Vellum

Write on! Defend the books in Vellum, a co-op, literary roguelike! Harness class-defining colors, master an inspired spellbook, and influence the growth of your enemy! As a group or solo, you'll craft plot-twisting builds to rewrite the rules in Ink!

Current Players: 337
Developers: Alvios Games
Publishers: Alvios, Inc.
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Price (USD): $19.99
The reviews for the game are generally positive, especially from those who enjoy roguelike games and cooperative play. Players praise the variety of mechanics, unique art style, and the engaging theme centered on books and ink. However, some players have noted issues with the game's difficulty balance, particularly finding it too easy, and the visual clarity makes gameplay confusing at times. The game is still in early access, leading to mixed feedback on the completeness and variety of the content. Many are hopeful for the future, given the active development and frequent updates, and recommend it for those looking for a fresh addition to the genre.

Positive Points

  • The game offers a wide variety of mechanics and progression systems, which many players find entertaining and engaging.
  • The art style is frequently praised for its unique and visually appealing theme centered around books and ink.
  • Players appreciate the game's frequent updates and active development, indicating a responsive and committed development team.
  • The game provides high replayability due to the diverse build options and customization available, allowing players to experiment with different strategies.
  • Many find the co-op multiplayer mode to be enjoyable and functioning well, enhancing the fun of the game when played with friends.
  • Negative Points

  • The game's difficulty balance is often criticized, with some players finding it too easy, especially in co-op mode, where enemies feel underpowered.
  • Visual clarity is a common issue mentioned, with players struggling to distinguish between different enemies and attacks due to the monochrome color scheme.
  • Some players report that the gameplay becomes repetitive over time, especially due to a lack of enemy variety and the similarity of gameplay stages.
  • The meta-debuff system is seen as negligible and doesn't significantly impact gameplay, making progression feel stagnant.
  • Mixed Points

  • The combat mechanics receive mixed reviews; while some find them tight and enjoyable, others note a lack of impact or depth, feeling that upgrades do not significantly alter gameplay.
  • The game's theme and aesthetic receive both praise and criticism, with some players loving the literary and ink-based design, while others feel the art style lacks vibrancy.
  • Feedback on the game's early access state varies; some players appreciate the rapid improvements, while others are frustrated by incomplete or buggy features.
  • Common Themes

  • The game is often compared to similar roguelites like Risk of Rain 2 and Gunfire Reborn, with players noting similarities in style and mechanics.
  • There's a common appreciation for the game's ability to deliver a fun experience in shorter play sessions compared to other games in the genre.
  • The developers' engagement with the community and frequent updates are repeatedly highlighted, creating a sense of optimism for future improvements.
  • Updated 5/4/2025, 12:00:41 AM UTC