In a September crammed with AAA behemoths vying for player attention and indie developers anxiously rescheduling releases to avoid the shadow of giants like Hollow Knight: Silksong or Hades II, a dark horse galloped onto the scene: Megabonk. This isn`t just another game; it`s a phenomenon that has firmly gripped the top of the Steam charts, holding its leading position for weeks. I, like over 100,000 other players, have delved into its pixelated depths for several hours, and in this article, we`ll try to unravel the secret behind this seemingly derivative indie newcomer.
What Exactly Is a Megabonk?
At its core, Megabonk is the brainchild of a solo developer known as Vedinad, who, it seems, has a profound affection for Vampire Survivors. If that 2022 indie hit rings a bell, then imagine its addictive gameplay, but in a 3D environment, spiced with a generous dose of internet meme culture – that`s Megabonk. For those unfamiliar with its progenitor, Megabonk is an “auto-roguelike.”
Before each run, you select a hero, choose a location, and embark on your journey. Your sole responsibility? To navigate your character. Everything else, including attacks, happens automatically. As you cleave through wave after wave of enemies, you collect artifacts that grant new abilities, additional weapons, or boost your survivability. The longer you survive, the more the monster hordes begin to resemble a literal ocean of foes. But fear not, for you, too, transform – evolving into a fireworks display of swords, fireballs, teleports, axes, and other deadly contraptions. The game shifts from a traditional bullet-hell into a reverse bullet-hell, where you become the epicenter of chaos.
The inherent charm of such games lies in their exquisite simplicity and profound addictiveness. Almost every run offers the potential for a new artifact, character, or a personal best. The more you play these “Survivors-like” titles, the more incredible combinations you discover, and the more absurd your enemy kill count becomes. This blend of wild variability, utter primitiveness, and prolonged sessions creates a deeply visceral, time-devouring experience that can easily consume dozens of hours.
This formula propelled Vampire Survivors to sensation status in 2022, demonstrating that even the simplest games can be incredibly engaging. The result was a multitude of imitators, prestigious gaming awards, and the designation of an indie legend.
Beyond the Shadow: Megabonk`s Unique Flavor
Megabonk builds upon this proven foundation but introduces two crucial distinctions:
- It’s 3D. This might seem trivial, but it fundamentally changes the visual experience and the feeling of chaotic engagement.
- It offers a significantly expanded roster of characters and in-game activities.
The characters, in particular, are a major draw, compelling players to return again and again. They vary wildly in abilities and movement styles. To experience them all, however, you`ll need to invest considerable time. Some unlock by defeating specific enemy types, others require discovering unique weapons, which in turn demands completing dedicated quests. You`ll be enjoying the gameplay loop for a good long while.
And the gameplay itself? It`s perfectly sound. Adhering to the tenets of its inspiration, it`s primitive and utterly captivating. Enemies drop crystals used for leveling up. Each new level offers an upgrade or a new weapon. Unlike Vampire Survivors, the goal isn`t just to survive for a set time; it`s to power up within 10 minutes, then locate and defeat a final boss – a task often more challenging than it sounds. Sometimes, the elusive portal is hidden so deeply you simply run out of time to find it, and eternal kiting isn`t an option: an endless wave of mobs eventually appears to swiftly dispatch your hero.
Until your objective is met, the arena is brimming with activities. Shrines, for instance, demand you stand near them for a duration, rewarding you with stat boosts. Easter Island-like totems might bestow a valuable artifact, while a dubious merchant offers items for gold, which is also used for unlocking treasure chests. A stone magnet aptly named “Shrine of Succ” (yes, really) pulls all crystals on the map toward your hero. And a microwave can duplicate any passive accessory you possess. For the bravest and most observant, the arena hides formidable mini-bosses, defeating which unlocks new heroes.
After completing a map, its more hardcore version becomes available. The current build I`m playing features two locations – a forest and a desert – though trailers hint at more. Each map boasts three difficulty levels. Conquer those, and you can tackle them with additional difficulty modifiers. Just be warned: progressing through all stages risks turning your screen into an epileptic`s nightmare, as some players` experiences visually attest.
And judging by the Steam concurrent player count, which rarely dips below 44,000, people are clearly enjoying it. This addictive time-sink is a resounding success – even I find myself itching to finish this text and dive into another run.
The Man Behind the Curtain: Vedinad or… Someone Else?
Megabonk has already surpassed Vampire Survivors in concurrent players and sold over a million copies – an undeniable triumph for such a small game and a solo developer. While I personally feel it lacks the deep synergies of its predecessor and the overall content quantity is noticeably less, the developer has promised to consider expanding the game, but only after resting from this unexpected success.
But how “unexpected” was this success? One of Megabonk`s most intriguing aspects is the identity of its creator, Vedinad. A glance at their Steam profile reveals Megabonk as their sole published game, which is indeed commendable for a newcomer. However, an interesting discrepancy emerges: the developer`s name, “Vedinad,” is “DaniDev” spelled backward. DaniDev is the pseudonym of popular Norwegian YouTuber with 3.57 million subscribers and game developer Daniel Suman, creator of hits like Muck and Crab Game.
Fans have unearthed numerous coincidences between the two developers:
- Both games were created using the Unity engine.
- Both feature similar art styles and character designs.
- Both exhibit a distinct sense of humor and meme-laden aesthetics.
- Similar coding patterns have been observed.
Officially, Vedinad claims to be merely “inspired” by DaniDev`s work. Does this affect the average gamer? Absolutely not – Megabonk will hook any player with a hint of competitive spirit and a latent desire to craft the ultimate build. However, following this theory, one could reasonably assume that Megabonk is a meticulously planned release, backed by years of experience, rather than a serendipitous indie fluke. A genuine “dark horse,” perhaps, but one with a seasoned jockey carefully guiding it.
The Verdict: A Fleeting Bonk or a Lasting Legacy?
There`s a significant risk that Megabonk could quickly fade from memory, as is common with many hyped indie games. It is, without doubt, a successful title because it skillfully replicated the winning formula of Vampire Survivors and enhanced it with unique features and gags. However, it may not achieve the same enduring weight and status in the industry. Therefore, Megabonk`s future hinges directly on how frequently and extensively its developer enriches it with new content. For now, it remains an excellent game for burning through a few free evenings.
Megabonk is a compact game that might captivate you more intensely and for longer than some AAA blockbusters. Yes, perhaps everyone will forget about it in two months – but so what? For its modest price, you`ll get your fill of fun and can then serenely move on to something else. Leave the assessment of its industrial legacy to the overly serious experts.
Wesley Dunham