Bullet Hell Vs. Bullet Heaven: What’s The Difference?

Bullet Hell Vs. Bullet Heaven: What's The Difference?

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  • What is a Bullet Heaven Game?
  • Great Examples of Bullet Heaven and Bullet Hell

As someone who has spent countless hours navigating through the chaotic skies of space and the dark corners of arcades, I can confidently say that Bullet Hell and Bullet Heaven are two distinct realms of gaming that have left an indelible mark on my gaming life.


Enthusiastic players often invent labels for different genres of games. Many of these labels don’t last long, but some become popular and endure.

Bullet Heaven and Bullet Hell are great examples of the latter, but the names are confusing explanations at best. With this in mind, let me explain what each term means.

What is a Bullet Hell Game?

Bullet Hell Vs. Bullet Heaven: What's The Difference?

Bullet Hell is a fancy term to describe a game where the screen fills up with enemy fire.

In my gaming experience, you’d often come across such mechanics in classic 2D space shooters. However, I’ve noticed they’re quite common in Boss Rush-styled games too, like the fast-paced, challenging game Furi.

If you’re skillfully avoiding torrents of bullets and gracefully navigating bullet patterns as if you were an expert video game player, it’s likely that the game you’re engaged with falls under the category known as “Shoot ’em Up” or “Danmaku,” which are synonymous with the term “Bullet Hell.

A typical characteristic of Bullet Hell shooter games is a small target area to hit (hitbox), although it isn’t always necessary. Many CAVE-developed space shooters adhere to this trait, with “Mushihimesama Futari” being one of the most challenging and sadistic examples I’ve encountered within the genre.

What is a Bullet Heaven Game?

Bullet Hell Vs. Bullet Heaven: What's The Difference?

Bullet Heaven is a newer term used to describe a genre that hasn’t existed for too long.

In a Bullet Hell scenario, you’re confronted by an onslaught of enemy fire. Conversely, in a Bullet Paradise, it’s you who discharges the bullets, overwhelming the screen with projectiles. In numerous aspects, Bullet Paradise games seem like the opposite of Bullet Hell, as you fend off waves of enemies using your relentless gunfire.

The most famous example of a Bullet Heaven game would be Poncle’s legendary Vampire Survivors.

The Survivor” and “Holocure: Rescuing the Fans”. A key feature in many of these titles is a form of progression that deepens as you continue to play, often making your character stronger, however, this isn’t always mandatory.

Over the past few years, games similar to this one have been known by several different titles. My personal preference leans towards “Inverse Bullet Hell,” but I must admit that “Bullet Heaven” is a much snappier moniker.

To wrap things up, although these games share the same genre label, the gameplay experiences couldn’t be further apart. For me, playing a Bullet Hell game is like navigating through a relentless storm of enemy fire, demanding pinpoint accuracy and unwavering resilience.

In simpler terms, Bullet Heaven games tend to become more approachable as you grow accustomed to them, sometimes even feeling like comforting or homey games.

For enthusiasts of Bullet Heaven series, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor might be an excellent introduction, as it offers swift progression with regular play.

Great Examples of Bullet Heaven and Bullet Hell

Bullet Hell Vs. Bullet Heaven: What's The Difference?

After familiarizing yourself with the unique characteristics of each genre, you might find yourself curious about which games are most enjoyable within each category.

Below, you’ll discover some top-notch suggestions to kick things off. As I write this, Bullet Heaven games are currently quite trendy, whereas Bullet Hell games have historically catered to a specific audience.

The games listed here can all be found on Steam. However, it’s important to note that a significant number of the Bullet Hell games were initially developed for arcades or older systems.

Bullet HeavenBullet Hell
Vampire SurvivorsDARIUSBURST Chronicle Saviors
Halls of TormentDeathSmiles 1&2
Holocure: Save the Fans!Ikaruga
Deep Rock Galactic: SurvivorRadiant Silvergun
Nordic AshesFuri
Army of RuinDoDonpachi Resurrection
Yet Another Zombie SurvivorsMushihimesama
Death Must DieG-Darius

If you’re new to the genre, I’d suggest giving “Vampire Survivors” a try from the “Bullet Heaven” list. It’s beginner-friendly and offers countless hours of gameplay. As for seasoned Bullet Hell enthusiasts, “G-Darius” serves as an excellent starting point, boasting its strong 2D shooter mechanics and a variety of difficulty settings.

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2024-11-01 19:41