When Vampire Survivors started to choose up steam final yr following its 2021 launch, I had my doubts. Its pixel graphics, minimal controls, and lack of any cohesive storyline made me second-guess buying it; I merely didn’t perceive the hype. However when the sport got here to the Nintendo Swap on Aug. 17, I made a decision to offer it a go. I’ve all the time been a fan of the roguelike style and the Swap is one in every of my most popular platforms, so I figured I’d give it a shot.
The decision? I would’ve simply discovered my new habit.
Developer Poncle ushered in a brand new period for the cult basic with the launch of the sport on the Swap, in addition to its latest function: sofa co-op. For those who’re like me and have had reservations about enjoying Vampire Survivors, there’s by no means been a greater time to sink your tooth in.
Anybody who’s performed Vampire Survivors since its 2021 launch will likely be greater than conversant in the gameplay by now, however for many who have by no means booted it up, the secret is straightforward: choose a personality, kill enemies, accumulate expertise factors, get hold of and degree up weapons, and check out your hardest to remain alive. It’s a reasonably easy components, however as you play extra, you may unlock completely different characters, maps, and bonuses to make every run distinctive.
The Swap would possibly simply be among the best platforms to play Vampire Survivors. Most of my first few video games ran wherever from 10 to fifteen minutes, though the sport caps a run at half an hour. Vampire Survivors’ bite-sized playthroughs make it good for taking over the go, and the hand-held nature of the Swap performs into this side of the sport properly. On a highway journey and want one thing to outlive that hours-long drive? Have a couple of additional minutes to kill earlier than leaving for an appointment, however don’t wish to spend that treasured time booting up your PC? Vampire Survivors provides a enjoyable technique to go the time.
Though the sport was out there on cell gadgets previous to its Swap launch, the Nintendo console provides that transportability with a much bigger display and extra snug hand-held controls within the JoyCons. And with the flexibility of the Swap, you’ve the flexibility to throw the sport on the massive display, relax, and combat ghouls from the consolation of your sofa. The sport runs splendidly each on the Swap’s handheld mode in addition to its TV mode, making whichever means you like to play a superb possibility to choose.
Versatility isn’t the one factor the Swap can supply Vampire Survivors followers, although. Longtime followers of the franchise understand how chaotic a run can get. However with sofa co-op, you may take pleasure in that chaos with a good friend—or three. The sport helps as much as four-person co-op play, which is ideal for recreation nights. Even in case you’re enjoying with buddies who might not be essentially the most coordinated avid gamers, Vampire Survivors is as simple to be taught as video games come; there’s no button-mashing, no difficult puzzles or powerful fight, and no intense technique to grasp. Simply transfer your character across the display to shoot enemies.
It’s all a ton of chaotic enjoyable, and the Nintendo console provides essentially the most assist for native multiplayer of all of the current-gen consoles.
Most of my time with Vampire Survivors thus far has been solo-running by means of the Mad Forest, the Inlaid Library, and the Dairy Plant. However I did strive sofa co-op with a good friend and was fairly shocked by how seamlessly it performed. We might simply occupy the identical display and by no means needed to combat over expertise factors, and leveling altered between us, giving each of us an opportunity to decide on between upgrades. It actually felt like a co-op expertise, not simply that we have been enjoying the identical recreation on the identical time and place.
For those who’re on the lookout for a brand new recreation to choose up with your pals or are simply on the lookout for a brand new technique to take pleasure in a favourite, there’s by no means been a greater time to choose up Vampire Survivors. Even in case you’re not a fan of the Swap, I like to recommend giving Vampire Survivors a go in your platform of selection in case you haven’t already.
We could also be practically two years into the sport’s life cycle, however with steady updates, added platform assist, and new methods to play, the developer clearly needs this recreation to be a little bit of timeless enjoyable.
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