Sights & Sounds
- Pretty simple pixel art. Honestly, when I first bought the game, I thought it looked pretty bad, but it's grown on me over time
- The sound effects, however, are awesome. It's like the dev had a folder of audio files called "dopamine triggers" and used them throughout the game
- The soundtrack is another high point. I love that music is selectable at the outset of a run, too
Story & Vibes
- Vampire Survivors is unique in its approach to a narrative: there isn't one, but it really seems like there should be one hidden there somewhere. All the pieces are in place--there are interesting looking characters, lore entries in the form of collections, settings and locations in levels, etc--but they don't really add up to a plot or story
- It follows that the vibes are a little hard to figure. All the vaguely fantasy set dressing and absence of a narrative makes you feel more like you're playing with a toy than playing a video game
Playability & Replayability
- Here it is: the birth of a new subgenre. There are plenty of imitators, but this gameplay loop is the original. You walk around on an infinitely scrolling surface while autofiring your weapons at waves of enemies that fill the screen. You collect items and upgrades for your equipment that help you cope with the growing forces of bad guys
- Eventually, the timer hits the limit specified in level select screen, Death comes out to claim you, and the run ends (...usually)
- Vampire Survivors is packed with secrets, unlockables, and secret unlockables. You'll spend plenty of time looking through the collection and unlock menus to try and figure out how to get everything
- Despite the lack of engagement offered by a gameplay loop like this one, it's highly addicting. It's like rewards and progress are spaced out at optimal intervals to keep you coming back for your next hit. That said, after nearly 40 hours, I feel like I need a break for a bit before coming back to try Adventure Mode and the DLC stuff
Overall Impressions & Performance
- It always feels weird putting together a review for a game that's become a cultural phenomenon like Vampire Survivors. The word is out already: it's a fun game with broad appeal and a casual learning curve
- I'm just so impressed with how addictive this game is. Poncle has a grasp of dopamine and reward timing that would put a neuroscientist to shame
Final Verdict
- 8/10. The market for so-called "bullet heavens" is saturated now, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to try the original. Pick it up and see what the fuss is about
- Pretty simple pixel art. Honestly, when I first bought the game, I thought it looked pretty bad, but it's grown on me over time
- The sound effects, however, are awesome. It's like the dev had a folder of audio files called "dopamine triggers" and used them throughout the game
- The soundtrack is another high point. I love that music is selectable at the outset of a run, too
Story & Vibes
- Vampire Survivors is unique in its approach to a narrative: there isn't one, but it really seems like there should be one hidden there somewhere. All the pieces are in place--there are interesting looking characters, lore entries in the form of collections, settings and locations in levels, etc--but they don't really add up to a plot or story
- It follows that the vibes are a little hard to figure. All the vaguely fantasy set dressing and absence of a narrative makes you feel more like you're playing with a toy than playing a video game
Playability & Replayability
- Here it is: the birth of a new subgenre. There are plenty of imitators, but this gameplay loop is the original. You walk around on an infinitely scrolling surface while autofiring your weapons at waves of enemies that fill the screen. You collect items and upgrades for your equipment that help you cope with the growing forces of bad guys
- Eventually, the timer hits the limit specified in level select screen, Death comes out to claim you, and the run ends (...usually)
- Vampire Survivors is packed with secrets, unlockables, and secret unlockables. You'll spend plenty of time looking through the collection and unlock menus to try and figure out how to get everything
- Despite the lack of engagement offered by a gameplay loop like this one, it's highly addicting. It's like rewards and progress are spaced out at optimal intervals to keep you coming back for your next hit. That said, after nearly 40 hours, I feel like I need a break for a bit before coming back to try Adventure Mode and the DLC stuff
Overall Impressions & Performance
- It always feels weird putting together a review for a game that's become a cultural phenomenon like Vampire Survivors. The word is out already: it's a fun game with broad appeal and a casual learning curve
- I'm just so impressed with how addictive this game is. Poncle has a grasp of dopamine and reward timing that would put a neuroscientist to shame
Final Verdict
- 8/10. The market for so-called "bullet heavens" is saturated now, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to try the original. Pick it up and see what the fuss is about