Call it what you want, but the genre popularized by Vampire Survivors has become a veritable sensation, with countless attempts to capitalize on its popularity. (Seriously, the number of these--and propensity for using the word Survivor in their name--is astounding.) I've found and enjoyed a number of these, particularly those that introduce some kind of added wrinkle: Boneraiser Minions with its companion-based action, 20 Minutes Till Dawn's more active combat, and the distinct classes and equipment of Death Must Die and Halls of Torment.

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, just recently released on PC, would appear to be yet another game to toss on the pile of Survivors-likes/auto-shooters, complete with the early-access launch and use of that all-important keyword in the title--two choices that seem non-negotiable if you're making one of these. But where Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor could have attempted to coast on brand awareness alone, I've been pleasantly surprised to find perhaps the most distinct take on this style of gameplay yet. And it does that by giving you something to do other than just killing enemies.

To be clear, killing enemies is still the name of the game; like all other Vampire Survivors imitators, leveling up to upgrade your character to better slay foes--and ideally working your way into a combination of gear or perks that feels positively game-breaking--is the main focus. As in most other games of this style, your weapons automatically fire themselves, leaving you to focus on moving and positioning your character.