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Megabonk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Megabonk
Developervedinad
Publishervedinad
EngineUnity
PlatformsLinux
Windows
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2025
GenresRoguelike
Survival game
Vampire Survivors–like
ModeSingle-player

Megabonk is a 2025 roguelike survival game developed and published by solo developer vedinad.[a] Described as a 3D Vampire Survivors–like, it features procedurally generated maps, automatic combat against hordes of enemies, and character progression through randomized upgrades. The game was released for Windows and Linux on September 18, 2025.

Gameplay

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Gameplay screenshot showcasing the character CL4NK in the Desert map in combat with enemies

Megabonk is a third person roguelike survival game in which players navigate procedurally generated 3D maps with verticality, fighting waves of enemies and bosses while automatically attacking. Experience gems collected from defeated enemies allow players to level up and select from random upgrade offers, enabling synergistic builds. Movement mechanics include sliding, jumping, and speed boosts for enhanced mobility and combat depth.[2] The game offers 20 unlockable characters with unique abilities,[3] over 70 items,[4] and over 200 quests.[5] Meta-progression is achieved through "Silver" currency, which lets the player permanently unlock content; it is not very common, being earned via challenges, "silvery-blue pots", and upgrading the Silver Tome.[6]

Development

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Megabonk was developed by the independent designer known as Vedinad using the Unity engine,[7] and began development in August 2024.[8] Initially planned to release on September 4, 2025, it was delayed to September 18 due to the announcement that the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong would release on that day.[9] Vedinad was urged to delay the game further, due to announcements of "other massive games" releasing near Megabonk's planned launch, but they did not, stating in a video, "I don't care - boom! Megabonk is out right now."[10]

Reception

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Megabonk received "very positive" user reviews on Steam.[11]

Critical reception

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Critics praised the game, and often favorably compared it to Vampire Survivors. TheGamer writer Harry Alston called it one of his favorite games of the year, praising it for its "added 3D terrain and verticality", being "properly challenging", and having "satisfying" build-crafting.[2] Writing for Rogueliker, Mike Holmes called its gameplay loop "addictive", stating that the game is "excellent ... and a true trend setter."[12] GamesHub writer Joel Loynds awarded it 4/5, lauding the refreshing 3D take and overpowered builds while criticizing repetitive challenges, difficulty spikes, and "memey" humor.[13] Lords of Gaming's Randy Rhodes scored it 8.5/10, highlighting its tension, soundtrack, and character variety.[14] IGN's Leana Hafer praised the "variety and ... bombastic attitude" of the game's weapons, called the game's power-ups "fun", but criticized its brain rot-esque humor, and its "lack of changing scenery" due to there only being two maps.[15] Despite initial skepticism, Ali Jones of GamesRadar+ enjoyed the game, stating "[t]here's something about being a skateboard-riding skeleton flinging bones at hordes of incoming goblins while careening down a ramp that's just compelling no matter what".[16] The game was recommended by Palworld developer John 'Bucky' Buckley;[17] he later stated that vedinad is "one of the game developers I respect the most".[18]

Commercial reception

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Commercially, Megabonk was a success, selling over one million copies in two weeks and peaking at 117,336 concurrent players according to SteamDB.[19][20]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Result Ref.
2025 The Game Awards 2025 Best Debut Indie Game Nominated [1][21]
The Steam Awards 2025 Sit Back and Relax Award Nominated [22]

Megabonk was nominated for "Best Debut Indie Game" at The Game Awards 2025, but vedinad withdrew (leading to the game not being listed as a nominee during the show), believing that it did not qualify for the award, as he has "made games in the past under different studio names"; vedinad has not given further information.[1][21] Megabonk was subsequently nominated in the 30-game first round for Players' Voice award.[23]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The pseudonymous developer also goes by "John Megabonk".[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c McWhertor, Michael (18 November 2025). "Megabonk dev withdraws his game from The Game Awards". Polygon. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b Alston, Harry (3 October 2025). "Megabonk Just Cemented Itself As One Of My Favourite Games Of The Year". TheGamer. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  3. ^ Blum, Jeremy (2 October 2025). "Megabonk tier list: All 20 characters ranked". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  4. ^ Perez, Diego; et al. (4 November 2025). "Best Items Tier List". IGN. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  5. ^ Ali, Usama (16 October 2025). "All Quests in Megabonk". GameRant. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  6. ^ Cochran, Allyson (27 September 2025). "How To Earn Silver Fast In Megabonk". TheGamer. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  7. ^ Forbes-Calvin, Alex (19 November 2025). "Unity on AI, new tools, and recovering from the Runtime Fee". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  8. ^ Purchese, Robert (19 November 2025). "Megabonk and the mystery of the missing YouTuber – is creator Vedinad actually Danidev?". Eurogamer. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  9. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (26 August 2025). "Every Game Delayed By Silksong". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 21 September 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  10. ^ Allsop, Ken (21 September 2025). "New indie roguelike Megabonk defies launch warnings, earns thousands of players". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  11. ^ Stewart, Marcus (18 September 2025). "Megabonk Developer Withdraws From The Game Awards". Game Informer. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  12. ^ Holmes, Mike (2 October 2025). "Megabonk Review: it's mega tough and mega grindy, but it's also mega good". Rogueliker. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  13. ^ Loynds, Joel. "Megabonk Review: Meme Gags Dampen Excellence". GamesHub. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  14. ^ Rhodes, Randy (30 October 2025). "Megabonk Review: A Bonk-tastic 3D Bullet Heaven". Lords of Gaming. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  15. ^ Hafer, Leana (6 October 2025). "Megabonk – Quick Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  16. ^ Jones, Ali (25 September 2025). ""I can't pry myself from the computer": New roguelike hailed as "a mix of Vampire Survivors and Risk of Rain 2," and I'm starting to see why it has 4,000 "Very Positive" Steam reviews after just one week". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  17. ^ Serin, Kaan (25 October 2025). "Palworld dev advises players to stop defending games online and play them instead: "Pop open Megabonk or something and just have fun"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  18. ^ McCrae, Scott (19 November 2025). "Palworld lead and Pocketpair founder says Megabonk dev is "one of the game developers I respect the most" as the solo indie creator withdraws his roguelike hit from The Game Awards". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  19. ^ McCrae, Scott (3 October 2025). "Out-of-nowhere roguelike hit Megabonk has sold 1 million copies in 2 weeks, solo creator says "I'll be eating spaghetti with EXTRA sauce tonight"". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 5 October 2025. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  20. ^ McCrae, Scott (6 October 2025). "Indie roguelike breakout Megabonk hit a new player record over the weekend, charting higher than Call of Duty, Borderlands 4 and Marvel Rivals". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  21. ^ a b Blake, Vikki (19 November 2025). "Megabonk withdraws from The Game Awards: "It's an honour but I don't think it qualifies for Debut Indie Game"". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  22. ^ "The Steam Awards". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  23. ^ Blake, Vikki (2 December 2025). "Megabonk May Have Withdrawn Itself For Consideration At The Game Awards 2025, But Another Category Has Put It Back". ign.com. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
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