Another indie darling has crashed the Steam charts! Megabonk is the latest unexpected hit, proving that sometimes, the simplest ideas make the biggest splash. It takes the addictive essence of games like Vampire Survivors and elevates it with a more dynamic, 3D experience. With endless hordes of enemies, a compelling loop, and a cast of quirky characters, Megabonk has soared past established titles and even recent Game of the Year contenders like Hades 2 to become one of Steam’s most-played roguelikes.
Perhaps you’ve seen a popular streamer dive into Megabonk on Twitch, or maybe you’re just curious why this seemingly rustic game is outperforming a critically acclaimed masterpiece like Hades 2. Allow us to explain this indie sensation.
Here’s how it works: You choose from a diverse roster of 20 unlockable characters, each equipped with their own distinct weapon and passive ability. Then, you’re dropped into a vast, procedurally generated map. Your mission? Hunt down chests for powerful upgrades. In classic bullet-hell fashion, your weapons handle the attacking automatically, letting you concentrate on strategic movement, clever upgrade choices, and finding gates that summon formidable bosses to push for your ultimate run.
Developed by a single creator, Megabonk debuted a few weeks ago to significant praise, but its popularity has exploded recently. Over the weekend, its concurrent player count on Steam hit an astonishing 117,000 – an impressive feat that not only overtakes Hades 2’s peak of 112,000 but also handily beats Vampire Survivors’ 77,000 player record.
While it’s true that Hades 2 and Vampire Survivors are available on other platforms unlike Megabonk, these numbers clearly highlight its immense popularity specifically within Valve’s ecosystem.
For days now, Megabonk has consistently ranked among Steam’s top ten most-played games. As of October 8, it sits comfortably above major titles like Hades 2, Path of Exile 2, Warframe, and Dead by Daylight.
Its immense popularity is no mystery when you consider its highly addictive gameplay, quirky humor, and affordable price tag of just $9.99 / £8.50. However, this sudden fame, combined with its indie origins, isn’t without its growing pains. The solo developer, ‘veninad,’ recently announced a patch to fix the game’s leaderboards after an unfortunate encounter with cheaters. Despite these minor hiccups, Megabonk firmly earns its spot in the ever-growing list of 2025’s breakout indie games. For those already hooked, you might find our Megabonk character and item recommendations helpful!
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