A minimalistic bullet-hell shooter
Vampire Survivors is a premium action title by developer poncle. This role-playing game is a time-based survival shooter that features a minimalistic design and presentation in retro pixel art styling. In it, players will try their best to survive as they face hundreds of enemies in constant waves.
Just like with other titles in the bullet-hell shooter genre, such as Enter the Gungeon, Vampire Survivors features fast-paced and challenging gameplay that many fans will like. It features multiple characters to choose from, as well as a wide variety of weapons and power-ups to experiment with during runs.
You against the world
When you first launch Vampire Survivors, you will more than likely be hit with a sense of nostalgia. From the graphics to the animation, and even the horror gothic theme, the game just screams Castlevania. Once you get past that and start playing, things just start to get even more interesting. It's essentially a bullet-hell RPG shooter with roguelike elements and features retro pixel graphics.
In this indie game, you'll face a variety of monsters that will drop blue crystals when defeated. Pick those up as they give EXP for leveling up. Level up, and you'll be given three choices for a new weapon, skill, and power-up. The initial goal is to last at least 10 minutes, but making it past 30 will clear that level (of 2) with that character (among 7).
Get defeated and this is where the roguelike elements come into play. All the gold you've gotten from your run will remain, and you can use it to unlock more characters and spend on permanent powerups that boost your stats. With its straightforward and replayable gameplay along with the seemingly invincible boss, this casual game can keep you hooked for hours on end.
Engine change
The extremely satisfying 2D game Vampire Survivors, which has won the approval of roguelike players, has transitioned to a new game engine to serve its fans better. The developer went for Unity, the versatile cross-platform game engine that popular titles like Cuphead and Pokémon Go also use. This means that the succeeding versions of the title will see marked improvements in terms of performance.
With this new engine, the game’s frame rate is expected to hit 60 FPS, a significant boost compared to the previous one’s 5-8 FPS. What’s more, it also eliminates the rendering issues that some users have reported experiencing on some devices. The shift to an even better software framework is a big step that loyal players deserve. More importantly, it opens up opportunities for further developments, such as sequels.
Explore the chilling Whiteout
The developers have released the so-called Whiteout update to continue spicing up Vampire Survivors. It starts with the titular level, a sprawling snowy landscape with winter-themed monsters and Christmas-inspired designs. The update also introduces a new character and weapon to match the stage. Play as She-Moon Eeta, a banshee-looking character with the powers of frost. You can also pick up the Glass Fandango, which deals bonus damage to frozen enemies and can be upgraded into the Celestial Voulge.
Also, two new relics are coming with the Whiteout update. You get the Antidote and Chaos Altemanna. These can be found through the game’s endgame, such as the Challenge level Tiny Bridge holding the Altemanna, which can be used to morph the character O’Sole Meeo at level 80. Lastly, the massive update fixes bugs and introduces additional quality-of-life (QoL) updates.
Addictive and mindless fun
There are just some games that don't really require a deeply compelling narrative—or none at all—to be good, and Vampire Survivors is a fine example of such. The graphics might not seem like much, but its gameplay is simply addictive and a blast to experience. If you're a fan of roguelikes and retro titles in general, this is a no-brainer and it's highly recommended.
Vampire Survivors Triumphs at Bafta Games Awards
Adding to the excitement and accolades surrounding the game, Vampire Survivors recently secured the prestigious Best Game award at the Bafta Games Awards ceremony, leaving the audience in awe.
This remarkable achievement for the indie title is especially noteworthy as it faced stiff competition from blockbuster titles such as Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarök. The victory for Vampire Survivors, primarily developed by the talented lone coder Luca Galante, highlights the impact and potential of indie games in the industry.
Earlier in the event, the game had also won the game design award, further cementing its status as a top-tier gaming experience. This impressive recognition at the Bafta Games Awards serves as a testament to the addictive and engaging gameplay that Vampire Survivors offers, proving that even a minimalistic design and presentation can leave a lasting impression on gamers and critics alike.
