Welcome to the chaotic, pixelated world of Vampire Survivors! If you’ve just stumbled upon this indie gem and are wondering what all the fuss is about, you’re in for a treat. This roguelike shoot ’em up, crafted by Luca Galante (aka poncle), has taken the gaming world by storm with its simple yet addictive gameplay. Picture yourself dodging hordes of spooky monsters while your character unleashes automatic attacks, all in a retro-inspired frenzy.
Table of Contents
Whether you’re playing on PC, mobile, or console, this guide is your friendly companion to help you survive those first few runs and fall in love with the game. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to get started, from controls to characters, weapons, stages, and strategies, all wrapped in a warm, welcoming tone to keep you excited.
Getting Started with Vampire Survivors
Downloading and Installing the Game
First things first, let’s get you into the game! Vampire Survivors is available on a bunch of platforms, so you’ve got options. You can grab it on Steam for PC, download it on your iOS or Android device, or even play it on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or Xbox. If you’re on a budget, the mobile version is free with ads, but the full game is super affordable on other platforms—think pocket change for hours of fun. Once you’ve got it installed, fire it up, and you’ll be greeted by a pixelated menu that’s as charming as it is nostalgic.
Understanding the Controls
Now, don’t worry about memorizing a million buttons—Vampire Survivors keeps things delightfully simple. Your character attacks automatically, so all you need to focus on is movement. On a keyboard, use the WASD keys or arrow keys to dodge and weave through enemies. If you’re on a controller, the left stick handles your movement. Mobile players, just swipe and drag on the screen to guide your survivor. The game’s interface is straightforward: your health bar sits at the top left, the timer (counting up to 30 minutes) is nearby, and your weapons and items are displayed at the bottom. That’s it! You’re ready to jump into the action.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
The Objective: Survive the Night
At its heart, Vampire Survivors is about surviving for 30 minutes against endless waves of monsters—bats, skeletons, you name it. Each run starts slow, with a few enemies trickling in, but by the end, you’ll be swimming in a sea of chaos. Your job? Stay alive by dodging enemies and collecting goodies while your weapons do the heavy lifting. If your health hits zero, it’s game over, but don’t sweat it—every run earns you gold and progress toward unlocks, so there’s always something to look forward to.
Combat and Movement
Since your character attacks on their own, your main role is to be a master of movement. Think of it like dancing through a crowd without bumping into anyone—except here, “anyone” is a horde of ghouls trying to eat you. Positioning is key: stay too close to enemies, and you’ll take damage; stray too far, and you might miss out on valuable pick-ups. As you defeat enemies, they drop experience gems, which level you up and let you pick new weapons or upgrades. It’s a satisfying loop—move, survive, level up, repeat.
Leveling Up and Upgrades
Every time you level up, you get to choose from a few random options to boost your character. Maybe you’ll grab a new weapon, like a fiery whip, or upgrade an existing one to hit harder. You can also pick passive items, like a spinach that boosts your damage or a clover for better luck. These choices shape your run, so don’t stress too much—part of the fun is experimenting! Just keep an eye on your six slots for weapons and six for passive items, as they fill up fast.
Pick-Ups and Death
Scattered across the map are handy pick-ups to give you an edge. Blue experience gems are your bread and butter, but you’ll also find gold coins for currency, chicken dinners to heal, and rare items like the Rosary, which clears the screen of enemies. If you do meet an untimely end (and you will, trust me), you’ll head back to the menu with your gold and any achievements you’ve earned. Death isn’t the end—it’s just a chance to come back stronger.
Meet Your Survivors
Starting with Antonio
Your first character is Antonio Belpaese, and he’s a great pick for beginners. His starting weapon, the Whip, slashes in a wide arc, hitting multiple enemies at once. Plus, Antonio gets a little stronger with each level, making him a solid choice for learning the ropes. His straightforward style lets you focus on movement while getting a feel for the game’s flow.
Unlocking Imelda Belpaese
Once you’ve got a few runs under your belt, I recommend unlocking Imelda Belpaese next. She starts with the Magic Wand, which fires homing projectiles—perfect for new players who want to focus on dodging rather than aiming. Imelda also gets an experience boost, helping you level up faster. To unlock her, just spend a bit of gold in the character selection menu. It’s a small investment for a big payoff!
Other Characters to Explore
As you play, you’ll unlock more characters, each with unique weapons and perks. For example, Gennaro wields knives and gets extra projectiles, while Pasqualina’s crossbow speeds up over time. Unlocking characters often involves achievements, like surviving 15 minutes or collecting a certain item, so keep an eye on the unlock menu for hints. With over 40 characters in the base game, there’s always a new survivor to try.
| Character | Starting Weapon | Perk | Unlock Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antonio Belpaese | Whip | Gains 10% might every 10 levels | Default |
| Imelda Belpaese | Magic Wand | Gains 10% growth every 5 levels | Purchase With Gold |
| Gennaro Belpaese | Knife | +1 projectile per weapon | Survive 15 minutes with Antonio |
| Pasqualina | Runetracer | Projectiles speed up over time | Survive 5 minutes in any stage |
Weapons and Items to Power Up
Your Arsenal
Weapons are the heart of your survival strategy, and Vampire Survivors offers a ton to choose from. Early on, I suggest grabbing Santa Water, which drops puddles of holy water that damage enemies over time—great for crowd control. The King Bible is another newbie favorite, spinning books around you to keep enemies at bay. Each weapon can be upgraded during a run, increasing its damage, range, or speed.
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Evolving Weapons
Here’s where things get spicy: weapons can evolve into supercharged versions if you combine them with the right passive item and max out their level. For example, pair the Whip with the Hollow Heart (for extra health) to get the Bloody Tear, which hits harder and heals you. Evolutions are a game-changer, so check the in-game collection menu for recipes. Early evolutions like the Unholy Vespers (King Bible + Spellbinder) are easy to aim for and pack a punch.
Passive Items
Passive items don’t attack but boost your stats in big ways. The Spinach increases your damage, the Attractorb pulls gems toward you, and the Duplicator adds extra projectiles. A good early combo is pairing Santa Water with the Attractorb to vacuum up gems while dealing area damage. With only six passive slots, choose wisely to complement your weapons.
Exploring the Stages
Mad Forest
Your first stage, Mad Forest, is a wide-open field with plenty of room to maneuver. It’s perfect for learning how enemies spawn and move. Watch out for the green ghosts that appear around the 5-minute mark—they’re faster than the bats you’ll face early on. My tip? Keep moving in circles to avoid getting boxed in, and grab the floor chicken for a quick heal if you’re low.
Inlaid Library
Once you’ve survived Mad Forest a few times, unlock Inlaid Library. This stage is a long, narrow corridor, which can feel tricky but teaches you to control enemy waves. The bookshelves spawn wizards after 10 minutes, so stay mobile to avoid their projectiles. Look for the Stone Mask pick-up here—it boosts your gold earnings for future runs.
Dairy Plant
Dairy Plant, available after a bit more progress, mixes open spaces with tight corners. Its bull-like enemies charge fast, so keep your distance. This stage introduces random chests with multiple rewards, making it a great spot to hunt for weapon evolutions. Just don’t get caught in the cheese vats—they’re tougher than they look!
Strategies to Survive
Mastering Movement
Movement is your best friend in Vampire Survivors. Instead of standing still, try kiting enemies—move in a direction to draw them along, then loop around to clear a path. If you’re surrounded, look for gaps in the enemy waves to slip through. Early on, prioritize weapons like Santa Water or Garlic to create safe zones around you, giving you breathing room to plan your next move.
Upgrade Priorities
When leveling up, focus on crowd control first. Weapons like the King Bible or Magic Wand clear out swarms, letting you focus on dodging tougher enemies later. For passive items, grab the Spinach or Duplicator to boost your offense. If you’re struggling to stay alive, the Armor or Hollow Heart can add some durability. Don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes a “bad” choice leads to a surprisingly fun run!
Using Pick-Ups Wisely
Pick-ups can turn the tide of a run, so use them strategically. The Vacuum sucks in all nearby gems for a quick level-up—save it for when you’re close to a new weapon slot. The Rosary wipes out every enemy on screen, perfect for clutch moments when you’re overwhelmed. Gold coins add up fast, so scoop them up to afford power-ups or characters back in the menu.
Progression and Unlocks
Earning and Spending Gold
Every enemy you defeat drops gold coins, and surviving longer means more loot. Back in the main menu, spend your gold on power-ups like extra health, faster movement, or better luck. These upgrades apply to all runs, making each attempt feel stronger. You can also use gold to unlock characters like Imelda or buy rerolls to tweak your level-up choices during a run.
Unlocking New Content
The beauty of Vampire Survivors is how it keeps giving you new toys to play with. Achievements, like surviving 20 minutes or collecting 1,000 coins, unlock new characters, weapons, and stages. Check the unlock menu for hints on what to aim for next. For example, surviving 10 minutes in Mad Forest unlocks the Inlaid Library, opening up fresh challenges.
Power-Ups for Long-Term Success
Power-ups are your ticket to easier runs. Early on, invest in Growth to level up faster or Might for more damage. Each power-up can be upgraded multiple times, but they get pricier, so spread your gold across a few to balance your stats. If you ever feel stuck, you can refund power-ups to try a different build—no progress lost!
Wrapping Up Your Vampire Survivors Journey
Congratulations—you’re now armed with everything you need to dive into Vampire Survivors and have a blast! From dodging bats in Mad Forest to evolving your Whip into a life-stealing beast, you’re ready to carve your own path through the monster hordes. Don’t worry if your first few runs end quickly—every defeat teaches you something new, and every unlock makes you stronger.
What makes this game so special is how it invites you to experiment. Maybe you’ll fall in love with Imelda’s homing wand or discover a killer combo with the King Bible and Duplicator. If you’re hungry for more tips, hop onto the Vampire Survivors community on Reddit or Steam discussions—players there are always sharing wild builds and strategies. For now, just fire up a run, crank the retro tunes, and enjoy the thrill of surviving the night. You’ve got this, survivor!
