Aesthetics
In our context, broadly all of the things that give a game its feel in terms of visual art, audio effects, music, writing, description flavor, etc.
900+ games! Comparing bullet heavens, arena shooters, waves, hordes and more! Research data entered by hand ♡
Menu & Documentation
The Scale
The Monstergirl Scale
For determining if a game is like Vampire Survivors
-1 to 1 in 60 categories
Genre
1. Rogue-Lite 2. Auto-Shooter / Auto-Battler 3. Real Time 4. Top-Down or Isometric 5. Direct Control of Single Avatar Camera Usually Centered on Player 6. Arcade Style (Little Plot) 7. Bullet Heaven A Many Player Shots 8. Bullet Heaven B Few Enemy Shots / Damage on Touch FocusSimple Movement Focused Controls
9. One Handed Play (With Controller) 10. Move Only 11. No Dash / Dodge 12. No Trigger 13. No Special Move Button 14. No Aiming 15. No On Attack / On Aim Movement PenaltySurvival Game Modes
16. Timed Survival / Boss Mode 17. Endless Mode 18. Unannounced & Organic Waves 19. High Enemy Count / "Horde"Power Progression
20. Level on XP Gain Run Event 21. Streamlined Level Choices 22. Currency Based Meta Unlocks 23. Goal Based / Find Based Meta UnlocksDepth of Buildcrafting
24. Build Crafting 25. Impactful Level / Item Options 26. Weapon Combination / Evolution 27. Interesting Weapon, Item & Ability Synergy 28. Invincible / Broken Builds PossibleMap / Level Features
29. Explorable Map 30. BIG Maps 31. XP / Currency on Ground 32. Health on Ground 33. Temp Powerups / Items on Ground 34. Treasure Chests / Loot Events 35. Vendors on Map / RunDepth and Breadth of Content
36. Enemy Variety 37. Elites & Bosses 38. Many and /or Interesting Characters 39. Many Challenges 40. Multiple Stages 41. Difficulty Modifiers 42. Bestiary / Lore 43. Achievements 44. SecretsAesthetics
45. Retro / Pixel Art Style 46. Damage Numbers 47. Lo-Fi Charm 48. Bumpin' Music 49. Unique / Fun Names / Writing 50. Subtle HumorGameplay Vibe Check
51. Panic & Zen Duo Vibe 52. Over The Top 53. "One More Run" / Short Runs 54. Difficulty Ramp 55. Fun Ramp 56. Low Price 57. Technical Check / Functional Polish 58. Controls Check 59. Fun Check 60. Feels like VSHow to Tally
-1 to 1 in 60 Categories
Scoring in 10ths
(example: -.4 or .8)
1: Feature Fully Present
0: Feature Missing
-1: Critical Difference
Tip:
Rely Heavily on Vibes!
Report as number out of 60,
Or Convert into 10 Point Score.
The scale "assumes you're
ranking a very "similar game.
In theory a final score can be negative.
See Definitions for a full explanation of every category on the similarity and review scales. See scoring guide for detailed examples.
Comparison Scale Examples:
Vampire Survivors
10.0 | 60Halls of Torment
9.0 | 53.9Chess Survivors
8.0 | 48.020 Minutes Till Dawn
6.8 | 40.8Risk of Rain
5.1 | 30.7Hades
4.4 | 26.3Returnal
3.2 | 19.4Rogue
1.0 | 6.1Elden Ring
-1.9 | -11.3Call of Duty 2
-3.8 | -22.9Fun at Home!
Score games yourself with The Scorecard!
Argue about it on the playground!