Gunlocked 2 just received its biggest update since launching in Early Access on August 20, 2025. Developer FromLefcourt added endless mode, 24 difficulty modifiers called Anomalies, 3 new playable pilots bringing the total to 17, 2 new weapons, secret upgrades called Symbionics, 6 fresh achievements, and new background art. To celebrate, the game is currently 40% off on Steam, dropping the price to $5.99 from $9.99. For a game that only launched four months ago, this level of post-launch support and discount signals strong developer commitment to the community.
What Makes Gunlocked 2 Different
Gunlocked 2 blends classic vertical-scrolling shoot ’em ups with bullet heaven mechanics popularized by Vampire Survivors. Instead of dodging enemy bullets like traditional bullet hell games, you’re the one filling the screen with overwhelming firepower while managing unique weapon targeting systems. The game describes itself as “a twin stick shooter without the twin stick,” emphasizing careful positioning and strategic upgrade selection over reflexes.
Each weapon in Gunlocked 2 has distinct targeting behavior rather than just firing in the direction you aim. Lock-on missiles track high-health enemies, bombs create delayed explosions, lasers bounce between targets, and drones crash into nearby foes. As you stack upgrades during a run, these systems create emergent synergies where weapons trigger each other in cascading chains of destruction. The customization depth comes from figuring out which combinations amplify each other versus working at cross purposes.
The December 2025 Update Breakdown
Endless Mode pushes past the original zone 15 cap, letting players test the absolute limits of their builds. This addresses a common request from the community who wanted to see how far overpowered combinations could actually go without artificial stopping points. Runs can now theoretically continue indefinitely until your build finally meets its match or performance tanks from too many on-screen effects.
The 24 Anomalies function as difficulty modifiers similar to Heat in Hades or Challenge Rifts in Diablo. Each Anomaly makes the game harder in specific ways, but increases your score multiplier proportionally. This creates a risk-reward system where skilled players can chase high scores by layering multiple Anomalies, while newer players can ignore them entirely during their learning phase. The modular difficulty approach lets everyone calibrate challenge to their preference.
| Update Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Endless Mode | Continue past zone 15 indefinitely |
| Anomalies | 24 difficulty modifiers with score multipliers |
| New Pilots | 3 additions, now 17 total playable characters |
| New Weapons | 2 new weapon types |
| Symbionics | Secret upgrades to discover |
| Achievements | 6 new challenges |
| Visual Polish | Fresh background artwork |
The 3 new pilots expand playstyle variety since each pilot has unique starting stats and abilities. With 17 total pilots now available, players have diverse options for approaching runs differently. Some might emphasize missile builds, others focus on laser synergies, and still others push drone swarms. The two new weapons and secret Symbionic upgrades add even more build variety, though FromLefcourt hasn’t detailed what these actually do, presumably to preserve discovery for players.
The Original Gunlocked Legacy
FromLefcourt is the indie brand of Steven Lefcourt, originally co-founded with Greg Perkins as Gold5Games before becoming a solo operation after Arcane Golf’s release. Steven handles all coding and pixel art himself, maintaining a retro-inspired aesthetic that doesn’t feel stuck in the past. His philosophy centers on creating unique modern experiences with nostalgic presentation.
The original Gunlocked launched April 29, 2022, receiving positive reviews for its innovative take on the emerging bullet heaven genre. The game came out during Vampire Survivors’ explosive growth period, when dozens of developers were experimenting with the auto-shooter survival formula. Gunlocked distinguished itself by going back to shoot ’em up roots, applying bullet heaven progression systems to vertical scrolling combat rather than top-down survivor gameplay.
Bullet Heaven vs Bullet Hell
Understanding the terminology helps explain Gunlocked 2’s appeal. Bullet Hell games like Touhou or Enter the Gungeon fill screens with enemy projectiles that players must weave through using precise movement. The challenge comes from dodging overwhelming bullet patterns while outputting minimal damage yourself. These games are notoriously difficult and focus on execution and pattern memorization.
Bullet Heaven flips this concept entirely. You become the source of overwhelming firepower, filling screens with your own projectiles while enemies mostly just approach or fire occasionally. Games like Vampire Survivors, 20 Minutes Till Dawn, and Brotato pioneered this power fantasy formula where you start weak but become absurdly overpowered through upgrade stacking. The satisfaction comes from watching your character evolve from barely surviving to casually obliterating thousands of enemies.
Gunlocked 2 applies bullet heaven progression to traditional shmup structure. You’re still flying a ship vertically through space like Galaga or R-Type, but instead of memorizing patterns and dodging precisely, you’re building increasingly ridiculous weapon combinations that turn your warship into a screen-filling death machine. The new dodge ability added in Gunlocked 2 gives more active control without requiring bullet hell-level precision.
Early Access Philosophy
FromLefcourt follows a community-focused Early Access model where player feedback directly shapes development. The December 2025 update incorporates specific requests like endless mode and modular difficulty that players asked for through Steam forums and Discord. The developer plans continuous updates throughout Early Access, with all additions being free rather than paid DLC.
The game is Steam Deck Verified and reportedly runs better on Linux/Proton than the original Gunlocked thanks to heavy engine optimization. FromLefcourt specifically mentioned in press materials that Gunlocked 2 should perform smoothly on Steam Deck, recognizing that handheld is the perfect platform for quick roguelite sessions. Runs can last 2-20 minutes with save-and-resume functionality, fitting into whatever free time you have available.
FAQs
How much does Gunlocked 2 cost?
Gunlocked 2 normally costs $9.99 but is currently 40% off at $5.99 on Steam as of December 2025. This sale coincides with the massive December update. The original Gunlocked is $4.99 (regularly discounted to $1.99), though Gunlocked 2 is a separate purchase, not DLC.
Do I need to play Gunlocked 1 first?
No, Gunlocked 2 is a standalone sequel that doesn’t require playing the original. All the mechanics from the first game are present and expanded in the sequel, along with significant new features like 360-degree analog movement, dodge ability, branching paths via warp gates, and deeper customization. Starting with Gunlocked 2 is perfectly fine.
Is it still in Early Access?
Yes, Gunlocked 2 launched into Early Access on August 20, 2025, and remains there as of December 2025. FromLefcourt hasn’t announced when the full 1.0 release will happen, though the game is fully playable and receives frequent substantial updates. Early Access allows community involvement in shaping development direction.
How long does a run take?
Runs typically last 2-20 minutes depending on your skill, build success, and how far you push into endless mode. The game features save-and-resume functionality, so you can quit mid-run and continue later. This makes it ideal for quick gaming sessions or extended play depending on your available time.
Is death permanent?
Yes, Gunlocked 2 features permadeath like traditional roguelites. When your ship explodes, that run ends and you start fresh. However, there’s meta-progression through unlocking new pilots, weapons, and upgrades that become available in future runs. You’re not starting from absolute zero each time.
Can I play with a controller?
Yes, the game supports full controller input and is Steam Deck Verified. The 360-degree analog movement in Gunlocked 2 specifically supports analog stick control, moving away from the 8-directional movement of the original game. Keyboard and mouse also work fine if you prefer that setup.
What platforms is it on?
Currently only PC via Steam. No announcements about console versions for PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch have been made. Given it’s a solo developer in Early Access, console ports would likely come post-1.0 release if at all. The Steam Deck verification makes it portable despite being PC-exclusive.
Will there be more updates?
Yes, FromLefcourt stated that updates will flow constantly during Early Access, all free with no additional purchases required. The developer is actively seeking player feedback through Steam reviews and community channels to guide future development priorities. A new trailer showcasing the December update is planned but hasn’t been completed yet.
Why It Matters
Gunlocked 2 represents an interesting evolution in the bullet heaven genre that exploded after Vampire Survivors’ 2021 success. While most developers stuck to the top-down survivor format, FromLefcourt recognized that bullet heaven mechanics could revitalize classic shmup gameplay. The genre’s addictive upgrade loop works brilliantly when applied to vertical scrolling shooters, creating something that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
The 40% discount four months after Early Access launch is aggressive, but FromLefcourt seems more focused on building a dedicated community than maximizing short-term revenue. The constant free updates, direct community engagement, and willingness to implement player requests creates goodwill that benefits long-term success. For $5.99 during the current sale, Gunlocked 2 offers substantial content with more coming throughout Early Access. If you’ve exhausted Vampire Survivors and want bullet heaven gameplay with more active piloting and strategic depth, Gunlocked 2 delivers exactly that experience with gorgeous pixel art and satisfying progression systems.