Bullet Heaven 2

Plays better than Touhou, makes for a good challenge, and it's from Epic Battle Fantasy. I'd shill for Matt till I die.

Fun bullet hell that I've played more of the original flash version than the steam port. Music is what you expect from an epic battle fantasy game, that is absolutely amazing. In hindsight a lot of the bullet patterns remind me of Touhou, but it's a bullet hell, what isn't in a bullet hell that Touhou hasn't done already?
I don't normally write reviews but the developer just put out a blog post a few hours ago with the precise number of reviews, and I feel like making it outdated.

As someone who doesn't have much experience with bullet hells, I found Bullet Heaven 2 to be a great experience! The gameplay is solid, the music is excellent, and the writing is consistently hillarious. There's a ton of content and room for customization, and it's just a fun time overall.

Bullet Heaven 2 is a fast, colorful, and relentlessly energetic top-down shooter developed and published by Matt Roszak that fully embraces the chaos and spectacle of the bullet-hell genre while remaining surprisingly approachable. Built as both a sequel and a refinement of the original Bullet Heaven concept, the game places a heavy emphasis on pure action, screen-filling effects, and constant forward momentum. From the moment you begin, it is clear that the goal is simple and uncompromising: survive overwhelming enemy waves, dodge intricate bullet patterns, and unleash an absurd amount of firepower in return.
The core gameplay loop is immediately satisfying and easy to understand. Enemies pour onto the screen in large numbers, firing dense patterns of projectiles that force you to stay in motion at all times. Movement and shooting feel tight and responsive, striking a careful balance between speed and control that allows the game to feel intense without becoming frustrating. Levels are short but densely packed with action, encouraging quick reflexes and spatial awareness rather than slow, methodical play. As stages progress, enemy behavior becomes more complex, introducing new attack patterns and formations that keep encounters feeling fresh rather than repetitive.
One of Bullet Heaven 2’s biggest strengths lies in its variety. The game features a sizable roster of playable characters, each equipped with distinct weapons and abilities that dramatically change how the game feels. Some characters specialize in wide-area damage, others in precision fire, and some favor riskier playstyles that reward aggressive positioning. This variety encourages experimentation and replay, as revisiting the same stages with a different character can feel like a completely new challenge. Additional costumes and optional weapon variations further expand this flexibility, giving players more ways to tailor the experience to their preferences.
The level design supports this replayability with a generous amount of content. Across dozens of stages, players encounter a wide range of enemy types and boss encounters, many of which require learning specific movement patterns to survive. Boss fights in particular stand out, combining large health pools with elaborate attack sequences that test both endurance and precision. These encounters feel like skill checks rather than simple damage races, rewarding players who stay calm and learn patterns over those who rely purely on firepower.
Visually, Bullet Heaven 2 embraces bright colors, exaggerated effects, and clean sprite work that ensures clarity even when the screen is filled with bullets, explosions, and enemies. Despite the sheer amount of visual information on display, the game remains readable, which is essential for a genre that demands split-second reactions. Character designs are playful and expressive, while enemy effects are distinct enough to allow players to quickly identify threats. The art style reinforces the game’s lighthearted tone without undermining the intensity of the action.
Audio design plays a major role in maintaining momentum. The soundtrack is energetic and driving, pushing players forward and enhancing the adrenaline rush of each stage. Music tracks are varied enough to avoid becoming monotonous, and sound effects provide clear feedback for hits, enemy destruction, and near misses. Together, the visuals and audio create a cohesive sensory experience that keeps the player engaged even during extended play sessions.
Bullet Heaven 2 also does an excellent job of accommodating different skill levels. While the game can become extremely challenging, it offers difficulty options and modifiers that allow players to ease into the experience or push themselves further. This makes it accessible to newcomers who may be intimidated by bullet-hell games, while still offering plenty of depth for genre veterans chasing perfect runs, high scores, or achievements. The inclusion of local multiplayer further enhances its appeal, turning the already chaotic gameplay into a shared, high-energy experience that emphasizes fun over precision.
Overall, Bullet Heaven 2 stands as a strong example of how to modernize classic shoot-’em-up design without losing its soul. It delivers constant action, meaningful variety, and a satisfying challenge curve wrapped in a vibrant and polished presentation. While it doesn’t attempt to reinvent the genre, it refines its core ideas with confidence and care, resulting in a game that remains engaging long after the first playthrough. For players who enjoy fast reflex gameplay, over
Rating: 8/10

i really like it so far, the characters are simple and cute and the gameplay is VERY similar to touhou.. i like anna the most.. if u like playing touhou or arcade shooters in general give this game a try :D

A nostalgia trip and a good bullet hell. It's got many levels and good mechanics. The multiple characters and charge level for weapons out from similar games.
The game is a bit easy to complete due to bombs essentially being more lives and the real challenge is getting a good score.

One of my favorite shmups ever. I've always liked shmups of various sorts since I was a kid, though I eventually gravitated much more towards the Touhou series than more traditional shmups. There was just something really appealing and fun about those games, compared to what I knew from series like Sonic Wings or Dodonpachi.
The original Bullet Heaven (in its credits section) was what first introduced me to Touhou as a child. It quite literally changed my life.
And now the sequel.... man, the sequel. I still love Bullet Heaven to this day, but I have to admit this game is even better in almost every way. Aesthetic, patterns, level design, playable characters (except no more drill bot WAHHHHHH), music... I'm still baffled. If you're looking at this game's reviews, you most likely should get it. Full price, even, if that's reasonable for you. Because I feel if any shmup I can think of deserves that price tag, it's this.