CS Press / Hands-On Review. I’ve put a lot of hours into Vampire Survivors. I’ve enjoyed it enough to buy the DLC, which probably tells you quite a bit about how I feel about it. It isn’t a complicated game to get into, but once it gets going, it’s difficult to leave alone. More importantly, it’s brilliant fun for the money.
Brilliant fun for the money
Vampire Survivors is one of those games where you don’t need to spend much to get a lot back. You start off fairly weak, survive as long as you can, choose upgrades and gradually turn your character into something capable of clearing huge numbers of enemies. It’s a simple idea, but it works incredibly well.
For me, the biggest selling point is how much enjoyment I’ve had out of it. I didn’t play it for one evening and move on. I kept going back, and eventually bought extra content because I wanted more. In terms of fun per pound, it’s hard to argue with.
Progression that keeps you coming back
There’s a genuine feeling of progression that makes each run worthwhile. You’re constantly finding new upgrades and unlocks, and it’s satisfying seeing how much stronger you can become. Even when a run comes to an end, there’s usually something to show for the time you’ve put in.
I really enjoyed that sense of getting somewhere. One minute you’re trying to stay alive, and later the screen is full of enemies and your upgrades are doing the work. It gives you a good reason to start another run without making the whole thing feel like a chore.
The sound deserves some credit
The sound is another thing I particularly enjoyed. The music and effects give the action a lot of character, especially when everything starts happening at once. It adds so much to the experience and makes the combat even more satisfying.
It might not look like much compared with some modern games, but I don’t think that matters here. The sound, the progression and the sheer amount going on all work together brilliantly.
Just one more run
Vampire Survivors is as addictive as popping bubble wrap, except the bubble wrap fights back, explodes into gold and comes with a much better soundtrack.
It’s exactly the sort of game where ‘just one more run’ can turn into several. You always feel as though there’s something else worth unlocking or trying, and that kept me coming back.
The repeated runs won’t be for everyone, particularly if you’re looking for a story-driven experience. But if you enjoy getting steadily stronger and seeing just how ridiculous things can become, there’s a lot of fun to be had.
Verdict
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Vampire Survivors. The sound is great, the progression feels rewarding and the value for money is excellent. I’ve played it extensively and even bought the DLC because I was having so much fun with it.
82/100. Excellent. It’s easy to get into, amazingly difficult to put down and offers a huge amount of enjoyment for the money. If you haven’t given it a go, I really think it’s worth your time.
Developer and publisher: poncle. Full release: 20 October 2022. Review based on extensive personal play, including purchased DLC. The specific DLC packs have not been individually assessed in this article.
Official source: Vampire Survivors on Steam · poncle. Find more in Indie Discovery and The Switchboard.