Vellum Thumbnail

Vellum similar games & best alternatives

Vellum

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2025

Related articles

Quick resume

Write on! Defend the books in Vellum, a co-op, literary roguelike! Harness class-defining colors, master an inspired spellbook, and influence the growth of your enemy! As a group or solo, you'll craft plot-twisting builds to rewrite the rules in Ink!

Global score

90/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG)

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging and fluid combat with diverse builds
    • Strong co-op and community features
    • Unique literary and ink-based fantasy theme
    • Short, replayable runs with meta progression
    • Frequent developer updates and responsiveness

    Cons

    • Some balance issues with certain builds or inks
    • Visual clarity can be lacking in chaotic combat
    • Limited map variety and exploration
    • Performance drops in long endless runs
    • Content can feel limited after extensive play

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players can choose from many characters, weapons, mods, and upgrades, and customize loadouts and playstyles freely."

      Capsule for Zombie Party Zombie Party

      "Players can freely choose their loadouts, spells, signature inks, and modifiers, allowing significant control over playstyle and run customization."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "The game offers skill-based combat with upgrades and challenges, though some tasks can be repetitive."

      Capsule for Prototype™ Prototype™

      "The game offers skill-based combat with meaningful upgrades and challenges, though some players find certain builds or meta choices more effective."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      2

      "Includes leaderboards and high score chasing, encouraging comparison with others, but also supports relaxed solo play."

      Capsule for Chime Chime

      "Includes leaderboards and daily runs with shared loadouts, encouraging comparison, but also supports casual and solo play without pressure."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report long play sessions and habitual engagement, though some find content limited after progression."

      Capsule for Streamer Life Simulator 2 Streamer Life Simulator 2

      "Players report habitual play, long sessions, and engagement with meta progression and endless modes, though some note content can feel limited after extensive play."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      4

      "Strong emphasis on co-op play with mechanics supporting teamwork, revives, and shared builds."

      Capsule for GODBREAKERS GODBREAKERS

      "Strong emphasis on co-op play with shared buffs, team-wide upgrades, and synergy between players, though solo play is also supported."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Strong creativity in build customization, augment combinations, and lobby rule settings; players experiment with unique strategies."

      Capsule for BAPBAP BAPBAP

      "High creativity in build customization, mixing spells, inks, and upgrades; players experiment with many combinations and strategies."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Interactions emphasize shared progression and cooperation; no strong evidence of dominance or power imposition over others."

      Capsule for Full Mojo Rampage Full Mojo Rampage

      "Interactions emphasize cooperation and shared decision-making; no strong evidence of dominance or power imposition over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as an immersive, engaging experience to escape and enjoy a fantasy world."

      Capsule for Sephiria Sephiria

      "Players use the game as a fun, immersive escape with engaging fantasy themes and satisfying gameplay loops."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure to play."

      Capsule for Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza Kiwami

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment; no indication of obligation or external pressure to play."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players try new builds, spells, and synergies; the game encourages exploration of mechanics and creative problem solving."

      Capsule for Astral Ascent Astral Ascent

      "Players frequently try new builds, spells, and modifiers; the game encourages exploration of mechanics and creative experimentation."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      2

      "Some exploration of maps and secrets exists, but limited to a few maps and stages currently."

      Capsule for Scarlet Tower Scarlet Tower

      "Some exploration of unique levels and secrets in the hub, though maps are often arena-style and repeated; discovery is present but limited."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Character and equipment cosmetics allow personal expression, though customization options are somewhat limited."

      Capsule for Midnight Heist Midnight Heist

      "Customization options for characters and cosmetics exist, allowing personal expression, though some cosmetics are reskins."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strong fantasy theme with magic, spells, and an imaginative story world."

      Capsule for Magic Research 2 Magic Research 2

      "Strong fantasy theme centered on ink, writing, and magical tomes; imaginative fiction is core to the experience."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Community and social play are important; players enjoy shared experiences and group achievements."

      Capsule for Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2 Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2

      "Community and social play are important; players enjoy shared experiences and collaborative achievements."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop skills and knowledge of builds; meta progression and upgrades support personal development."

      Capsule for Survivors of the Dawn Survivors of the Dawn

      "Players develop skills, learn mechanics, and improve builds over time; meta progression supports personal development."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for DELTARUNE DELTARUNE

      "Game is sedentary with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during runs; not designed for background or idle play."

      Capsule for Greedland Greedland

      "Requires focused attention during runs; not suitable for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Some social interaction and community bonding, but limited evidence of close emotional relationships."

      Capsule for They Can't Stop All Of Us They Can't Stop All Of Us

      "Some social interaction and community connection, but limited evidence of close emotional relationships."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -2

      "Players mostly participate collaboratively without strong leadership or authoritative roles."

      Capsule for Heroes of Hammerwatch II Heroes of Hammerwatch II

      "Players mostly participate collaboratively without strong leadership or authoritative roles."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong meta-progression with unlockable characters, weapons, and upgrades; players accumulate power over runs."

      Capsule for Bloodshed Bloodshed

      "Strong meta progression with unlockable upgrades, cosmetics, and abilities; players accumulate power and items over time."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Gameplay balances challenge and flow; some players find it relaxing, though others note difficulty spikes and tension."

      Capsule for Commander Quest Commander Quest

      "Gameplay balances challenge and flow, but some tension and difficulty spikes exist; overall moderately relaxing."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable visual style and satisfying combat feedback provide sensory stimulation and fun."

      Capsule for Fortified Fortified

      "Enjoyable visual style and satisfying combat effects provide sensory stimulation and emotional fun."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Some social recognition through achievements and leaderboards, but not a primary focus."

      Capsule for BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition BADLAND: Game of the Year Edition

      "Some social recognition through leaderboards and achievements, but not a dominant focus."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Includes some lore and narrative elements, but story is not the main focus."

      Capsule for FOUNDRY FOUNDRY

      "Contains lore and narrative elements integrated into the world and abilities, though story is not the main focus."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Players engage in build optimization, skill selection, and tactical combat requiring planning and problem solving."

      Capsule for Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet

      "Players engage in strategic choices about builds, enemy buffs, and run modifiers; planning and problem solving are rewarded."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Players enjoy suspense and challenge from boss fights and escalating difficulty, creating tension and relief."

      Capsule for WARRIORS: Abyss WARRIORS: Abyss

      "Players enjoy suspense and challenge from escalating difficulty and boss encounters."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive good value for money with frequent updates, extensive content, and replayability."

      Capsule for Brass Brigade Brass Brigade

      "Players perceive good value for money with frequent updates, content, and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      4

      "Combat and destruction of enemies are central gameplay elements."

      Capsule for Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster

      "Combat and destruction of enemies are central gameplay elements."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players must avoid death and manage resources to progress through increasingly difficult runs."

      Capsule for Rogue Legacy 2 Rogue Legacy 2

      "Players must avoid death and manage resources to progress through increasingly difficult runs."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026