What Makes A Good BULLET HEAVEN/VAMPIRE SURVIVOR CLONE

PepperHead June 30, 2025
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PepperHead

@pepperheadgaming

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Bullet Heavens, Vampire Survivor-likes or Hordelikes are a fairly new sub-genre of games within the Roguelike community that is getting more and more popular as the years go by. They are a quick and simple way to get a nice, fun burst of chaotic action with very satisfying gameplay.  In this video, we dive into the design of this genre, dissecting its essence from its traditional Roguelike roots and nature of its randomly generated mechanics and exploring topics such as gameplay specifics, types of Hordelikes, upgrade designs and more. Whether you're a roguelike aficionado, Hack and Slay enjoyer, developer, or curious observer, this video brings you an unparalleled journey into the heart and soul of a genre that thrives on its simplicity, satisfying gameplay and chaos. Hit that play button, join the discussion, and enjoy learning why destroying hordes of enemies is so fun. === CHAPTERS === 0:00 - Intro 00:33 - What is a Bullet Heaven? 03:48 - Wave vs Timed 9:23 - Simple Controls and Mechanics 12:35 - Power Balance and Pacing 15:03 - The Roguelike Upgrades 23:29 - Meta Progression 29:36 - Level Design 32:59 - Enemy Design 39:50 - Audio-Visuals 42:55 - Conclusion === GAMES SHOWCASED === (In order of appearance) Hades (2020) Curse of the Dead Gods (2021) Death Must Die (2023) Boneraiser Minions (2022) Artifact Seeker (2024) Jotunnslayer (2024) Vampire Survivors (2022) Soulstone Survivors (2022) Gung Beetle NBR (2024) Repetendium (2024) Gunfire Reborn (2021) Dungreed (2018) 20 Minutes Till Dawn (2022) Enter The Gungeon (2016) Let Him Cook NBR (2024) Bullet Bunny NBR (2024) Brotato (2023) BloodDome99 NBR (2024) Magical Survivors (2023) Crimsonland (2014) Meow Meow Invasion NBR (2024) Westale Peelgrimage (2024) Crimson Dawn (2023) Survivor.io (2022) Nordic Ashes (2022) Picayune Dreams (2024) Archons NBR (2024) God of Weapons (2023) Halls of Torment (2023) Slime 4k (2024) Vampire Hunters (2023) Goobies (2022) Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor (2024) The Spell Brigade (2024) === MUSIC USED === (In order of appearance) Goobies - level music Brotato - After Midnight 20 Minutes Till Dawn - Wasteland Combat Vampire Survivors - Song of Mana Death Must Die - Level 1 Goobies - Menu  Slime 3K - DE techno 04 Soulstone Survivors - The Frozen Wastelands Vampire Survivors - Reincarnated Echoes Archons - The Forest Brotato - Turbine Kick #Roguelike #VampireSurvivors #GameDevelopment

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