Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania review

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania review

As a seasoned gamer who’s seen the evolution of gaming since the era of pixelated graphics and cassette tapes, I can confidently say that Vampire Survivors has been an unexpected yet delightful addition to my gaming library. This game, much like a well-aged wine, keeps getting better with each passing update. The latest DLC, Ode to Castlevania, is a testament to the developers’ love for the classics and their ability to create something fresh and exciting within familiar confines.


The medium of video games is such an unpredictable one, with surprises both nice and nasty always lurking around the corner. In such an uncertain hobby it’s nice to have a constant, and for me that constant is that I will always have a great time playing Vampire Survivors. With hundreds of hours clocked into the simple but endlessly compelling Roguelike, to call myself a fan of poncle’s 2022 megahit would be an understatement. Now back with their most ambitious DLC to date, Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania will eat up all your free time and you’ll love every minute of it.

Unlike the previous two DLC expansions for the game, Ode to Castlevania doesn’t include a separate mini-storyline or adventure. Instead, upon purchase, Vampire Survivors gains only a single new level. At first glance, this addition might seem somewhat disappointing. However, it soon becomes apparent that there is an immense amount of content hidden within this new level, making it significantly larger than any stage we’ve seen so far, which is almost comical in its size.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania review

In Vampire Survivors, the Ode to Castlevania level is jam-packed with secrets that require multiple plays to uncover, and it’s not an exaggeration to say you’ll need dozens of attempts to see everything. With over 20 characters and 40 new weapons to unlock within this level, it’s no surprise it takes so many tries. What might surprise players, however, is the abundance of enemies, bosses, and environments inspired by Castlevania. To fully explore this massive castle, brimming with secret passages, locked doors, and platforming sections, you’ll need to use the map and fast travel points effectively.

If you’re fond of any particular Castlevania game, you’ll likely spot numerous references to it in “Ode to Castlevania”. This piece is packed with forgotten enemies, bosses, and characters that will surely bring back memories. To describe it as a heartfelt tribute to Castlevania might even be an understatement. It’s quite apparent that the creators at poncle have a deep-seated affection for the iconic Konami series, one that surpasses what you may expect.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania review

Experiencing your preferred Belmont or Belmont-related character is delightful, partly because of their amazing new arsenals. It might seem excessive to include eight additional whips in a game that already has two, but each one functions uniquely and excels at decimating swarms of Succubus and Wargs. Additionally, there’s an array of elemental magic to utilize, and these spells have become some of my favorite weapons within the game.

If you’ve been playing Vampire Survivors since its debut, you might be accustomed to the game’s outrageously low price tag and the exceptional value it offers. The Ode to Castlevania DLC maintains this trend, costing just £2.99 or the equivalent in your region. With over twenty hours of gameplay from Ode to Castlevania alone, you could extend that significantly if you aim to unlock all content. It’s astounding how generous poncle remains with new content, making it a no-brainer to recommend this game.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania review

In Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania, there’s not much to gripe about given its excellent expansion to the original game. However, I must mention that with an influx of new weapons, figuring out their evolutions proved challenging and took longer than in previous DLCs. Additionally, the map seems quite complex, especially at the beginning, filled with difficult-to-navigate areas and unmarked secret paths. Despite this, it didn’t take long to adapt, but for a few rounds, I found myself struggling.

Vampire Survivors’ “Ode to Castlevania” DLC Offers Exceptional Value

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2024-11-01 12:46