open to all skill levels and is mostly play casually, and they are usually very cheap. If you’re a person who like to play quick and short games that focus on power scaling, Bullet Heaven and these games are highly recommended.