PC Critic Reviews

I can’t quite believe how incredible Vampire Crawlers is. This fast paced deck builder is almost impossible to put down, and might be the best the genre has to offer full stop. With so many builds and synergies to uncover, unlockables to tick off, and combat that just never gets old, Vampire Crawlers is an effortlessly compelling, fever dream of a game. Even if you don’t particularly like Vampire Survivors this game has to be played, just try to put it down sometimes to touch some grass: it’s just that addictive.

Vampire Crawlers blends deckbuilding and roguelike action into a surprisingly addictive loop. It may not click with everyone, but for those who enjoy experimenting with builds and chasing “one more run,” it’s an easy recommendation, especially at its price point.

Vampire Crawlers is a strong contender for my 2026 Game of the Year. If it weren't for some difficulty issues that need tweaking, it would already have taken that spot, Grand Theft Auto 6 be damned. The gameplay loop is fun and addictive, rewarding experimentation and offering countless opportunities for different builds. Exploring dungeons has never been more fun, and I'm far more eager to see more Vampire Crawlers content than a sequel to Vampire Survivors.

Vampire Survivors' addicting, screen-filling, dopamine rush gameplay lives on in Vampire Crawlers, where the perspective is now first-person and fights are card-based, but the roguelite itch is scratched just as well as ever.

Vampire Crawlers is nothing short of outstanding and its possibilities are dizzying. Play at your own risk, for this is, if possible, even better and more polished than its predecessor.

There's something special about engaging with a piece of work that is a labor of love, as Vampire Survivors was before it. Vampire Crawlers doesn't try to be something it's not. It doesn't try too hard to be different, because it doesn't need to. Poncle has found his niche, with his retro Castlevania-inspired world and frequent dopamine hits making me a fan of his work in mere minutes, yet again.

Vampire Crawlers is an almost hypnotic roguelike card game that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go until you clear the credits. You might have to deal with one or two performance issues here or there, but the hyper-engaging core gameplay, a reliable autosave system, and some lovely PS1-style visuals make it all worthwhile.

Vampire Crawlers is a successful spin-off that goes beyond its name, translating the core of Vampire Survivors into a deckbuilder with light dungeon-crawling and surprising depth. The slower pace doesn’t hurt the tension, as the mix of cards, mana, and sequencing remains consistently engaging, especially for fans who will recognize many familiar elements. Minor flaws like a clunky deck overview hold it back from perfection, but it still stands as a strong and distinctive game with plenty to offer.

Vampire Crawlers is an exceptional game that manages to retain its progenitor’s frantic gameplay while putting an invigorating twist that’ll keep you glued to the screen. Its simple mechanics are surprisingly deep, but also quite easy to get a hang of. There are so many secret unlockables which will keep players busy for a long time, and every second is just a joyous bloodbath of pixelated fun.

Vampire Crawlers is a tremendous achievement. Everything here works almost flawlessly, with a gameplay loop that is quick, sharp, and smart. Genre transitions within the same game series rarely work so wonderfully, but Luca Galante and Poncle have created an incredible experience that will make you crave more, even if it overstays its welcome a tad for completionists.