Why are Reverse Bullet-Hell Games so Popular? Article

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Why are Reverse Bullet-Hell Games so Popular?

Aug 27, 2023 | 1 Votes

by JamesVince 10 rate Your vote Reverse bullet-hell games are making waves and giving shmups a new identity to modern gamers. Curious about the subgenre but still on the fence about getting a copy of this game type? This little primer can help with making an informed decision. WWGDB - Why are Reverse Bullet-Hell Games so Popular?

WWGDB - Why are Reverse Bullet-Hell Games so Popular?

The appearance of Vampire Survivors in 2022 is arguably the starting point of a new kind of survival action game. A lone character stands at the center of a growing mass of enemies closing in. The threat of death by a constant, ceaseless mob is certain. There is only one way: fight them all and take out as many of them before the player is defeated.

And this marks the birth of reverse bullet-hell games.

This is a different take on the venerable subtype of shoot ‘em-up games. It’s a twin-stick shooter format, but players are the ones spewing barrage after barrage of bullets toward an endless wave of enemies coming from all directions. It’s addictive, and the growing number of players taking a liking to this game type is proof of its popularity among genre fans.

Just in case anyone’s wondering if this is worth the download or a trip to a storefront, here’s what to expect when playing reverse bullet hell, and why it's gaining a sizable fan base:

Endless possibilities

It doesn’t matter if swords and spells or guns and bombs are used to defeat enemies. Most reverse bullet hell games use a leveling system to progress. The player decides on what to upgrade. Is improving passive stats better than locking and loading the sweet new weapon? Maybe a barrier combined with fast-firing fireballs is the better way to slay. This is where reverse bullet hell sort of departs from the standard shoot 'em-up formula. Many top-down shooters use a power-up system in the form of either faster-firing projectiles, more powerful shots, or a larger firing arc. Not only does the player study offensive options, but there are also survival and defensive factors to look at. Can’t stay lucky enough to survive being a glass cannon for too long. It’s going to be a matter of making the best of what has been given.

No two playthroughs will be the same

Plenty of these survival action games offer rogue-lite mechanics. It may be the same map, but obstacles differ from last time. The player will get new offensive and defensive options. Sometimes, even the variety of enemy spawns will be different from the previous session. Every game is filled with surprises. There’s definitely going to be a bit of skill and a lot of luck required to last long in the face of overwhelming odds.

Moving around is a skill to master

Traditional top-scrolling or side-scrolling shmups put the player in moving stages. There’s only one way to finish a stage: to defeat the level boss at the end of the map. Reverse bullet hell formats may have something close to a boss enemy. They’re easily identified since these are usually the big imposing sprites in a sea of small guys. Killing them typically starts a new round of meaner and bulkier enemies. Moving around prevents the player from being cornered by a thick wall of enemies. There will be situations when there are too many enemies in the way - no matter how strong the character’s weapons are. Moving around the map gives enough time for the player to widen the gap, recharge shields, and fire another salvo of slow but powerful armaments.

Sci-fi or Fantasy? Choose a genre

Since the game involves one character fighting against innumerable foes, lore and setting are usually either sci-fi or fantasy. The player can be a lone adventurer holding off waves of evil spawn, like Halls of Torment. Players looking for a more modern flavor can opt for a zombie outbreak or mutant pandemic, an example is Yet Another Zombie Survivors. There are definitely other varieties if one looks into the genre closely enough. Progression paths are almost uniform in the subgenre: kill enemies that drop EXP and items, level up, choose a skill or stat to improve, and go back to take down even tougher enemies. It’s all a matter of how skills are balanced and the fun factor the game offers.

Easy and satisfying action

Reverse bullet hell games can be as long or as short as the player wants. Those looking for a challenge can take it to the extreme as this game type offers more difficult opponents with interesting gimmicks the longer it is played. Others can treat this as gaming on the go, given the number of such games available for mobile devices. There are cases that the game dictates game length through available power-ups earned as the player hangs on. In case of bad choices, one can either endure until better upgrades appear or start a new game.

In summary, reverse bullet hell games are simple fun with a lot of unpredictable moments in store for players. Simple controls, personalized builds, and plenty of random outcomes make this shoot ‘em-up subtype a must-have for any kind of gamer.