The enduring appeal of large-scale arena combat endures through the ages, regardless of shifting game design trends. Players continually find joy in traversing expansive arenas while launching projectiles at a ceaseless wave of adversaries. This fundamental enjoyment is undoubtedly a key factor behind the remarkable success of Megabonk.
While Megabonk didn’t pioneer the concept of arena combat combined with roguelite mechanics, it draws heavy inspiration from a certain title that has captured the hearts of many (you likely know which one I’m referring to).Numerous other games provide a similar thrill, ensuring that if you’ve exhausted all that Megabonk has to offer, a treasure trove of alternative titles awaits you to explore.
8 Roboquest
High-Speed, High-Action
Roboquest leans into a non-specific fantasy theme, much like Megabonk and similar titles. The flexibility in thematic choices—whether contemporary fantasy or sci-fi—makes it suitable for arena-based games and roguelites alike.
In this game, players embody a reactivated Guardian robot navigating a post-apocalyptic desert canyon, battling various robots guarding a hidden secret. Players can customize their Guardian with multiple classes, enhancing gameplay through options such as drone control or stealth attacks. This customization allows gamers to engage in fast-paced combat, tackling both open and confined areas.
After each attempt, players return to their base camp, where they can use collected resources like wrenches to unlock new utilities and modifiers, refining their character’s build. Though the combat dynamics differ from those in Megabonk, the intense action and sprawling battles stimulate similar adrenaline-driven responses.
7 Halls Of Torment
A Cross-Generational Frankenstein
While I may not have been fully aware of the classic PC gaming scene of the mid-to-late 90s, I still recognize the substantial influence of titles like Fallout, Diablo, and Ultima.Halls of Torment stands as a tribute to those games, wrapped in a vibrant, modern interpretation.
This title seamlessly meshes vintage dungeon-crawling aesthetics with contemporary arena survival and roguelite mechanics. Players navigate through various eerie chambers filled with diverse foes, equipped with an array of weapons and magical abilities to conquer the challenges within. As players explore, they can collect artifacts and materials to enhance their next runs.
What sets Halls of Torment apart is its meta-progression system tied to fulfilling quests, offering clear objectives that drive progress and add a layer of direction amid the chaos of monster-slaying.
6 20 Minutes Till Dawn
20 Minutes Or Your Death Is Free
Time plays a critical role in Megabonk and its genre. There’s always an impending countdown, ramping up the tension during battles.20 Minutes Till Dawn elevates this urgency by setting a stringent challenge: survive for precisely 20 minutes until dawn breaks.
Your mission unfolds in a vast, dark arena where survival hinges on your ability to stay alive until sunrise. Unlike Megabonk, where auto-fire weapons dominate, this game requires manual aiming and shooting, demanding more from players amidst the frantic action.
With every run, players collect currency and runes that enable a persistent progression system, unlocking characters and weapons to enhance survival chances. This addictive “one more run”notion keeps players returning for more challenges.
5 Risk Of Rain 2
It Doesn’t Get Much More Wide-Open
Risk of Rain 2 paved the way for the shooter-roguelite genre before the rise of survivor games in 2022, exemplifying dynamic movement and exploration much like Megabonk.
This third-person shooter combines co-op elements with arena roguelite gameplay. Players are dropped onto an alien planet to fend off waves of creatures, selecting from various character classes each with unique skills, while uncovering a plethora of items to enhance combat abilities.
What distinguishes Risk of Rain 2 is its definitive ending in each run, concluding with a final boss battle. Players can push beyond this encounter to extend the chaos, with dynamic enemy power scaling adding an ever-present challenge.
4 Boneraiser Minions
Let The Fellas Handle It
In contrast to Megabonk, where players are front and center, Boneraiser Minions introduces an auto-battler twist. Instead of being the primary weapon, you summon various undead minions and traps to fend off your foes.
Strategic deployment of your minions is essential to protect yourself from attackers, complemented by spell use to navigate perilous situations. The game emphasizes meta progression, as coins gathered during runs empower both your character and foes, creating a cycle where stronger adversaries yield greater rewards.
3 Vampire Hunters
Guns, Lots Of Guns
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Developer |
Gamecraft Studios |
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Platforms |
PC |
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Release Date |
October 2024 |
Vampire Hunters amplifies the chaos of Megabonk by offering an arsenal of excessively powerful weapons. This title marries classic first-person shooter elements with the arena survival genre, delivering an overwhelming array of guns to unleash on adversaries.
This game allows for the simultaneous use of up to fourteen distinct firearms, making the screen feel alive with bullets. Character customization and a variety of non-combat tools, such as shrink rays, enhance gameplay, further showcasing the fast-paced movement style that fans of Megabonk will appreciate.
2 HoloCure
You Don’t Need To Know The In-Jokes
HoloCure, a fan game based on Hololive talents, presents an entertaining arena survival experience akin to Megabonk. Players take on the role of chosen Hololive characters, battling waves of enemies across various maps and stages.
Each character boasts unique upgrades and mechanics, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences. Beyond combat, players can indulge in various activities such as house-building, fishing, and even casino games, offering a delightful balance between challenge and leisure.
Even if you’re not familiar with Hololive’s lore and humor, HoloCure stands out as a well-crafted, free-to-play experience that offers fun for everyone.
1 Vampire Survivors
Yeah, You Knew It Was Here
No discussion of arena roguelite games would be complete without mentioning Vampire Survivors, the clear inspiration behind Megabonk. Its significant impact on the genre makes it highly probable that anyone who has played Megabonk has encountered this title first.
Both games share a core loop in which players navigate expansive arenas, utilize automatically firing weapons, and aim to survive for 30 minutes. However, Vampire Survivors opts for a 2D perspective, challenging players to hold their ground rather than rely on mobility to escape threats.
This unique aspect contributes to Vampire Survivors‘ reputation as a cornerstone in the genre, where players must continually upgrade their abilities to withstand relentless waves of enemies. The tension mounts as they balance combat and upgrades in an increasingly claustrophobic space.
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