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<< Similarity Guess: Very Different ~ 130 found

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Genre/Control

Specific tags for the title's features

Ranking

Similarity & Review

Review

Multiple Sources

Similarity

Compared to VS. Not a review!

Similarity Scale

Percentage of possible points earned scored -1 to 1 in tenths in 60 categories

Genre Controls Modes Progress Builds Stages Content Aesthetic Vibe
[edit]

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

DLC Free Available Released

Very Different. An earlier style of game if you want a difficult rogue-lite that feels close to a real time rogue-like, focused on room based exploration. Greed mode, however, introduced in Afterbirth, is a wave survival mode, with an endless mode possible. No currency unlocks, more a bullet hell than bullet haven, and other aspects make this a very different kind of game, despite how it gets recommended often to Vampire Survivor Fans. Knocks it out of the park in terms of content breadth and replayability. I'm fucking terrible at it.

Dungeon Crawler Roguelite Story Rich Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter Wave Survival
7.5 Combined Ranking Score
35/72 Ranking Position
1310/1600 Total Points
9.5 Final Review
97% Steam
9.8 Scale
8.9 Vibes
230286 Steam Reviews
384/400 Review Points
5.4 Similarity Score
77% Diagnosis:
Very Different
926/1200 Comparison Points
70% Genre 3.2/8 genre
26% Simple Controls -3.3/7 move
70% Survival Modes 1.6/4 modes
50% Power Progression 0/4 level
86% Buildcrafting Depth 3.6/5 build
100% Stage Features 7/7 stage
100% Content Breadth 9/9 stuff
91% Aesthetics 4.9/6 style
88% Gameplay Vibe Check 7.6/10 vibe vibe

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 7.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/20/2023

Released in several versions, but we'll just consider them all one thing to rank here. Played on Newgrounds, played "Classic" (now labeled as such) on steam for 3 or so hours, Rebirth and Afterbirth on Switch for a fair amount longer. Let's call transformations weapon evolutions. Daily challenges are available on top of hard mode, etc. It's got an insane amount of content at this point if you get all the DLC, later releases or the last switch release. True fans know a million secrets and how to do insane things on the first run on a fresh save, folks like me struggle to make it through 4 rooms. Endlessly replayable if you love it.

This is a rogue-lite but it's way stressful and not, for me, 'zen' at all. It's not a bullet heaven. If you like short runs it might hit the spot, but it's sooooo different. I suck at it too. It's got an iconic style and really personifies an era, but I also admit I'm not that into it personally.

Some aspects feel a little edgy just to be edgy and it's funny for a bit, but when I'm sucking at the game it doesn't pull me back in, impacting my vibe score. But gave it full review scores since it just seems right.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

5.4 Similarity Score
77% Diagnosis:
926/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.2/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 0.5/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -0.6/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.8/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0.8/1
Endless Mode 0.8/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.1/1
0.5/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 1/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 1/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.9/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.1/1
Over the Top 0.7/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.7/1
Fun Ramp 0.8/1
Low Price 0.3/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0/1

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.5 Final Review
97% Positive Steam Reviews
230286 Steam Reviews
8.9 Pure Vibes
9.8 Review Scale
384/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.8/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.4 Converted 10 Point Score
30 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.3 User Review Average
1128 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.4 Direct Average
8.3 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

3DSEpiciOSPS4PS5Steam DeckSwitchVitaWii UWindows PCXboxDLCFree AvailableReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Dungeon CrawlerRogueliteStory RichTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick ShooterWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

2DBrowser GameCartoonPixel ArtUglycute

Setting / Story Tags

ComedyDungeonsGrossoutHorrorHorror ThemedUnderworld

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Holiday Event45m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Edmund McMillenInc.Nicalis

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: Co-Op
  • Player Count: 4
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: Yes
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Bandcamp Spotify Amazon Apple YouTube

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a randomly generated action RPG shooter with heavy Rogue-like elements. Following Isaac on his journey players will find bizarre treasures that change Isaac’s form giving him super human abilities and enabling him to fight off droves of mysterious creatures, discover secrets and fight his way to safety."

"Over 500 hours of gameplay" "Over 100 co-op characters" "4 BILLION Seeded runs!"

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 45m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Reality Break

EA Free Available

Very Different. An option if you'd like to aim and pull the trigger in space, want more exploration aspects, and enjoy inventory/equipment management. Also more story. It has wave survival often, but it's not a horde movement/zen game. It's an isometric looter shooter ARPG, kind of like Diablo, with some Rogue-lite inspired elements but not your expected permadeath style. Lots going for it at this early stage of development!

Action RPG Looter Shooter Roguelite Story Rich Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter Wave Survival
7.4 Combined Ranking Score
36/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
8.8 Final Review
-% Steam
9.6 Scale
7.9 Vibes
0 Steam Reviews
275/400 Review Points
6.1 Similarity Score
81% Diagnosis:
Very Different
967/1200 Comparison Points
73% Genre 3.6/8 genre
46% Simple Controls -0.5/7 move
85% Survival Modes 2.8/4 modes
98% Power Progression 3.8/4 level
89% Buildcrafting Depth 3.9/5 build
100% Stage Features 7/7 stage
84% Content Breadth 6.2/9 stuff
82% Aesthetics 3.8/6 style
82% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.3/10 vibe vibe

Reality Break Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/20/2023

I'm in the market for a rogue-lite spaceship shmup with more exploration aspects, since Nova Drift and Time Wasters are excellent but they don't have exploration. It's heavily focused on Diablo style inventory management and uses several move buttons. I'll try to avoid spoilers, but it's not typical in how it handles "runs." Reality break starts with a plot heavy tutorial with respawn, then opens up the rogue-lite influence mode with meta-progression, though it still has respawn in certain contexts. There is wave survival, fairly often. Lots of interestingly approached mechanics. Uses right control stick to shoot, trigger for secondary fire, special move button and there is a dash.

It's less over the top, lots of enemy bullets, but it's enjoyable. Has asteroids to blow up, but doesn't 'drift' control like the game Asteroids. Inventory management can be a pain since the items don't look much different at a glance. Story progression style inspired by Hades. Interesting approach to runs, without respawning and then seemingly story/event based resets? Not sure how I feel about it, I kind of miss the quick in and out of a regular rogue-lite, but I'm also curious to see more.

A lot going for it for a free early access demo and I've already had a fair amount of fun. Super responsive dev, has discussed VS influences.

Note: Run lengths highly variably by player choice.

Reality Break Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

6.1 Similarity Score
81% Diagnosis:
967/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.4/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.3/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.7/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.2/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only 0/1
No Dash 0/1
No Trigger -0.5/1
No Special Move 0/1
No Aiming 0/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0.8/1
Endless Mode 0.7/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.8/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.5/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0.8/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.8/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.5/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.6/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 1/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 0.4/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.8/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements EA/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 0/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.3/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 0.5/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.3/1
Over the Top 0.5/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.4/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.8/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price EA/1
Technical Check 0.8/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.3/1

Reality Break Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.8 Final Review
-% Positive Steam Reviews
0 Steam Reviews
7.9 Pure Vibes
9.6 Review Scale
275/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.9/1
Good UI 0.8/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.9/1

Reality Break Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Steam DeckWindows PCEAFree Available

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RPGLooter ShooterRogueliteStory RichTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick ShooterWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

3DNeonRetroVivid

Setting / Story Tags

Alternate RealitySci-fiShip (Air/Space)Space

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

CampaignWave Survival120m

Features and Extras

Steam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

Element GamesLLC

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: No
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Rewrite the universe! Break reality to change your fate, and use your powers to stop sinister forces from altering existence itself. Discover the origin of your new abilities in a fast-paced ARPG Loot Collection Roguelite where you will bend, break, and change the rules of spacetime itself!"

"Resetting your timeline will cause a ripple effect across many elements of the game, often in surprising and subtle ways."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 120m

Run Time Notes

Attempting to avoid spoilers, it has a story campaign style structure, but incorporates interesting "run" style features via in game "cycles". The dev says this makes it closer to "unfolding incremental games."

Dev: "60m or 120m are both correct for Reality Break while simultaneously painting an incomplete picture of how the game plays. Saying the run length is “variable” or “player-directed” would be most applicable given the game’s structure. You can hop in to do a mission or three over lunch, play for 10-15 minutes and make progress for that cycle." There are progression, plot and playstyle reasons to decide on both longer and shorter runs.

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Risk of Rain 2

DLC Released

Very Different. An action focused rogue-lite third-person shooter with tons of enemies. Often recommended on reddit to fans of over the top builds, but high focus on reaction speed and aiming makes this very different from VS. It's also notable for an active multiplayer player base. No currency based meta progression, so very highly dependent on player skill.

Bullet Heaven Content Rich Dungeon Crawler Horde Survival Roguelite Third-Person Shooter Wave Survival
7.2 Combined Ranking Score
38/72 Ranking Position
1294/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
96% Steam
8.5 Scale
8.9 Vibes
166251 Steam Reviews
370/400 Review Points
5.4 Similarity Score
77% Diagnosis:
Very Different
924/1200 Comparison Points
69% Genre 3/8 genre
12% Simple Controls -5.3/7 move
84% Survival Modes 2.7/4 modes
69% Power Progression 1.5/4 level
88% Buildcrafting Depth 3.8/5 build
88% Stage Features 5.3/7 stage
100% Content Breadth 9/9 stuff
90% Aesthetics 4.8/6 style
91% Gameplay Vibe Check 8.1/10 vibe vibe

Risk of Rain 2 Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 4.1

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/18/2023

Third person shooter sometimes recommended on the VS subreddit to people looking for broken high level builds. You level up, but you don't get choices on level up, rather you have to pick up and stack items. The weapons you start with tend to be it, besides a special move and drones. Permanent progression is a little less obvious, through unlocked items and characters, not through a currency based unlock menu. It's a rogue-lite (or "like" perhaps without the obvious meta progression) but a third-person shooter most well known for multiplayer.

Very similar to the first game, which was a sidescroller. Most characters don't have a dodge, but let's call the jump a dodge for scoring purposes. Got more bullet-heaven-y for me when I realized I could hold all 4 "triggers" down at once with some classes, but the railgun (my fav) plays more like FPS snipers - completely aim and trigger dependant.

Annoying UI navigation issues with controller on PC. Kept getting bugs and connecting to multiplayer is a pain on PC for controller players IMHO. Quibbles Quibbles.

Risk of Rain 2 Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

5.4 Similarity Score
77% Diagnosis:
924/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -0.5/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -0.5/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.2/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.7/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0.5/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 1/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.8/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0.3/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 0.2/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.8/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 0.8/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.5/1
Over the Top 0.9/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 0.9/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.3/1

Risk of Rain 2 Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
96% Positive Steam Reviews
166251 Steam Reviews
8.9 Pure Vibes
8.5 Review Scale
370/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.7/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.7/1
Controller and Deck 0.6/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 0.8/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.9/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.5 Converted 10 Point Score
20 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.4 User Review Average
321 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.5 Direct Average
8.4 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Risk of Rain 2 Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicPS4PS5StadiaSteam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxDLCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Bullet HeavenContent RichDungeon CrawlerHorde SurvivalRogueliteThird-Person ShooterWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

3DCell Shaded

Setting / Story Tags

Sci-fi

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown60m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Leaderboards

Dev/Publisher

Gearbox PublishingHopoo Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: Co-Op
  • Player Count: 4
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 118
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Bandcamp Spotify YouTube Black Screen Records (LP)

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Escape a chaotic alien planet by fighting through hordes of frenzied monsters – with your friends, or on your own. Combine loot in surprising ways and master each character until you become the havoc you feared upon your first crash landing."

"More than 110 items keep each run fresh and full of new challenge."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 60m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Voidigo

Released

Very Different. Closer to Isaac or Gungeon. Scaling and review mostly by Adorn on discord: "A top down twin stick shooter dungeon crawling action roguelike with a chaotic spin on traditional mechanics. It revolves around running through the map activating "beacons" which will unlock a portion of the level's boss, who will start chasing the player in a cat-and-mouse style rampage. This sequence feels very similar to Monster Hunter where you will need to chase or be chased by the boss as you gather powerups and weapons to upgrade yourself. Each powerup is also likely to have lots of synergy with other powerups leading to very chaotic gameplay where your bullets fill the screen. It's a movement focused game with aiming elements and sprint/dodge mechanics." No hordes, but lots of rogue-lite elements that may appeal to you. See to the right for very detailed notes!

Bullet Heaven Bullet Hell Dungeon Crawler Female Protagonist Roguelike Roguelite Story Rich Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter
7.1 Combined Ranking Score
39/72 Ranking Position
1270/1600 Total Points
9.4 Final Review
97% Steam
9.0 Scale
9.5 Vibes
2197 Steam Reviews
382/400 Review Points
4.8 Similarity Score
74% Diagnosis:
Very Different
888/1200 Comparison Points
78% Genre 4.4/8 genre
12% Simple Controls -5.3/7 move
41% Survival Modes -0.7/4 modes
75% Power Progression 2/4 level
83% Buildcrafting Depth 3.3/5 build
96% Stage Features 6.5/7 stage
90% Content Breadth 7.2/9 stuff
88% Aesthetics 4.5/6 style
95% Gameplay Vibe Check 8.9/10 vibe vibe

Voidigo Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 515.2 (Adorn)

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/20/2023

This uniquely bright and poppy dungeon crawling shooter has been dominating my steam recommendations for weeks as I browsed survivors-likes, so I sought out an experienced player to help us compare it. Following are notes from Adorn from the Voidigo discord! Adorn's scorecard notes: "A top down twin stick shooter dungeon crawling action roguelike, it becomes more like a Bullet Hell as difficulty progresses"

Auto-Battler/Shooter: "There are powerups(pwus) that give turrets and companions but majority of the input is from players."
Arcade Style: "There is a bit of plot and a relatively lengthy tutorial, but after that's done runs are really easy to start up."
Bullet Heaven: "Follows the heaven format for enemies, which don't fire that much even on higher difficulties, but is closer to a Bullet Hell for the bosses who are relentless on really high difficulties."
No-Aiming: "There are pwus that give the effect of a no-aiming mode but they are not guaranteed on every run of course."
No On-Attack Movement: The game has a sprint and a walk, so firing will stop your sprint, but the walk speed is the same, hence the 0.5.
Endless Mode: "There's no dedicated mode, but the player can "loop" which will restart the run with all of there items and this is only limited by the power of your PC."

Impactful Items: "Some pwus don't change much but most of the pwus can drastically change how you play the game.
Invincible/Broken Builds: You still need to pay attention to progress in the game, but the builds can get really OP especially on high loops.
"
Temp Powerups on "Ground": "All of the pwus can be permanent if you want but can be traded hence the 0.5."
Many Player Characters: "All of the pwus and weapons are obtainable to you when you play the game so the Player Characters aren't that different in the endgame, but they are pretty unique at the start."
Bestiary/Lore: "There is a list of all of the enemies with descriptions in the tester build but you need tester commands to access this list. The game does have some decent lore but it's not focused on for majority of play."
Secrets: "There are a few easter eggs such as weird noises happening at certain points, and a literally game event called a "secret crack" but nothing too big."
Lo-Fi Charm: "The game has charm for sure, but that charm isn't really because it's a homely indie game. The game genuinely has a very polished and smooth feel to it."
Dodging: "The player will "jump" over attacks and can "stomp" on enemies if they are above them. Stomping will stun some enemies and can be comboed on multiple enemies to extend invincibility frames."

"The player can hold up to 2 a melee or ranged weapons. Melee are generally more risk/reward as they will do a lot of damage but will use a lot of "durability" and have very short ranges, while also being able to block some attacks. Ranged will be safer as they can attack from a distance with a bit less damage and more ammo efficiency, while also being able to "gunslap" enemies for small melee damage."

Difficulty/Fun Ramp: "The games difficulty is pretty reliant on learning and overcoming how certain enemies/mechanics/synergies work. The meta is essentially what works best for the player."
Low Price: "It's $20 which isn't that low, but relative to the content it provides it's a huge bargain. I have several hundred hours and all achievements and I still have pretty different experiences on different runs."
Technical Check: "The game can start to struggle with some frame stuttering when a lot is happening on the screen but this is pretty rare and you'd have to be pushing the game a lot to cause this."

Conclusion: "For VS players that enjoy the horde survival aspect, this game isn't too great since the game is more focused on small enemy groups and a domineering boss. But VS players that are fans of the roguelike aspects will find great enjoyment as this game will have plenty of options to scratch this itch."

Voidigo Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

4.8 Similarity Score
74% Diagnosis:
888/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.7/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle 0.5/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style -0.5/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.7/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -0.8/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode 0.8/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) -0.5/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 1/1
0.8/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.8/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.7/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.5/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.5/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.5/1
Bestiary / Lore 0.5/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0.7/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.5/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 1/1
Over the Top 1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.8/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.9/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 0.3/1
Technical Check 0.9/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -1/1

Voidigo Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.4 Final Review
97% Positive Steam Reviews
2197 Steam Reviews
9.5 Pure Vibes
9.0 Review Scale
382/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.9/1
Not Janky 0.9/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 0.8/1
Lots of Content 0.7/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 0.9/1
Unique Twists 0.8/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

9.0 Converted 10 Point Score
2 Number of Critic Reviews

User

6.2 User Review Average
3 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.6 Direct Average
7.3 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Voidigo Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Steam DeckWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Bullet HeavenBullet HellDungeon CrawlerFemale ProtagonistRoguelikeRogueliteStory RichTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

2DArtyCutePixel ArtUglycuteVivid

Setting / Story Tags

Fantasy

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Branching PathsCampaignColony / Town BuildingDifficulty ModesDungeon CrawlLevel Based45m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

semiwork

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: Co-Op (Remote Play)
  • Player Count: 2
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 120
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: YouTube Spotify

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"A vividly animated action roguelite focused on boss hunting. Unleash an array of diverse weapons and powerups to combat the corruption of the Void."

"Select from an array of ranged and melee weapons to combat the looming corruption. Master the art of dodging and stun your enemies with stomps to tip the balance in your favor."

"Voidigo's numerous bosses, corrupted by the void, offer fierce resistance. They may flee mid-battle, giving you a choice: pursue or regroup. However, hesitate too long, and they'll begin hunting you."

"In your battle, collect diverse power-ups for exciting synergies. Trade weapons and resources to customize your playstyle."

Game Modes

- +

Dungeon Crawl
Branching Paths
Level Based
Campaign
Colony / Town Building
Difficulty Modes

Game Mode Notes

"Each run will have three worlds with their own set of bosses. Certain rooms will have beacons which unlock a portion of the boss' health. When a certain amount of beacons are activated, the boss will spawn, chase you, and potentially flee if it has been fighting you for long enough. The final boss will combine elements from all the bosses you faced in that run."

"There are two extra game modes, Final Run and New Run +. Without spoiling anything, Final Run adds extra attacks on top of normal attacks, spawns harder enemies, makes the shop more "expensive" and has other nasties sprawled around the map. New Run + can randomly have elements from Final Run, but can be looped. The game has a wide range of difficulties and a few different modes like Final Run and New Run +, but no actual modifiers to change the game much."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 45m

Run Time Notes

Runs are in a dungeon crawling style, not arena wave survival.

Adorn: Runs are "30 minutes to an hour depending on how many things you interact with, difficulty, and skill"

"There are 4 worlds, World 1 is around 10 minutes, 2 is around 15, and 3 can take 20-30 minutes. The last world is the final fight and is roughly 5-10 minutes."

""One More Run": "It's very addicting and really easy to restart. It's a bit harder to put down since you can only save at certain points."

Speed Settings

Higher difficulties increase enemy speed by a pretty significant margin but there is no specific speed up option.

[edit]

Hades

Released

Very Different. Perhaps you want a 30m run isometric rogue-lite but with more hands on hack & slash action, no horde survival, no bullet heaven and need a full story. Very different! One of 10 games Included to test the scale (see FAQ) with a commonly seen recommendation that does share some mechanics but differs widely on others. This is game came out to universal critical acclaim and has received some fun updates since. As shown here, a game that's very different but extremely highly regarded might still be able to get around a 7 on our ranking - it may still be worth trying!

Action Roguelike Content Rich Dating Sim Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Roguelite Story Rich Top Down or Isometric
7.1 Combined Ranking Score
40/72 Ranking Position
1256/1600 Total Points
9.8 Final Review
98% Steam
10.0 Scale
9.5 Vibes
216232 Steam Reviews
393/400 Review Points
4.4 Similarity Score
72% Diagnosis:
Very Different
863/1200 Comparison Points
75% Genre 4/8 genre
11% Simple Controls -5.5/7 move
31% Survival Modes -1.5/4 modes
88% Power Progression 3/4 level
87% Buildcrafting Depth 3.7/5 build
75% Stage Features 3.5/7 stage
93% Content Breadth 7.8/9 stuff
86% Aesthetics 4.3/6 style
89% Gameplay Vibe Check 7.7/10 vibe vibe

Hades Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 26.6

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/14/2023

Included here to test/show the scale - accurately about halfway similar to VS. Sometimes recommended for VS fans, Hades is a hack and slash isometric dungeon crawl game that has you move from room to room and defeat a couple small but powerful waves of enemies in each room. It's not an auto battler, not movement-only, very much an action game and not a zen game. Runs are to beat several areas and bosses, not to survive a countdown or endlessly survive.

There's only one character. But it is a rogue-lite, with meaningful and fun upgrade systems (though not multiple weapons), around 30 minute run time, and many other positive features, meaning it does make sense that people recommend it. It's an excellent game - just won't scratch the itch of "more Vampire Survivors!" for many people.

Calling the way powers/items are selected "streamlined level choices" even though its' not "leveling up." It's a good example of how a dungeon crawler might handle the same concept.

Hades Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

4.4 Similarity Score
72% Diagnosis:
863/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.7/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.2/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 0/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.2/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.3/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 1/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.5/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.2/1
Explorable Map 0.5/1
BIG Maps 0/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 0.8/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 0.1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.2/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.2/1
Over the Top 0.3/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 0.2/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.3/1

Hades Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.8 Final Review
98% Positive Steam Reviews
216232 Steam Reviews
9.5 Pure Vibes
10.0 Review Scale
393/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

9.3 Converted 10 Point Score
61 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.8 User Review Average
1936 Number of User Reviews

Average

9.1 Direct Average
8.8 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Hades Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

MacPS4PS5Steam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RoguelikeContent RichDating SimDungeon CrawlerHack and SlashRogueliteStory RichTop Down or Isometric

Aesthetic Tags

3DArtyCartoonCell Shaded

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsFantasyGreek MythologyMythologyRomanceUnderworld

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown30m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Supergiant Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 49
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam YouTube Bandcamp iam8bit (LP)

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Hades is a god-like rogue-like dungeon crawler that combines the best aspects of Supergiant's critically acclaimed titles, including the fast-paced action of Bastion, the rich atmosphere and depth of Transistor, and the character-driven storytelling of Pyre."

"New surprises await each time you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld, whose guardian bosses will remember you."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 30m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Risk of Rain

Free Available Released

Very Different. Sidescrolling metroidvania style shooter often recommended on reddit to fans of over the top builds. But it's very reliant on action controls with many buttons and doesn't have a bullet heaven vibe right away.

Action Platformer Bullet Heaven Content Rich Dungeon Crawler Roguelite Roguevania Sidescroller Wave Shooter Wave Survival
6.9 Combined Ranking Score
44/72 Ranking Position
1268/1600 Total Points
8.7 Final Review
93% Steam
8.8 Scale
8.0 Vibes
20147 Steam Reviews
361/400 Review Points
5.1 Similarity Score
76% Diagnosis:
Very Different
907/1200 Comparison Points
67% Genre 2.7/8 genre
7% Simple Controls -6/7 move
84% Survival Modes 2.7/4 modes
71% Power Progression 1.7/4 level
68% Buildcrafting Depth 1.8/5 build
93% Stage Features 6/7 stage
97% Content Breadth 8.5/9 stuff
100% Aesthetics 6/6 style
91% Gameplay Vibe Check 8.2/10 vibe vibe

Risk of Rain Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 3.8

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/17/2023

An action rogue-lite that many people love. Supposedly you can make pretty broken builds in this game and that is satisfying in a similar way, but this game really requires a lot of action skill while pressing many buttons. I suck at sidescrollers that require jumping so it's hard for me to progress.

There isn't a currency based meta unlock menu (just goal based unlocks) and it doesn't give you a choice of abilities on level up. It can be hard to tell what you're unlocking as you go, but there are menu where you can see that info. You can choose items sometimes, but it's not really the same.

It's a good game and I get why people mention it (we're talking mostly about rogue-lites here and it is one) but no need to discuss too in depth since it's not super relevant.

Risk of Rain Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

5.1 Similarity Score
76% Diagnosis:
907/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.2/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.7/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0.7/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.2/1
0.5/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.7/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.4/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.5/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.5/1
Over the Top 0.5/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 0.8/1
Low Price 0.6/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 0.8/1
Feels like VS 0.1/1

Risk of Rain Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.7 Final Review
93% Positive Steam Reviews
20147 Steam Reviews
8.0 Pure Vibes
8.8 Review Scale
361/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 0.4/1
Controller and Deck 0.5/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.9/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

7.7 Converted 10 Point Score
12 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.1 User Review Average
319 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.9 Direct Average
8.1 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Risk of Rain Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

GOGLinuxMacPS4PS5Steam DeckSwitchVitaWindows PCXboxFree AvailableReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action PlatformerBullet HeavenContent RichDungeon CrawlerRogueliteRoguevaniaSidescrollerWave ShooterWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

2DArtyPixel Art

Setting / Story Tags

Sci-fi

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown60m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

ChucklefishHopoo Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: Co-Op
  • Player Count: 2 (Local) 10 (Online)
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 15
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam YouTube Bandcamp Apple Soundcloud Itch.Io Black Screen Records (LP)

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Risk of Rain is an action platformer with roguelike elements. With permanent death as a primary feature, players will have to play their best to get as far as possible. Fight on a mysterious planet with randomly spawning enemies and bosses, either alone or with 3 friends in online co-op."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 60m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Dead Cells

DLC Released

Very Different. Metroidvania Sidescroller Rouge-lite with Souls inspired combat, it shares some elements with other Rogue-lites. Perhaps you want to jump and slash and don't like currency based meta power creep, preferring to develop your skills and find in-game discoveries to progress. Very Hard! Want it to feel more like Vampire Survivors? Get the Castlevania crossover DLC. That kind of makes it worth including.

Content Rich Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Metroidvania Roguelite Roguevania Sidescroller
6.8 Combined Ranking Score
45/72 Ranking Position
1223/1600 Total Points
9.6 Final Review
97% Steam
10.0 Scale
9.1 Vibes
119571 Steam Reviews
388/400 Review Points
3.9 Similarity Score
70% Diagnosis:
Very Different
835/1200 Comparison Points
66% Genre 2.6/8 genre
11% Simple Controls -5.5/7 move
26% Survival Modes -1.9/4 modes
50% Power Progression 0/4 level
71% Buildcrafting Depth 2.1/5 build
93% Stage Features 6/7 stage
96% Content Breadth 8.2/9 stuff
100% Aesthetics 6/6 style
85% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.9/10 vibe vibe

Dead Cells Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 8.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/23/2023

Played a fair amount on Switch as well. Very skill based sidescrolling Rogue-lite. Deep combat system inspired by Dark Souls but with a lot of mechanics of its own. It's another great game I'm not very good at. You may love the One More Run pull of it, but if you aren't good at jumping and juggling a lot of buttons, it won't be able to draw you past that. Gameplay wise it feels very different, but it shares some genre conventions with Vampire Survivors.

Many buttons to keep track of and high challenge from smaller amounts of enemies. Currency drops during runs to be used during runs, there's only goal/find based meta-unlocks (and stuff passed to your next run.)

This was be an interesting one to rate. I was inspired to pull it onto this sheet by the Castlevania DLC which not only includes some characters and weapons but a whole fucking castle and soundtrack, so it does have some neo-castlevania vibes which obviously also heavily influenced VS.

A lot of people say it's their "favorite game like vampire survivors" in reddit threads from a while ago, and at that time they just meant.. an action game with meta progression.

Dead Cells Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.9 Similarity Score
70% Diagnosis:
835/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.9/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.7/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 0/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.4/1
0.7/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.2/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.2/1
Over the Top 0.3/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.6/1
Fun Ramp 0.8/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.1/1

Dead Cells Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.6 Final Review
97% Positive Steam Reviews
119571 Steam Reviews
9.1 Pure Vibes
10.0 Review Scale
388/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.9 Converted 10 Point Score
35 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.2 User Review Average
742 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.6 Direct Average
8.2 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Dead Cells Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

AndroidEpiciOSitch.ioLinuxMacPS4PS5Steam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxDLCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Content RichDungeon CrawlerHack and SlashMetroidvaniaRogueliteRoguevaniaSidescroller

Aesthetic Tags

2DPixel Art

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsFantasy

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Find Based Metaprogression30m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading CardsSteam Workshop

Dev/Publisher

Motion Twin

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: Yes
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: Yes
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam YouTube Bandcamp Spotify

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Dead Cells is a rogue-lite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you're able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat. Regular free content updates!"

"RogueVania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 30m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Whisker Squadron: Survivor

EA

Very Different. An excellent pick if you want to mix it up with a rogue-lite Star Fox style rail shooter survival with leveling mechanics. Has a ton of control differences but sometimes the differences from most survivors-likes makes a game your next favorite. Main complaint is there just isn't enough content. I want more varied pilots, weapons, maps, more bullet heaven aspects. I hope they bring a lot more during Early Access. Needs more for the price and a greater breadth and depth would skyrocket it up this list. Hate the energy meter firing delay.

On-Rails Shooter Roguelite Survivors-like
6.5 Combined Ranking Score
46/72 Ranking Position
1219/1600 Total Points
8.7 Final Review
92% Steam
8.4 Scale
8.4 Vibes
180 Steam Reviews
360/400 Review Points
4.3 Similarity Score
72% Diagnosis:
Very Different
859/1200 Comparison Points
71% Genre 3.4/8 genre
29% Simple Controls -3/7 move
85% Survival Modes 2.8/4 modes
100% Power Progression 4/4 level
60% Buildcrafting Depth 1/5 build
60% Stage Features 1.4/7 stage
75% Content Breadth 4.5/9 stuff
88% Aesthetics 4.6/6 style
82% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.4/10 vibe vibe

Whisker Squadron: Survivor Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 3.8

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/20/2023

It's rogue-lite wave survival wrapped around a star fox controls style rail shooter that looks like an HD neon remaster of a 1990s vector graphic shooter. That's awesome. Add a couple cute cats, and you've got yourself a nice little package. I had a lot of fun with this one and will probably try to at least unlock all the ships and levels. Lots of buttons/triggers, no auto, not like Vampire Survivors there. Fun music. The only real shame is there isn't a ton of content or build variety. Would be great to see more. There is both a boost and a roll so it gets a full -1 in that category.

More unique characters, ships, maps, and enemies. Character abilities are a little underwhelming and haven't gotten any over the top bullet heaven combos, but still fun. Would also be cool if characters got star fox style wah wah unique to them, not just the dot for the text. They could also use more personality. Don't love the energy meter. I customized controls to fire with trigger. Colors/levels could pulse/warp procedurally to give feel of endless variety, like some older games do. Quibbles quibbles. I worry because devs announced a next similar game while this could use more content for 14.99.

This has the bones to be one of the best games on this list and one of the best games I've played in a while, but it's just the bones right now. It needs to go over the top and it needs to go hard, and bringing in a writer with some humor and further developing some diversity in the style and color palette would help too.

Whisker Squadron: Survivor Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

4.3 Similarity Score
72% Diagnosis:
859/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle 0/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 0/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.4/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only 0/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move 0/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 1/1
Endless Mode 0/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.8/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.4/1
0.5/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.4/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0.1/1
Bosses / Elites 0.5/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.3/1
Many Challenges 0.6/1
Multiple Stages 0.6/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0.4/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0.6/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.5/1
Over the Top 0.6/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.8/1
Fun Ramp 0.7/1
Low Price 0.1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 0.9/1
Fun Check 0.8/1
Feels like VS 0.8/1

Whisker Squadron: Survivor Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.7 Final Review
92% Positive Steam Reviews
180 Steam Reviews
8.4 Pure Vibes
8.4 Review Scale
360/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 0.7/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 0.3/1
Good Theme 0.4/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Whisker Squadron: Survivor Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

LinuxMacSteam DeckWindows PCEA

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

On-Rails ShooterRogueliteSurvivors-like

Aesthetic Tags

3DNeonRetroVector Inspired

Setting / Story Tags

AbstractFurryRobotsSci-fiShip (Air/Space)

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Currency MetaprogressionDropped Powerups30m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Flippfly LLC

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 22
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Bandcamp YouTube

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"A cosmic roguelite on-rails shooter with wild 30-minute runs that will take your feline flight crew to thrilling new heights with each randomized adventure. Your plan is simple: wreak vengeance on the Swarm and try to survive."

"Embark on an ever-changing adventure across neon-laced roguelike levels featuring on-rails shooter runs that change with every 20-30 minute playthrough" "Design a fighter ship using randomized upgrades that can be built using scraps dropped throughout each level and Victory Points earned through play."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 30m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

The Riftbreaker

DLC Released

Very Different. A top down shooter horde survival game, but in the long term resource gathering sense in the main campaign mode. Build a base, or rather multiple bases, as you attempt to survive on an alien planet. Relevant to this sheet is the timed survival mode. It recently came on sale on steam so I decided to see how it matches up on this scale considering it shares some elements. It may be an interesting one to check out if you enjoyed the horde and exploration aspects of the genre but wished for a long game with persistent progression instead of short runs. Technically, though, with a hardcore mode enabling permadeath it's optionally rogueish. I wouldn't say it's similar to Vampire Survivors, but it is a horde survival game for sure!

Action RPG Base Building Content Rich Horde Survival Roguelite Sandbox Story Rich Survival Craft Top Down or Isometric Tower Defense Twin Stick Shooter Wave Survival
6.3 Combined Ranking Score
48/72 Ranking Position
1182/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
91% Steam
9.4 Scale
8.5 Vibes
13901 Steam Reviews
370/400 Review Points
3.5 Similarity Score
68% Diagnosis:
Very Different
812/1200 Comparison Points
68% Genre 2.8/8 genre
11% Simple Controls -5.5/7 move
85% Survival Modes 2.8/4 modes
38% Power Progression -1/4 level
80% Buildcrafting Depth 3/5 build
82% Stage Features 4.5/7 stage
95% Content Breadth 8.1/9 stuff
69% Aesthetics 2.3/6 style
75% Gameplay Vibe Check 5/10 vibe vibe

The Riftbreaker Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 10.8

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/16/2023

An interesting game to compare and not unlikely to come up in your search because it's a "survival" game with "hordes" of enemies. It's also top down and a twin stick shooter and randomization, so it's got some surface level similarities. But it's also an incredibly complex game with many controls, so in many ways the polar opposite of something like Vampire Survivors.

It has a campaign mode but also a survival mode with timed waves. The general gameplay loop consists of gathering resources and base building to develop and increase various weapon powers and survive waves of enemies. Set up towers, do research, explore and so on. It's really a rather cool mashup of genres, which got me interested in checking it out.

It's got kind of the polar opposite of "simple level choices", having some of the most complex systems to upgrade your fighting level imaginable (dependent on base building.) I mostly liked that, but for my review score I'll have to note I found the voice acting grating when I should have been loving this. It might hurt that my name is also Ashley so it just felt like my robot dad was yelling at me a lot.

With a game design really revolving around long term play, it's definitely not a roguelite, but with map generation and hardcore mode, it is a non-traditional Roguelike in the same manner that Diablo 2 is a roguelike. I usually use roguelite to refer to metaprogression and I'm not sure if the campaign unlocks apply to hardcore mode yet - and if they do to the survival mode, it actually shares more in common with these games than I thought at first glance. In any case, I'm giving it a partial score in "rogue-lite".

It doesn't have a sprawling open world or stretching maps, but you do explore to other maps through the same game when playing the campaign. Aesthetics feels a little like some custom Star Trek map with one mech defending from waves of zerg rushes. Voice acting and writing is kind of annoying imho, probably could have done entirely without it but it doesn't intrude too often.

It feels a bit more bullet heaven when you equip a gun on each hand and stand near a million towers you set up. Enemies do have ranged attacks, though. All in all it's more of an ARPG / base building hybrid and not a survivors-like, but it could tickle your fancy for long term wave defense with more complex systems.

The Riftbreaker Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.5 Similarity Score
68% Diagnosis:
812/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.7/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -0.5/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 0.7/1
Arcade Style -1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.3/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0.8/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 1/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.5/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 0.9/1
XP on Ground 0.5/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art -1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm -0.5/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 0.8/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.3/1
Over the Top 0.6/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs -1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price -0.7/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0/1

The Riftbreaker Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
91% Positive Steam Reviews
13901 Steam Reviews
8.5 Pure Vibes
9.4 Review Scale
370/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.8/1
Controller and Deck 0.8/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.3 Converted 10 Point Score
9 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.4 User Review Average
64 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.4 Direct Average
8.4 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

The Riftbreaker Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicGOGPS5Steam DeckWindows PCXboxDLCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RPGBase BuildingContent RichHorde SurvivalRogueliteSandboxStory RichSurvival CraftTop Down or IsometricTower DefenseTwin Stick ShooterWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

3DRealisticSerious

Setting / Story Tags

MechaSci-fi

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Custom Mode/ScenarioDifficulty ModesDifficulty ModifiersHardcore Mode (Optional Permadeath)Inventory ManagementMap Based CampaignResearch TreesTimed SurvivalWave Survival60m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading CardsSteam Workshop

Dev/Publisher

EXOR StudiosSurefire Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Planned
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 41
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: Yes
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam YouTube Soundcloud Apple GOG

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"The Riftbreaker™ is a base-building, survival game with Action-RPG elements. You are an elite scientist/commando inside an advanced Mecha-Suit capable of dimensional rift travel. Hack & slash countless enemies. Build up your base, collect samples and research new inventions to survive."

"Your presence on this planet will not go unnoticed. As you build up your industry and disrupt the natural order, the world will start seeing you as a threat. Build up your defenses. Construct walls, barriers and defense towers as the attacks get stronger with every passing day. You will face thousands of hostile creatures trying to eliminate your presence."

"If intense fight for survival is not your thing either, then try out the Sandbox mode, where we give you control over the entire game – including resources, enemy spawns, and weather conditions."

Game Modes

- +

Map Based Campaign

Timed Survival

Custom Scenario,
Difficulty Modes &
Difficulty Modifiers
(For both modes)

Hardcore Mode
(Optional Permadeath)

Game Mode Notes

The game is designed with a campaign across several procedurally generated maps. It mimics sandbox base construction games a little bit, but the starting map does run out of resources relatively quickly if not enemies. The game lets you explore and set up other bases on other maps and then return to your main one until you complete the campaign.

There is a secondary survival mode which speeds up research and challenges you to survive until the end of a timer. Both modes allow a large degree of customization for challenge and difficulty.

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 60m

Run Time Notes

The default mode is a campaign with multiple procedurally generated maps. You build bases as you progress objectives and survive waves, but you can spend as long as you want on any map, in theory (?). You make bases that persist as you explore other maps.

There's also a survival mode, which speeds up in game research for a compressed experience on a single map. 60m refers to the default run time of the first "survival" mode.

Speed Settings

None

[edit]

Path of Exile

Free Available Released

Very Different. Sometimes you just want to slowly craft one build. Forever. An isometric MMO Action RPG sometimes recommended on reddit to fans of over the top screenwiping builds. No short runs - you can play the same character and slowly buildcraft for 100s of hours. Included to test the scale. Games above 5.0 on our ranking might satisfy your urges from Vampire Survivors, but the higher up ones are generally more likely to do so.

Action RPG Bullet Heaven Content Rich Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Mowing Game Spell Crafting Story Rich Top Down or Isometric
6.2 Combined Ranking Score
50/72 Ranking Position
1175/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
88% Steam
9.1 Scale
9.0 Vibes
208558 Steam Reviews
369/400 Review Points
3.4 Similarity Score
67% Diagnosis:
Very Different
806/1200 Comparison Points
59% Genre 1.5/8 genre
7% Simple Controls -6/7 move
44% Survival Modes -0.5/4 modes
31% Power Progression -1.5/4 level
95% Buildcrafting Depth 4.5/5 build
93% Stage Features 6/7 stage
97% Content Breadth 8.5/9 stuff
67% Aesthetics 2/6 style
82% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.3/10 vibe vibe

Path of Exile Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 59.6

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/16/2023

A Diablo-like ARPG, Path of Exile is sometimes recommended to VS fans since it's similarly focused on creating insane builds to screenwipe huge mobs of enemies.The biggest difference is you do this with potentially hundreds of hours put into a single character's playthrough.

Generally played without the permadeath option on, instead of kind of speedrunning the entire experience by quickly leveling up and then dying in a rogue-lite. It might appeal similarly to some players, but it's not a VS-like.

One of the most relevant Action RPGS in my opinion. And I've tried most of them. Tons of fun, considering it's free!

Path of Exile Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.4 Similarity Score
67% Diagnosis:
806/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -0.9/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style -1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.8/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.6/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 0/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.5/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks -0.5/1
Build Crafting 1/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.5/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 1/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.5/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art -0.5/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.2/1
Bumpin Music 0.5/1
Fun Writing 0.3/1
Subtle Humor 0.5/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.8/1
Over the Top 0.9/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0/1
Difficulty Ramp 0/1
Fun Ramp 0.2/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 0.9/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.3/1

Path of Exile Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
88% Positive Steam Reviews
208558 Steam Reviews
9.0 Pure Vibes
9.1 Review Scale
369/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.7/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.8/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 0.8/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.6 Converted 10 Point Score
27 Number of Critic Reviews

User

7.9 User Review Average
2238 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.3 Direct Average
7.9 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Path of Exile Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicMacPS4PS5Steam DeckWindows PCXboxFree AvailableReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RPGBullet HeavenContent RichDungeon CrawlerHack and SlashMowing GameSpell CraftingStory RichTop Down or Isometric

Aesthetic Tags

3DRealistic

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsFantasyHorror Themed

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

CampaignMap BasedMassively Multiplayer

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Grinding Gear Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: Co-Op Versus
  • Player Count: MMO 6 (Party) 2 (PVP)
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 127
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Totally Free
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: YouTube SoundCloud

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Created by hardcore gamers, Path of Exile is an online Action RPG set in a dark fantasy world." "Create and customize hundreds of unique skill combinations from tradable itemized gems and our gigantic passive skill tree. Combine skill gems, support gems and trigger gems to create your own unique combination of power, defense and destruction."

Game Modes

- +

Map Based Campaign

Game Mode Notes

The primary game mode is a linear campaign through a series of maps, with procedural generation for layout and enemy variety. A player can go back and play the same character on previous maps and eventually explore in a variety of directions.

Within the campaign there are many events, goals and game modes including timed wave survival, dungeon crawling, boss challenges, PVP and more.

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time:

Run Time Notes

A massively multiplayer online action RPG, the game is essentially designed to allow for near infinite play on a single character. Maps, dungeons and events within the campaign have a variety of time required to complete.

Speed Settings

None

[edit]

Returnal

Released

Very Different. Perhaps you want a lot more action challenge and AAA graphics. Third-Person Shooter Rogue-Lite, might scratch some of the same itches but very bullet hell compared to heaven. You see it mentioned on reddit an it's not an out of the line recommendation, because it does really pull you into another short run and you can certainly see a lot of bullets on screen at once. It's a great game, but not particularly similar at all in the movement categories.

Bullet Hell Dungeon Crawler Roguelite Roguevania Story Rich Third-Person Shooter
6.2 Combined Ranking Score
51/72 Ranking Position
1170/1600 Total Points
9.2 Final Review
81% Steam
10.0 Scale
9.5 Vibes
3116 Steam Reviews
376/400 Review Points
3.2 Similarity Score
66% Diagnosis:
Very Different
794/1200 Comparison Points
55% Genre 0.8/8 genre
7% Simple Controls -6/7 move
50% Survival Modes 0/4 modes
60% Power Progression 0.8/4 level
64% Buildcrafting Depth 1.4/5 build
100% Stage Features 7/7 stage
92% Content Breadth 7.5/9 stuff
68% Aesthetics 2.2/6 style
82% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.4/10 vibe vibe

Returnal Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 8.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/16/2023

Third-Person Shooter Rogue-Lite by Shmup Legends Housemarque, might scratch some of the same itches but very bullet hell compared to heaven. Mostly played on PS5.

This sometimes gets suggested and it's a fun one, but very different in many ways.

I haven't gotten good enough at it to see any bullet heaven overclocked builds personally.

Popular game so you can look up youtube videos.

Returnal Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.2 Similarity Score
66% Diagnosis:
794/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -0.9/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.4/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.3/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode 0.8/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.2/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0.2/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0.6/1
Build Crafting 0.3/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.5/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.1/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0/1
Many Challenges 0.5/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art -1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0/1
Bumpin Music 0.2/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.1/1
Over the Top 0.3/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price -1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.3/1

Returnal Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.2 Final Review
81% Positive Steam Reviews
3116 Steam Reviews
9.5 Pure Vibes
10.0 Review Scale
376/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.6 Converted 10 Point Score
47 Number of Critic Reviews

User

6.7 User Review Average
188 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.7 Direct Average
7.1 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Returnal Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicPS5Steam DeckWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Bullet HellDungeon CrawlerRogueliteRoguevaniaStory RichThird-Person Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

3DRealisticSerious

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsSci-fiTime Loop

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Dungeon CrawlEndless Mode90m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

Climax StudiosHousemarquePlaystation Studios

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: Yes
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: YouTube Amazon Spotify Apple Retail (LP)

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Fight to survive as this award-winning third-person shooter brings Selene’s story to PC. Take on roguelike challenges. Engage enemies in bullet hell-fuelled clashes. Share your journey through Returnal™ with another player."

Game Modes

- +

Dungeon Crawl Runs
(Story Act 1 & 2)

Endless Dungeon Crawl
(Tower of Sisyphus)

Game Mode Notes

Minor spoilers: For game modes there's story act 1, story act 2 and the tower. The tower is an endless climbing mode that gets progressively more difficult. It features a unique boss and weapon consumables. Co op is available for the story but not the tower.

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 90m

Run Time Notes

Via HollowSeeking on Discord: "Run time varies, you can complete a story cycle in well under an hour. Speed runners can do fresh file runs in well under an hour. A full clear story act on replay is around one hour depending on thoroughness and play style. I usually take 1.5 hours but I'm slow, thorough, and easily distracted. First playthrough can take much longer. 8 hours, 20, 60 hours, it varies by a huge margin."

Speed Settings

There's no clock speed up. You can run past battles but enemy and projectile speeds stay the same always. Some weapons you can get traits for or stat investments that speed up things like fire rate. Some other gameplay mechanics can impact run speed. So run time may vary, but you can't use a menu option to change game speed or timed goals.

[edit]

Rogue Legacy

Released

Very Different. Popular rogue-lite sidescroller Included to test the scale. Rogue Legacy 2 Is similar enough to not require a seperate ranking, since neither is really a VS-like. Not a bullet heaven! Great games though. Perhaps you're tired of top down auto shooters want a hack and slash sidescroller rogue-lite with similar currency based power creep.

Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Metroidvania Roguelite Roguevania Sidescroller
6.2 Combined Ranking Score
52/72 Ranking Position
1164/1600 Total Points
9.4 Final Review
92% Steam
10.0 Scale
9.0 Vibes
15253 Steam Reviews
382/400 Review Points
3.0 Similarity Score
65% Diagnosis:
Very Different
782/1200 Comparison Points
50% Genre 0/8 genre
21% Simple Controls -4/7 move
25% Survival Modes -2/4 modes
59% Power Progression 0.7/4 level
52% Buildcrafting Depth 0.2/5 build
89% Stage Features 5.5/7 stage
86% Content Breadth 6.4/9 stuff
100% Aesthetics 6/6 style
84% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.8/10 vibe vibe

Rogue Legacy Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 22.1

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/18/2023

A Rogue-lite well known for its enjoyable meta progression and humorous inheritance inspired twist on classes, it's also very different from Vampire Survivors as it is a sidescroller and not at all a bullet heaven. As a side note, this game's chompy first castle music is really great, just awesome.

Played about 10 hours on steam and another 12 or so on Switch. Can't get that far into the game because I suck at jumping, but I enjoyed it enough to play the early parts twice. Sequel is great too.

Sometimes people would respond to a question about games like Vampire Survivors with this and other rogue-lites in suggestion. It made more sense when there weren't a lot of games mechanically like Vampire Survivors in the running, but now there are.

Rogue Legacy Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.0 Similarity Score
65% Diagnosis:
782/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) -1/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0.7/1
Build Crafting 0/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.1/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.5/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 0.4/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe -0.2/1
Over the Top 0/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.4/1

Rogue Legacy Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.4 Final Review
92% Positive Steam Reviews
15253 Steam Reviews
9.0 Pure Vibes
10.0 Review Scale
382/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.5 Converted 10 Point Score
43 Number of Critic Reviews

User

7.9 User Review Average
710 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.2 Direct Average
7.9 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Rogue Legacy Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicGOGiOSLinuxMacPS3PS4Steam DeckSwitchVitaWindows PCXboxReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Dungeon CrawlerHack and SlashMetroidvaniaRogueliteRoguevaniaSidescroller

Aesthetic Tags

2DCute

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsDynastyFantasy

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown15m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Cellar Door Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 29
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Bandcamp Spotify YouTube

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Rogue Legacy is a genealogical rogue-"LITE" where anyone can be a hero. Each time you die, your child will succeed you. Every child is unique. One child might be colorblind, another might be a dwarf with have vertigo. But that's OK, because no one is perfect, and you don't have to be to succeed."

"A procedurally generated adventure. Explore new castles with every life."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 15m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Cult of the Lamb

DLC Released

Very Different. An action controls hash and slash game more similar to Hades than Vampire Survivors, with additional town building element between runs. It's isometric and rogue-lite, a great game, but likely can't get very zen. If you want more Hades, there's Cult of the Lamb. But I'm sure diehards will have a giant chart to tell me why those are very different some day.

Action Roguelike Colony Sim Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Roguelite Story Rich Top Down or Isometric
6.2 Combined Ranking Score
53/72 Ranking Position
1156/1600 Total Points
9.5 Final Review
94% Steam
10.0 Scale
9.0 Vibes
51985 Steam Reviews
384/400 Review Points
2.9 Similarity Score
64% Diagnosis:
Very Different
772/1200 Comparison Points
66% Genre 2.5/8 genre
14% Simple Controls -5/7 move
29% Survival Modes -1.7/4 modes
88% Power Progression 3/4 level
66% Buildcrafting Depth 1.6/5 build
68% Stage Features 2.5/7 stage
82% Content Breadth 5.8/9 stuff
79% Aesthetics 3.5/6 style
83% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.5/10 vibe vibe

Cult of the Lamb Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 29.3

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/17/2023

An excellent Hades-like combined with a lightweight town building and citizen management feature. It's got hack & slash rogue-lite runs that take a short amount of time, but besides that it likely won't meet the requirements for a zen-like state or long term addiction.

Art style turned me off at first but really won me over - it's a beautiful little game. I can't imagine how I ever thought it looked bad. Many good things, not as replayable as Hades.

At the end of the day it's not Vampire Survivors.

Cult of the Lamb Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.9 Similarity Score
64% Diagnosis:
772/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.8/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.2/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) -0.7/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.2/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 0/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.2/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.5/1
0.6/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 0.5/1
BIG Maps 0/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 0.8/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0/1
Many Challenges 0.5/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.5/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 0.3/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.2/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0.1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.7/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.7/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.5/1

Cult of the Lamb Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.5 Final Review
94% Positive Steam Reviews
51985 Steam Reviews
9.0 Pure Vibes
10.0 Review Scale
384/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.2 Converted 10 Point Score
92 Number of Critic Reviews

User

7.8 User Review Average
229 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.0 Direct Average
7.9 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Cult of the Lamb Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

GOGMacPS4PS5Steam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxDLCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RoguelikeColony SimDungeon CrawlerHack and SlashRogueliteStory RichTop Down or Isometric

Aesthetic Tags

CartoonCuteHD-2DUglycute

Setting / Story Tags

CozyDemonsDungeonsFantasyFurryHorrorHorror ThemedNecromancerUnderworld

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown10m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Devolver DigitalMassive Monster

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 42
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Bandcamp YouTube Spotify Amazon Apple Devolver Digital (LP)

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Start your own cult in a land of false prophets, venturing out into diverse and mysterious regions to build a loyal community of woodland Followers and spread your Word to become the one true cult."

"Explore a sprawling, randomly generated world, fight off hordes of enemies and defeat rival cult leaders in order to absorb their power and assert your cult's dominance."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 10m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

City of Beats

Released

Very Different. A dungeon crawl style twin stick shooter with each run consisting of branching paths, the noteworthy mechanic here is that your shots are notes to the beat and overall it's just very plugged in to the music. In a great way! The action takes place on cloudy cyberpunk rooftops and not in dank cellars, but it may remind you of games like Hades. While we're reviewing it due to being in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest, it's not a survivors-like and not sure it's a bullet heaven either. Seems like a classic twin stick shooter! Since it's not on topic, I probably won't put as many hours into this one, but will attempt some review. More difficult in a hands on way than most survivors-like fans may be looking for.

Dungeon Crawler Roguelite Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter
6.0 Combined Ranking Score
54/72 Ranking Position
1158/1600 Total Points
8.7 Final Review
94% Steam
8.8 Scale
8.0 Vibes
39 Steam Reviews
362/400 Review Points
3.3 Similarity Score
66% Diagnosis:
Very Different
796/1200 Comparison Points
75% Genre 4/8 genre
14% Simple Controls -5/7 move
29% Survival Modes -1.7/4 modes
88% Power Progression 3/4 level
64% Buildcrafting Depth 1.4/5 build
76% Stage Features 3.7/7 stage
76% Content Breadth 4.7/9 stuff
88% Aesthetics 4.5/6 style
83% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.5/10 vibe vibe

City of Beats Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 1.2

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/5/2023

This twin stick shooter room by room roguelite has a pretty nice cloudy cyber vibe and syncs pretty well to the music. It's very much a "dungeon crawl" and not a survival game, though there are small waves of a few enemies in each room. Overall the balance there feels a lot like Hades if you want a similar game.

The sound aspect is deeper than it seems at first with it synced to your attacks, when explosives go off and so on. This is a nice contrast to another game on this list, Beat Hazard 3, where the gameplay itself doesn't feel synced enough and it's mostly just loud flashes. This game is also more subdued than Beat Hazard but I found that much more pleasing to my eyes and less straining. No way to bring in my own music but I don't really want to.

But sometimes it feels like it's just really off from the music when my gameplay is off and that's odd feeling too.

You get your upgrades and items on "room end" like most "dungeon crawlers", but there are several things to collect from drops during play even if there's no XP. These can be used in run or for meta progression. "UI" is in world for the hub, but it's simple and quick to get into the run which I like. Shield on ground we'll call health.

I think there's just one character without much fleshing out and no personal special ability or build impact, hence the partially negative score in many characters. There also isn't a lot of variety for weapons it seems to have available and the upgrades aren't always super interesting.

It doesn't seem like there is a ton of content here for the price tag compared to other roguelites, though it did get an update in June so maybe they intend to add a little more. I can see it getting a little old after a bit if the music and weapons are not that varied, but it could also be comfort food to some.

I wish I could play games like this for longer periods, but the aiming and firing (at the same time) for an entire run really destroys my hands with pain due to the EDS. If I'm going to be holding it down the whole time anyway, adding in auto-fire would be nice. Or you could just make it fire on the stick direction since you need to do both anyway, that way I wouldn't have to do the "claw" for an entire run. In games where I have to I'm often dying at the end there just due to exhaustion and pain making me let go of the controller for just a second and no idea if I'd be any good otherwise. (Button mashing the entire time is easier on me than holding something down). I get it's fun to control it for the musical notes but maybe there's a middle ground.

In any case, it's ok because it's not really a survivors-like so besides showing the data to conclude that I don't feel a need to do a super in depth review. I think it might be a good game though. If anyone has played more and wants to offer corrections please do!

City of Beats Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.3 Similarity Score
66% Diagnosis:
796/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -0.5/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.3/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.5/1
0.4/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 0.2/1
BIG Maps -0.5/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 0.6/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters -0.5/1
Many Challenges 0.4/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0.2/1
Retro / Pixel Art 0/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.5/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.8/1
Over the Top 0.2/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.7/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.4/1
Fun Ramp 0.6/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 0.8/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.5/1

City of Beats Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.7 Final Review
94% Positive Steam Reviews
39 Steam Reviews
8.0 Pure Vibes
8.8 Review Scale
362/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 0.4/1
Good Theme 0.8/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.9/1
Fun Feel 0.9/1
Unique Twists 0.9/1
Vibe Check 0.9/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

7.9 Converted 10 Point Score
3 Number of Critic Reviews

User

- User Review Average
- Number of User Reviews

Average

7.9 Direct Average
7.9 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

City of Beats Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicSteam DeckSwitchWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Dungeon CrawlerRogueliteTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

3DGeometricNeonRaveVector Inspired

Setting / Story Tags

Cyberpunk

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown40m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Leaderboards

Dev/Publisher

Freedom GamesTorched Hill

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 19
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Shoot. Groove. Loot. Repeat. Cross an ever-changing city skyline, flowing through encounters in tune with the cityscape beat. From the weapons you fire, to the enemies you shoot, to the zen-like flow, the only way to win is to become one with the beat"

"Embark on endless expeditions across procedurally generated maps. No two playthroughs are the same, meaning different enemies, encounters, and upgrades each and every time. Experiment with different builds during each run."

Dev notes from interview:

Difficulty Modifiers & Rewards: There are Challenge Expeditions that not only increase general difficulty, but also add new mechanics & reward additional meta currencies & unlocks

Panic & Zen: I think is a big part of the game, especially getting into a zen-like flow-state through the music & rhythm

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 40m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Enter the Gungeon

Released

Very Different. On the surface similar, this dungeon crawling twin stick shooter has high action complexity. It's a rogue-lite bullet hell shooter with heavy emphasis on trigger pulling and dungeon exploration instead of horde waves. It's much more tactical and requires careful aiming. I get why people might recommend it since it's popular and also a rogue-lite but personally I don't think it has what interests me about this particular subgenre, ditching obvious build crafting for reflexes. Instead of heavy emphasis on distilling to the basic controls it adds FPS style reload and trigger controls to twin stick shooters, which is making it more complicated. It's a highly regarded game, just attempting to do very different things.

Content Rich Dungeon Crawler Roguelite Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter
6.0 Combined Ranking Score
55/72 Ranking Position
1153/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
95% Steam
8.9 Scale
8.5 Vibes
67389 Steam Reviews
369/400 Review Points
3.1 Similarity Score
65% Diagnosis:
Very Different
784/1200 Comparison Points
70% Genre 3.2/8 genre
14% Simple Controls -5.1/7 move
25% Survival Modes -2/4 modes
63% Power Progression 1/4 level
60% Buildcrafting Depth 1/5 build
72% Stage Features 3.1/7 stage
100% Content Breadth 9/9 stuff
83% Aesthetics 4/6 style
77% Gameplay Vibe Check 5.3/10 vibe vibe

Enter the Gungeon Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 6.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/10/2023

Disclaimer: I've personally played mostly on switch, but tried to put some time in on PC too. I think it's pretty much the same game.

Enter the Gungeon is a popular dungeon crawling rogue-lite that I feel has a relatively high difficulty in part due to mechanics pulled from FPS games like reload and even cover to kick over and hide behind. It's structured as a room clearing game instead of a wave survival game like most of the ones on this list.

That being said, it makes sense that it was an early common recommendation for people looking for "more games like vampire survivors" since it's also a top down shooter and a rogue-lite. When Vampire Survivors first came out there wasn't really a lot of 'survivors-likes' movement focused games so it was common to see people mention this or games like Hades. At that time a "similar game" just meant another action game that was a rogue-lite.

Personally I'm kind of bad at it (perhaps a little impatient with it) and that makes it a little harder to review, but I did put in some more substantial time in Co-Op on switch with my partner. We enjoyed it (any game with couch co-op generally gets a solid try around here) but agreed that it was a lot more tactical than we were expecting. I think that this likely gives a lot more playability in the long term to people who enjoy it, but we're kind of embarrassingly into more button mashy stuff unless it's a first person shooter. I think we saw how this is a popular title, though.

Scoring notes: Almost neutral score for food/items on ground since they drop at the end of the room instead of a gather mechanic. They technically dropped but really you don't take them into account with your movement while playing in the same way.

It has an optional auto aim in the menu, which is great for accessibility, but doesn't seem to be designed around it, hence the .4 score.

I'm surprised I couldn't find a way to enable damage numbers, usually common in these type of games, but that's just a small difference in aesthetics. It's top down, pixel art (rather detailed and beautiful pixel art, really, when you slow down to look at it, less lofi.) I'm not putting a zero for "panic and zen" but not a negative score either. I don't think it's the gameplay intention and I wasn't able to zone out with it, but I imagine some people could.

It didn't seem to have much of a difficulty or fun ramp there (this isn't to say it's not fun, it's to say that the rogue-lite features change the gameplay but don't really amp it up while making it easier). The "build depth" has little RPG mechanics, just items, so that's what those scores mean.

Worth checking out if more hands on action and a feeling of exploring a dungeon appeals to you!

Enter the Gungeon Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.1 Similarity Score
65% Diagnosis:
784/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 0.4/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.5/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 0.5/1
BIG Maps 0.4/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0.1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.2/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0.9/1
Subtle Humor 0.9/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0.2/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.6/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.2/1
Fun Ramp 0.2/1
Low Price 0.2/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.2/1

Enter the Gungeon Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
95% Positive Steam Reviews
67389 Steam Reviews
8.5 Pure Vibes
8.9 Review Scale
369/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 0.8/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 0.7/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 0.8/1
Unique Twists 0.8/1
Vibe Check 0.8/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.4 Converted 10 Point Score
28 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.1 User Review Average
450 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.3 Direct Average
8.1 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Enter the Gungeon Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

LinuxLunaMacPS4PS5StadiaSteam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Content RichDungeon CrawlerRogueliteTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

2DPixel Art

Setting / Story Tags

ComedyDungeonsFantasy

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown45m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

Devolver DigitalDodge Roll

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: Co-Op (Remote Play)
  • Player Count: 2
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Full
  • Steam Achievements: 54
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: Kind of (Joke DLC to support devs with one early unlock item)
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam YouTube Spotify Bandcamp Vinyl (Several at several retailers)

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Enter the Gungeon is a bullet hell dungeon crawler following a band of misfits seeking to shoot, loot, dodge roll and table-flip their way to personal absolution by reaching the legendary Gungeon’s ultimate treasure: the gun that can kill the past."

"Choose between one of several unlikely heroes, each burdened by a deep regret and in search of a way to change their past, no matter the cost. Filled with equal parts courage and desperation, these adventurers won't hesitate to dive across flaming walls, roll through a wall of bullets, or take cover behind whatever is around to make it to their goal alive!"

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 45m

Run Time Notes

It's dungeon crawling and can vary, but fans in the discord seem to feel around 45 minutes is right and I agree.

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Asterogues

EA

Very Different. More Enter the Gungeon style than survivors-like. Was in the steam "Bullet Heaven" sale but while it has an interesting mechanic where you gather enemies shots and send back at them, I'm not sure it really is one. It seems to be entirely in a dungeon crawl format Hades style, not sure yet how a lot of mechanics work for sure. Making notes. Doesn't seem to have survival modes, probably not what you're looking for if you're looking for a survivors-like, but maybe for a dungeon crawl. Still in development!

Bullet Hell Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Roguelite Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter
5.9 Combined Ranking Score
56/72 Ranking Position
1141/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
100% Steam
8.7 Scale
8.2 Vibes
28 Steam Reviews
369/400 Review Points
2.9 Similarity Score
64% Diagnosis:
Very Different
772/1200 Comparison Points
71% Genre 3.3/8 genre
7% Simple Controls -6/7 move
25% Survival Modes -2/4 modes
63% Power Progression 1/4 level
60% Buildcrafting Depth 1/5 build
85% Stage Features 4.9/7 stage
87% Content Breadth 6.6/9 stuff
88% Aesthetics 4.5/6 style
73% Gameplay Vibe Check 4.5/10 vibe vibe

Asterogues Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 1.4

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/4/2023

Tried this Early Access (at time of review) title out during the steam Bullet Heaven fest. It's different than most of the games in the sale, it's not wave survival format and has a little intro and then drops you into a dungeon crawl format. It's a more tactictical style of game similar to Enter the Gungeon.

Since it's not that familiar and there are so many games to rank, I didn't put a ton of time into this yet but watched videos, read every review and forum post on steam and contacted the dev (as usual) to try and make sure the features are accurate. We'll call the chest choices "level choices". Will check back in for more play time once the game is released.

In the main unique gameplay mechanic you gather up enemy bullets and send them back. While aiming you slow down time so we give it a major -1 in on-aim movement penalty. It's helpful to not die though. It feels like it wants to be a bullet heaven and a bullet hell and maybe it is both.

Dev interview helped clarify and adjust some feature scores.

"There's different types of powerups in the game:
-passive items, which are found in chests and shops
-active items, which are like equipped weapons (chest and shops)
-hearts (closest thing to temporary powerups, different types of hearts that grant different bonuses)
-pets, found in the same places as the other passives
"

"All of the loot usually drops at the end of the rooms. Hearts can drop during battle after killing an enemy. There's a shop both in runs and a meta shop in the hub area. There's also a tavern in the first area where you can buy drinks which are temporary effects with positives and negatives.

When you complete steam achievements, you often get an item reward at the end of the run. There's also cursed items that get unlocked in the hub when you complete runs with a certain number of cursed items. I wouldn't say there's any secrets right now in a traditional sense but there are special characters to unlock which you'll have to stumble across or read the wiki to find out how.

Asterogues Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.9 Similarity Score
64% Diagnosis:
772/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.7/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 0/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.5/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 0.5/1
BIG Maps 0.4/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 0.5/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.1/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 0.4/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.2/1
Over the Top 0.2/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.5/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.2/1
Fun Ramp 0.2/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 0.8/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.2/1

Asterogues Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
100% Positive Steam Reviews
28 Steam Reviews
8.2 Pure Vibes
8.7 Review Scale
369/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.9/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.7/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 0.8/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 0.8/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.7/1

Asterogues Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Steam DeckWindows PCEA

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Bullet HellDungeon CrawlerHack and SlashRogueliteTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

2DPixel Art

Setting / Story Tags

Sci-fiSpace

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown30m

Features and Extras

Steam AchievementsSteam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

Freedom GamesPipotchi600

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: Co-Op
  • Player Count: 2
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 24
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Beat up planets in Asterogues, a cosmic bullet hell shoot-em-up hybrid! Pick your character from a band of outcasts banished to the Asteroid Belt, dodge and shoot your way through a brutal onslaught of bullets, and take revenge against the Solar System!"

30m estimated "run time" according to dev (game design goal in my words)

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 30m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Ecstatic

Released

Very Different. This little arcade style arena wave shooter has excellent style, with a wriggly spider protagonist and some fresh feeling mechanics. The pointer to target and click to move control scheme works best for me on steam deck. There's no metaprogression and it's more bullet hell than bullet heaven, really. I'm not sure it's really very related to Vampire Survivors and probably won't get as long play times out of people, but I'm glad I tried it in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest.

Arcade Arena Shooter Bullet Hell Wave Survival
5.4 Combined Ranking Score
57/72 Ranking Position
1056/1600 Total Points
9.6 Final Review
100% Steam
9.4 Scale
9.5 Vibes
11 Steam Reviews
389/400 Review Points
1.1 Similarity Score
56% Diagnosis:
Very Different
667/1200 Comparison Points
59% Genre 1.5/8 genre
36% Simple Controls -2/7 move
71% Survival Modes 1.7/4 modes
13% Power Progression -3/4 level
47% Buildcrafting Depth -0.3/5 build
36% Stage Features -2/7 stage
59% Content Breadth 1.6/9 stuff
88% Aesthetics 4.5/6 style
81% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.2/10 vibe vibe

Ecstatic Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 3.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/15/2023

Ecstatic is more of an oldschool arena shooter which had previously come up in my recommendations since I've been getting so many bite sized top down retro style shooters. It's not a survivors-like, with no meta progression, no giant hordes, and no buildcrafting alternate paths or bullet heaven power fantasy. Just one weapon and character.

But it is a pretty great little arcade style shooter, I think. Fairly simple in design, but it doesn't pretend to be a huge game and I'm satisfied to have tried it since it was in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest. I think originally designed as a browser game, the controller support (which isn't officially listed) basically just emulates a mouse and was pretty hard to play with. (Dev confirmed: "The "controller support" is actually just Steam emulating mouse inputs, as the game was indeed designed and developed to be played with the mouse")

Playing on Steam Deck, it works quite well with the trackpad as you kind of click to move your little spider around the grid-like arena and hover your target over enemies then click to send missiles their way. One hit will kill you (giving this a -1 on "health on ground") so it feels very much like a bullet hell at first even with the relatively small enemy and projectile count, but a "freeze" mechanic that slows everything down unless you move drastically increases survivability.

Power ups are in the classic arcade style, a limited number of them available and a few levels possible in each. It's unlikely you'll be able to get them all in a play, so in that way there are some build choices. You can target the powerups to change them to a different type, helpful when figuring out your play style.

It took me a bit to truly adapt to the lock on and then fire mechanic for the missles, I admit. I imagine it's more obvious as a mouse game. Aesthetically excellent, from the pixel spider's independently moving legs to the classic arcade beats and synth voice announcing powerups (another thing I love from games like Super Stardust HD).

It's actually priced a tiny bit higher than on average for these games, but before this latest wave most arcade style shooters were around this price range or more (and there were a lot fewer options.) I'm happy with the experience for the price, though I'm not sure I'll really put a ton of hours in. I like these games, but I reach my limit of ability in them at times. It may not be about winning an arcade game, though, I guess, just playing.

Ecstatic Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

1.1 Similarity Score
56% Diagnosis:
667/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 0.9/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 0/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move 1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 1/1
Endless Mode -0.5/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.2/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Build Crafting 0.2/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible -0.5/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground -1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0.1/1
Bosses / Elites 0.5/1
Many Interesting Characters 0/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 0/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 0.5/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.4/1
Over the Top 0.5/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0/1
Fun Ramp 0/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 0.8/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -1/1

Ecstatic Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.6 Final Review
100% Positive Steam Reviews
11 Steam Reviews
9.5 Pure Vibes
9.4 Review Scale
389/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.9/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 0.5/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Ecstatic Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

itch.ioWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

ArcadeArena ShooterBullet HellWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

2DArtyLofiPixel ArtRaveRetroVivid

Setting / Story Tags

AbstractInsects

Control Styles

ControllerMouse Only

Game Mode Tags

Unknown5m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

PUNKCAKE Delicieux

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 8
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Bandcamp Apple Spotify

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Rave spider goes to the bullet-hell ball: shoot rockets out of your butt, dodge and destroy waves upon waves of drones, slow down time whenever you don't move."

"Control a disposable spider mech that shoots rockets out of its butt and decimate waves upon waves of drones synced to rave music, while also slowing down time whenever you stop moving. Pick up power-ups strategically and weave your way around enemies to make it to the end of the track!"

"The game features 4 different difficulties, a slew of challenges, and includes a level editor that lets you use your own music tracks!"

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 5m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Jetboard Joust

Released

Very Different. A sidescrolling shmup with some rogue-lite elements it probably will appeal much more to people looking for a Joust and Defender inspired game instead of a survivors-like. It's got a bit of a dungeon crawl choose-your-path structure to it and item find and between level upgrades to create your build. Still, with very action focused controls it remains more of an action arcade game than any sort of auto-battler buildcrafter. Ranked for comparison since it was in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest sale.

Arcade Dungeon Crawler Shoot 'Em Up Sidescrolling Shmup
5.2 Combined Ranking Score
58/72 Ranking Position
1088/1600 Total Points
8.0 Final Review
81% Steam
8.5 Scale
7.5 Vibes
44 Steam Reviews
341/400 Review Points
2.5 Similarity Score
62% Diagnosis:
Very Different
747/1200 Comparison Points
66% Genre 2.6/8 genre
19% Simple Controls -4.4/7 move
26% Survival Modes -1.9/4 modes
55% Power Progression 0.4/4 level
60% Buildcrafting Depth 1/5 build
80% Stage Features 4.2/7 stage
72% Content Breadth 4/9 stuff
84% Aesthetics 4.1/6 style
79% Gameplay Vibe Check 5.7/10 vibe vibe

Jetboard Joust Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/4/23

Side scrolling shmup. Tons of particular features that I'm going to make notes on for the scoring. Levels wrap from side to side and it has a theme of saving little guys, making it feel a fair amount like Resogun (though you don't seem to beam them up, just protect them.) In fact it's a little bit like Defender/Resogun and the classic game Joust had a baby.

It's level based not a survivor game, but it does have some small organic waves within levels. When you beat a stage you are able to upgrade. We're not calling this meta progression since you have a save slot for this process. You can also sell your items, we're calling this feature an in-run vendor.

You select your route so we consider that a bit like a dungeon crawl, genre wise. It's got kind of Enter the Gungeon feeling exploration for weapon and item find for your builds. You can retrieve your cash in the next play, so calling that a partial score for currency based unlocks I guess.

Heavy on the action controls, with no real automation. Fairly distinct Joust style kind of movement mechanics ("hover") is hard to represent but we're putting a partial ding in "on fire movement penalty" to try and explain it. You collect points dropped by enemies which feels a bit like the XP crystals in Vampire Survivors.

Switching weapon is a "special move" button, partial points in "no aiming" since it's not a twin stick or a game with a reticule but requires careful lining up with the movement mechanic and charged weapons. It has a lot of rogue-inspired mechanics but allows you to pick up where you left off and other stuff, we're giving it a low partial score. No damage numbers but scoring pop ups feel very similar so it gets a half score for the aesthetics. Personally I find the game less fun, but if you're a big retro Joust fan this might be the rogue-inspired game you're looking for.

Jetboard Joust Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.5 Similarity Score
62% Diagnosis:
747/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.4/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 0/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.2/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 0.1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0.4/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0.5/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0.5/1
Build Crafting 0.3/1
0.2/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 0.5/1
BIG Maps 0/1
XP on Ground 0.8/1
Health on Ground 0.8/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.8/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0.5/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0.8/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0.5/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 0.2/1
Fun Writing 0.4/1
Subtle Humor 1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.2/1
Over the Top 0.8/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.2/1
Fun Ramp 0.4/1
Low Price 0.4/1
Technical Check 0.8/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 0.8/1
Feels like VS 0/1

Jetboard Joust Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.0 Final Review
81% Positive Steam Reviews
44 Steam Reviews
7.5 Pure Vibes
8.5 Review Scale
341/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.9/1
Good UI 0.8/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 0.8/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.8/1
Fun Feel 0.8/1
Unique Twists 0.7/1
Vibe Check 0.7/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

7.5 Converted 10 Point Score
3 Number of Critic Reviews

User

- User Review Average
- Number of User Reviews

Average

7.5 Direct Average
7.5 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Jetboard Joust Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicGOGitch.ioLinuxMacPS5Steam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

ArcadeDungeon CrawlerShoot 'Em UpSidescrolling Shmup

Aesthetic Tags

2DPixel ArtRetro

Setting / Story Tags

Flying Saucer AliensSci-fi

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown240m

Features and Extras

Steam AchievementsSteam Leaderboards

Dev/Publisher

BitBull LtdFreedom Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 100
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

A sequel to a ZX Spectrum game the developer made as a teen 30 years ago which in turn was inspired by Joust.

"Fast & fluid arcade-style shooter with roguelike elements! Take flight on a lethal rocket-powered jetboard, blasting alien invaders with an explosive arsenal of ridiculous weaponry. Face off against massive, multi-stage bosses. Jetboard Joust resurrects the spirit of the arcade.."

"Choose your own path through a multitude of battlegrounds across the surface of five different planets. Discover hidden treasure, upgrades and awesome new weapons. Adapt your route based on your playstyle, the weapons you unlock and the treasure you discover."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 240m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Peglin

EA Free Available

Very Different. Perhaps you want an entirely different turn based Peggle-type puzzle game that somehow gets recommended to VS fans. Not saying it's a terrible recommendation if you like runs and upgrades and complex games that appeal to casual players. It's absolutely a rogue-lite and a cute game. But in many ways it is extremely different - Included to test the scale. Very different but good games might get around a 5.0. Anything under 5.0 could be thought of as "less recommended" to fans of Vampire Survivors.

Pachinko Peggle-like Puzzle Roguelite
5.2 Combined Ranking Score
59/72 Ranking Position
1079/1600 Total Points
8.3 Final Review
81% Steam
8.9 Scale
8.0 Vibes
8901 Steam Reviews
350/400 Review Points
2.2 Similarity Score
61% Diagnosis:
Very Different
729/1200 Comparison Points
38% Genre -2/8 genre
46% Simple Controls -0.5/7 move
25% Survival Modes -2/4 modes
73% Power Progression 1.8/4 level
71% Buildcrafting Depth 2.1/5 build
43% Stage Features -1/7 stage
79% Content Breadth 5.2/9 stuff
94% Aesthetics 5.3/6 style
78% Gameplay Vibe Check 5.5/10 vibe vibe

Peglin Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2.1

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/14/2023

Included here to test/show the scale, since it's been recommended a few times in public threads about VS-likes for some reason. This is a rogue-lite with some unlockable meta advancement, but it's also a turn-based peggle-like puzzle game.

Nice little game I suppose but the scale allows for -1 to 1 in order to make room for strongly different features to this extent.

Like a few other games on this list I feel it's mostly mentioned to people on sites like reddit since it's also a rogue-lite. It doesn't have much mechanically in common with most games on this list.

Cool though. I think if I hadn't mainlined Peggle for several months in 2007 I would be more interested in learning the mechanics. As it is it's hard to play without the Peggle victory music. If someone mods that in, let me know.

Peglin Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.2 Similarity Score
61% Diagnosis:
729/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time -0.8/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 0/1
Arcade Style 0.3/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) -0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 0/1
Move Only 0/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move 0/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.5/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0.8/1
Build Crafting 0.6/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.2/1
Many Challenges 0.5/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0.5/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.8/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 1/1
Subtle Humor 0.5/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.5/1
Fun Ramp 0.7/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 0.8/1
Feels like VS -1/1

Peglin Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.3 Final Review
81% Positive Steam Reviews
8901 Steam Reviews
8.0 Pure Vibes
8.9 Review Scale
350/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 0.8/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.8/1
Fun Feel 0.8/1
Unique Twists 0.5/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Peglin Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

AndroidGOGiOSitch.ioMacSteam DeckWindows PCEAFree Available

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

PachinkoPeggle-likePuzzleRoguelite

Aesthetic Tags

2DPixel Art

Setting / Story Tags

Fantasy

Control Styles

ControllerController 1 HandedMouse Only

Game Mode Tags

Unknown50m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

IndieArkRed Nexus Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 28
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Bandcamp YouTube

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Peglin is a Pachinko Roguelike - Fight enemies by collecting special orbs and popping pegs to deal damage. Acquire special relics that radically change the game and ensure no two runs are the same. Aim carefully to survive in this unique turn-based RPG!"

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 50m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Osmos

Released

Very Different. An interesting recommendation with a big genre shift, perhaps if you want a stress/zen combo movement focused arena game with absolutely no shooting or Rogue-lite elements. Extremely different - Included to test the scale but also to demonstrate it's not that far and people should push the boundaries of what these genres mean. It does have procedural generation so gets a partial score there!

Action Puzzler Arcade Physics-based Puzzle Top Down or Isometric
5.0 Combined Ranking Score
60/72 Ranking Position
1033/1600 Total Points
8.9 Final Review
87% Steam
9.0 Scale
9.0 Vibes
586 Steam Reviews
367/400 Review Points
1.1 Similarity Score
56% Diagnosis:
Very Different
666/1200 Comparison Points
69% Genre 3.1/8 genre
86% Simple Controls 5/7 move
28% Survival Modes -1.8/4 modes
0% Power Progression -4/4 level
10% Buildcrafting Depth -4/5 build
36% Stage Features -2/7 stage
64% Content Breadth 2.5/9 stuff
75% Aesthetics 3/6 style
72% Gameplay Vibe Check 4.4/10 vibe vibe

Osmos Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/14/2023

Included here to test/show the scale, because it's totally different but it somehow does feel a little similar. It's an nonviolent puzzle game where you click on the opposite side to move and lose some of your bubbly mass to do so, while trying to absorb smaller enemies instead of avoiding touching them.

Not a rogue-lite, not a bullet-heaven, but it might give you a top down zen arena vibe that's similar!

It has procedural generation available.

Also I just like it.

Osmos Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

1.1 Similarity Score
56% Diagnosis:
666/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) -1/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 0/1
Move Only 1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger 0/1
No Special Move 1/1
No Aiming 1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves -1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) -0.8/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Build Crafting -1/1
-1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" -1/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy -1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0/1
Bosses / Elites 0/1
Many Interesting Characters -0.5/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 1/1
Over the Top 0/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.3/1
Difficulty Ramp 0/1
Fun Ramp 0/1
Low Price 0.5/1
Technical Check 0.8/1
Controls Check 0.8/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0.4/1

Osmos Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.9 Final Review
87% Positive Steam Reviews
586 Steam Reviews
9.0 Pure Vibes
9.0 Review Scale
367/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.7/1
Controller and Deck 0.5/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 1/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

8.0 Converted 10 Point Score
22 Number of Critic Reviews

User

7.0 User Review Average
104 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.5 Direct Average
7.2 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Osmos Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

AndroidDirectiOSLinuxMacOnLiveSteam DeckWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action PuzzlerArcadePhysics-basedPuzzleTop Down or Isometric

Aesthetic Tags

2D

Setting / Story Tags

AbstractScience

Control Styles

ControllerController 1 HandedMouse Only

Game Mode Tags

Unknown8m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam Achievements

Dev/Publisher

Hemisphere Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 11
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: YouTube Dev's Website

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Enter the ambient world of Osmos: elegant, physics-based gameplay, dreamlike visuals, and a minimalist, electronic soundtrack. Your objective is to grow by absorbing other motes. Propel yourself by ejecting matter behind you. But be wise: ejecting matter also shrinks you. Relax - good things come to those who wait."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 8m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Hero Siege (2.0)

DLC Released

Very Different. Recent reviews are very negative, a 1.9, likely due to shift to paid unlockables. It used to be more like a Rogue-Lite. An interesting one - inspired by the same classics and with a similar retro pixel vibe, instead of distilling and extrapolating from the ARPG gameplay into tight Rogue-lite runs, it shows what happens if you bog down a little game with complex Diablo style systems and clog the menu with transactions. No quick in and out - it does not scratch the Survivors itch.

Action RPG Dungeon Crawler Hack and Slash Top Down or Isometric
4.8 Combined Ranking Score
63/72 Ranking Position
1095/1600 Total Points
6.2 Final Review
72% Steam
6.5 Scale
4.8 Vibes
28687 Steam Reviews
285/400 Review Points
3.5 Similarity Score
68% Diagnosis:
Very Different
810/1200 Comparison Points
60% Genre 1.6/8 genre
11% Simple Controls -5.5/7 move
38% Survival Modes -1/4 modes
63% Power Progression 1/4 level
90% Buildcrafting Depth 4/5 build
96% Stage Features 6.5/7 stage
94% Content Breadth 8/9 stuff
85% Aesthetics 4.2/6 style
64% Gameplay Vibe Check 2.8/10 vibe vibe

Hero Siege (2.0) Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 3.1

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/22/2023

Tagged as a Rogue-like but it's really not, besides some buff items dropped. Very Diablo-inspired isometric pixel art Action RPG. Came out before Vampire Survivors or many of the games on this list, but sometimes is mentioned. It's not a wave survival game and doesn't share most other features. Like Diablo, sometimes the enemy count can get a little Horde-ish and the moves can get a little over the top. Lovely little graphics and vibe though the UI is a bit hard on steam deck or TV. Graphics look GREAT on steam deck though. You can no longer attack while moving as quickly, also different.

Let's call the jump a dodge. Seems at some point the game got a 2.0 full of microtransactions or DLC at some point though, clogging the unlock menus full of confusing purchase options. Loses out on "low price" and lofi charm due to all the DLC, inventor tabs, etc. survivors-likes seem like a very distilled version of this kind of gameplay, speed running and streamlining the leveling while throwing all the enemies at you at once. Vampire Survivors has basically one control - the movement stick - and ARPGS are defined by almost the opposite, by the huge amount of move and menu options during play.

There was like an earlier version of this game that was much different and I admit I didn't put in the time to research where that went. I think they just replaced it?

Hero Siege (2.0) Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.5 Similarity Score
68% Diagnosis:
810/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -0.5/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style -1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.3/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.8/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 0/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -0.5/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival -1/1
Endless Mode -1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.3/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.7/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Build Crafting 1/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 1/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 1/1
XP on Ground 0.5/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.2/1
Bumpin Music 0.7/1
Fun Writing 0.7/1
Subtle Humor 0.6/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.5/1
Over the Top 0.4/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0/1
Difficulty Ramp 0/1
Fun Ramp 0/1
Low Price -1/1
Technical Check 0.9/1
Controls Check 0.8/1
Fun Check 0.6/1
Feels like VS 0/1

Hero Siege (2.0) Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

6.2 Final Review
72% Positive Steam Reviews
28687 Steam Reviews
4.8 Pure Vibes
6.5 Review Scale
285/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.6/1
Controller and Deck 0.5/1
Lots of Content 0.5/1
Good Theme 0.7/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.8/1
Fun Feel 0.5/1
Unique Twists 0.4/1
Vibe Check 0.7/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

7.8 Converted 10 Point Score
2 Number of Critic Reviews

User

6.5 User Review Average
75 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.2 Direct Average
6.5 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Hero Siege (2.0) Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

AndroidiOSitch.ioLinuxMacPS4Steam DeckSwitchWindows PCDLCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RPGDungeon CrawlerHack and SlashTop Down or Isometric

Aesthetic Tags

2DPixel Art

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsFantasy

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknownn/a

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Panic Art Studios Ltd.

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: Co-Op
  • Player Count: 2 (Local) 4 (Online)
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 59
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: Yes
  • Soundtrack Available: Bandcamp YouTube

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Hero Siege is a Hack N Slash Roguelike RPG with randomly generated zones, loot, randomized enemies, bosses and more! 4 Player Online Multiplayer!"

"Annihilate hordes of enemies, grow your talent tree, grind better loot and explore up to 7 Acts enhanced with beautiful Pixel Art graphics!" "Hero Siege has an Loot/Inventory system. Loot drops can be of several different rarities such as Normal, Magic, Rare, Legendary, Mythic and Satanic"

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: n/a

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Beat Hazard 3

EA

Very Different. A top down twin stick shooter that uses "your music" (or at least your spotify) to generate arcade style levels. Or at least effects. Certainly over the top and similar in that it's top down and a shooter, perhaps if you're looking for more top down shooters it's an interesting option. Reviewed because it was in the Steam Bullet Heaven festival. It's not really a typical bullet heaven, more like a typical top down shmup. Which makes sense as the Beat Hazard series has existed since long before the term bullet heaven did. Perhaps will appeal to some of the same impulses but it's generally very different and not a survivors-like. Low review almost entirely due to UI and illegibility in both menus and gameplay. May improve!

Arcade Arena Shooter Bullet Hell Isometric or Top Down Music Twin Stick Shooter
4.7 Combined Ranking Score
64/72 Ranking Position
1053/1600 Total Points
7.1 Final Review
92% Steam
6.1 Scale
6.0 Vibes
280 Steam Reviews
313/400 Review Points
2.3 Similarity Score
62% Diagnosis:
Very Different
740/1200 Comparison Points
68% Genre 2.9/8 genre
29% Simple Controls -3/7 move
65% Survival Modes 1.2/4 modes
50% Power Progression 0/4 level
54% Buildcrafting Depth 0.4/5 build
50% Stage Features 0/7 stage
89% Content Breadth 7/9 stuff
58% Aesthetics 1/6 style
74% Gameplay Vibe Check 4.7/10 vibe vibe

Beat Hazard 3 Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 1.5

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/4/2023

The default mode is level based, I suppose, with levels based on your songs. This makes it time based, in vibe, more than the average level based shooter. We'll call that a partial positive score.

Collecting the score bubbles feels enough like collecting XP or gold, so we'll call it that. We're mostly concerned with the collecting mechanic in gameplay on that metric. It has unlockables like an arcade game has unlockables, and it's procedurally generated. So is it a rogue-lite? It's an interesting question, and we'll give it a partial score there for sharing some features, but ultimately it doesn't feel like a roguelike because there's no making a build within the game, just arcade style power ups.

It does have waves within the levels, for sure, and they're fairly organic. But it's not a horde nor attempts to be. There are a ton of different ships and weapon stuff and unique customization options, I'm going to call all those menus a bestiary as well.

"Generating a galaxy" looks really pretty and felt cool, but I wasn't really sure if it was more than just a very visually hi fi menu.

This was actually a special experience to review because I directed it to a folder of old MP3s I'd ripped from weird bands my friends were in during college, lofi electronic and experimental stuff that I think worked pretty well. Hearing all my old friends haunted voices over beats was honestly something.

That being said I wish it really synced up the action more and slow songs had little action - perhaps that would feel like you weren't playing the game but with long intros it would have been cool to pick things knowing how they'd amp up. As it is, the very metallic ships that show up can feel pretty off topic with certain twangy folksy vibes. That's honestly a skill issue, though, and we can assume you're going to put on a "beat" for Beat Hazard.

Unfortunately, with the strobing down, which I eventually had to set lower for my eyes, it didn't feel like much really had to do with my music. And due to how much was going on always, I couldn't really tell what upgrading my ships did too easily either.

Honestly I found myself kind of confused in the menus. There are so many game modes, so many options, I didn't really know what to do at any given time. Something I normally like about this genre is how simple it is to get in and out. But I understand the reason for some of the complexity given the music focus. Just don't know if the ship/ability upgrade stuff needs to be too.

The biggest thing that holds me back from playing more is how complicated all the menus and modes are - it seems silly, but I suffer easily from decision fatigue. And the font is too close together and hard to read. It's Early Access so maybe I can hope there's a UI overhaul and much of this is tidied up and hidden away. It's honestly overwhelming.

Beat Hazard 3 Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.3 Similarity Score
62% Diagnosis:
740/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.3/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0.6/1
Endless Mode 0/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.4/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.2/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.2/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.2/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0.8/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.2/1
Bestiary / Lore 1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 0/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.5/1
Over the Top 1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.2/1
Fun Ramp 0/1
Low Price -0.5/1
Technical Check 0.5/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.2/1

Beat Hazard 3 Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

7.1 Final Review
92% Positive Steam Reviews
280 Steam Reviews
6.0 Pure Vibes
6.1 Review Scale
313/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.9/1
Not Janky 0.5/1
Good UI -1/1
Controller and Deck 0.8/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 0.7/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.7/1
Fun Feel 0.7/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.8/1

Beat Hazard 3 Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicSteam DeckWindows PCEA

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

ArcadeArena ShooterBullet HellIsometric or Top DownMusicTwin Stick Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

3D

Setting / Story Tags

Sci-fiShip (Air/Space)Space

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown5m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Leaderboards

Dev/Publisher

Cold Beam Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op Versus
  • Online: Co-Op Versus (Remote Play)
  • Player Count: 4
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 45
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Are you ready to explore your music collection mapped as a stunning galaxy of wonders? Experience your music collection as never before with this intense music driven twin stick shooter. Each of your songs will have its own unique ebb and flow based on the music."

"All new 3D procedural ship generation system. Introducing a new 'fold' ability used to dodge enemy fire and focus your weapons into a tight beam of destruction."

"Beat Hazard 3 is compatible with music streaming services via an improved 'Open Mic' system that can listen in to any music source."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 5m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

GROSS

Free Available Released

Very Different. FPS / Tower Defense Hybrid. This zombie shooter was in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest so we checked it out. It's definitely not a survivors-like or a bullet heaven. It's a more oldschool wave defense game, with a really frustratingly obscure and tutorialized set of features instead of a way to easily drop into action. It probably won't satisfy survivors-likes fans, but you could check it out if you liked older games like Orcs Must Die. I had a lot of quibbles around this one that kept me from putting more time in, but I think it's ok since it's not as related as other games anyway. Correct me if I missed any features!

Base Building First Person Shooter Story Rich Tower Defense Wave Survival
1.8 Combined Ranking Score
70/72 Ranking Position
775/1600 Total Points
4.5 Final Review
85% Steam
2.1 Scale
3.0 Vibes
131 Steam Reviews
236/400 Review Points
-1.0 Similarity Score
45% Diagnosis:
Very Different
539/1200 Comparison Points
50% Genre 0/8 genre
7% Simple Controls -6/7 move
69% Survival Modes 1.5/4 modes
25% Power Progression -2/4 level
47% Buildcrafting Depth -0.3/5 build
61% Stage Features 1.6/7 stage
61% Content Breadth 1.9/9 stuff
47% Aesthetics -0.4/6 style
42% Gameplay Vibe Check -1.6/10 vibe vibe

GROSS Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2.7

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/6/2023

This is an FPS Horde Shotter / Tower Defense hybrid we're comparing here relatively early in our process because it's listed in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest sale. (In the long run I'd like to add more horde shooter and tower defense games in general, but we're still usually focusing on survivors-likes until we get those filled out.) I don't think it's a bullet heaven though. I don't think it's a rogue-lite either.

A lot of fans mention Sanctum in reviews as similar, but I haven't played that. It leans more on the FPS side, according to reviewers as well and I might agree. Early game it's best to just use barriers and kill them yourself. But the first person view makes making paths annoying especially since and instant refund costs you half for a mistake. The "You Must Leave A Path" limitation is janky and weirdly applied.

The main event is a "story" mode and honestly has quite a lot of text story. Pretty long winded but honestly I thought it was fairly well written for something like this. This one certainly tasks you to survive waves, but don't expect as simple an arcade gameplay loop since you need to pick them out and install them from a menu, run round prepping a bit in first person between fighting.

You pick from and unlock things through play, but there doesn't seem to be randomization or any sort of meta progression in the roguelite sense.

Controller navigation for building leaves a little to be desired, it says on screen "press E" to start instead of the controller button etc. Didn't realize I had to literally point at the RV etc. So much trouble trying to figure out where weapons are to equip after accidentally switching a slot during the tutorial. Incredibly time wasting and frustrating. Visually it feels like a less interesting Plants Vs Zombies (the 3D spin offs) with kind of similar gameplay too. Much more confined map, though, and the grid to construct on. Once into the match the gunplay is fine but the enemies aren't really visually or gameplay distinct for the first while at least.

You start with three guns already equipped which was nice, I don't love how some of these FPS zombie games make you hold a single one at a time. But then how to select them is totally crazy requiring in game walking. Overall the time I spent was mostly frustrated, often incredibly frustrated. It tells me to make a path of barricades and then tells me I have to leave a path while there are 4 openings and won't let me place more. It tells me to switch guns by finding them then doesn't tell me where my old guns went. Totally unclear and unexplained UI elements.

Much of this hidden or unavailable to use during the tutorial, which is a pet peeve for me, because when you have a long and unskippable tutorial and then some of the buttons don't work, you spend the early game simply confused as hell. Often the tutorial asks me to press a keyboard button while using controller. It made me go through the tutorial twice, again after selecting the second mission. And there's another tutorial in the menu. And tutorial bits during a plot segment. And it gives you a mini tutorial and shows you training dummies at your "house."

Devs enabling buttons and menus one at a time during a tuturial has got to stop imho. Stop changing the UX around at the start of the game when it's most confusing! Just let me jam the buttons and figure out what they do! Don't make a tutorial that takes place with limited access to game function through an entire full survival session and definitely don't spread it accross multiple long stages. These games should be hop in hop out imho. If valheim can be you can be.

I'm not really sure how it has so many positive reviews, the basics are just frustrating. It gets easier to find your guns and figure out the menus of course, maps open up a bit, but it still just felt very awkard and janky to me. In any case, it's not a survivors-like and there are better horde shooters out there too.

GROSS Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

-1.0 Similarity Score
45% Diagnosis:
539/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -0.8/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 0.8/1
Arcade Style -1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 0/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0.5/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves -1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Build Crafting 0.2/1
0.5/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible -1/1
Explorable Map 0.3/1
BIG Maps -0.5/1
XP on Ground 0.8/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 0/1
Bosses / Elites 0.2/1
Many Interesting Characters -0.5/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.2/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art -0.5/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0/1
Bumpin Music 0.1/1
Fun Writing -1/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe -0.5/1
Over the Top -0.5/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0/1
Difficulty Ramp -0.5/1
Fun Ramp -0.5/1
Low Price -0.2/1
Technical Check 0.2/1
Controls Check 0.2/1
Fun Check 0.2/1
Feels like VS -0.8/1

GROSS Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

4.5 Final Review
85% Positive Steam Reviews
131 Steam Reviews
3.0 Pure Vibes
2.1 Review Scale
236/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.8/1
Not Janky -0.4/1
Good UI 0/1
Controller and Deck 0.3/1
Lots of Content 0.7/1
Good Theme 0/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.4/1
Fun Feel 0.2/1
Unique Twists 0/1
Vibe Check 0.1/1

GROSS Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Steam DeckWindows PCFree AvailableReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Base BuildingFirst Person ShooterStory RichTower DefenseWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

3DCell ShadedLow Poly

Setting / Story Tags

ContemporaryZombies

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown

Features and Extras

Steam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam Leaderboards

Dev/Publisher

hangry owl gamesHawthorn Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: 56
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"In GROSS, you are tasked with defending your base against waves of enemy attackers in classic tower defense fashion. You have the freedom to build barricades and turrets to create mazes and launch attacks on the enemy, as well as place traps on the ground for added defense.

During the construction phase, you can experiment with different combinations of turrets and barriers to come up with the most effective obstacle course for your attackers. And don't worry about time limits or wasted resources - you can sell everything you build for a full refund until the next combat phase begins. So if you love the strategy and satisfaction of building the ultimate tower defense setup, GROSS is the game for you!
"

"Once you are done building your defenses, get ready for intense, fast-paced combat! With a huge arsenal of guns at your fingertips, each featuring different ammo types, you'll have to make split-second decisions to take down waves of zombies."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time:

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

IDIOTIC (The Game)

Free Available Released

Very Different. Reviewed since it's included in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest, this first person arena shooter with parkour elements shares some features with the genre like power increase choices on level gain and currency based metaprogression between matches but overall won't satisfy most fans. It's not that it's in first person, some excellent related games are, but that it's also more movement than build focused and really lacking in the content area. And very very janky and unfinished feeling. I respect it's a first project from a learning dev, and I think it's technically a survivors-like, but seems very unlikely that this is the game you're looking for in our database.

Arena Shooter First Person Shooter Parkour Survivors-like Wave Survival
1.6 Combined Ranking Score
71/72 Ranking Position
808/1600 Total Points
2.9 Final Review
75% Steam
0.3 Scale
1.0 Vibes
16 Steam Reviews
188/400 Review Points
0.3 Similarity Score
52% Diagnosis:
Very Different
620/1200 Comparison Points
63% Genre 2.1/8 genre
14% Simple Controls -5/7 move
70% Survival Modes 1.6/4 modes
100% Power Progression 4/4 level
48% Buildcrafting Depth -0.2/5 build
54% Stage Features 0.6/7 stage
47% Content Breadth -0.6/9 stuff
41% Aesthetics -1.1/6 style
55% Gameplay Vibe Check 1/10 vibe vibe

IDIOTIC (The Game) Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 1.3

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/5/2023

Another game that's been suggested to fans of this genre, but our examination shows it's pretty far from what most will be looking for. This is a wave survival game listed in the Steam Bullet Heaven Fest, but it's hard to say it's a bullet heaven or a survivors-like though it shares some elements.

It has in game abilities to pick from as you level, meta unlocks for some power progression between game modes and procedural generation so it could be called a rogue-lite as much as many of these other games. No damage numbers but the scoring pop up text feels a little like it, so tiny partial score. Knocking it for no controller support in controls check, though not to the negative since the KB+M controls seem fine. It's very action focused so basically the opposite of an auto shooter. Has crouch, run, wall running, climbing, double jumping and so on, alongside aiming and firing controls, challenging you to use a large amount of dexterity to survive.

But some of the controls (especially the "Warp" ability that switches "realities") doesn't make it more fun for me personally, it's just more controls. Overall the combat mechanics and controls are the best (and kind of only) part though, and lead to some fun moments.

There is the "arena" mode and then procedurally generated "destruction." I wasn't able to play much of destruction since the generated levels often had janky wall-run/platforming sections that seemed to have clipping issues. It's interesting because with the meta power creep it certainly has a gameplay mechanic difficulty ramp many arena shooters do not, which has some appeal.

No controller support so had to do some work to play on Steam Deck, which wasn't fun, so played at my desk (and not the TV either) which I don't enjoy as much (reflected with a 0 in the associated column in the review scale.)

I saw some people on YouTube complain about the music but I like it. Overall though it feels like it's missing sounds, enemy variety and weapons, Half Life era graphics (but with less detail) for a relatively high price and the gameplay is cumbersome compared to many other wave survival / horde shooter FPS games. And no real "horde" either. Again, only 3 guns? Where are the weapons?

It's made by a learning solo developer so I don't want to be too hard on it, but it's hard to justify the price point with what's here. Feels like it should be early access for 99 cents, maybe would even make more in sales. But if you can get into it with keyboard and mouse and don't mind the price, some compare it to titanfall and seem to be having fun with it. I wanted to like it since I enjoy simple arena FPS games and will play against CS bots for hours on a tiny map. But it didn't let me, due to bugs and janky implementations. This unfortunately seems to be the finished state of the game. I feel for the newbie dev as this likely sounds harsh, they show promise if they keep learning.

IDIOTIC (The Game) Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

0.3 Similarity Score
52% Diagnosis:
620/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.1/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 0/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 1/1
Endless Mode 0/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.3/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.3/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.2/1
0.1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible -0.5/1
Explorable Map 0.4/1
BIG Maps 0.2/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0.2/1
Bosses / Elites 0/1
Many Interesting Characters -1/1
Many Challenges -0.3/1
Multiple Stages 0.5/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 0/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art -1/1
Damage Numbers 0.2/1
Lofi Charm -0.5/1
Bumpin Music 0.8/1
Fun Writing -0.5/1
Subtle Humor -0.1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0.1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.5/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.3/1
Fun Ramp 0.3/1
Low Price -0.5/1
Technical Check 0.1/1
Controls Check 0/1
Fun Check 0.3/1
Feels like VS -0.5/1

IDIOTIC (The Game) Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

2.9 Final Review
75% Positive Steam Reviews
16 Steam Reviews
1.0 Pure Vibes
0.3 Review Scale
188/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0/1
Not Janky -0.5/1
Good UI 0/1
Controller and Deck 0/1
Lots of Content 0.1/1
Good Theme 0/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0/1
Fun Feel 0.5/1
Unique Twists 0/1
Vibe Check 0.2/1

IDIOTIC (The Game) Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Windows PCFree AvailableReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Arena ShooterFirst Person ShooterParkourSurvivors-likeWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

3DLofi

Setting / Story Tags

AbstractAlternate Reality

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown

Features and Extras

Steam Cloud

Dev/Publisher

Emanuel N.M

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: No
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Switch between alternate dimensions at will in this fast-paced single-player FPS game. Wreak chaos and improve your character as you move at break-neck speed."

"In every combat game mode you can find coins as a reward, either for your speed or ability to survive long enough. Use them to buy permanent boosts and improve your chances of survival."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time:

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Beach Invasion 1944

Released

Very Different. First person wave shooter where you play as the wrong side at the battle of Normandy. WARNING I got the code for this game to review as part of a press package for many games in a sale and didn't realize what it was. This game will put n-zi Medals on your profile earning a previously unconceived -1 in achievements due to the unique gameplay loop of panicking and contacting support to remove them. Much more detail in notes. Probably don't try this one. I feel dirty sharing the link even for academic purposes. I didn't originally expect games to really go below 0, but I guess it's useful to have some outlier examples for a scoring guide.

First Person Shooter Malware Tower Defense Wave Shooter
-0.4 Combined Ranking Score
72/72 Ranking Position
562/1600 Total Points
2.9 Final Review
86% Steam
0.2 Scale
0.0 Vibes
568 Steam Reviews
188/400 Review Points
-3.8 Similarity Score
31% Diagnosis:
Very Different
374/1200 Comparison Points
41% Genre -1.5/8 genre
22% Simple Controls -3.9/7 move
61% Survival Modes 0.9/4 modes
18% Power Progression -2.6/4 level
30% Buildcrafting Depth -2/5 build
55% Stage Features 0.7/7 stage
37% Content Breadth -2.4/9 stuff
10% Aesthetics -4.8/6 style
15% Gameplay Vibe Check -7/10 vibe vibe

Beach Invasion 1944 Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 0.7

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/4/2023

Wow holy shit! Avoid haha

Was given a review key for this game as part of a press bundle for an event. Just installed all of them and started working my way into the list. I was a half hour into this game, mostly just making notes, before I realized what beach I was on, what the tank near me was named, and what the popups rushing by on the left were.

The game is kind of subtle. No n-zi flags. You have to actually think back to war photos to realize what side of the beach means what, you have to know the logos on the trucks, etc. I should have recognized it sooner, I'm Jewish, had family who fought for the American forces and family in the camps. I was mostly thinking about how dark it is to throw you in on this side to start (I don't know if there are other levels, functionally) but then it gave me the Iron Cross, I realized it was an actual achievement and quit the hell out.

This is the first game that gets a negative score in achievements for having achievements so bad I'm classifying them as malware. Literally had to contact support to try and have them removed. That's a first for me. It's 10 dollars and what is here is relatively unique in terms of being in this genre, but not in terms of being a poorly made world war II game.

It's janky, aiming is buggy as hell, controller support hardly works in the menu at all. In fact I feel it flat out doesn't. And it already has paid DLC out. It feels like it's a way for n-zis to just pay ten dollars and then put the Iron Cross on their profile.

At the same time I will say it was a unique gameplay experience. If the n-zi awards weren't there for funsies it could even be worth experiencing. Felt very dark. Music is not there or bleak. Gamification aspects just made it feel darker, like slow mo zoom kills and powerups popping up in the middle of the endless meatgrinder of one of the all time worst moments in mankind's history. Run feels like it goes on forever and I just wanted to die but for some reason I couldn't. Ctrl alt deleted to get past a bugging menu and closed the app with a feeling of absolute horror. Then had to contact tech support. The vibes on this one are positively otherworldly bad.

But hey it's nice to have something firmly at the bottom here. Worst vibe yet!

Beach Invasion 1944 Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

-3.8 Similarity Score
31% Diagnosis:
374/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar -1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only 0.1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves -1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.9/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0.4/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Build Crafting -1/1
-1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 0.3/1
Health on Ground 0.7/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.7/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0.5/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0.5/1
Enemy Variety 0.3/1
Bosses / Elites 0.3/1
Many Interesting Characters -1/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages -1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements -1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art -1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm -0.8/1
Bumpin Music -1/1
Fun Writing -1/1
Subtle Humor -1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe -1/1
Over the Top 1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs -1/1
Difficulty Ramp -1/1
Fun Ramp -1/1
Low Price -1/1
Technical Check -1/1
Controls Check -1/1
Fun Check 0/1
Feels like VS -1/1

Beach Invasion 1944 Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

2.9 Final Review
86% Positive Steam Reviews
568 Steam Reviews
0.0 Pure Vibes
0.2 Review Scale
188/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.3/1
Not Janky 0/1
Good UI 0/1
Controller and Deck 0/1
Lots of Content 0.1/1
Good Theme -1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.5/1
Fun Feel 0.7/1
Unique Twists 0.6/1
Vibe Check -1/1

Beach Invasion 1944 Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

EpicSteam DeckWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

First Person ShooterMalwareTower DefenseWave Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

3DRealisticSerious

Setting / Story Tags

HistoricalMilitaryWWII

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown

Features and Extras

Steam Achievements

Dev/Publisher

Alx2 Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 40
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Critic Review Excerpt

- +

Here's another perspective to evaluate the game.

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Beach Invasion 1944 is a WWII FPS game where you defend the fortified beach against invading forces who will attack you with troops, tanks, planes and more! Use the iconic WWII weapons such as MG42, Flak 88 and Panzers, prepare your defenses with mines, explosives and bonuses!"

I should have thought hard about exactly what that is saying there in the tagline. But you can see on the page yourself, it's like.. well, Steam allows a series of games called "Sex with Hitler" so maybe they already know.

Their promo for their new game on reddit says "Don't show this game to grandpa: Pacific Edition" so they know what they're doing. Actually, the account posting history is absolutely fascinating. They 'accidentally' promoted it on veterans day? "Not all german soldiers were n-zis?"

Finally found a mechanics related quote: "if it makes you feel better, you can't win in this game but play till you eventually lose." I try to research the game designer's philosophy for every game, btw, it's just not usually this dramatic. (Censoring n-zi to save me some brigading.)

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time:

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

Dev Scores Submitted via Score Card (Reviewing in Progress)

This section includes mostly upcoming games where devs themselves submitted a score card or filled the web form. Tags sugggested by devs.

They'll be moved up top after I've checked it all over and adjusted the feature scores to be in line with how other games are scored.

[edit]

Breakout Survivors

Free Available Upcoming

Very Different. Concept mashup with the classic blockbreaker pong-like genre. I dig it. Note: Feature comparison score and metadata reported based on dev submitted scorecard about early version of in progress game (Currently adjusting.)

Arcade Auto-Shooter Breakout Bullet Heaven Puzzle Roguelite Single Stick Shooter Survivors-like Wave Survival
7.4 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
9.1 Final Review
-% Steam
8.9 Scale
8.5 Vibes
16 Steam Reviews
274/400 Review Points
5.6 Similarity Score
78% Diagnosis:
Very Different
934/1200 Comparison Points
93% Genre 6.8/8 genre
99% Simple Controls 6.8/7 move
81% Survival Modes 2.5/4 modes
88% Power Progression 3/4 level
78% Buildcrafting Depth 2.8/5 build
49% Stage Features -0.2/7 stage
57% Content Breadth 1.3/9 stuff
75% Aesthetics 3/6 style
85% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.9/10 vibe vibe

Breakout Survivors Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2.0

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/9/2023

Scale scoring from scorecard submitted by Developer. Once evaluated after a couple hours play and some research, will be adjusted and moved up into the ranking proper.

The timed based run ending mechanic gives it a high partial score in that column.

I really like block breaker games, so this one is very fun to encounter, but I'm also pretty bad at them, so will be reviewing it kind of slowly.

Dev Note: "Based on content ~1 month prior to release, some points will evolve slightly"

Breakout Survivors Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

5.6 Similarity Score
78% Diagnosis:
934/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle 0.1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.7/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 1/1
Move Only 1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger 1/1
No Special Move 1/1
No Aiming 0.8/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0.7/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.8/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.7/1
0.7/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.2/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.5/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.7/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 0.2/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.4/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0.2/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0.2/1
Bosses / Elites 0.4/1
Many Interesting Characters -1/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 0.2/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0.5/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0.2/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 0.8/1
Fun Writing 0/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.8/1
Over the Top 1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.5/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.5/1
Fun Ramp 0.5/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 0.6/1
Feels like VS 0.5/1

Breakout Survivors Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.1 Final Review
-% Positive Steam Reviews
16 Steam Reviews
8.5 Pure Vibes
8.9 Review Scale
274/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 1/1
Not Janky 1/1
Good UI 1/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 0.6/1
Good Theme 0.5/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 1/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.8/1

Breakout Survivors Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

LinuxSteam DeckWindows PCFree AvailableUpcoming

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

ArcadeAuto-ShooterBreakoutBullet HeavenPuzzleRogueliteSingle Stick ShooterSurvivors-likeWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

2DRetro

Setting / Story Tags

Abstract

Control Styles

ControllerController 1 HandedController Move Only

Game Mode Tags

Unknown25m

Features and Extras

Steam AchievementsSteam CloudSteam LeaderboardsSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Axel Born

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: Yes
  • Steam Achievements: Planned
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Planned

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Breakout gameplay meets Survivors-like mechanics. Use your balls to destroy bricks, level up and pick upgrades to hold your ground against waves of incoming bricks and try to high score in this roguelite breakout."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 25m

Run Time Notes

Dev note: "20-30 mins for a full run (endless but difficulty keeps increasing while your upgrades are capped)" so technically endless but designed to push the run to an end around 25m, hence the score in the average run time column.

Speed Settings

?

Dev Scores Submitted via Score Card (Released)

This section includes mostly upcoming games where devs themselves submitted a score card or filled the web form. Tags sugggested by devs.

They'll be moved up top after I've checked it all over and adjusted the feature scores to be in line with how other games are scored.

[edit]

Missiles Away

EA Free Available

Very Different. First Person helicopter spin on the survivors-like formula? Note: Feature comparison score and metadata reported based on dev submitted scorecard about early version of in progress game (Currently adjusting.)

Arena Shooter Bullet Heaven First Person Shooter Survivors-like Twin Stick Shooter Wave Shooter Wave Survival
6.3 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
10.0 Final Review
100% Steam
- Scale
- Vibes
22 Steam Reviews
-/400 Review Points
2.5 Similarity Score
63% Diagnosis:
Very Different
750/1200 Comparison Points
74% Genre 3.8/8 genre
14% Simple Controls -5/7 move
81% Survival Modes 2.5/4 modes
69% Power Progression 1.5/4 level
78% Buildcrafting Depth 2.8/5 build
43% Stage Features -1/7 stage
58% Content Breadth 1.5/9 stuff
76% Aesthetics 3.1/6 style
78% Gameplay Vibe Check 5.6/10 vibe vibe

Missiles Away Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/3/2023

Scale scoring from scorecard submitted by Developer. Once evaluated after a couple hours play and some research, will be adjusted and moved up into the ranking proper.

Missiles Away Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.5 Similarity Score
63% Diagnosis:
750/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.5/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -0.2/1
Real Time 0.9/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.9/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.7/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 1/1
Endless Mode 0/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.7/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.8/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0.5/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks ?/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks ?/1
Build Crafting 0.5/1
0.8/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.2/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.6/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.7/1
Explorable Map -0.8/1
BIG Maps -0.2/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0.3/1
Bosses / Elites 0.7/1
Many Interesting Characters 0/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 0/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0.5/1
Achievements 0/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0.1/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.4/1
Over the Top 0.8/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.8/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.8/1
Fun Ramp 0.7/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check -0.1/1
Controls Check 0.5/1
Fun Check 0.7/1
Feels like VS 0.2/1

Missiles Away Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

10.0 Final Review
100% Positive Steam Reviews
22 Steam Reviews
- Pure Vibes
- Review Scale
-/400 Review Points
Not Buggy -/1
Not Janky -/1
Good UI -/1
Controller and Deck -/1
Lots of Content -/1
Good Theme -/1
Good Graphics and Sound -/1
Fun Feel -/1
Unique Twists -/1
Vibe Check -/1

Missiles Away Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

LinuxWindows PCEAFree Available

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Arena ShooterBullet HeavenFirst Person ShooterSurvivors-likeTwin Stick ShooterWave ShooterWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

Unknown

Setting / Story Tags

Unknown

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown10m

Features and Extras

Soundtrack

Dev/Publisher

KızılejderhaNext in Game

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: No
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: YouTube

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Humanity faces its darkest hour as an alien force launches a relentless invasion. As a skilled pilot, you must take control of a powerful combat helicopter and engage in a fast-paced, high-octane first-person shooter experience."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 10m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

TYPECAST

Released

Very Different. Like Mavis Beacon Teaches Bullet Heaven. Probably you're too young to get that. What I mean is you have to type to fight in this one, making it pretty unique. May not be intended to be a Survivors-like but perhaps worth checking out if you want a change of pace and still enjoy some other elements. Note: Feature comparison score and metadata reported based on dev submitted scorecard

Arcade Bullet Heaven Top Down or Isometric Typing Wave Survival
6.1 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
10.0 Final Review
100% Steam
- Scale
- Vibes
27 Steam Reviews
-/400 Review Points
2.3 Similarity Score
61% Diagnosis:
Very Different
735/1200 Comparison Points
75% Genre 4/8 genre
39% Simple Controls -1.5/7 move
88% Survival Modes 3/4 modes
0% Power Progression -4/4 level
30% Buildcrafting Depth -2/5 build
43% Stage Features -1/7 stage
69% Content Breadth 3.5/9 stuff
71% Aesthetics 2.5/6 style
95% Gameplay Vibe Check 9/10 vibe vibe

TYPECAST Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/9/2023

Scale scoring from scorecard submitted by Developer. Once evaluated after a couple hours play and some research, will be adjusted and moved up into the ranking proper.

This one looks really cool and I can't wait to have time at my PC desktop for a review, since I won't be able to steam deck it.

Not created to be like Vampire Survivors but sharing enough features that people mentioned the game in reviews and sparked an interest on including it here. Dev kind enough to fill out a survey and chat about it a bit.

Soundtrack will be available soon and free.

TYPECAST Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.3 Similarity Score
61% Diagnosis:
735/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 1/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger -0.5/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming 0/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -1/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -1/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks -1/1
Build Crafting -1/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible -1/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 1/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 0/1
Many Interesting Characters -0.5/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 0/1
Difficulty Modifiers 1/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.5/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0/1
Subtle Humor 0/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 1/1
Over the Top 1/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0/1

TYPECAST Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

10.0 Final Review
100% Positive Steam Reviews
27 Steam Reviews
- Pure Vibes
- Review Scale
-/400 Review Points
Not Buggy -/1
Not Janky -/1
Good UI -/1
Controller and Deck -/1
Lots of Content -/1
Good Theme -/1
Good Graphics and Sound -/1
Fun Feel -/1
Unique Twists -/1
Vibe Check -/1

TYPECAST Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Windows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

ArcadeBullet HeavenTop Down or IsometricTypingWave Survival

Aesthetic Tags

Unknown

Setting / Story Tags

Unknown

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown5m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Leaderboards

Dev/Publisher

Gutter Arcade

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 20
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Planned

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"TYPECAST is a bullet hell where you type to shoot. Get swarmed by enemies, manage the chaos, and climb the leaderboards in this unique arcade experience."

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 5m

Run Time Notes

Dev: "Avg runs are like 3 minutes. Good runs can be 20-30 min. One time a guy did a 35 minute run and I had to ban him."

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Soundodger+

Released

Very Different. A movement focused game but about dodging sound synced bullet hells. Note: Feature comparison score and metadata reported based on dev submitted scorecard (Currently adjusting.) There aren't a lot of single stick shooters out there and the dodge em up subgenre is an interesting one. This game came out a little while ago but I think is a good example.

Arena Shooter Bullet Hell Dodge Em Up Music Game Pacifist Single Stick Shooter Top Down or Isometric
5.2 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
90% Steam
- Scale
- Vibes
662 Steam Reviews
-/400 Review Points
1.5 Similarity Score
57% Diagnosis:
Very Different
687/1200 Comparison Points
50% Genre 0/8 genre
89% Simple Controls 5.5/7 move
56% Survival Modes 0.5/4 modes
55% Power Progression 0.4/4 level
40% Buildcrafting Depth -1/5 build
36% Stage Features -2/7 stage
56% Content Breadth 1/9 stuff
63% Aesthetics 1.5/6 style
70% Gameplay Vibe Check 3.9/10 vibe vibe

Soundodger+ Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/3/2023

Scale scoring from scorecard submitted by Developer. Once evaluated after a couple hours play and some research, will be adjusted and moved up into the ranking proper.

This one I solicited a dev scorecard on because I was very curious to have more movement focused and especially pacifist games on here. I think there's a lot of experimentation to do there and this game came out some time ago and could be of interest to players. I've started tweaking it already.

Dev Scorecard Notes: "This is a mouse-only game strictly about dodging lots of bullet patterns, but the games really separate from there, as it was made 10 years ago and with different intentions"

Soundodger+ Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

1.5 Similarity Score
57% Diagnosis:
687/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) -1/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 1/1
Move Only 1/1
No Dash 0.5/1
No Trigger 1/1
No Special Move 1/1
No Aiming ?/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 0/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.5/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0.4/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Build Crafting -1/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps -1/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety 0/1
Bosses / Elites 0/1
Many Interesting Characters -1/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers ?/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art ?/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.3/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0/1
Subtle Humor 0.2/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0.5/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.5/1
Difficulty Ramp -0.6/1
Fun Ramp -0.3/1
Low Price 0.8/1
Technical Check 0.9/1
Controls Check 0.9/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.9/1

Soundodger+ Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
90% Positive Steam Reviews
662 Steam Reviews
- Pure Vibes
- Review Scale
-/400 Review Points
Not Buggy -/1
Not Janky -/1
Good UI -/1
Controller and Deck -/1
Lots of Content -/1
Good Theme -/1
Good Graphics and Sound -/1
Fun Feel -/1
Unique Twists -/1
Vibe Check -/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

7.8 Converted 10 Point Score
5 Number of Critic Reviews

User

6.9 User Review Average
13 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.4 Direct Average
7.2 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Soundodger+ Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Steam DeckWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Arena ShooterBullet HellDodge Em UpMusic GamePacifistSingle Stick ShooterTop Down or Isometric

Aesthetic Tags

Unknown

Setting / Story Tags

Unknown

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Unknown3m

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Adult Swim GamesStudio Bean

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 1
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 19
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam Spotify Itch.io

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Soundodger+ combines the twitchiness of bullet hell shooters with the sonic thrills of rhythm games to create a wholly unique experience. Studio Bean has updated the original Adult Swim Games title with all-new tracks, controller support, and a fully-featured level editor. "

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 3m

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

[edit]

Shoot 1UP

Released

Very Different. Vertical Scrolling Bullet Heaven. This game is included alongside the others here for being a bullet heaven that might appeal to many survivors-likes players. It's also an interesting example of how a game can be a bullet heaven and not a survivors-like! It shares the Bullet Heaven Fest with many survivors inspired games but also came out much earlier. Note: Feature comparison score and metadata reported based on dev submitted scorecard

Bullet Heaven Shoot 'Em Up Vertical Scrolling Shmup
4.8 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
7.7 Final Review
77% Steam
- Scale
- Vibes
107 Steam Reviews
-/400 Review Points
2.0 Similarity Score
60% Diagnosis:
Very Different
717/1200 Comparison Points
68% Genre 2.9/8 genre
29% Simple Controls -2.9/7 move
54% Survival Modes 0.3/4 modes
50% Power Progression 0/4 level
50% Buildcrafting Depth 0/5 build
56% Stage Features 0.8/7 stage
62% Content Breadth 2.2/9 stuff
78% Aesthetics 3.4/6 style
82% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.4/10 vibe vibe

Shoot 1UP Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 10/31/2023

Scale scoring from scorecard submitted by Developer. Once evaluated after a couple hours play and some research, will be adjusted and moved up into the ranking proper.

I think it's likely they've given themselves too low scores (plenty of absent features could just be 0 instead of -1) but once I've gotten a chance to play myself I'll adjust.

Dev Scorecard notes: "Traditional vertical scrolling shmup with a cool twist (this NOT a Survivor-like)!"

Dev note from interview: "There is a special mode you unlock after the main, regular shmup mode (8 levels, but there are two branching paths), the special mode is an infinite mode, that keeps basically the same level layouts, but uses some procedures to make them tougher. So very different in a lot of ways from a survivor, but it has a bit of randomization and generation in it."

Shoot 1UP Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

2.0 Similarity Score
60% Diagnosis:
717/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 0.8/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.6/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) 0.5/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 0.1/1
Move Only 0/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move 0/1
No Aiming 0/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty -1/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 0.1/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Build Crafting 0/1
0/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0/1
Explorable Map 0.1/1
BIG Maps 0.2/1
XP on Ground 0.1/1
Health on Ground 0/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.2/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0.1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0.1/1
Enemy Variety 0.5/1
Bosses / Elites 0.5/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.1/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 0.2/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.2/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 0.4/1
Secrets 0.3/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 0.5/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0.5/1
Subtle Humor 0.4/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.2/1
Over the Top 0.6/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.4/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.5/1
Fun Ramp 0.5/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 1/1
Fun Check 0.8/1
Feels like VS -1/1

Shoot 1UP Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

7.7 Final Review
77% Positive Steam Reviews
107 Steam Reviews
- Pure Vibes
- Review Scale
-/400 Review Points
Not Buggy -/1
Not Janky -/1
Good UI -/1
Controller and Deck -/1
Lots of Content -/1
Good Theme -/1
Good Graphics and Sound -/1
Fun Feel -/1
Unique Twists -/1
Vibe Check -/1

Shoot 1UP Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

PS4Steam DeckSwitchWindows PCXboxReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Bullet HeavenShoot 'Em UpVertical Scrolling Shmup

Aesthetic Tags

Unknown

Setting / Story Tags

Unknown

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

UnknownUnknown

Features and Extras

SoundtrackSteam AchievementsSteam LeaderboardsSteam Trading Cards

Dev/Publisher

Mommy's Best Games

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: Co-Op
  • Online: No
  • Player Count: 2
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: 17
  • Steam Leaderboards: Yes
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: Yes

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: No
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: Steam

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Why play shoot 'em ups one ship at a time? Launch them all at once! Unleash an entire armada of ships in Shoot 1UP!"

"1UPs INSTANTLY ENTER THE ACTION!
Command up to 30 ships at the SAME TIME!
2 PLAYER LOCAL CO-OP play for 60 SIMULTANEOUS player ship INSANITY!
"

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: Unknown

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

Dev Scores Submitted via Score Card (Upcoming, Unreviewed)

This section includes mostly upcoming games where devs themselves submitted a score card or filled the web form. Tags sugggested by devs.

They'll be moved up top after I've checked it all over and adjusted the feature scores to be in line with how other games are scored.

[edit]

Append

Free Available Upcoming

Very Different. Arena shooter from steam bullet heaven sale. Note: Feature comparison score and metadata reported based on dev submitted scorecard about early version of in progress game

Arena Shooter Top Down or Isometric Twin Stick Shooter
- Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
-/1600 Total Points
- Final Review
-% Steam
- Scale
- Vibes
0 Steam Reviews
-/400 Review Points
1.4 Similarity Score
57% Diagnosis:
Very Different
683/1200 Comparison Points
66% Genre 2.5/8 genre
31% Simple Controls -2.7/7 move
55% Survival Modes 0.4/4 modes
33% Power Progression -1.4/4 level
91% Buildcrafting Depth 4.1/5 build
66% Stage Features 2.3/7 stage
44% Content Breadth -1/9 stuff
69% Aesthetics 2.3/6 style
64% Gameplay Vibe Check 2.8/10 vibe vibe

Append Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 11/22/2023

Scale scoring from scorecard submitted by Developer. Once evaluated after a couple hours play and some research, will be adjusted and moved up into the ranking proper.

Dev Note: "Not very similar, but can appeal to some of the same players"

Append Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

1.4 Similarity Score
57% Diagnosis:
683/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite -0.5/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 1/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash 1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move 0.3/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 0.2/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.2/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event -0.9/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -0.5/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 0/1
Build Crafting 0.5/1
0.9/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.9/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 0.8/1
Explorable Map 0.2/1
BIG Maps -0.2/1
XP on Ground 0/1
Health on Ground 0.9/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 0.9/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0.5/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0/1
Enemy Variety -0.3/1
Bosses / Elites 0/1
Many Interesting Characters -0.8/1
Many Challenges 0/1
Multiple Stages 0.1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0/1
Bestiary / Lore 0/1
Achievements 0/1
Secrets 0/1
Retro / Pixel Art -0.4/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.4/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0.2/1
Subtle Humor 0.1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0.5/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.6/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.1/1
Fun Ramp 0.3/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 0/1
Controls Check 0/1
Fun Check 0.2/1
Feels like VS -0.9/1

Append Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Windows PCFree AvailableUpcoming

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Arena ShooterTop Down or IsometricTwin Stick Shooter

Aesthetic Tags

Unknown

Setting / Story Tags

Unknown

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Custom Mode/ScenarioGoal/Find Based SurvivalIgnorable TutorialLevel BasedMultiplayer7m

Features and Extras

Dev/Publisher

Freezelance AB

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: No
  • Online: Co-Op Versus
  • Player Count: 10
  • Leaderboards: No

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: No
  • Steam Achievements: No
  • Steam Leaderboards: No
  • Steam Workshop: No
  • Steam Trading Cards: No

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: No
  • Demo Available: Yes
  • DLC Available: No
  • Soundtrack Available: No

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Destroy friends, strangers, or bots in this online multiplayer arena shooter. Collect powerups, combine weapons, build your defenses and obliterate the opposition. Hundreds of weapon combinations and multiple game modes."

Control Style Notes

- +

Twin Stick Shooter

Automated Features

No

Supported Controls

  • Controller: Partial
  • Controller Move Only: No
  • Controller One Handed: No
  • Mouse Only: No
  • Keyboard Only: No
  • Keyboard One Handed: No

Game Modes

- +

Goal/Find Based Survival

Level Based

Custom Modes

Multiplayer
(PVP, Co-Op)

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: 7m

Run Time Notes

Dev: "5-10m, Run time varies heavily depending on the opposition"

Speed Settings

None

Player Power Progression

- +

Detailed notes on progression systems.

In Run Progression

Dev: "The player gathers powerups and combines and upgrades them. The player can choose which upgrades to take, and there are mystery boxes where they can choose between 3 options. The upgrades (mostly) disappear at the end of the run."

Meta Progression

None

Games Currently Being Evaluated (Ranking in Progress)

This section includes games with fan scores submitted via score card or web form or I'm currently playing or researching or discussing with devs.

They'll be moved up top after I've checked it all over and adjusted the feature scores to be in line with how other games are scored.

[edit]

Raptor: Call of the Shadows

Released

Very Different. This classic vertically scrolling dos shooter has a little more in common with today's shmup rogue-lites than modern bullet hells. You gather a currency during runs, there are meta upgrades available between repeatable stages and while there's a lot of dodging it's not a danmaku game. This entry refers to both the 2015 steam port and the original DOS 1994 Classic Edition available. The reviews on the 2015 port on steam are low due to people, IMHO, nitpicking on details a new player wouldn't notice and recommending the original game emulated in DOSBox. Thus we're using the original game review score. This was one of my favs as a kid, so I was curious to see how it compares to the shooting games I play today, since it's on steam! Note: This game is currently being compared on the scale and notes will likely be in flux!

Arcade Bullet Hell Shoot 'Em Up Vertical Scrolling Shmup
6.4 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
1193/1600 Total Points
9.0 Final Review
93% Steam
9.1 Scale
8.5 Vibes
146 Steam Reviews
369/400 Review Points
3.7 Similarity Score
69% Diagnosis:
Very Different
824/1200 Comparison Points
78% Genre 4.4/8 genre
44% Simple Controls -0.9/7 move
58% Survival Modes 0.6/4 modes
75% Power Progression 2/4 level
42% Buildcrafting Depth -0.8/5 build
60% Stage Features 1.4/7 stage
82% Content Breadth 5.8/9 stuff
78% Aesthetics 3.4/6 style
83% Gameplay Vibe Check 6.6/10 vibe vibe

Raptor: Call of the Shadows Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 15

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 12/24/2023

Scoring in progress

This classic vertical shmup was a favorite of mine as a kid for probably one of the same reasons I enjoy survivorslikes now: the ability to upgrade your ship between rounds and grind to try and get powerful enough to pass a stage and see more of the game.

While there isn't exactly buildcrafting within the runs, you can get upgrades and bring them back to sell or use tactics like repeating an earlier stage to farm a particular weapon. It's not a bullet curtain danmaku game either - Compared to many vertical scrolling shooters you can take quite a few hits before you're out. When the ship is destroyed it's game over and you have to reload from a save instead of mimicking an arcade credit system.

This is an interesting title to look at historically. I think that there is a history of "arcade game with meta upgrades" on the PC that is often less focused on when examining the shmup genre. Usually study of the genre is very focused on arcade games - and for good reason since the arcade versions often crammed a ton of amazing art and gameplay simply impossible on home computers of the eras.

However, just because Raptor is a little simpler graphically and less elegant mechanics wise doesn't mean it's not an important title. The shareware distribution model meant this game and other similar Apogee titles was played by a very wide player base, likely influencing many future developers.

The PC roots of the title also meant another thing: Save files. The meta upgrades gave a player something to invest time in while waiting for the next episodic release of stages. Doesn't that sound familiar? These DOS shareware games were already doing incremental upgrades and content releases of the sort people love today in modern survivorslikes!

Many people mention Epic Megagames' Tyrian 2000 as like this but better, though I've never played it. It's not on Steam either, so right now Raptor is our pick for classic PC shmups to compare!

Note: There are a few shareware, freeware, and unauthorized ports of this game out there. This is why there are some platforms listed as compatible not currently on the Steam release.

Raptor: Call of the Shadows Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.7 Similarity Score
69% Diagnosis:
824/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 0.4/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle 0/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric 1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 1/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -0.5/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) 0/1
Move Only 0/1
No Dash ?/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move 0/1
No Aiming 0.1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty ?/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 0/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.5/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0.1/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) 0/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.2/1
0.5/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy -1/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible -0.5/1
Explorable Map -1/1
BIG Maps 0.2/1
XP on Ground 0.5/1
Health on Ground ?/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 0.2/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 0.5/1
Enemy Variety 0.8/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 0.8/1
Many Challenges 0.2/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers 0.4/1
Bestiary / Lore 0.1/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 0.5/1
Retro / Pixel Art 1/1
Damage Numbers 0/1
Lofi Charm 1/1
Bumpin Music 1/1
Fun Writing 0.3/1
Subtle Humor 0.1/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0.1/1
Over the Top 0.2/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 1/1
Difficulty Ramp 0.8/1
Fun Ramp 0.6/1
Low Price 1/1
Technical Check 1/1
Controls Check 0.8/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS 0/1

Raptor: Call of the Shadows Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

9.0 Final Review
93% Positive Steam Reviews
146 Steam Reviews
8.5 Pure Vibes
9.1 Review Scale
369/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.9/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.8/1
Controller and Deck 0.8/1
Lots of Content 1/1
Good Theme 1/1
Good Graphics and Sound 1/1
Fun Feel 0.9/1
Unique Twists 1/1
Vibe Check 0.9/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

- Converted 10 Point Score
0 Number of Critic Reviews

User

8.4 User Review Average
7 Number of User Reviews

Average

8.4 Direct Average
- "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Raptor: Call of the Shadows Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

iOSLinuxMacMS-DOSSteam DeckWindows PCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

ArcadeBullet HellShoot 'Em UpVertical Scrolling Shmup

Aesthetic Tags

Unknown

Setting / Story Tags

Unknown

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Currency Based UnlocksLevel BasedUnknown

Features and Extras

Unknown

Dev/Publisher

3D RealmsApogee EntertainmentCyngus StudioMountain King StudiosScott Host

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: ?
  • Online: ?
  • Player Count: ?
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: ?
  • Steam Achievements: ?
  • Steam Leaderboards: ?
  • Steam Workshop: ?
  • Steam Trading Cards: ?

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: ?
  • Demo Available: ?
  • DLC Available: ?
  • Soundtrack Available: ?

Critic Review Excerpt

- +

Here's another perspective to evaluate the game.

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"The great action-crazed, guns blazing, shoot ‘em up game comes back straight out of the ‘90s. Raptor: Call of the Shadows and its futuristic world are ready to challenge your flying skills."

"Become a mercenary of the future and pilot the super-tech Raptor. Embark on interplanetary missions to knock off top competitors of MegaCorp, battle against hordes of relentless enemies and spend the bounty to expand your devastating arsenal"

"Discover secrets, find bonuses, and battle boss ships at the end of every wave. With each ship and ground target you destroy, you'll earn more cash to increase your ship's technology for the next wave. You'll be driven to kill and destroy until it's in your blood!"

Game Modes

- +

Level Based, Score Attack

Game Mode Notes

The game is level based, broken into "Sectors" that were originally released episodically as shareware. In each area, players destroy enemies and ground topics in order to get money, which they can spend on upgrades between the levels that persist on the player's save file.

The sectors can be repeated to get more money and the difficulty goes up when you repeat them.

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: Unknown

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?

Player Power Progression

- +

Detailed notes on progression systems.

In Run Progression

During the play

Meta Progression

You gather cash from the runs to upgrade your ship with purchases between stages.

Content By The Numbers

- +

"Hardcore Harold: Up to 16 ship upgrades can be bought from Harold's Emporium between waves.

Get Ready, Rookie: 27 killer levels, each with at least one unique boss ship to destroy.

Zero to Hero: Four insane skill levels - higher skill levels introduce new opponents!
"

In Game Lore & Extras

?

[edit]

Gunfire Reborn

DLC Released

Very Different. Popular first person shooter rogue-lite, though it's level based and many other differences it often comes up when people say they want a "rogue-lite game but first person" after playing all the top down ones. First Impressions: Personally, it feels like a good choice if I'm totally out of Borderlands to play (I'm not) or want more Risk of Rain style multiplayer options. I don't think it's really very survivors-like, even among the first person rogue-lites. If you want a horde shooter, this may not be your top pick. Note: This game is currently being compared on the scale and notes will likely be in flux!

Action RPG Dungeon Crawler First Person Shooter Looter Shooter Rogue-lite
5.9 Combined Ranking Score
-/72 Ranking Position
1159/1600 Total Points
8.5 Final Review
93% Steam
8.1 Scale
8 Vibes
91541 Steam Reviews
354/400 Review Points
3.4 Similarity Score
67% Diagnosis:
Very Different
805/1200 Comparison Points
56% Genre 1/8 genre
9% Simple Controls -5.8/7 move
58% Survival Modes 0.6/4 modes
69% Power Progression 1.5/4 level
88% Buildcrafting Depth 3.8/5 build
94% Stage Features 6.2/7 stage
89% Content Breadth 7/9 stuff
63% Aesthetics 1.5/6 style
79% Gameplay Vibe Check 5.7/10 vibe vibe

Gunfire Reborn Ranking Notes

- +

Scaling and Review Notes

Personal Hours Played: 2

Every game ranked was played, but also scaled based on research, talking to developers & your feedback. The priority with the scale's initial design was to compare similarity on relatively objective features - so it doesn't claim to include reviews of the depth and clarity you'd get at a games journalism site, nor the intensive time played you might get from player reviews on steam. We try to incorporate and link all of that along with a 'review scale' that checks for bugs. See the heatmap and breakdown! Time played noted so you can take any notes with a big grain of salt! I can't get to high level gameplay in 850+ games so I heavily research every game. Over 80 game creators let me interview or survey them! I Hope to go back and refine. Please argue or submit your own scores and reviews to be incorporated with credit into the notes and score numbers.

Added or last checked on 12/23/2023

crown-prince-from_gunfire-reborn.pngFirst impressions! Scoring subject to change as I play more - but it's not a survivors-like really so it's not top priority.

A first person shooter rogue-lite that sometimes comes up recommended to survivors-like fans looking to switch up the gameplay perspective. I'm just starting to try it out, as it seems to be one of the recent titles with a larger player base and many play hours visible in the steam reviews. However, it doesn't seem to be oriented around wave survival. It's more like a dungeon crawler.

A big draw here is the multiplayer, which allows up to 4 players co-op. As a big Borderlands/Destiny player on steam (with my partner), this one has been shoved in my face by the platform for a couple years now (It fully came out in November 2021 after a year and a half of Early Access from May 2020.)

It's not a bullet heaven - while you certainly shoot a lot of bullets and can get quite OP, the enemies are always going to be shooting a lot as well. It's not really a bullet hell either, though, since you don't weave your way among enemy shot patterns. It's just an FPS.

nospawn/crown-prince-from_gunfire-reborn.webpIt's got a low polygon cel shaded aesthetic which is overall alright for the enemies and sometimes quite cute for the characters. It can be pretty sometimes but most of the time just serves its purpose. The vibe is a kind of eastern adventure RPG, a little more cozy and definitely more furry than the Borderlands wastelands that obviously inspired it.

Translation from chinese can feel a little stilted. It's hard to say if the game has/had more personality in the writing before that. Some weapons (like literally just a brick) are funny enough to give it some positive score in subtle humor.

Overall it can feel a little underwhelming aesthetically when you focus on the details, but I think it's likely the visual style prioritizes being able to work on a wide variety of machines to enable the multiplayer aspect. And it's not a AAA studio, which of course I respect.

The controls are much more complex than most of the games on this list, which makes sense considering it's a first person shooter. Compared to other FPS games, though, it's somewhat simplified in some areas and mixed up in others. For example, the first character and many weapons use a secondary fire on the left trigger instead of an aim. There's a dodge instead of a sprint/run and so on.

I think the general gameplay and controls, along with character styles, would feel at home to Risk of Rain 2 players. It does seem to be missing some of that verticality (also from games like destiny) and to me it's also missing some of the visual depth and vibe that keeps a game on my big screen, but I'm looking forward to playing more on steam deck.

Honestly I admit kind of wanking around in first person shooters, so I tend to enjoy ones that let me die a lot in co-op.

nospawn/tao-from_gunfire-reborn.pngThe initial tutorial walkthrough makes it feel more complicated than it really is - part of why I dislike them - as overall it's got a currency unlock menu and some character upgrades. The major way you progress in game is by picking up weapons, which comparing stats on is kind of more complex than a simple 3 or 4 card level option (hence the related low score for streamlined levels). Find based unlocks exist here too.

I'm counting the elemental fusion system (synergy from attacking with different weapon elements) as a partial score for weapon combination.

It's more expensive than many of the games on this list, but given the 3D first person art style, it makes sense. It's still cheap enough to consider buying a copy for your partner or friend to play with you.

I think this is likely a great option to try if you really want an FPS roguelite, but also won't really appeal to core survivors-likes fans looking for a very similar mechanics vibe either from a bullet heaven or simplified controls/ui perspective.

Pixel sprites are from Steam emotes, not in game.

Gunfire Reborn Similarity Scale Heatmap

- +

Measured in 60 categories via likert-scale style options -1 to 1 in tenths, how does this game compare to Vampire Survivors. This allows 1200 total "points". It's easier to have a point of comparison and we just picked Vampire Survivors since it's the most popular and commonly referenced game in the subgenre. For detailed methodology read the explainer. For in depth examples at score value, see the scoring guide and for term definitions see the key.

3.4 Similarity Score
67% Diagnosis:
805/1200 Comparison Points
Rogue-lite 1/1
Auto-Fire / Auto-Battle -1/1
Real Time 1/1
Top Down or Isometric -1/1
Direct Control of Single Avatar 1/1
Arcade Style 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven A (Many Player Bullets) 0.5/1
Bullet Heaven B (Few Enemy Bullets) -1/1
One Handed Play (w Controller) -1/1
Move Only -1/1
No Dash -1/1
No Trigger -1/1
No Special Move -1/1
No Aiming -1/1
No On-Aim / On-Fire Movement Penalty 0.2/1
Timed / Boss Ended Survival 0/1
Endless Mode 0.5/1
Organic / Unannounced Waves 0.1/1
High Enemy Count (Horde) 0/1
Level Up on XP Gain Event 0/1
Streamlined Level Choices (Simple UI) -0.5/1
Currency Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Goal Based Meta Unlocks 1/1
Build Crafting 0.8/1
1/1
Weapon Combination / "Evolution" 0.2/1
Interesting Item / Weapon / Ability Synergy 0.8/1
Broken / Invincible Builds Possible 1/1
Explorable Map 1/1
BIG Maps 0.4/1
XP on Ground 0.8/1
Health on Ground 1/1
Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 1/1
Treasure Chests and/or Loot Events 1/1
Vendor / Merchant on Run 1/1
Enemy Variety 1/1
Bosses / Elites 1/1
Many Interesting Characters 1/1
Many Challenges 1/1
Multiple Stages 1/1
Difficulty Modifiers ?/1
Bestiary / Lore ?/1
Achievements 1/1
Secrets 1/1
Retro / Pixel Art -0.1/1
Damage Numbers 1/1
Lofi Charm 0.1/1
Bumpin Music 0/1
Fun Writing 0/1
Subtle Humor 0.5/1
Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 0/1
Over the Top 0/1
"One More Run" / Short Runs 0.5/1
Difficulty Ramp 1/1
Fun Ramp 1/1
Low Price 0/1
Technical Check 0.9/1
Controls Check 0.8/1
Fun Check 1/1
Feels like VS -0.5/1

Gunfire Reborn Review Scale Heatmap

- +

The review scale is judged from -1 to 1 in 10 categories, with 200 possible "points" earned. Steam review positive percentage is worth another 100 points, and a "ten point" pure vibe review number adds extra subjectivity. Converted into points, that's 400 points total. The points aren't used directly in the ranking, though, which averages the three number scores for the final review score listed in the game line above.

8.5 Final Review
93% Positive Steam Reviews
91541 Steam Reviews
8 Pure Vibes
8.1 Review Scale
354/400 Review Points
Not Buggy 0.9/1
Not Janky 0.8/1
Good UI 0.8/1
Controller and Deck 1/1
Lots of Content 0.9/1
Good Theme 0.8/1
Good Graphics and Sound 0.7/1
Fun Feel 0.7/1
Unique Twists 0.8/1
Vibe Check 0.7/1

Metacritic Scores

- +

This title has metacritic data! The "fuck the man" score is adjusted so each person's review is equally weighted, regardless of critic or fan status.

Critic

7.5 Converted 10 Point Score
10 Number of Critic Reviews

User

7.2 User Review Average
18 Number of User Reviews

Average

7.4 Direct Average
7.3 "Fuck The Man" Combined Mean

Gunfire Reborn Tag Cloud

- +

More sortable taxonomies and categories associated with the game (genre tags are available in the main game table line!) We've just started adding tags to enable more sorting options, this section will get more filled out as we go!

Release Tags

Windows PCDLCReleased

Sorting Categories

Very Different

Genre and Control Style Tags

Action RPGDungeon CrawlerFirst Person ShooterLooter ShooterRogue-lite

Aesthetic Tags

CartoonCell ShadedLow Poly

Setting / Story Tags

DungeonsFantasyFurryXianxia

Control Styles

Controller

Game Mode Tags

Level BasedLong TutorialProcedurally GeneratedUnskippable TutorialUnknown

Features and Extras

Unknown

Dev/Publisher

Unknown

Game Features

- +

Listing various features we've got info on.

Multiplayer

  • Local: ?
  • Online: ?
  • Player Count: ?
  • Leaderboards: ?

Steam Features

  • Steam Cloud: ?
  • Steam Achievements: ?
  • Steam Leaderboards: ?
  • Steam Workshop: ?
  • Steam Trading Cards: ?

Extras, Etc.

  • NSFW: ?
  • Demo Available: ?
  • DLC Available: ?
  • Soundtrack Available: ?

Critic Review Excerpt

- +

Here's another perspective to evaluate the game.

Marketing Blurb

- +

Some description of the game and its features from the creators.

"Gunfire Reborn is a level-based adventure game featuring FPS, Roguelite and RPG. Players can control heroes with various abilities to experience diverse Build gameplay, use various weapons to explore procedurally-generated levels. You can play the game alone, or join 4-player coop."

"Every level is random; each new restart is a brand-new experience. You will meet different heroes and experience new weapons, items, checkpoints, and unique combat rhythms throughout the game."

Control Style Notes

- +

It's a pretty typical first person shooter, though it has a dash style move instead of sprint and many weapons have alternate fire instead of aim.

There's jumping, but it's not particularly vertically oriented (unlike Destiny, for example.)

Automated Features

None

Supported Controls

  • Controller: Yes
  • Controller Move Only: No
  • Controller One Handed: No
  • Mouse Only: No
  • Keyboard Only: No
  • Keyboard One Handed: No

Run Times & Speedups

- +

Average Run Time: Unknown

Run Time Notes

?

Speed Settings

?