New co-op roguelike game with 30% introductory discount is killing it on Steam
After spending nearly a year in early access, the literary-themed co-op roguelike Vellum has now officially launched - and it's already gaining momentum on Steam. Developed and published by Alvios Games, the title hit full release on May 2 and is sitting at a 90% "Very Positive" rating from over 400 reviews at the time of writing.
The game’s concept is actually quite distinct. Instead of the usual grimdark or fantasy settings, Vellum throws players into a world of magical books, ink-fueled spells, and narrative-driven progression. Each run is framed as a "Tale," with procedurally generated roguelike sessions built around six unique spell classes called Signature Inks. You can conjure attacks using dice, anvils, or even sewing needles, then customize your spellbook mid-run with over 300 powers and augments. And yes, there's a prestige system - but not without its share of mixed feedback from players.
You can play solo or with up to three others in co-op, combining powers in ways that can get pretty wild once the synergy clicks. The game’s art style has also been praised in user reviews for being both colorful and thematic. One of the standout features is the customizable "Reading Nook," a player hub where you can decorate and prepare between runs - because even scribes need a breather.
Vellum is currently priced at $13.99 during its launch promotion (30% off), and the offer is live until May 16. Minimum specs are relatively forgiving, requiring just a GTX 960 or R9 280 and 4GB RAM, so it should run fine on mid-range systems.
If you're into action roguelikes and don’t mind some experimental mechanics in your library, this might be worth a spin - especially while the launch discount is still active.
