Vellum (v1.3.1)

A living library becomes a battlefield as corrupted storybooks spill the Torn into familiar fables, and only a band of ink-wielding Scribes can restore the pages. Vellum is a fast cooperative action roguelike built around short, punchy expeditions rather than marathon campaigns, with runs generally landing under half an hour. Its hand-drawn, paper-and-ink presentation gives every spell and enemy burst a colorful storybook personality, while the mood stays playful even when the screen fills with hostile monochrome creatures. Solo players can tackle the Tomes alone, but the design clearly shines when up to four players combine wildly different magical builds.

Combat centers on firing and shaping spells powered by each Scribe’s signature ink, then layering new effects onto those abilities as a run unfolds. Pages of power offer a huge range of upgrades, allowing a basic attack to become a chain reaction, an area-control tool, a rapid-fire projectile stream, or part of a specialized team combo. The standout twist is that players also select upgrades for their enemies, deciding which dangerous traits the Torn gain as the party grows stronger. That system turns escalation into a strategic gamble: taking a brutal foe modifier may complicate the next room, but it can create more rewarding synergies and force a more thoughtful build.

Between battles, the Font provides shared, Tome-themed boons that alter the arena or support the entire group, giving co-op sessions more coordination than simply firing at the same targets. Persistent research unlocks new signature spell options and talents, while optional Bindings raise the difficulty for players who want harsher enemy combinations and better rewards. More than 300 powers and over 100 enemy effects give runs considerable variety, especially for groups willing to experiment rather than chase one safe setup. Vellum suits fans of Vampire Survivors-style build crafting and Hades-like repeatable runs, but its player-controlled enemy evolution makes it especially appealing to roguelike veterans looking for a smarter co-op challenge.