Vellum

About

Vellum is a single player and multiplayer action adventure game. It was developed by Alvios Games and was released on May 2, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

THE WRITE IDEA Vellum is a co-op, literary roguelike; harness the class-defining colors, master an inspired spellbook, and influence the growth of your enemy - your imagination is key to saving the books! Team up with pen-pals or dive solo into each mechanically-unique Tome where every page is another step toward rule-breaking power! Dip your quills in quick, dynamic adventures full of synerg…

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,238 reviews

gameplay101 positive mentions

grinding16 negative mentions

Vellum offers a unique and charming art style with a literary theme that enhances the gameplay experience.
The game features a wide variety of spells and abilities, allowing for diverse build options and playstyles.
The cooperative gameplay is engaging, with mechanics that encourage teamwork and strategic decision-making.

The game can suffer from performance issues, especially during chaotic moments with many enemies on screen.
Some players find the combat lacks impact and can feel repetitive, with certain abilities being more effective than others.
Visual clarity can be a problem, making it difficult to distinguish between enemy attacks and projectiles in the heat of battle.

gameplay
249 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
57%
2%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of chaotic action and strategic depth, reminiscent of titles like *Risk of Rain 2*, with a focus on unique mechanics tied to a literary theme. Players appreciate the diverse build options, engaging combat, and the variety of modifiers that keep runs fresh, although some find the core mechanics a bit simplistic and repetitive over time. Overall, the game offers a fun and rewarding experience, especially in co-op mode, but could benefit from further complexity and refinement as it continues to develop in early access.
- “The gameplay is solid.”
- “Great gameplay loop, fun builds, and great enemies.”
- “The gameplay is awesome; I just love seeing a legendary page drop on my screen that basically makes me a walking nuke launcher.”
- “The core gameplay needs an overhaul; whereas in a game like Gunfire Reborn there's dozens of mechanics like landing headshots, spreading different status effects, interrupting and stunning enemies... or Risk of Rain where each character has a myriad of different skills that are modified by hundreds of items... this game doesn't seem to evolve from simply holding left click and then pressing right click when your left click generates enough right click energy.”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive and lacks depth; the combat feels shallow with spongy enemies and no meaningful choices, and the hub world is tedious.”
- “The gameplay itself is kind of boring; movement feels sluggish and the game is somehow too easy yet frustrating at the same time.”
graphics
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
40%
3%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique and charming art style, which combines elements of ink and book aesthetics, creating an immersive and visually appealing experience. Many players appreciate the attention to detail and the whimsical design, although some have noted performance issues and occasional visual clutter during intense gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, contributing significantly to its appeal and enjoyment.
- “The art style and theme are also top notch.”
- “Beautiful art style and attention to detail.”
- “Vellum has a beautiful art style and really is its own thing in the genre with its own terms and ... it feels like its own little universe.”
- “Something about the visuals are off, making the entire game feel old and, worse; dated.”
- “Sad to say graphicwise game looks like shit in widescreen resolution.”
- “Actual frame rate aside, though, the game also just looks like it’s got a bad frame rate, because the graphics, while aesthetically pleasing, do not complement the gameplay.”
story
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
81%
4%
The game's story is described as whimsical and unique, revolving around a sentient pen battling evil forces within a dimension-bending library, which enhances the gameplay experience. While many players appreciate the thematic elements and artistic presentation, some feel the narrative is underdeveloped, often relegated to background details rather than being fully fleshed out. Overall, the storytelling is engaging for those who seek it, but it may not satisfy players looking for a more substantial plot.
- “I love the theme of writing and storytelling, and of course all the puns.”
- “The entire plot and mechanics of the game revolve around you being a sentient pen, working with others of your order to prevent the 'torn' from wreaking havoc across the various books and chapters within your dimension-bending library.”
- “The story doesn't feel shoved in your face, it's just in the background for you to enjoy and figure out on your own if you want, or ignore entirely if that's your preference.”
- “The plot device is a prime example, and the reason I've put the game down until further notice.”
- “I see the elements of the story, but I never feel like I really read anything / read enough to really feel anything strongly for the characters.”
- “Completing 600 chapters (floors in other games) with an ink color would be fine if there were still things to unlock, story to see, things to work towards, etc., but there simply isn't.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
31%
8%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players praise its variety, customization options, and engaging mechanics that encourage experimentation, some feel it lacks significant replay value due to repetitive elements or missed opportunities. The presence of different playstyles, challenges, and cooperative gameplay enhances replayability for many, but a few users noted limitations that could hinder long-term engagement. Ultimately, the game offers a decent level of replayability, particularly for those who enjoy roguelike experiences and multiplayer interactions.
- “Fantastic art design, flow, and plenty of replayability.”
- “So much variety and replayability, I can't put it down.”
- “Amazing rogue-like experience with a ton of content and replayability.”
- “I wouldn’t say it has huge replay value.”
- “The raids have interesting mechanics and well-thought-out bosses but have no replay value.”
- “I wanted to like this game, but after an hour of play (4 games) there were numerous points that made me unable to see the game offering much replayability.”
optimization
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
72%
9%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing performance issues, particularly during late-game runs and when using certain graphics settings. While some users report smooth gameplay and enjoyable performance, others highlight significant lag and bugs that detract from the experience, especially on higher-end machines. Many players express hope for future optimizations to enhance the game's performance and address existing issues.
- “Movement feels good, performance runs great, plenty enough variety from one class/build to the next to keep it entertaining.”
- “I also just love the flow of the game; it's a delight to play and feels well optimized for such a stylized game.”
- “Well fleshed out systems, optimized gameplay, sticks to its theme throughout all aspects of the game.”
- “I suppose my only main downside is that the game doesn't seem as well-optimized as it could have been, and that it's occasionally difficult to tell what is hitting you when you're surrounded by enemies and AOE effects later on.”
- “Don't know if they are trying to turn my laptop into a bitcoin miner or if it's just the most unoptimized game to ever exist, but it had my fans running at max while still pushing out enough heat to make my hand get uncomfortably hot.”
- “Poor optimization when runs reach past appendix 6/7.”
music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
45%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its fitting ambiance and enjoyable tracks that enhance gameplay, while others criticize the lack of variety and the quality of certain pieces, particularly in rhythm-based elements. Many users express a desire for a more dynamic and engaging soundtrack, noting that while the current music is decent, it doesn't reach the heights of other popular titles. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, but improvements and expansions are highly anticipated.
- “Art direction is awesome, music hits, has me playing 6-10 hour sessions with the homies where our hearts pound and we feel overpowered only to be immediately humbled afterward.”
- “Really solid game, love the music and enjoyed the world building through found pages.”
- “Everything ties together so beautifully, the artstyle and music are amazing, the gameplay is fluid.”
- “The music book still sucks entirely.”
- “Finally, the metronome/music book level, 'the lost symphony', is atrocious.”
- “Also, music is god awful; hopefully this improves.”
grinding
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
5%
89%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often viewed as tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the need to repeatedly complete tasks for progression. Many feel that the early game is particularly grind-heavy, leading to a lack of meaningful engagement and depth in gameplay. While some appreciate the roguelite elements that make grinding more bearable, the overall sentiment suggests that the game could benefit from a more balanced approach to progression and challenge.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “My only gripes would be that the initial grinding for binding levels feels a bit of a drag since you have to go one by one re-doing the same books over and over, and some of the inks feel underpowered.”
- “I am also concerned about how much grinding some of the latter upgrades and unlocks require, paired with the game's use of daily quests; this makes the game feel oddly desperate to encourage continuous play in a way that I personally don't understand for a roguelike action game.”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive and lacks depth, the combat feels shallow with spongy enemies and no meaningful choices, and the hub world is tedious.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its chaotic and whimsical nature, with players enjoying the absurdity of various builds and abilities that lead to hilarious gameplay moments. The clever use of literary puns and creative spell designs adds to the comedic charm, making the experience both entertaining and engaging. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with its roguelike mechanics, resulting in a fun and lighthearted atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “I get excited easily, but I swear I have never seen a game so in love with its own ideas in such a genuine and humorous way!”
- “Buttery smooth, tons of builds + something for everyone, satisfying progression, awesome core gameplay loop, fantastic end-game bosses (feels like an MMO raid), ink-redible literary puns and humor.”
- “Any roguelite that can have me laughing out loud about the build I've assembled is doing it right.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report good performance and enjoyable gameplay, several users have encountered bugs, particularly in online multiplayer modes and specific events. Connection issues and minor glitches are noted, but some players have not experienced significant problems, suggesting that stability may vary depending on individual experiences.
- “Runs great.”
- “Movement feels good, performance runs great, and there's plenty of variety from one class/build to the next to keep it entertaining.”
- “Not buggy.”
- “Far too buggy to recommend in the current state.”
- “The game is fun but it's very buggy when playing online.”
- “The game is buggy; in a multiplayer lobby, I'm not able to start a run or upgrade stuff in the big sphere in the middle.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game features no microtransactions, which players appreciate as it allows for a straightforward and enjoyable experience without gimmicks. Regular updates further enhance its value, contributing to its reputation as a well-designed gem.
- “No microtransactions.”
- “No politics, no microtransactions, no gimmicks, just a fun game that respects your time.”
- “The game is all there already with no microtransactions and regular updates, and I'm happy to say this is a gem.”
- “There are of course, no microtransactions, but who would put those in a roguelite?”
- “---{monetization}---”
- “Also that the character heads are shaped like old pen heads is inspired design, the game is all there already with no microtransactions and regular updates and I'm happy to say this is a gem.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive world-building and engaging exploration elements, with many users noting its uniqueness and depth compared to other titles in the genre. The combination of rich environmental storytelling and visually appealing graphics contributes to an unmatched overall experience.
- “I love the atmosphere and the unspoken world-building you can find in scrolls throughout the missions.”
- “The atmosphere is unmatched, even by other titans of the genre, like Hades or Risk of Rain 2.”
- “Tons to unlock, exploring to do, cool atmosphere.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted by outstanding character designs and creative abilities, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience within the game's worlds. Players appreciate the uniqueness and depth of the characters, enhancing their overall enjoyment.
- “The character designs are outstanding in themselves.”
- “The creative abilities and interesting character design truly enhance the experience.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking strong feelings that can even create rifts in personal relationships, as highlighted by one user. Despite its impact, there is a sense of disappointment regarding its limited recognition, with the reviewer expressing a heartfelt commitment to promoting the game.
- “Fun enough to create a rift between me and my son emotionally.”
- “I'll shill for it until the day I die; it's genuinely heartbreaking to see only 192 reviews at the time of writing.”