Boneraiser Minions

About

In "Boneraiser Minions," players assume the role of a condemned Boneraiser, amassing an army of undead minions to fight against heroic waves. This gothic-horror auto-battler roguelite allows players to use bones and souls of defeated foes to upgrade units, and collect relics and spells for an upper hand. A unique twist involves empowering both one's undead and the enemy heroes' forces to gather resources against the crusade led by King Gigald.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,236 reviews

gameplay426 positive mentions

grinding60 negative mentions

Boneraiser Minions offers a unique twist on the survivor genre by allowing players to summon and upgrade minions instead of directly attacking enemies.
The game features a charming art style, catchy chiptune soundtrack, and a humorous writing style that adds to the overall enjoyment.
With a plethora of unlockable classes, minions, and game modes, Boneraiser Minions provides significant replayability and depth for its low price.

The visuals can be cluttered and difficult to read, making it hard to distinguish between allies and enemies during chaotic moments.
Some players find the humor and writing style juvenile or cringeworthy, which may detract from the experience for certain audiences.
The progression system can feel grindy, with some players expressing frustration over the need to unlock items and abilities before fully enjoying the gameplay.

gameplay
1,020 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The gameplay of "Boneraiser Minions" is characterized by its engaging and addictive mechanics, blending elements of rogue-lite and bullet-hell genres. Players summon and upgrade minions to fight for them, emphasizing strategic decision-making and active dodging rather than direct combat, which sets it apart from similar titles like "Vampire Survivors." While the game offers a variety of classes and mechanics that enhance replayability, some players noted issues with clarity in progression and visual accessibility, but overall, it provides a fun and unique experience for fans of the genre.
- “The gameplay is something you get addicted to, and you can either play it casually as a 'mindless' game or plan out each gameplay session if you're into that sort of thing.”
- “Boneraiser minions is a phenomenal survivors-like game with enough content, unique identity and gameplay to where it has quickly and reliably become my go-to game for when I have 30 minutes of time to spare.”
- “The gameplay loop is addictive and rewarding, the art design, animation, and overall tone of the game is unique and well tied together.”
- “Rough gameplay-UX sometimes, and it is not always clear what can or should be done to progress in the game.”
- “The gameplay can become chaotic and difficult to follow.”
- “The game mechanics are poorly explained, so most of my choices had little to no strategy, so I didn't have much fun.”
graphics
798 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic pixel art style that some players find charming and immersive, while others criticize it for being cluttered and difficult to read, especially during chaotic gameplay. Many reviewers appreciate the vibrant color palette and retro aesthetic, but note that the low resolution can hinder visibility and make it challenging to distinguish between characters and projectiles. Overall, the game offers various visual customization options to enhance clarity, but opinions on the art style's effectiveness vary widely among players.
- “The graphics are perfect and the music will scratch your deepest, fuzziest itch.”
- “The art style is pretty and the texts are well written, with a theatrical dialect and silly puns.”
- “The action is intense and fast-paced, and the pixel art graphics provide an immersive experience.”
- “However, the graphic style and color palette are really hard on the eyes, especially when trying to move and dodge all kinds of units and projectiles.”
- “The graphics are too low res where you have a difficult time telling things apart.”
- “The visibility is so bad due to the low pixel count art style that full screen on a larger monitor is an active detriment towards understanding what is happening on-screen, the whole game needs an art pass for increased pixel res and a major balancing overhaul.”
music
752 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The music in "Boneraiser Minions" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and nostalgic 8-bit chiptune soundtrack, which enhances the game's quirky and lighthearted atmosphere. Many players appreciate the variety of tracks that keep the experience fresh, although some note that certain songs can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “The mix of units and classes gives it some nice variety and the soundtrack stands out, bringing back those nostalgic 8-bit vibes.”
- “It's a great survivors type game with tons of replayability, but for me the best part is the soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack is easily one of my favorite parts!”
- “The only ding I have on the game is the music, which I don't care for; however, I respect the choice of chiptune-y songs that match the aesthetic.”
- “The music is really annoying.”
- “Some negatives I would have is that the soundtrack can be samey and you will get burned out of the sounds eventually.”
humor
464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Boneraiser Minions" is characterized by its juvenile and often crude style, heavily featuring puns and innuendos related to bones and "boners." While some players find this humor charming and entertaining, others consider it immature or cringe-worthy, leading to mixed reactions. Overall, the game's light-hearted and silly approach to humor, combined with engaging gameplay, contributes to its appeal, particularly for those who enjoy a more irreverent comedic tone.
- “The game has an excellent sense of humor and bone puns abound.”
- “It takes a truly special game to make the same boner joke six thousand times and for it to still be funny.”
- “With that out of the way... Boneraiser Minions has such high quality world building, humor, and writing that their flavor alone carries the game.”
- “There is a kind of 'old English' on by default that is not even correctly used, and they tend to use jokes and vocabulary that could be funny for a teenager, but it is quite cringey.”
- “It's written in corny millennial-speak and the jokes are just terribly unfunny.”
- “I know this seems like a personal gripe, but I witnessed an entire room of people get legitimately annoyed with how unfunny the text was.”
replayability
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The game "Boneraiser Minions" is praised for its high replayability, attributed to its diverse classes, unique minion designs, and various gameplay modes that encourage experimentation and competition. Players appreciate the depth of content and frequent updates, which enhance the overall experience, making it a compelling choice for those seeking engaging, replayable gameplay at a low price. While some comparisons to genre leaders like "Vampire Survivors" suggest it may not reach the same heights, many still find it offers significant replay value and enjoyment.
- “Just a fantastic roguelite experience all around, with different minion designs, stages/monsters, and a very unique class system that gives a lot of replayability value.”
- “The sheer variety presented in the game is impressive — numerous characters, minions, abilities, buildings, Steam achievements, and meta-upgrades contribute to its high replayability.”
- “Boneraiser Minions is infinitely replayable.”
- “It's by far the easiest one of the bunch that I've played, and unfortunately falls a bit short on replayability compared to others as a result.”
- “There is somewhat limited replayability since even endless mode lasts at most 15 or so minutes before it becomes impossible, but I probably played this more than 90% of games I spent 10x as much on.”
- “There are high scores to try and beat, but I'm not the competitive type, so the replayability is low, but I can't complain in the least for the price.”
grinding
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
8%
88%
Reviews on the grinding aspect of the game are mixed; while some players find it enjoyable and not overly tedious, others feel it becomes repetitive and excessive after extended play. Many appreciate the meaningful upgrades and meta progression, which can feel natural rather than grindy, especially for casual players. However, those aiming for 100% completion may encounter significant grinding, leading to frustration with the game's pacing and level design.
- “Progression (meta + each run) is not tedious and is easy to pick up, albeit the many things you'll want to make a mental cheat sheet for builds. Everything is clear amidst the chaos of 'OMG so many things happening.'”
- “I can honestly say that this is the first 100% trophy that I felt like I wasn't grinding to get.”
- “An added plus is that this metaprogression game is not grindy at all.”
- “Though after 10 hours, all the rest of the 'content' is basically just grinding the same thing for 100 more hours... yuck.”
- “I like this genre of game in theory and how much content it has, but it's very grindy and repetitive with boring levels and clunky movement. It's fun enough for a while in tiny bursts, but I wish its level design and the feel of movement was more similar to Spirit Hunter: Infinite Horde.”
- “It just feels super shallow and tedious.”
story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
85%
5%
The story in the game is minimal, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a central focus, with players taking on the role of a necromancer seeking revenge against a king. While the narrative is light-hearted and filled with humor, it is largely conveyed through introductory scenes, and many players find it lacks depth. Overall, the game is more about engaging mechanics and addictive gameplay than a compelling story.
- “The story is as follows: you're one of more than a dozen different necromancers that have been sealed away in your mausoleum after a mild disagreement with the locals of the surrounding lands as to the proper treatment of corpses and the philosophical nature of the afterlife.”
- “Risen again, our mission is to build an army, reclaim our power, resurrect our brothers, and take our vengeance on the crusade of King Gigald.”
- “What the game does focus on is the juxtaposition of the stereotypical story of a (presumably evil) necromancer with a carefree atmosphere and a bevy of sexual jokes and innuendos which makes for a surprisingly light-hearted experience that doesn't take itself too seriously at all.”
- “The story is practically non-existent, and is fully explained in the introductory scenes leading up to the title screen, but the story isn't the main draw of the game.”
- “Quick plot synopsis because there ain't much: you're a boneraiser, raising boners.”
- “After reading the opening text when booting the game up and after beating King Gigald, I thought there might have been some story elements here.”
atmosphere
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its spooky, Halloween-like retro aesthetic, enhanced by charming pixelated graphics and an engaging soundtrack that immerses players in a dark yet light-hearted world. Many reviewers appreciate the juxtaposition of its eerie themes with whimsical writing and humor, creating a unique experience that is both relaxing and fun. However, some critiques mention that the atmosphere can feel overwhelming or inconsistent at times, particularly when juxtaposed with the game's comedic elements.
- “The game's art style and sound design also contribute to the overall immersion, creating a dark and atmospheric world that's easy to get lost in.”
- “The sound effects and music add to the spooky atmosphere, making it the perfect game to play with the lights off and a bowl of popcorn by your side.”
- “It has a unique dark retro look to it, the music is exquisite and helps a lot to create its atmosphere.”
- “Worst version of vampire survivors available in my opinion, anything from the bad art style to the unfun crowded atmosphere.”
- “It definitely isn't used for atmosphere or immersion, because the game is constantly making boner jokes and puns.”
- “Most are very light-hearted or chill, and don't really fit the gritty atmosphere and action-packed pace that the game sets.”
optimization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
Overall, the game is generally well-optimized, running smoothly even with many units and spells in play, and it performs well on low-end machines. However, some users report occasional freezing issues and poor optimization specifically in endless mode, which can detract from the experience. The frequent interruptions for choosing minions, relics, and spells can also feel invasive, impacting gameplay flow.
- “I would like to point out that the game appears to be pretty well optimized.”
- “It's prettier, more fun, better optimized, more interesting, more engaging, and has really good music.”
- “Enjoyable game at an accessible price with stable performance on low-end machines.”
- “The game will sometimes freeze for a second or two at a time.”
- “Horribly optimized for endless mode.”
- “You're constantly being interrupted to choose minions, relics, and spells, and this can get a little invasive, especially since it doesn't always feel like the choice you're making is gonna change your performance much.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability, running smoothly on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, with most users reporting consistent performance and frame rates above 60 FPS. However, some players have experienced occasional freezes and minor glitches, which slightly detract from the overall experience.
- “It also runs great, and even though my PC isn't particularly good, I never noticed the FPS going below 60.”
- “It looks great, runs great, and even works on Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck, so highly recommended if you like this type of game.”
- “Great game, but it freezes sometimes.”
- “The game offers some nice graphics and environments, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
- “Great game, but it freezes sometimes.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through its tragic narrative, reminiscent of an arthouse film, which explores themes of oppression and resilience in the face of a debilitating disease. Despite its serious undertones, the experience is also described as extremely funny and wholesome, creating a unique blend of humor and depth.
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's monetization model is praised for avoiding the typical cash grab approach, featuring no microtransactions and offering regular updates, which contributes to a fun and engaging experience.
- “Weekly (or more frequent) updates, no microtransactions, and packed with fun in a tiny package.”

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6h Median play time

13h Average play time

3-20h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 44 analyzed playthroughs

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