This game is really fun, really good. There's just not enough polish for a game that's been out for almost a year. I can't really recommend it. Somehow it feels abandoned, and I expected to see an Early Access tag but nope.

Archons, developed and published by BulletHell Studios, is an inventive entry in the bullet-hell genre that challenges players with fast-paced, strategic combat and a unique dual-character mechanic. Released in late 2024, the game has quickly gained attention for its originality, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback for the way it reinvents the classic bullet-hell formula. Unlike traditional shooters, Archons demands players to think tactically and multitask, providing a fresh and engaging experience for both veteran and casual players.

The core gameplay revolves around controlling two characters simultaneously, each with distinct abilities and playstyles. Players must coordinate both Archons, managing attacks, dodges, and positioning in real time, which adds a significant layer of complexity to the typical bullet-hell experience. This dual-character system encourages strategic thinking and quick reflexes, as players must anticipate threats and optimize their actions across two characters at once. While this mechanic introduces a steep learning curve, it also delivers a sense of accomplishment and depth once mastered, making combat encounters intensely satisfying.

Progression in Archons is both meaningful and customizable. Players collect essence to upgrade their weapons and unlock new abilities, allowing for a wide range of combat strategies. The game also introduces bloodrunes, a risk-reward mechanic that lets players trade health for temporary but powerful boosts, further emphasizing tactical decision-making. This combination of upgrades and resource management ensures that no two playthroughs feel exactly the same, and it allows players to tailor their approach to suit their preferred playstyle, whether focusing on offense, defense, or balanced strategies.

The game offers a variety of modes to keep the experience dynamic. Beyond the main campaign, Archons includes an endless mode, where procedurally generated levels challenge players to survive against relentless waves of enemies and bosses. Local co-op is another highlight, allowing two players to tackle the challenges together, creating opportunities for coordinated strategies and shared triumphs. These modes significantly enhance replayability, providing both solo and cooperative experiences that remain engaging over multiple sessions.

Visually, Archons impresses with a vibrant and energetic art style. Levels are distinct and detailed, with environments that provide both aesthetic appeal and gameplay challenges. The Archons themselves are visually striking, with abilities and animations that evolve as players progress. Bullet patterns, explosions, and other visual effects are not only spectacular but also serve as critical gameplay indicators, ensuring that the fast-paced action remains readable even amidst chaos. The cohesive art direction complements the gameplay, making every encounter visually stimulating and engaging.

Audio design further elevates the experience. Olivier Orand’s soundtrack enhances the tension and excitement of combat, with dynamic tracks that shift alongside gameplay intensity. Sound effects are crisp and impactful, providing satisfying feedback for both offensive and defensive actions. The combination of music and sound effects deepens immersion and adds to the thrill of narrowly dodging bullets or executing a perfectly timed attack.

In summary, Archons is a bold and refreshing take on the bullet-hell genre. Its dual-character control system, customizable progression, and varied game modes offer a unique challenge that rewards strategic thinking and skillful execution. While the learning curve may initially challenge some players, mastering its mechanics provides a deeply satisfying and exhilarating experience. With its striking visuals, dynamic audio, and innovative gameplay, Archons stands out as a must-play title for fans of fast-paced action and tactical bullet-hell adventures.

Rating: 8/10

a novel take on the survivor-like game.

There are two big differences that they have come up with:

1) Unlike in most brotatos or vampire survivor clones, in Archons you control two units simultaneously (or two players control one each in local co-op). This means you have weapons that activate not just based on the position of each character, but the Main weapons depned on the position of them to each other as well. The starting ability is a buzzsaw that bounces between the archons at a consistent speed. So stand near each other and it can put out some focused damage, or stand far apart and hit a huge swath of enemies.... slowly. They build on this well and all the starting weapons/abilities are interesting and enjoyable.

2) there is a large qauntity of active abilities that you can pick up as well. This is including but not limited to, teleports (from one archon to the other) dashes, invulnerability, a mortar, machine gun, and more. This added challenge of managing cooldowns, keeping an eye on two characters, and effectively using the actives gives it even more depth.

Outside of these two more unique features, the game plays similar to many others. A Roguelite meta progression for unlocking new abilities, upgrading passives, and upgrading abilities helps the framework of the game.

There seem to be a handful of designed levels complete with Bosses and a light story, and then harder trial modes that appear to be endless.

I picked this game up for a steep discount , and am incredibly happy I did. At full price, I would say it is worth it, but only if you are looking for a polished new experience, and not hoping to grind out another 1000 hours in a game.

I have yet to play it multiplayer, but would like to try that as well.