Let’s kick off with Bullet Heaven 2 by developer Matt Roszak and publisher Matt Roszak. Steam reviews call it “fun and challenging for beginners and veterans alike,” and I love how that feedback highlights skill growth. However, some players noted the juvenile dialogue—while that adds charm, it can feel over the top during epic boss fights. As a result, as a hardcore strategist, I appreciate the precise bullet patterns that reward mastery. Ultimately, this aligns with the Touhou influence and pushes the genre forward.
Throughout the 70 unique levels, every collectible and achievement was tracked. Interestingly, Matt Roszak built Bullet Heaven 2 on the same engine he used for Epic Battle Fantasy, which handles thousands of bullets per second without a hitch. Furthermore, unlockable cheats and handicaps really extend play—you can tweak difficulty until every secret is discovered. In fact, logging 100 % achievements, from ranks SSS to hidden costumes, proves how every detail rewards completionists.
Diving into the local co-op for four players feels like a mini LAN party. Moreover, co-op adds new strategies—teammates can cover different screen quadrants, and uncovering hidden survival levels reveals unique wave patterns. Fun fact: Matt Roszak started as a solo indie dev before self-publishing his games. Today, his studio focuses on polished indie experiences with big personality, and those bullet storms undeniably echo Jamestown’s colonial art style.
Tweaking handicaps early on shaved precious seconds off runs. Unlockable cheats like “Slow Mo,” for example, let players execute frame-perfect dodges. One user even wrote, “Shout out to green Natz for carrying most of my heavenly runs,” highlighting how character selection impacts performance. Studying spawn patterns enabled the creation of optimized routes. Bullet Heaven 2 also supports mouse, keyboard, and controller, offering flexibility for any speedrunner’s setup—so achieving a personal best on Hard in under 12 minutes feels entirely within reach.
Controls feel tight whether you use keyboard or controller, and you can switch weapons on the fly, chaining combos seamlessly. Thanks to the weapon wheel—which aligns with modern shooters yet retains bullet-hell intensity—comparisons to Touhou feel apt. On top of that, creative item usage appears throughout: bombs can clear screen sectors selectively, offering a fresh take on the classic formula.
The dialogue pokes fun at game tropes. Characters reference past Epic Battle Fantasy entries. Matt Roszak intended this spinoff to be tongue-in-cheek, according to his developer blog. Pacing hits just right between waves, so lore drops don’t stall the action. I marked every conversation for replay, just to catch hidden humor.
The art direction uses bright palettes against dark backgrounds. That contrast helps you spot incoming bullets. The engine handles frame rates well on mid-range PCs. I played on a six-year-old laptop without drops. Animated effects on boss attacks look hand-drawn. You can see the Touhou influence but also a unique cartoon flair.
Phyrnna’s eight-track soundtrack pumps adrenaline. Track “Celestial Overdrive” syncs perfectly with Heavenly difficulty. Sound effects cue rhythm for bullet waves—listen for the bass drop before a massive pattern. I did notice voice lines sometimes get clipped in co-op. Still, overall audio design tightens the tension.
Eight playable heroes each have unique weapons and costumes. I love how Natz turns from healer to heavy hitter when you unlock her alternate gun. The cast shows diversity in playstyle, if not in deep backstories. Matt Roszak hinted in a tweet he may expand lore in a DLC update.
Three difficulties cover all player types: Normal (25% bullets), Hard (50%), and Heavenly (100%). Some users cited spikes on level 45. I tackled those with every cheat and still found it fair. Accessibility options like reduced bullet count help newer players.
The endless survival levels keep me coming back. Leaderboards and local co-op mode add replayability. The blend of 70 story levels plus infinite mode beats many genre peers. I already planned a second run with a friend to unlock all costumes.
Bullet Heaven 2 stands out with its custom engine and indie polish. It merges classic bullet-hell intensity with modern mechanics. It appeals to completionists, casual co-op crews, and speedrunners alike.
Discover a curated list of similar games that every shooter fan will love. Touhou 16: Hidden Star in Four Seasons blends classic danmaku gameplay with intricate bullet patterns and robust mod support. Meanwhile, Jamestown+ offers an engaging colonial art–style shoot-’em-up with seamless co-op action. For pure arcade intensity, Crimzon Clover: World Ignition delivers exhilarating bullet hell and dynamic rank mechanics. Ikaruga challenges players with polarity-switching depth, and Enter the Gungeon combines fast-paced bullet dodging with roguelike loot for endless replayability.
