Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Ultrakill

ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced, ultraviolent retro-style first-person shooter video game that blends the high-speed movement and arena combat of classic titles like Quake with the visceral enemy designs and weapon feedback of modern shooters such as Doom (2016), while incorporating style-based scoring mechanics inspired by character action games like Devil May Cry.^[1] Developed single-handedly by Finnish indie developer Arsi "Hakita" Patala and published by New Blood Interactive, it entered early access on Steam on September 3, 2020, and remains in that status as of late 2025, with ongoing updates expanding its content.^[1]^[2] Set in a post-apocalyptic Hell loosely inspired by Dante's Inferno, the game's narrative follows V1, a blood-fueled combat machine designed to harvest the vital fluids of the damned and demons to sustain itself after humanity's extinction.^[3] Gameplay emphasizes aggressive, momentum-driven movement—including dashing, wall-jumping, and sliding—paired with a core arsenal of five versatile weapons that support multiple fire modes and parry techniques for chaining combos and maximizing style ranks.^[4] Levels are structured as interconnected arenas within Hell's layers, challenging players to survive waves of grotesque enemies while uncovering environmental secrets and prime souls that advance the story.^[5] Since its early access launch, ULTRAKILL has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its tight controls, soundtrack by Heaven Pierce Her, and replayability through secret levels and cyber grind challenges, earning an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam from over 190,000 user reviews as of November 2025.^[1] The game has seen periodic expansions, including the full release of Act I in 2020, Act II in August 2022, and a visual remaster in February 2025, with Act III anticipated to complete the campaign. Its success has led to crossovers, such as a collaboration with Palworld in September 2025, highlighting its influence in the indie FPS scene.^[6]

Gameplay

Core mechanics

Ultrakill features fast-paced first-person shooter mechanics centered on exceptional player mobility, enabling dynamic traversal and evasion in intense combat scenarios. Core movement options include dashing, which launches V1 forward at 49.5 units per second for rapid repositioning and dodging; sliding, executed by crouching while running to maintain ground momentum at 24 units per second; wall-jumping, allowing repeated leaps off surfaces to achieve vertical height and navigate complex environments; and rocket riding, where V1 surfs the propulsion waves from rocket explosions to gain explosive speed boosts. These techniques combine seamlessly—such as dash-jumping or slide-jumping—to promote fluid, acrobatic play that keeps the player airborne and unpredictable, essential for surviving enemy onslaughts in tight arenas.^[7] V1's health system revolves around a blood-fueled regeneration mechanic, where the machine repairs itself by absorbing enemy blood during combat, reflecting its design as a blood-dependent prototype. Healing activates automatically upon proximity to fresh blood splatters, restoring health based on the damage type that produced the blood (e.g., 10 health for a standard hitscan shot to the torso)—and encourages aggressive, close-quarters engagement to maximize recovery. Manual options include parrying projectiles or melee attacks with the Feedbacker arm, which not only negates damage but also grants a full health refill (up to the hard damage limit if any is accumulated), even against non-bleeding foes, further rewarding precise timing and risk-taking.^[8]^[9]^[10] Enemy AI behaviors are tailored to challenge mobility and aggression, with arenas structured to funnel players into high-risk, high-reward encounters. The Filth, a basic lesser husk, exhibits relentless pursuit by chasing at up to 20 units per second and executing lunging bites every 0.2 seconds within 3 units, dealing 30 damage if connected, which demands immediate dashes or parries to counter. Strays, another early husk variant, prefer ranged harassment by maintaining 15-30 units distance and firing homing projectiles at 65 units per second that deal 25 damage, curving toward V1 without advanced prediction but exploding on hitscan impact—prompting players to slide or wall-jump for evasion while closing gaps for blood healing. These patterns, combined with group dynamics in multi-enemy fights, compel constant motion and proximity to foes, turning defense into offense.^[11]^[12] The style ranking system serves as both a performance metric and combo enhancer, evaluating combat flair to score levels and unlock achievements. Ranks ascend from D (basic kills) to SSS (masterful execution) based on accumulated style points from kill variety, attack timing, and damage efficiency, with the meter decaying over time unless refreshed by stylish actions—starting at 15 points per second decay, increasing with rank. Techniques like coin ricochets, where a revolver bullet bounces off a thrown coin (granting bonus style points based on the number of ricochets, such as +RICOSHOT for 50 + 15n points) or blue-flame shotgun bursts from the core eject alternate fire (adding bonus points for explosive finishers via projectile interactions), provide escalating bonuses up to 10x at SSS rank, motivating diverse, rhythmic assaults over repetitive shooting.^[13]

Weapons and abilities

In Ultrakill, the player's arsenal consists of primary weapons divided into four categories—Revolver, Shotgun, Nailgun, and Railcannon—each with multiple variants that alter firing modes and tactical applications, alongside interchangeable arm modules that enhance close-range combat and defensive capabilities. Following the Full Arsenal Update in April 2024 and subsequent patches, the arsenal has expanded with additional variants and alternates, such as the Jackhammer (rapid-fire nailgun), Firestarter (explosive shotgun), and others, emphasizing precise aiming, environmental interaction, and rapid weapon swapping, stored within V1's wings for seamless transitions during intense firefights.^[14] The Revolver serves as the foundational ranged weapon, available in three variants tailored for different combat ranges and styles. The standard Revolver delivers a primary fire of rapid single-shot bullets with moderate damage, while its secondary fire loads a coin into the chamber for ricochet setups, enabling bullets to bounce off surfaces or enemies when fired. Players can manually cock the hammer by holding the primary fire button to charge a more powerful shot with increased damage, range, and a brief slowdown effect for precision aiming. The Marksman Revolver variant adds a scope for zoomed targeting on its primary fire and a secondary mode that launches a homing rocket for tracking distant foes. The Sharpshooter Revolver, a high-caliber upgrade, amplifies damage significantly on both primary and secondary fires, with the coin toss allowing for devastating trick shots that ricochet multiple times. Secondary weapons expand on close-to-mid-range crowd control and utility. The Pump Shotgun fires a primary spread of pellets for area suppression, with a secondary slug shot for focused, high-damage hits at medium range; it supports embedding Nailgun projectiles into enemies for follow-up detonations. The Core Eject Shotgun variant maintains the primary pellet spread but features a secondary mode that ejects a volatile core from the weapon, which can be kicked toward enemies for explosive area denial or combined with other attacks, such as rail shots, to amplify blasts. The Nailgun launches primary green nails in a burst for pinning and staggering targets, while its secondary red nails embed into surfaces or foes and detonate on a timer or impact, ideal for setting traps or chaining explosions. The Railcannon provides sniper-like precision across three variants: the Electric Railcannon's primary hypervelocity rail shot pierces multiple enemies, with a secondary electric bolt that chains lightning to nearby targets; the Explosive Railcannon's primary rail embeds for a proximity detonation, and its secondary creates a large radial explosion; the Hook variant's primary rail delivers standard piercing damage, while the secondary fires a grappling hook to reel in enemies or propel V1 toward objectives. Arm modules replace V1's default limbs, integrating melee and defensive options directly into the combat flow. The Knuckleblaster equips the right arm for aggressive close combat, with a primary punch that launches enemies and builds combo momentum, and a secondary chargeable uppercut or ground slam for crowd knockdowns and environmental destruction. The Feedbacker on the left arm specializes in projectile deflection, where its primary parry reflects incoming attacks back at foes with added force, enabling stylish counters; the secondary slide allows a low dash to parry while closing distance, often setting up immediate follow-ups with swapped weapons. Weapon interactions are core to advanced play, such as tossing a Revolver coin before a Shotgun blast for guided pellets or using the Railcannon's hook to yank enemies into Nailgun traps, promoting fluid, adaptive strategies without pausing momentum.

Levels and progression

Ultrakill features a linear progression through levels structured as a prelude followed by three acts, each corresponding to layers of Hell inspired by Dante's Inferno. The prelude comprises four introductory levels that familiarize players with core movement and combat. Act I covers layers 1 through 3 (Limbo, Lust, and Gluttony), Act II layers 4 through 6 (Greed, Wrath, and Heresy), and Act III is planned to cover layers 7 through 9 (Violence, Fraud, and Treachery), following the established 4-4-2 pattern per act (four levels in the first two layers, two in the final layer leading to a boss), totaling 30 main levels across the three acts, plus the prelude—though as of November 2025, Act III remains in development with only Layer 7 released.^[15] Level designs emphasize thematic variety and escalating complexity, with Limbo's arenas focusing on open-space combat tutorials, Lust incorporating vertical platforming and environmental hazards like wind currents, and later layers introducing denser enemy placements and puzzle-like navigation. Each level hides three golden skulls, collectible for secrets such as weapon mods or entry to hidden areas, contributing to 100% completion alongside P-ranks—the top performance grade earned by maximizing style meter, minimizing time, and fulfilling optional objectives like no-death runs. P-ranking all levels in a prelude or act unlocks secret levels, such as 0-S after the prelude or P-1 through P-3 for Act I.^[15] Boss fights serve as progression milestones, testing integrated mechanics in dedicated arenas. The V2 duel in 0-2 emphasizes slide-dashing and parrying projectile barrages across two phases, transitioning from ranged exchanges to close-quarters sword clashes amid collapsing structures. Gabriel encounters in 3-2 and 6-2 feature multi-phase battles with teleportation, homing attacks, and sword combos; the first fight includes environmental pillars for cover, while the second adds arena-wide hazards and faster tempo, rewarding precise timing and style combos. These encounters often conclude layers, gating advancement until defeated.^[16] Player advancement relies on in-level terminals, which log lore entries, dispense health via soul orbs, and compute post-level ranks from metrics like damage dealt, style rank, and completion speed—ranks from D (basic survival) to P (mastery) serve as performance metrics that contribute to achievements and unlock access to secret levels and variants upon meeting specific criteria; base weapons are unlocked via level progression. Stats screens post-level break down performance, encouraging replay for optimization without narrative interruption. Supplemental modes enhance skill honing outside the main campaign. The Cyber Grind is an endless wave-based survival arena with modular layouts that shift per wave, spawning varied enemy groups for style practice; players select from 50+ patterns, aiming for high scores via enemy variety and environmental kills, with no permadeath. Secret levels like the Prime Sanctums, unlocked via full P-ranks, offer ultra-challenging gauntlets with unique modifiers.^[17]

Story

Setting and lore

The setting of Ultrakill unfolds in a post-human era following the extinction of mankind, which occurred due to an all-consuming global war known as the Final War.^[1] In the aftermath, machines—initially designed as autonomous weapons—were repurposed for reconstruction and labor, but as resources dwindled, engineers modified select models, including the V1 prototype, to absorb blood as an efficient fuel source for self-repair and operation.^[18] With Earth's surface depleted of viable blood supplies from the dead, these blood-dependent machines launched mass expeditions into Hell, seeking sustenance from the endless torment of damned souls and inadvertently threatening the realm's equilibrium.^[18] This incursion underscores the game's themes of survival and desolation in a godforsaken universe. Hell itself is depicted as an abstract, infinite expanse divided into nine layers, directly modeled after the circles of sin in Dante Alighieri's Inferno, each with bespoke environmental designs that evoke the punishments and aesthetics of their corresponding vices while incorporating ultraviolent, otherworldly architecture for narrative immersion.^[1] Layer 1 (Limbo) consists of vast, crumbling ruins of neutral, city-like structures shrouded in mist, symbolizing the limbo of the unbaptized and virtuous non-believers.^[19] Layer 2 (Lust) features towering, fleshy spires battered by relentless storms and hurricanes, channeling the chaotic winds that buffet the lustful.^[19] Layer 3 (Gluttony) manifests as grotesque, organic mazes of pulsating meat and viscera, trapping gluttons in eternal consumption.^[19] Layer 4 (Greed) presents opulent golden temples riddled with mechanical traps and molten pits, parodying the hoarders and wasters.^[19] Layer 5 (Wrath) is a volcanic hellscape of fiery rivers and shattered cliffs, where the wrathful clash in perpetual rage.^[19] Layer 6 (Heresy) comprises enormous burning sarcophagi and inverted architecture, confining heretics to fiery tombs.^[19] Layer 7 (Violence) encompasses diverse subregions including boiling blood rivers, thorny dark woods, and arid deserts, punishing the violent against others, self, or nature.^[19] Layer 8 (Fraud) unfolds across deceptive, labyrinthine demonic landscapes with illusory elements and shadowed chasms for the fraudulent.^[19] The deepest, Layer 9 (Treachery), is a colossal frozen lake encasing traitors in ice, overlooked by a massive demonic citadel.^[19] These layers employ environmental storytelling, such as scattered remnants of divine architecture and biomechanical horrors, to convey the decay and isolation of the realm without explicit narration.^[18] The cosmology integrates biblical, philosophical, and eldritch elements, centered on a "God is dead" motif inspired by Nietzschean ideas, where the creator has vanished or ceased intervention, leaving creation to unravel in entropy and moral ambiguity.^[18] Angels, once golden enforcers of divine order, have largely withdrawn into apathy or hidden sanctums following this abandonment, their purpose eroded.^[18] Demons, crimson-skinned overlords, administer Hell's tortures and hierarchies, often clashing with intruders.^[18] Husks represent the degraded souls of the damned, twisted into mindless Filth, Strays, or more formidable forms like Schisms, eternally suffering their sins.^[18] Machines form a disruptive faction of mechanical invaders, efficient killers unbound by sin yet driven by primal fuel needs, escalating conflicts across layers.^[18] Eldritch entities, such as the colossal, otherworldly Corpse of King Minos or enigmatic judges, hint at deeper, pre-divine mysteries lurking in the abyss.^[18] Lore is conveyed subtly through immersive methods to build the universe without overt exposition: environmental cues like decayed statues, biomechanical fusions, and sin-themed hazards provide contextual world-building; ethereal soul messages etched on walls, floors, or tombstones offer fragmented, poetic insights from the dead (e.g., "I HAVE NO MOUTH AND I MUST SCREAM" on a husk's remnants); and scattered terminals—ancient expedition computers—deliver detailed, non-spoiling entries on history, entities, and cosmology, such as logs detailing the Hell invasions or the angels' decline.^[20] These elements collectively emphasize themes of divine absence, mechanical hubris, and eternal damnation.^[18]

Plot summary

The game is set in a post-humanity future where machines like the protagonist V1, a blue humanoid combat robot fueled by blood, descend into Hell after surface resources deplete, seeking blood from the corpses of the damned to survive.^[1] V1, designed for war and exploration, navigates the layers of Hell, encountering demonic husks, other machines, and heavenly forces in a desperate bid for sustenance.^[1] In Act I (released 2020), V1 descends through the preliminary layers corresponding to Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, and Greed, battling sinners and guardians while uncovering the remnants of Hell's abandoned structure following God's departure. Key figures include Minos, the prime soul of Lust, who embodies resistance against the divine order and briefly aids V1 philosophically before his demise. The act culminates in confrontations that highlight V1's relentless drive amid the chaos of forgotten sins.^[21] Act II (released August 2022) shifts to the wrathful realms of Wrath and Heresy, where V1 clashes with V2, a rival blue machine upgraded for efficiency and serving as a direct competitor for blood. The archangel Gabriel emerges as the primary antagonist, a self-proclaimed judge enforcing heavenly will, engaging V1 in multiple battles driven by misguided zeal. The Council of angels is referenced as the governing body that dispatched Gabriel, underscoring the tension between divine authority and the intruding machine.^[22] As of November 2025, Act III (Layer 7: Violence released December 2023) features Sisyphus, the prime soul of Wrath, who offers a contrasting philosophical opposition to the system, allying with V1 against oppression.^[23] Further layers of Act III, including Layer 8 (Fraud), remain in development and are anticipated to continue the story, building toward themes of judgment in an absent God's realm, with post-credits sequences after Layer 7 teasing free will, the illusion of divine purpose, and the emergence of machine sentience, hinting at unresolved conflicts upon full release.^[24]

Development

Concept and influences

Arsi "Hakita" Patala, the sole developer of Ultrakill, envisioned the game as a fusion of retro first-person shooter intensity with stylish action elements, announced through a free demo released in August 2019 on itch.io.^[25] This demo showcased core gameplay loops emphasizing rapid movement, enemy swarms, and blood-fueled combat in a post-human Hell, setting the foundation for the project's identity as an "ultraviolent old school FPS."^[25] Hakita's goal was to create a title where players thrive on aggressive, skill-driven encounters, rewarding precise timing and creativity in kills over passive survival.^[1] The game's design draws heavily from classic and modern shooters for its fast-paced combat, with Doom (particularly the 2016 reboot) and Quake inspiring the emphasis on speed, mobility, and arena-style battles against hordes.^[25] Complementing this, Devil May Cry influenced the style meter system, which scores combos and varied attacks to encourage rhythmic, expressive violence rather than rote shooting.^[1] For the narrative setting, Hakita took inspiration from Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, using its layered depiction of Hell as a structural guide for levels while adapting it to fit the game's machine protagonist and themes of desperation.^[26] Early prototypes, shared by Hakita on YouTube starting in 2018, focused on testing the blood-healing mechanic, where the player character absorbs enemy blood to regenerate health, promoting constant forward pressure in fights.^[27] Subsequent builds refined the parry system, allowing players to deflect projectiles for counterattacks and minor healing, which evolved into a core defensive tool by early access.^[28] These iterations prioritized fluid, responsive controls to ensure accessibility within high difficulty. Ultrakill's design philosophy centers on skill-based progression without mid-level checkpoints, compelling players to master levels in single attempts to achieve top ranks, balanced by forgiving health recovery to prioritize enjoyment and mastery over punitive failure.^[1] Hakita aimed for "tight controls" that make every interaction feel empowering, reducing frustration through intuitive mechanics while maintaining intense challenge.^[25]

Production process

Ultrakill was primarily developed as a solo effort by Finnish developer Arsi "Hakita" Patala, who managed programming, artwork, sound design, and music composition under the alias Heaven Pierce Her using the Unity game engine. Community contributions supplemented the project, particularly in providing concept art and textures from volunteer artists such as Francis Xie, Jericho_Rus, and BigRockBMP, as well as 3D models from other contributors including Victoria Holland and Toni Stigell.^[29] Development commenced on February 2, 2018, culminating in the release of the ULTRAKILL demo on Steam during the Steam Game Festival on June 13, 2020, which showcased core mechanics and garnered significant attention. The early access launch followed on September 3, 2020, introducing Act I: Infinite Hyperdeath as the initial content scope.^[1]^[25] Hakita faced challenges in balancing player accessibility with the game's demanding difficulty, intentionally varying encounter intensity to allow newcomers to adapt while challenging veterans through peaks like boss fights. Extensive iteration on animations was required to realize the fluid, momentum-based movement system, ensuring seamless integration of dashing, sliding, and aerial maneuvers. The soundtrack's composition presented its own hurdles, with Hakita drawing from metal and industrial influences to create high-energy tracks that synchronized with combat rhythms, such as the breakbeat-infused rock elements in tracks like "The Fire Is Gone."^[30]^[31] In 2020, prior to launch, Hakita entered a publishing agreement with New Blood Interactive to support distribution, marketing, and platform integration. Collaborations extended to voice acting, with Gianni Matragrano providing the performance for the archangel Gabriel, enhancing the character's dramatic presence in key cutscenes.^[32]^[33]

Release and updates

Initial release

Ultrakill entered early access on Steam for Windows on September 3, 2020.^[1] The initial release focused on the game's core first-person shooter mechanics, with the complete Prelude (Layer 0) and Act I (Layers 1 through 3: Limbo, Lust, and Gluttony) available, comprising 15 main levels alongside four secret levels.^[1] Core weapons such as the revolver, shotgun, and railcannon variants were included, emphasizing blood-fueled healing and style-based scoring.^[1] The Cyber Grind endless survival mode was also featured at launch, providing replayable challenge arenas.^[34] Priced at $24.99 upon release, the game has seen frequent discounts during Steam sales events, making it accessible to a broader audience.^[35] Marketing efforts built anticipation through demos showcased at Steam Next Fest in June 2020, which highlighted the game's fast-paced movement and combat.^[36] Official trailers, including the reveal trailer released on June 13, 2020, emphasized the retro aesthetic, ultraviolent action, and emphasis on speed and stylish play.^[37] Post-launch support began immediately with patches addressing bugs and refinements. The September 4, 2020, update fixed initial loading issues and performance problems in the Cyber Grind mode.^[34] Subsequent updates in late 2020 and 2021, such as the November 5, 2020, patch and April 16, 2021, hotfix, included balance tweaks like adjusting enemy parry windows and drone behaviors, alongside bug fixes for healing mechanics during invincibility frames.^[34]^[38] Accessibility options were introduced, notably a slider for auto-aim assist strength in the April 2021 hotfix, aiding players with precision challenges.^[38] Console ports for platforms like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S were announced by publisher New Blood Interactive but remain unreleased as of November 2025, with development contingent on completing the PC version's core content.^[39]

Content expansions

During its early access phase, Ultrakill received several major content updates that expanded the game's narrative structure, levels, and mechanics, progressively unveiling more of the nine layers of Hell inspired by Dante's Inferno. The first significant expansion arrived with Act II on August 16, 2022, which added Layers 4 through 6—corresponding to Greed, Wrath, and Heresy—along with seven new standard levels, three boss encounters, and a prime sanctum level. This update introduced formidable bosses such as the enhanced V2 in Layer 4's prime sanctum and Minos Prime as the climactic foe in Layer 6, while deepening the lore through additional terminal entries that explore themes of divine judgment and machine rebellion.^[40]^[41] Act III began rolling out with Layer 7 (Violence) on December 20, 2023, featuring four intricate levels emphasizing brutal environmental hazards and swarm-based combat, culminating in a boss fight against the colossal 1000-THR Earthmover. As of November 2025, Act III remains incomplete, with only Layer 7 released; Layers 8 and 9 are anticipated to follow, potentially completing the campaign and leading to full release in late 2025 or early 2026.^[42]^[1] Layer 8 (Fraud) was first teased in a promotional trailer on June 8, 2025, at the PC Gaming Show, featuring illusion-based gameplay, new environmental puzzles with shifting geometries and false paths, and fresh enemies such as the new Providence enemy designed for deception tactics in ranged combat. As of November 2025, Layer 8 remains unreleased, with an expected rollout later in the year or early 2026.^[43] Beyond act-specific additions, key technical updates enhanced the core experience. The ULTRA_REVAMP update, launched on February 24, 2025, delivered a comprehensive graphical overhaul, including baked lighting systems, improved textures, and visual parity across Acts I and II, alongside new encore challenge levels like 0-E and 1-E for replayability. Complementing this, patches in March 2025, such as Patch 16d on March 26, improved performance, added an option to disable fog in the Cyber Grind, and fixed minor issues like dash jump stamina costs.^[44]^[45] Looking ahead as of November 2025, the full 1.0 release is targeted for completion after Act III's full rollout. Developers have indicated plans for console ports on platforms like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S following the PC full release, alongside enhancements to mod support through better integration tools and stability updates to accommodate community-created content without frequent breakage from patches.^[1]

Reception

Critical reviews

Ultrakill has received widespread acclaim from players and preview coverage, though formal critic reviews are limited due to its ongoing early access status. On Steam, it holds a 96% positive rating from 190,545 user reviews as of November 2025, reflecting strong approval for its fast-paced action and innovative mechanics.^[46] Similarly, Metacritic aggregates a user score of 9.1/10 based on 196 ratings, with praise centered on the game's blend of retro FPS elements and modern style scoring.^[47] Professional previews have highlighted Ultrakill's blood-fueled health system and combo-based gameplay as standout features, enhancing replayability through skillful movement and enemy interactions. PC Gamer described it as "even more metal than Doom," commending its verticality, rapid pacing, and homage to classic shooters with contemporary flair.^[4] Rock Paper Shotgun echoed this in their demo coverage, lauding the colorful Quake-like combat, fluid abilities like sliding and wall-jumping, and the addictive need to chain attacks for fuel and style points.^[48] Critics and users alike have noted a steep difficulty curve, particularly for newcomers, with some expressing frustration over punishing enemy patterns and the demand for precise reflexes from the outset. Metacritic user reviews frequently mention the challenge of higher difficulties and early layers feeling overwhelming without prior FPS experience.^[47] Initial coverage also pointed to the game's incomplete early access state, with layers beyond Act 1 absent at launch, limiting full assessment of its scope.^[49] In recognition of its contributions to the indie FPS revival, Ultrakill has been discussed in 2025 outlets as a key title in the boomer shooter wave, alongside games like Prodeus and Turbo Overkill, for revitalizing fast, skill-focused shooting mechanics.^[50]

Community impact

Ultrakill has achieved significant commercial success, with an estimated 5.7 million units sold on Steam by late 2025, generating approximately $101.5 million in gross revenue.^[51] The game's player base experienced notable growth following major updates, including a peak concurrent player count of 28,076 on December 20, 2023, following the release of the 7th layer, and further spikes with content expansions such as the Ultra Revamp update in February 2025, which drove a substantial surge from an average of 3,000–4,000 daily players.^[46]^[52] The Ultrakill community thrives around speedrunning and modding, with dedicated discussions on platforms like Discord and leaderboards hosted on Speedrun.com, where 9,054 players have submitted 36,948 runs (including levels and challenges) as of November 2025.^[53] Modding is facilitated by frameworks like BepInExPack, enabling custom content such as expanded levels in popular packs like FentoKill and deltaKILL, with Thunderstore hosting over 1,200 mods that enhance gameplay and community creativity.^[54] Ultrakill's cultural footprint extends through memes inspired by character dialogue, particularly Gabriel's taunting use of "fool" during boss encounters, which has resonated widely in fan content and humor. The game has influenced the indie FPS landscape, appearing in crossovers like Palworld's 2025 collaboration, where developers cited Ultrakill as a favorite for its stylistic impact on action shooters.^[55] The speedrunning scene demonstrates esports potential through structured categories and active competition, while the game has participated in charity events like the 2020 European Speedrunner Assembly Hekathon marathon.^[56] Developers have engaged the community via commentary streams and updates incorporating feedback, such as accessibility features in assist modes to broaden player access.^[17]

References

[1]
ULTRAKILL on Steam
Rating 5.0 (122,266) · 14-day returnsULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent old school FPS that fuses together classic shooters like Quake, modern shooters like Doom (2016) and character action ...
[2]
After 5 years in early access, I didn't think hardcore FPS Ultrakill ...
Jun 8, 2025 · You can try out Ultrakill in early access⁠—it certainly already offers a value well beyond its $25 price tag⁠—by grabbing it over on Steam. The ...
[3]
Ultrakill - IGN
Jun 13, 2020 · In the fast-paced, ultraviolent, old school FPS Ultrakill, mankind has gone extinct and the only beings left on earth are machines fuelled by blood.Ultrakill Community Reviews · Playlists · Videos · Trailers
[4]
Intense retro shooter Ultrakill is even more metal than Doom
Jun 13, 2020 · Very effective, though! And there's plenty of blood to go around. I played a bit of Ultrakill this week, and this game is not messing around.
[5]
One of the best shooters around finally has a mondo creepy first look ...
Jun 17, 2023 · Ultrakill is a darkly humorous and absurdly violent retelling of Dante's Inferno centered on the mute, omnicidal murder bot V1. It takes most ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[6]
A week after saying it was going quiet for the rest of the year ...
Sep 23, 2025 · Ultrakill is fast-paced, bloody, and constructed around five weapons and the intricate way their various fire modes can be comboed together. It ...
[7]
Movement - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Aug 29, 2025 · ULTRAKILL movement includes walking, dashing, sliding, jumping, and slamming. Walking is at 16.5 u/s, dashing at 49.5 u/s, and sliding at 24 u/ ...
[8]
Blood - ULTRAKILL Wiki - Fandom
When coming into contact with fresh blood, V1 will heal based on the amount of blood spilled. ... blood when the checkpoint is collected, healing 60 health. The ...Healing Amount · Blood Farming · Lore · Trivia
[9]
V1 - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Oct 7, 2025 · While all machines of this time were fueled by blood, V1 was special in that it did not require a separate fueling process - it could absorb ...
[10]
Health - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Health is the main resource of ULTRAKILL which directs the player's life. The player usually has a maximum of 100 health, but may reach up to 200 health.Missing: blood | Show results with:blood
[11]
Filth - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Jul 31, 2025 · Behavior. Filth will constantly chase their target and perform a Lunging Bite attack every 0.2 seconds when within 3 units of their target (4 ...
[12]
Stray - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Jul 31, 2025 · The Stray is a Lesser Husk introduced in 0-1: INTO THE FIRE, and is the second Husk-class enemy that the player encounters in ULTRAKILL.<|control11|><|separator|>
[13]
Style - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Aug 26, 2025 · Style is one of the main game mechanics of ULTRAKILL, doubling as both a ranking of performance and a combo system to reward stylish play.
[14]
Weapons - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Aug 21, 2025 · Weapons are the primary method of combat for players in ULTRAKILL. Most weapons have three variants, Blue, Green, and Red.
[15]
ULTRAKILL | | | ULTIMATE ALL LEVELS 100% GUIDE
Mar 28, 2024 · A 100% Guide to every level in ULTRAKILL. This guide is meant is for people who want to do everything after their first playthrough and is ...
[16]
ULTRAKILL Act II Developer Commentary Stream (Layers 5-7)
Feb 2, 2024 · A developer commentary stream with me, Victoria, Heckteck, PITR, Salad and Imp, playing through layers 5-7. http://devilmayquake.com ...Missing: levels structure
[17]
ULTRAKILL Revamp Update Developer Commentary Stream
Sep 3, 2025 · ULTRAKILL 94 - Deathcatcher · ULTRAKILL Act II Developer Commentary Stream (Layers 5-7) · ULTRAKILL Developer Commentary Stream with Hakita and ...Missing: structure | Show results with:structure
[18]
Lore - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Sep 11, 2025 · ULTRAKILL's lore ties the game's story, environments, and gameplay together, which creates a world around what the player experiences throughout ...
[19]
Hell - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Each layer is infinite in scale and has its own sky, despite being located directly under a different layer; this is because the layers of Hell are abstract ...
[20]
Terminals - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Aug 4, 2025 · The Terminals were built during the Hell expeditions as a way to transport items across long distances. This was accomplished by Terminals ...
[21]
ULTRAKILL: Devs On Mechanics, NPC AI, and Early Access ...
Feb 20, 2023 · New Blood Interactive head Dave Oshry and ULTRAKILL developer Arsi "Hakita" Patala discussed how the story of the game began, explained how they worked on ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[22]
ULTRAKILL Prelude by Hakita
Rating 4.9 (1,152) ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent old school FPS that fuses together classic shooters like Quake, modern shooters like Doom (2016) and character action ...ULTRAKILL Early Copies Raffle · New Level, New Gun... · Devlog
[23]
Interview with Arsi “Hakita” Patala - Into the Blue Sky
Dec 19, 2020 · I'm Arsi Patala aka Hakita, the main developer and composer of ULTRAKILL, a character action FPS that's currently in Early Access at http://devilmayquake.com/.
[24]
ULTRAKILL 02 - Blood - YouTube
Feb 3, 2018 · haha that little spin at the end was cute. 0:41 · Go to channel · ULTRAKILL 03 - Gore. Hakita•129K views.
[25]
ULTRAKILL - YouTube
ULTRAKILL 02 - Blood. Hakita · 0:41 · ULTRAKILL 03 - Gore. Hakita ... ULTRAKILL 20 - Improved Parry. Hakita.
[26]
Development - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
ULTRAKILL Developer Commentary Stream with Hakita and PITR (Layers 0-4) · ULTRAKILL Act II Developer Commentary Stream (Layers 5-7) · ULTRACHARITY 2021 Playlist.
[27]
Follow-Up Interview with Hakita - Into the Blue Sky
Oct 5, 2021 · I did want to do a dating sim parody, partially because I wanted to test the waters with proper character writing which ULTRAKILL otherwise has ...
[28]
New Blood Interactive
New Blood Interactive. We make video games.
[29]
https://ultrakill.wiki.gg/wiki/Development
[30]
Early Access Patch 2020/11/05 (& 2020/11/06 Hotfix) Changelog
Nov 5, 2020 · - Fixed bug where the Cyber Grind would sometimes not load the next ... Balance changes: - Drones now have a parry window - Malicious ...Patch Notes (Last Updated: 2025/03/26) - Steam CommunityEarly Access Patch 2020/09/04 Changelog - Steam CommunityMore results from steamcommunity.com
[31]
ULTRAKILL Price history - SteamDB
Rating 96% (189,925) · $24.99 · WindowsSteam price history ; CIS - U.S. Dollar, $12.49, $12.49 ; Chinese Yuan, ¥ 92, $12.91 ; Philippine Peso, ₱765.00, $12.98 ; Taiwan Dollar, NT$ 408, $13.16 ...Ultrakill · ULTRAKILL Patches · Update history · Steam charts
[32]
The best steam festival demos: ACTION | Rock Paper Shotgun
Jun 19, 2020 · And most are actually pretty good. Ultrakill's headline gimmick is that dousing yourself in blood heals you, but that's neither as edgy as it ...
[33]
Ultrakill - Reveal Trailer - YouTube
Jun 13, 2020 · Mankind is dead. Blood is fuel. Hell is full. Ultrakill is a fast-paced retro shooter, with an emphasis on style.
[34]
Patch 6 Hotfix Changelog · ULTRAKILL update for 16 April 2021
Apr 16, 2021 · Added a slider for changing the strength of the auto aim assist - Fixed a bug where the player wouldn't be able to heal during invincibility ...<|separator|>
[35]
New Blood Interactive 2024 Interview: Dave Oshry on Fallen Aces ...
Mar 28, 2024 · More updates for ULTRAKILL, more updates for Gloomwood, more updates for Fallen Aces, more console ports, and that's it. Tap to unmute. Your ...
[36]
ULTRAKILL ACT 2 RELEASE DATE - Steam News
Sooner than SOON™
[37]
Levels - Official ULTRAKILL Wiki
Each act is divided into three layers. The first two layers of an act each contain four levels, while the last layer contains only two. Every layer's final ...Missing: structure progression
[38]
ULTRAKILL - LAYER 7 - AVAILABLE NOW - YouTube
Dec 20, 2023 · O VIOLENT NIGHT: http://DevilMayQuake.com.
[39]
ULTRAKILL - The ULTRA_REVAMP Update - Steam News
BEHOLD... a complete visual and technical overhaul of ULTRAKILL.
[40]
ULTRAKILL - Patch 16: The ULTRA_REVAMP Update - SteamDB
Feb 24, 2025 · ULTRAKILL » Patches. Patch 16: The ULTRA_REVAMP Update. 24 February 2025 Build 17487743 Edited 9 months ago by Wendy Share. Update notes via ...<|separator|>
[41]
ULTRAKILL Steam Charts - SteamDB
Rating 96% (189,925) April 2025, 4,762, -6,516 ... User reviews history. Overwhelmingly Positive; 96.39% SteamDB Rating; 185,395 97.6% positive reviews; 4,530 2.4% negative reviews.
[42]
ULTRAKILL user reviews - Metacritic
The best single player shooter I have ever played. Has amazing in-depth weapons that actually have variety, and there are creative ways to combine the weapons.Missing: ign eurogamer
[43]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcsQhYVroDo
[44]
Spectacle shooter Ultrakill is available in Early Access right now
Sep 3, 2020 · Ultrakill is the well-named retro first-person shooter that Chris Livingston said, "may even be more metal than Doom, especially considering ...
[45]
What's your favorite of the indie Boomer Shooter revival wave?
Oct 17, 2025 · To clarify, this refers to games (mostly indie) made in the last 10 years or so that step away from the Half Life, Bioshock, ...
[46]
The Steam Awards
The Steam Community has spoken, and we are proud to announce the winners for The 2021 Steam Awards! Thank you for participating, we'll see you again next year.
[47]
ULTRAKILL – Steam Stats – Video Game Insights - Sensor Tower
90-day returnsRevenue estimates, pricing, and other Steam stats on ULTRAKILL. ... Release Date: Jan 28, 2020. Steam Early Access Exit Date: Sep 3, 2020. Current price ...
[48]
Ultrakill Ultra Revamp Update Sees Player Count Surge | TechRaptor
Feb 25, 2025 · The update has resulted in a huge player upsurge for Ultrakill, too. According to SteamDB, while the game has been averaging around 3-4,000 ...<|separator|>
[49]
ULTRAKILL - Stats - Speedrun.com
Level runs. 33725 ; Challenge runs. 78 ; Total players. 9037 ; Active players. 614 ; Total run time. 1M 20D 22m 35s.
[50]
All mods | Thunderstore - The ULTRAKILL Mod Database
Revive the ultrakill secrets with this mod that challenges you to find ... Removes radiance from the CyberGrind. Mods Misc. Last updated: 3 weeks ago.Mods · The Timestopper · BepInExPack · Most downloaded<|separator|>
[51]
As Palworld gears up for another indie collab, dev says "it's a dream ...
... Ultrakill crossovers happened because "we like them". News. By Dustin Bailey published September 24, 2025. "We are massive Terraria and Ultrakill fans".<|separator|>
[52]
ULTRAKILL [Any%] by teddyras - #HEK20 - YouTube
Jul 20, 2020 · ULTRAKILL [Any%] by teddyras - #HEK20. 6.4K views · 5 years ago ... Pizza Tower by SoaringSloth in 1:14:23 - Summer Games Done Quick 2023.