The Irresistible Allure of Black Dragon Mage: Unveiling the Essence of the 'Survivorslike' Genre

Occasionally, a game emerges that establishes a whole new genre. Metroid and Castlevania laid the foundation for the Metroidvania genre, Demon's Souls gave birth to the Soulslike genre, and the origin of the Roguelike genre is easily understood. One of the more recent games to accomplish this is Vampire Survivors, with the soon-to-be-released Black Dragon Mage positioning itself as a "Survivorslike."

Black Dragon Mage is not the first game to draw similarities to Vampire Survivors. During an interview with Game Rant, developer Tom Nemec highlighted the presence of certain elements in the genre that can be traced back as far as Asteroids. However, there is no denying the significant impact Vampire Survivors has had on the gaming industry since its launch in 2021. Black Dragon Mage acknowledges this influence and deliberately aligns itself with Vampire Survivors in its marketing efforts.

Nemec explained the defining features of the burgeoning genre and highlighted where his game stands among its early titles.

According to Nemec, the genre incorporates several influences, including a scaling power-up dynamic, hordes of enemies, meta progression, and straightforward movement mechanics with accessible controls. The games also offer ample power-ups and dynamic power scaling. Most importantly, their run times are very short, ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. This approachability allows players to easily jump back into the game even after putting it aside for a while, with a super low barrier for reentry.

There’s another crucial element that Nemec pointed out, which he referred to as a "bullet heaven." In contrast to the widely known concept of a bullet hell, Nemec defines a bullet heaven as a complete reversal of the familiar notion. Instead of the player evading countless blasts filling the screen, the player becomes the source of those blasts, thereby shifting the purpose from dodging to crowd control. Essentially, a bullet heaven is when the player takes on the role of the boss in the enemy's bullet hell.

Nemec aimed to create a game that went beyond typical Survivorslike or bullet heaven genres. The game, Black Dragon Mage, challenges the fundamental formula of Survivorslikes. Notably, Nemec put a lot of effort into enhancing the physics of the game, allowing for a more realistic experience in terms of enemy movement and environmental hazards. Additionally, players have the ability to strategically reposition enemies, providing a greater sense of satisfaction. Nemec also mentioned the inclusion of more detailed sprite work, with the hope of making Black Dragon Mage stand out compared to its competitors.

What sets Black Dragon Mage apart is its strong emphasis on the narrative bond between the mage and the dragon. Initially, the mage protects and nurtures the dragon egg, safeguarding it from the dangers of the wasteland they find themselves in. However, as the game progresses, the dragon hatches, grows, and becomes a valuable asset in combat, similar to the ultimate abilities found in games like Overwatch, according to Nemec.

In the genre, it is common for players to fill in the lore and backdrop themselves. However, I have included a pre-designed backdrop for the story of the mage. The mage accidentally lands in a desert due to a teleportation mishap. This desert is a hostile environment with demonic abominations and aggressive plant life. In this situation, the mage discovers an unincubated egg that has been left behind. Feeling a strong instinct to protect the egg, the mage takes it with them to a central area.

According to Nemec, this bond and companionship with the dragon gives players a sense of narrative purpose for their actions. The dragon serves as both a Nintendog-like companion and a valuable asset in combat. Players are motivated to progress not only to avoid death but also to care for and be protected by the dragon. For Nemec, the dragon symbolizes protection and resilience, which is reflected in the story and mechanics of the game.

Black Dragon Mage will release Q4 2023 on Steam.