Some games you know from the minute you start playing that they’re a “me” type of game. We’ve all had them, and I think, to a certain extent, that’s what keeps us coming back to explore and try something new.
There’s something special about discovering a game that feels like it was made specifically for your interests and tastes. That rush of excitement when everything just clicks is a beautiful thing. It’s the reward for sifting through all those games that didn’t quite hit the mark, and a reminder of why we keep searching for the next great experience.
Let me introduce you to Geometry Rift: Apocalypse.
This neon-soaked, twin-stick bullet hell shooter combines frantic arcade action with the addictive roguelite progression we’ve come to expect from modern survival shooters. It’s being developed by Dad & Son Games, an independent Spanish studio founded by father-and-son duo Victor and Alex Vergara. The son is even involved in the coding! Good for him, because at that age, I certainly had my priorities elsewhere.
The project originally began as a small retro-inspired minigame inside another Dad & Son Games title, Still Breathing. Victor and Alex recognized the potential to combine the immediate arcade action of Geometry Wars with the progression systems of Vampire Survivors, eventually expanding the concept into a standalone game.
I have a couple of hours under my belt, and when I’m not playing it, I’m thinking about it. Always a good sign. So what’s doing it for me, you ask? I think it comes down to three things: traditional arcade shooting, twin-stick controls, and roguelite progression.
The neon aesthetic, geometric enemies, and relentless arcade combat had me at hello. The upgrade choices, escalating enemy waves, and satisfaction of creating increasingly powerful builds will always have me coming back for more. Throw in some giant bosses, special challenges, and high-score chasing, and you’ve got a serious time sink on your hands.
During my playtime, I enjoyed the various in-game upgrades, along with the incremental permanent upgrades. I could feel my build becoming more powerful, even as I continued to die routinely. I don’t need my games to be super challenging, but a cakewalk isn’t much fun either. Geometry Rift: Apocalypse seems to strike a nice balance between the two, and I’m looking forward to playing more during Steam Next Fest.
| Gameplay | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Bullet hell twin-stick shooter with roguelite progression and neon geometric visuals. |
| Combat | Battle thousands of geometric enemies while dodging dense projectile patterns. |
| Controls | Auto-fire or manual twin-stick aiming, with full controller and Steam Input support. |
| Multiplayer | Single-player and two-player local co-op, with Steam Remote Play Together support. |
| Weapons & Progression | |
| Weapons | Lasers, massive bombs, and chain lightning provide different ways to clear enemy swarms. |
| Power-Ups | Shields, time freeze, black holes, and other abilities create different combat combinations. |
| Roguelite Upgrades | Level up and choose upgrades during each run, improving offensive and defensive capabilities. |
| Unlockable Ships | 18 ships with different statistics and advantages, allowing players to experiment with different playstyles. |
| Worlds & Challenges | |
| Worlds | Four worlds, each with its own visual identity, enemies, and final boss. |
| Special Challenges | 12 challenges, three per world, featuring different rules and objectives. |
| Boss Encounters | Giant geometric machines and arcade-inspired bosses featuring elaborate projectile patterns. |
| Endless Mode | Survive increasingly difficult encounters and compete for high scores on global leaderboards. |
| Presentation & Steam Features | |
| Visual Style | Neon geometric environments inspired by classic arcade shooters. |
| Soundtrack | Original music by Awesome / Wild Bits, with a dedicated visual music player. |
| Steam Integration | Steam achievements, Steam Cloud, Remote Play Together, and global leaderboards. |
| Languages | 16 language options, including regional variants. |
| Platform | Windows PC via Steam. Additional platforms have not been confirmed. |
| Steam | Official Steam store page for Geometry Rift: Apocalypse. |
| Dad and Son Games | Official game information from the developer. |
| Media Gallery | Official screenshots and promotional media. |