TheBullet Heaven genreis pretty new in the grand scheme of things, and it’s already stacked with some fantastic titles.
There are also a few titles available that miss the mark and may push you away from the genre forever. If you want your next Bullet Heaven purchase to be a memorable one, here are our picks for the best on Steam.
10Boneraiser Minions
The Ultimate Backseater
Boneraiser Minions
Boneraiser Minionsis an adorable Bullet Heaven I always return to, thanks to its pixel art graphics andclever approach to combat.
You’re a bit of a wimp inBoneraiser Minionsand can’t take enemies head-on. Instead, yourely on your minionsto do the heavy lifting, which makes movement and positioning feel especially important.
It’s a little awkward at first, but you’ll be kiting crowds of enemies around the arena like a boss in no time.Boneraiser Minionsis also pretty funny at times, with decent dialogue.
At the time of writing,Caiys, the solo developer ofBoneraiser Minions, recently released their next game,Voids Vigil. I’ve not played this one myself, but it could be worth a look if you enjoy the art style.
9Yet Another Zombie Survivors
Don’t Let The Name Fool You
Key Information
Awesome Games Studio
Steam, GeForce Now
Release Date
Yet Another Zombie Survivorsis one of my favorites, offering a creative spin on combat.
You control a lone apocalypse survivor but canally with others to create a groupas the undead horde closes in. Naturally, survivors have different weapons, so you may tailor your team to your needs and playstyle. It’s a nice touch controlling a squad, and there’s an inventive pool of weapons and powerups.
Contemporary weapons are a welcome pallet cleanser, and mowing down zombies is just as satisfying as in any horde shooter.
Yet Another Zombie Survivorshas had superb post-launch support, with several massive updates. This is a title that keeps getting better on top of an already impressive content offering.
8Army of Ruin
A Stunning Fantasy Bullet Heaven
Milkstone Studios
Army of Ruinis arguably the best-looking Bullet Heaven on the list, with agorgeous art styleand rich, vibrant locales.
The game certainly looks the part, and I’m pleased to say it extends to the gameplay, too.Army of Ruindoesn’t do anything to shake up the genre, but it’s apolished experiencewith decent weapons and gear.
The roster is solid, and each character has a unique starting kit and base stats. I’m a fan of the stage design, andenemies are thematically appropriatefor each locale.
For example, Forge City is an industrial area, and the enemies are robotic to complement that. It’s subtle but goes a long way in drawing you into the world.
There’s tons of Meta progression, although it can take a while to earn unlocks in my experience. I don’t mind the slower pace, but it’s something to consider if you’reshort on time.
7Halls of Torment
I’ve Seen That Red Orb Before
Halls of Torment
Halls of Tormentis what you get if you combine Bullet Heaven andDiablo.
If you’re into medieval aesthetics, you’ll love what’s available here. The title is notablygrittier than many others in the genreand is a welcome change to pixel art and vibrant colors.
I adore how permanent upgrades are handled, as I’ve not seen it done this way before. You can find armor and gear in the dungeon, but you must extract it if you want to keep it.
Extraction is simply taking loot to a specific location, but it gives asense of urgencybecause you have something to lose.
TheDiabloinspirationis obvious, but it helpsHalls of Tormentstand out among its peers.
As a side note, the clinking sound that plays as you collect XP is absolutely perfect, as the tone changes as the meter fills.
6Death Must Die
Where’s My Three-Headed Dog?
Death Must Die
If you’ve ever wondered what you’d get if you crossed the Bullet Heaven genre withHades, the result would look a bit likeDeath Must Die.
Death Must Dieis a superb Bullet Heaven with satisfying horde slaying. This time, skills and powerups are granted similarly toboons fromHades, with each God helping in your quest to defeat Death itself.
Meta-progression is handled with a fantastic armor system, which wouldn’t feel out of place inDiablo. You can get pretty granular with stats and min-maxing, but it’s ultimately optional if you prefer to focus on just big numbers.
There are somefun interactions between the roster, and the Gods are even voice-acted, which is a lovely touch.
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5Nordic Ashes: Survivors of Ragnarok
Myths, Legends, And Bullets
Noxfall Studios
April 2024
Nordic Ashesis a gorgeous Bullet Heaven titleinspired by Norse Mythology.
This is another title that’s seenimpressive post-launch supportduring early access and into its 1.0 release.Nordic Ashesboasts a respectable amount of characters and maps, each with unique quirks. There are also multiple difficulty levels to put your builds to the test.
The meta-progression is satisfyingly deep, with many routes to take your characters.
One unique spin I appreciate is how leveling up is handled. You’re rewarded with random items in most Bullet Heavens, but here, you’re granted points instead.
Thosepoints can be spent on skill trees, so you have governance over your build and can adjust on the fly.
4Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
I love Bullet Heaven games andDeep Rock Galactic, but even I was skeptical when I heard they were combining the two.
I’m pleased to say my concern was unfounded.
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivoris an impressive Bullet Heaven with plenty ofnods to the original game. It’s a treat to see the Glyphids return and iconic weapons reimagined for the genre.
Mining is a unique mechanicyou won’t find in other Bullet Heavens, and it works great! You can funnel enemies into choke points and dig out of tight spots. Digging doesn’t feel shoehorned in and quickly becomes a feature you care about as it dramatically affects how you approach each stage.
Seeing the environment used in such a creative way is fantastic and feels satisfyingly “on brand.”
If you want to try outDeep Rock Galactic: Survivor, ensure you’reusing the right weaponsto make the early game as smooth as possible.
For Theory Crafters
Brotatomay look pretty simple, but it offers a unique and addictive approach to the genre.
Stats are the name of the game inBrotato, and mostitems have significant strengths and drawbacks. The skill comes from learning which items synergize with your build and character, and there are near-infinite combinations.
Brotatois alsowave-based, so you have time to think and “number crunch” between salvos of enemies. At the time of writing, the title’s first DLC,Abyssal Terrors, has just launched, injecting even more content into an already stacked game.
If you don’t mind a bit of problem-solving in your Bullet Heaven experience, Brotato will be a fine addition to your collection.
2Holocure: Save the Fans!
How Is This Game Free?
HoloCure - Save the Fans!
Holocure: Save the Fansis a fantastic Bullet Heaven game with stunning pixel art graphics. Best of all,it’s free!
Holocureoffers everything you could want from the genre. There areimpressive item synergies, creative stages, and dozens of playable characters.
Every hero has a unique loadout and is unlocked via an addictivegacha system that uses in-game currency.
I know nothing about VTubers, but I still enjoy the game. If you’re into VTubers, Holocure: Save the Fans is easily the best game in the genre for you.
1Vampire Survivors
Original And Best
Vampire Survivors
It feels like a moot point puttingVampire Survivorson the list because it’s likely the title that got you into the genre in the first place.
That said,it would be criminal for me not to include it.Vampire Survivorsis so good that it puts the Bullet Heaven genre on the map. Weapons are varied, and the item synergies are incredible.
There’s an almostoverwhelming number of unlockables, including new weapons and characters. Every DLC pack is decent, and I still can’t understand how they are so inexpensive.
At the time of writing,Vampire Survivorsalready has collab content withAmong UsandCastlevania. I’m not sure where they even go from here!
Vampire Survivorsreally does it all, and there are secrets galore for those willing to explore.
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