Vampire Crawlers effectively adapts the Vampire Survivors experience into a dungeon crawler combined with a roguelike deckbuilder. When Vampire Survivors first gained popularity, I was captivated by the game’s formula of engaging in runs, facing countless enemies, and becoming exceptionally powerful, leading to over 60 hours of playtime on Steam. Although the game continued to receive updates and expansions, the formula eventually felt repetitive, and I stopped playing for over a year. However, the new spinoff, Vampire Crawlers, has rekindled my interest in the Vampire Survivors universe.
Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors offers a fresh take on the original experience, shifting from a roguelike shoot ’em up to a dungeon crawler intertwined with a deckbuilder. Players still navigate through waves of enemies and construct formidable builds, but now engage in battles through retro-style dungeon maps and turn-based card duels, with the pixelated charm retained and familiar enemy sprites enlarged for a playful touch.
Combat revolves around strategically playing cards in ascending mana cost order. Starting with a set mana amount, players must manage card costs effectively for maximum impact. Powerful combos emerge by aligning cards in ascending cost order, drastically amplifying their strength. While simple, the cycle of counting from zero to three and crafting builds for relentless combo execution is rewarding. Cards aren’t limited to attacks; they provide mana, stat boosts, and armor or healing, all enhanced through combos for impressive outcomes. Success hinges on creating potent evolution cards by combining suitable weapons and items.
Although dungeon exploration is minimal, it offers a new perspective on areas familiar from Survivors. In Crawlers, a map reveals the floor’s entirety, and players gradually unlock items identifying enemies and key locations, aiding in strategic planning for reaching adversaries and treasures ahead of confronting the floor’s boss.
Mirroring Survivors, players earn coins throughout gameplay and utilize them for enduring upgrades between runs. These purchases include new characters with unique starting decks and abilities, stat enhancements, and game-altering Arcana cards. Even low-coin runs contribute to progression, unlocking achievements tied to specific weapon usage that offer their own rewards.
With more than 10 hours invested, my dedication to Crawlers mirrors my initial obsession with Survivors; I seize every opportunity for a new run. Aware of potential burnout given the similarities, I’m fully immersed in the game for now. Vampire Crawlers launches April 21st on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X / S, with later releases on Android and iOS in 2026.