The roguelike arena in 2025 is a digital bloodsport, a crowded coliseum where only the most compelling and addictive games survive. In one corner stood the titan, Hades 2, the super-hyped sequel from Supergiant Games that arrived with the force of a mythological god. Yet, in a plot twist no one saw coming, a challenger has risen from the shadows—a quirky, pixelated underdog named Megabonk—and it has just shattered Hades 2’s all-time player record on Steam.
The brainchild of solo developer Vedinad, Megabonk launched almost coincidentally within the same window as the Hades 2 behemoth. What seemed like a potential death sentence turned into a Cinderella story. The game, described as a "3D reverse bullet hell shooter," has sold an estimated 1.3 million units, transforming from a rustic-looking indie project into a veritable overnight sensation.
By the Numbers: A Record-Breaking Bonkslaught
The proof is in the player data. On October 5, Megabonk’s all-time concurrent player count skyrocketed to a staggering 117,336 players on Steam. This monumental figure officially eclipses the previous record set by Hades 2, which peaked at 112,947 concurrent players back on September 28.
To truly appreciate the scale of this achievement, it's essential to look further back. Vampire Survivors, the indie darling that essentially defined the "reverse bullet hell" genre, peaked at 77,061 concurrent players nearly four years ago. Megabonk hasn't just beaten the modern titan; it has blown past the genre's founding father.
This surge has consistently landed Megabonk in Steam’s coveted top ten most-played games list over the past week, where it has been seen rubbing shoulders with—and often overlooking—behemoths like Path of Exile 2, Warframe, and Dead by Daylight.
The live player charts don't lie. You can see Megabonk's meteoric rise for yourself here, and compare it to Hades 2's trajectory.
While it's worth noting that Hades 2 is also available on other platforms, unlike the Steam-exclusive Megabonk, the raw numbers on Valve's storefront are undeniable. The current daily average tells a similar story: Megabonk is holding strong at around 100,000 daily players, while Hades 2 has seen a decline from 80,000 to about 55,000 in the same early-October period.
Charm Versus Complexity: A Tale of Two Indie Hits
So, how did this happen? The answer lies in the different, yet equally powerful, appeals of each game.
Hades 2 remains a critical and user darling, boasting a stunning 93% rating from over 81,000 reviews. It is a masterpiece of deep storytelling, intricate roguelike mechanics, and branching, engaging dialogue—a polished gem that represents the pinnacle of narrative-driven indie development.
Megabonk, sitting at a still-impressive 92% from 23,000 reviews, wins on a different front: pure, unadulterated, and charmingly goofy fun. Its "progression loop," packed with a plethora of bizarre weapons, magical tomes, and a seemingly endless roster of unlockable characters, has players glued to their screens in a "just one more run" frenzy. It's less about the story and more about the chaotic, satisfying joy of "bonking" overwhelming hordes of enemies.
The Future of the Bonking Revolution
Despite its overwhelming content in terms of items and abilities, Vedinad is the first to admit that Megabonk is, in many ways, still in its infancy. The game currently features only two main maps, Forest and Desert, each with three difficulty tiers. Its virality is built on a rock-solid, addictive core.
The future, however, looks incredibly bright. Vedinad has already promised a pipeline of substantial content updates and, most intriguingly, the planned addition of a multiplayer mode. This commitment to growth suggests that the Megabonk phenomenon isn't a fleeting flash in the pan, but the beginning of a new indie empire.
Megabonk’s success story is a powerful reminder of the unpredictable magic of the indie scene. In a year of highly-anticipated sequels, a solo developer with a quirky idea and impeccable game feel can still capture the heart of the gaming world, one record-breaking bonk at a time.
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