Games Genie
Vampire Survivors cover art

Vampire Survivors

Best if you want addictive 'one more run' gameplay that runs flawlessly on any PC, delivering escalating chaos and deep build variety in 20-minute bursts without demanding precision inputs or online connectivity.

Released
October 20, 2022
Metacritic
86
View reviews
Genre
CASUAL
User Rating
4.2

Why We Recommend This Game

Vampire Survivors distills the roguelite formula into pure, hypnotic action: you move, your weapons fire automatically, and over the course of each 20–30 minute run you stack upgrades until the screen explodes with effects. There's no aiming, just positioning and split-second priority calls—dodge this horde or grab that chest? The learning curve is gentle: early runs teach you which weapons synergize, which power-ups multiply damage, and how to kite thousands of enemies without panic. Within an hour you'll grasp the basics; within ten you'll chase specific unlocks and experiment with wildly different builds. The appeal lies in how each run snowballs. You start vulnerable, picking a single weapon and a handful of stat boosts. By minute fifteen you're a walking apocalypse with six evolved weapons, screen-clearing explosions, and health-draining auras. Runs end when the timer hits or Death arrives, then you spend gold on permanent meta-upgrades—more health, better luck, new characters—that smooth your next attempt. The loop is relentless and satisfying: fail, upgrade, retry with fresh knowledge. Depth emerges from discovery. Weapons evolve when paired with the right power-up, characters unlock after meeting cryptic conditions, and hidden stages reward exploration of each map's edges. You'll chase achievements, test challenge modes, and optimize builds for speed or survival. Sessions fit any schedule—queue up a run during lunch, string together an evening of experimentation—and the minimalist 2D art ensures buttery performance on even decade-old integrated graphics. No online requirement, no microtransactions, no bloat: just install, run, and lose yourself in the rhythm of dodge-collect-upgrade. It's light on narrative and traditional RPG systems, but the build variety and unlock cadence deliver dozens of hours of escalating mastery. Co-op adds local chaos if you want to share the screen. If you crave moment-to-moment story beats or manual aiming, look elsewhere; this is pure mechanical satisfaction wrapped in a tiny, frictionless package.

Best For

  • Roguelite fans craving short, repeatable runs with meaningful meta-progression
  • Players on ultra-low-spec PCs seeking buttery performance without compromise
  • Anyone chasing 'just one more run' dopamine hits and incremental build mastery

Not For

  • Players seeking narrative depth, character arcs, or story-driven progression
  • Fans of manual aim or high-execution action requiring precision inputs
  • Those who tire quickly of repetitive core loops despite escalating complexity

Multiplayer & Game Modes

4 local

Vampire Survivors does not support crossplay, supports up to 4 players locally.

Features

Crossplay(No Crossplay)
Local Multiplayer

Play Modes

Single PlayerMultiplayerCo-opLocal Couch Co-opShared Screen

Player Count

Local
1-4

Additional Details

Steam lists the game as Single-player plus Shared/Split Screen Co-op and Shared/Split Screen PvP, but the game’s co-op is local shared-screen only (up to 4). No native online or LAN multiplayer is listed on PCGamingWiki. Online co-op is possible only via platform-specific remote-play features (e.g., Steam Remote Play Together), not built-in netcode. No official cross-play support.

Edition and Platform Information

Important details about which version to buy and where to play.

Platform Recommendations

Runs flawlessly on integrated graphics as old as Intel HD 4000; Steam Deck verified; supports mouse, keyboard, controller, and touchscreen with full remapping.

Accessibility Features

Playable one-handed; options to reduce screen shake, flashing, and visual clutter; simple, readable UI with scalable resolution; color and vibration toggles available; no time-pressure inputs outside of movement.

Screenshots

Click any screenshot to view in full size

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this game answered by our team.

How hard is it?

Starts gentle and ramps steadily. Early runs are forgiving as you learn synergies; meta-upgrades smooth difficulty. Optional challenge stages and relics add expert-level tests without demanding twitch reflexes.

How long does a run take?

Most runs last 20–30 minutes, ending when the timer expires or you're overwhelmed. Perfect for quick sessions or marathon unlock grinds.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes. No aiming required, forgiving early difficulty, and clear visual feedback. Mistakes teach you synergies, and meta-upgrades ensure steady progress even after failed runs.

How much content is there?

Dozens of hours chasing unlocks, evolutions, achievements, and hidden stages. New characters and weapons keep build variety high; free DLC expansions have added substantial post-launch content.

Can I play offline?

Completely offline, no launchers or online checks. Install once and play anywhere, ideal for laptops or travel without connectivity.