Vampire Survivors launched in late 2022 after having been in Early Access for a year or so, and it proved to be an instant hit on release.
Mixing simple arcade-style gameplay with roguelike elements and a raft of unlockables, Vampire Survivors’ deceptively deep core gameplay loop brought thousands upon thousands of players into its coven.
Of course, it stands to reason that such a successful game would attract imitators, and luckily, if you’re done with Vampire Survivors, there are tons of games you can try out in its place.
Here, in no particular order, are the best games like Vampire Survivors to play right now.
Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors
Billing itself as an entry in the “survivor genre”, Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors is wearing its intent to pay homage to Vampire Survivors on its ornate sleeve; it’s right there in the name, after all, and that’s a recurring theme in this list.
The unique hook here is that developer BKOM Studios’ game is set in the Pathfinder world, so if you’re familiar with the tabletop RPG (or, indeed, with the video games), you’ll find much to love here.
Otherwise, Gallowspire Survivors offers a similar gameplay experience to its progenitor; you’ll battle hordes of enemies with increasingly ridiculous weapons and learn more with each death.
Soulstone Survivors
If you’re picking up on a theme with these games, then you’re not alone; we’re betting that Luca Galante wishes he’d somehow managed to trademark “survivors” as an element in a game’s name.
Still, he didn’t, and that’s how we’ve ended up with Soulstone Survivors, a rather neat take on the genre that features 3D graphics and an RPG-roguelite hybrid experience.
If you love Vampire Survivors, then Soulstone Survivors will probably feel like a fairly familiar experience to you, but it still has plenty of great gameplay to offer, and it’s in Early Access, so improvements are coming regularly.
Yet Another Zombie Survivors
Credit goes to Awesome Game Studios for recognising that their game is a relatively disposable little slice of fun, but that’s exactly what this is; another survivors game with a zombie apocalypse twist.
The gameplay is just as fun and satisfying as you’d expect, and the atmosphere gives Yet Another Zombie Survivors enough to recommend it, albeit perhaps not to those who don’t already enjoy the “survivor” genre.
This one’s also in Early Access, and the developers seem pretty committed to updating it regularly, so you can expect new features and mechanics to arrive frequently. Make sure to check in with this one from time to time!
Project Lazarus
This mecha game augments the frantic gameplay style of a survivor title with different mech styles, meaning that each mech plays differently and feels unique.
It’s surprising just how much variety that twist injects into the standard formula, making Project Lazarus stand out among its peers (and an increasingly crowded genre landscape).
If you want something that does things a little differently and isn’t afraid to take some risks, then Project Lazarus should be the next survivor game you check out.
HoloCure – Save the Fans!
We admit that this game makes us feel sort of old, but we’re including it here because it’s a great little fan game that’s been made with a huge amount of love and care.
Essentially, this is a survivor game that revolves around the Vtuber group Hololive, which is a multi-channel YouTube network featuring the talents of various different content creators and streamers.
If you love Hololive’s work, then you’ll find plenty to admire in HoloCure, but even if you’re not familiar with the group at all, you’ll still find a solid survivor game in here, albeit one whose references might go over your head.
Crafty Survivors
Many survivor games essentially take the template established by Vampire Survivors and add a visual or aesthetic twist, and that’s basically what Crafty Survivors does.
Each character is a craftsperson; you can play as a chef, for instance, and flambé your foes to perfection, or you can play as a seamstress and hurl yarn at your opponents.
As you play, you’ll gather materials from your enemies and spend them on upgrades for your village, allowing you to grow even more powerful and decimate your enemies with crafts even more efficiently.
Spellbook Demonslayers
When it comes to nailing the formula for a survivor game, it’s arguably all in the atmosphere, and that’s something Spellbook Demonslayers gets absolutely right.
The presentation, aesthetics, and soundtrack on display here are absolutely top-notch, and although the gameplay is somewhat typical of the survivor genre, the overall feel of Spellbook Demonslayers elevates it above its competitors.
Once again, Spellbook Demonslayers is in Early Access, so the game isn’t quite finished yet, but you’ll find a solid core gameplay loop with tons of fun to be had.
Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde
A rather unique isometric perspective and a beautiful art style make Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde worth a try if you’re looking for a new survivor game to lose hours of your life to.
Created by developer Creature Cauldron, Spirit Hunters looks like a chunky old-school SNES or Mega Drive game, but it feels modern thanks to snappy controls and satisfying combat.
Unusually, this one actually isn’t in Early Access, so you’re getting a complete experience when you pick it up, although the developers are still devoted to patching it often in order to fix bugs and optimise the fun.
FAQs
- What is the appeal of Vampire Survivors?
- Vampire Survivors combines simple arcade-style gameplay with roguelike elements and a plethora of unlockables. This deep core gameplay loop has attracted a vast number of players.
- How does Pathfinder: Gallowspire Survivors connect with Vampire Survivors?
- Gallowspire Survivors openly pays homage to Vampire Survivors in both its gameplay style and name. The game is set in the Pathfinder universe and offers a similar battle against enemy hordes with an ever-learning curve after each death.
- What makes Soulstone Survivors stand out?
- Soulstone Survivors presents a unique 3D graphics experience, blending elements from RPGs and roguelites. It shares familiar aspects with Vampire Survivors but promises regular improvements being in Early Access.
- Is Yet Another Zombie Survivors merely a copy of the survivor genre?
- While it acknowledges its generic name, Yet Another Zombie Survivors offers an enjoyable gameplay experience set against a zombie apocalypse backdrop. It remains in Early Access with frequent updates anticipated.
- How does Project Lazarus add variety to the survivor game formula?
- Project Lazarus introduces mechs, each with distinct playstyles. This twist greatly diversifies gameplay and offers a unique approach to the survivor genre.
- What is HoloCure – Save the Fans! based on?
- HoloCure centers on the Vtuber group Hololive. While it has numerous references to the group, the game can be enjoyed as a standalone survivor game even if these references might not be recognized by all.
- How does Crafty Survivors differentiate from other survivor games?
- Crafty Survivors infuses crafting elements, where characters have craft-related skills, like chefs or seamstresses. Players gather materials from enemies to enhance their village, boosting their craft combat abilities.
- Why might Spellbook Demonslayers appeal to survivor game fans?
- Spellbook Demonslayers excels in atmosphere, from presentation to soundtrack. Despite its typical gameplay for the genre, the ambiance raises it above many of its peers. The game remains in Early Access.
- What sets Spirit Hunters: Infinite Horde apart in the survivor genre?
- Spirit Hunters offers an isometric perspective and a nostalgic art style reminiscent of older consoles. However, it feels modern due to its responsive controls and combat dynamics. Unlike many games on the list, it’s a complete experience, though updates are still ongoing.
Conclusion
Vampire Survivors has undoubtedly carved a niche for itself in the gaming world, leading to numerous games seeking to capture its magic. While many games borrow elements, each brings its unique flavor, be it through setting, gameplay mechanics, or aesthetics. From the RPG-infused worlds of Pathfinder to the crafting charms of Crafty Survivors, there’s a wealth of options for fans seeking similar experiences with fresh twists.
