Free-to-play bullet hell experience

Vampire Survivors is a free action game from Poncle. In this mobile port of the successful PC game, you get to experience the same retro vibes that combine elements of bullet hell, roguelike, and survival RPG. This fast-paced game lets you control any of its automatically attacking characters, leaving you to survive hordes of increasingly difficult creatures of the night.

Optimized for mobile devices, get ready to swipe and drag across your phone screen with Vampire Survivors. It supports offline play, although it can’t save a game for too long. It’s like Ailment; Space Bullet Hell or ESPGaluda II Lite.

Slay the creatures of the night

For new fans of the franchise, Vampire Survivors takes cues from horror and fantasy titles such as Castlevania. As such, it has a premise that parallels that of the Konami classic. In this game set in Italy, you play as a member of the Belpaese family or other heroes tasked with taking on the Bisconte Draculo. There’s a host of characters available at the start, with others unlockable later on.

In terms of gameplay, it has a simple premise that is addictive. Since the characters attack automatically, you only focus on using skills and maneuvering your character out of harm’s way. The game also becomes increasingly difficult, both in terms of monster quantity and the type of opponents you face. This is where the game’s roguelike aspect kicks in, with randomized elements and death sending you back to the start.

One amazing feature of this game is that it supports offline gaming, allowing you to enjoy it virtually anytime and anywhere. However, its roguelike nature doesn’t allow it to save your progress in the middle of a run. Sure, you can leave it for a few minutes. However, stay away from your game too long, and the game automatically wipes your current run progress.

Embark on a Magical Journey: Tides of the Foscari DLC

Vampire Survivors continues to captivate players with its latest DLC expansion, Tides of the Foscari. This enthralling addition immerses players in the enigmatic and magical Foscari Academy, complete with a brand-new stage, eight engaging characters, thirteen distinctive weapons, and seven immersive music tracks. The DLC can be easily acquired through an in-app purchase.

Foscari Academy: An Uncharted Adventure

Set deep within a sprawling forest, the prestigious Foscari Academy trains the world’s elite in the arts of magic, warfare, and espionage. In this unexplored environment, players join three daring students from different houses on a riveting journey filled with mythical creatures and surprising encounters.

Introducing a Diverse Cast of Characters

Tides of the Foscari breathes life into a collection of innovative and exciting character archetypes, such as:

• Eleanor: A gifted yet reserved magic user hailing from The Azure Tower.
• Maruto: A stoic and formidable warrior from The Crimson Anvil with a concealed tender side.
• Keitha: A spirited trickster from The Amber Sickle who delights in avoiding the limelight.
• Luminaire: The wise and compassionate witch safeguarding Lake Foscari.

Equip Unique and Inventive Weapons

This expansion introduces thirteen groundbreaking weapons, each designed to complement the special abilities of the new characters:

• SpellString: Eleanor’s dependable textbook, a wealth of knowledge for any magical dilemma.
• Eskizzibur: A sword forged by Maruto’s blacksmith uncle as a prank, yet unexpectedly suitable for Maruto’s use.
• Flash Arrow: Keitha’s custom-made arrows, are capable of incredible accuracy and power.
• Prismatic Missile: A potent elemental relic gifted to Luminaire by grateful spirits in recognition of her defense of the natural realm.

Unravel the Mysteries of Lake Foscari

The Tides of the Foscari DLC invites players to uncover the secrets of Lake Foscari, a mystical forest teeming with legendary beings, enigmatic puzzles, and fantastical creatures. Dive into an extraordinary adventure filled with unforeseen twists and turns as you explore the captivating world of Vampire Survivors’ Tides of the Foscari DLC, available now through in-app purchases.

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.

A top-tier RPG for mobile

As one of the best retro roguelike games for PC, expect Vampire Survivors to take up lots of your gaming time. If you’re looking for a challenge, this is the game for you. It has a lot of characters, each with different gameplay experiences, and has an increasing difficulty level combined with randomized elements. However, you can’t stop or leave your game for too long. Still, it’s 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.