games – Page 4 – Ms. Bella's World

3–5 minutes

Gamers love a challenge, and bullethell games have a special way of getting the adrenaline going. Recently, I tried out several demos that caught my eye, and I think they have potential. Here are five bullethell demos that impressed me—and one bonus that isn’t a bullethell!

1) Karate Survivor
Release Date: October 30, 2024

From the Steam page: “Become a martial arts master in this survivor-like roguelite inspired by action movies of the ‘80s. Use your fists, feet, and the environment to fight off relentless thugs. Master powerful combos, enhance your skills, and remember: everything around you is a weapon!”

Graphics: Colorful pixel graphics with the charm of old kung-fu movies, evoking memories of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.
Sounds: Solid music and sound effects that complement the action well.
Gameplay: Starts off fun, but the difficulty curve outpaces your character quickly—even with upgrades. Watch out: just touching mobs deals damage!
All in All: I had a great time with the demo, and I’m excited to see how the full release turns out. Hopefully, they’ll fine-tune the balance before launch.

2) Submarine Survivor
Release Date: TBD

From the Steam page: “Dive into the ocean’s depths, face fearsome sea creatures, and collect their experience crystals. In this roguelite action game, upgrade your submarines with various combinations of weapons and chips. Become the Lord of the Ocean!”

Graphics: Bright, simple visuals that still manage to look great.
Sounds: Basic but fitting music and sound design.
Gameplay: Starts easy, but things escalate fast. Each world offers unique modes like avoiding poisoned waters or dodging falling barrels. Replayability looks high, with lots of variety.
All in All: This one seems like it’ll be a solid entry in the genre. Now if only we had a release date…

3) Achilles: Survivor
Release Date: TBD

From the Steam page: “Achilles: Survivor is a dynamic single-player bullet heaven game where you face thousands of enemies, build destructive structures, develop your character, and survive waves of enemies.”

Graphics: Dark and gritty 3D graphics with a ¾ perspective—very reminiscent of aRPGs.
Sounds: Atmospheric music and sound effects that fit perfectly.
Gameplay: Easy to pick up but challenging quickly. You gather gold during each run to unlock permanent upgrades, making future runs easier.
All in All: With Greek mythology, permanent upgrades, and fast-paced action, this looks like it’ll be entertaining for several hours when it finally releases.

4) Smol Survivors
Release Date: TBD

From the Steam page: “Smol Survivors is a 2D reverse bullet-heck where smol blocks have become lost and need to find their friends while fighting through hordes of enemies.”

Graphics: Adorable blocky characters in bright, colorful worlds.
Sounds: The sound effects are nice, but I don’t recall there being any music.
Gameplay: Accessible and quirky, with fun weapons like soap, straws, and…cats? (Yes, cats.) Very easy to get into, perfect for newcomers to bullethell games.
All in All: If the price is right, this will be a great little game to pick up when you have a few spare minutes.

5) TemTem Swarm
Release Date: November 13, 2024

From the Steam page: “Unlock mighty abilities, find Tems to evolve, and discover wild synergies in this survivor-like bullet heaven. Play solo or with friends in online co-op with up to 3 players!”

Graphics: Gorgeous 3D graphics with classic TemTem characters in a colorful world.
Sounds: Excellent music and sound effects that really elevate the gameplay.
Gameplay: Easy to start but challenging as you progress. The permanent upgrades help, and the Tems can evolve during each run.
All in All: This one feels like it’s going to be a hit—if the price is right. Definitely one to watch when it releases in November!

Bonus Mention: 2048 – Dungeons
Release Date: TBD

Okay, so this isn’t a bullethell game, but I just had to mention it. If you enjoy puzzle games like 2048 and roguelike combat, this one’s worth a look.

From the Steam page: “A game that mixes 2048 puzzle mechanics with a roguelite style of play. Train your character, recruit allies, and test your luck in the dungeon of Blockshire.”

Graphics: Low-poly visuals with a high fantasy theme.
Sounds: Solid and fitting for the gameplay.
Gameplay: If you like number puzzles and strategic, turn-based combat, this is right up your alley. Just be warned—it crashed on me once and froze another time. Definitely still needs a bit of polishing before release.

There you have it—five promising bullethell demos (and one unexpected extra) that I think are worth keeping an eye on. Whether you’re dodging barrels underwater, throwing cats at enemies, or channeling your inner Achilles, these games all offer something fun and unique.

Have you tried any of these demos yet? Or maybe you’ve got a recommendation of your own? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time—stay sharp, dodge everything, and bye for now!

2–3 minutes

If you’re like me and enjoy honest gaming content with a side of sharp commentary, let me introduce you to one of my favorite YouTube channels, Cult Classic Cage. Run by a forthright gamer who doesn’t hold back her opinions, this channel is an must-watch for anyone who loves gaming and hearing real, unfiltered takes.

Cult Classic Cage isn’t your typical gaming channel—there’s no sugar-coating here. The owner speaks her mind on everything from video game reviews to reactions to other gamers’ opinions. She has no problem calling out the biases that some die-hard console gamers have. It’s refreshing to see someone so willing to say what many of us are thinking, but might not say out loud.

One of my favorite parts of the channel is her reaction videos. She takes on opinions from across the gaming community—especially those that lean a little too far into console fanboy territory—and gives them the honest critique they deserve. Whether it’s debating the endless console vs. PC argument or dissecting a review that missed the mark, she’s always got something insightful (and often hilarious) to say.

Beyond the commentary, Cult Classic Cage also features streams of the games she genuinely enjoys playing. From indie gems to well-loved classics, her streams are laid-back but filled with passion and enthusiasm for the games she plays. You can tell she’s in her element, chatting with her community while diving into the worlds of the games she loves.

And if you’re into community interaction, you’ll definitely want to catch her Thursday night streams at 8pm EST. Every Thursday, she reacts to videos that her community requests, which leads to some truly fun and unpredictable moments. It’s like a gaming talk show where you get a front-row seat to her candid reactions and honest thoughts.

So if you’re looking for a gaming channel that cuts through the noise, checks the fanboy drama at the door, and serves up real talk with a side of sass, I highly recommend Cult Classic Cage. It’s a breath of fresh air in a sea of overly polished, cautious content. Go give it a watch—I promise you’ll walk away entertained and maybe even thinking a little differently about your favorite gaming debates!

Until next time, bye for now!