If you love arcade games, Vampire Survivors is the choice for you. You start by choosing a character, but all new players are limited to Antonio. Once you've built up experience points, you can choose from the other survivors, but in the meantime you have to make progress with Antonio the slasher.
You can compare it to the rest of my picks in the best mobile games for iPhone and Android.
- Free, with optional revives
- Available for iOS and Android
A perfect five-minute-break game, if your plan allows it
Vampire Survivors is exactly the kind of quick, one-thumb session you'd open during a five-minute break, but that only works if your data plan doesn't run out before the month does. An unlimited plan keeps it ready whenever downtime hits.
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Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$15.00/mo
$45 for 3 months of service
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Visible
$19 Visible Plan
$19.00/mo
Taxes & Fees included
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T-Mobile
Essentials Saver 2.0
$50.00/mo
with Auto-Pay - Taxes & Fees NOT included
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What Vampire Survivors plays like
From there, you move your character around the screen while your attacks fire automatically. It sounds simple, and it is, but it's difficult to win. Since you don't control your attacks directly, you have to time your movement to line up your character against the swarm following you, or you'll take damage fast and die even faster.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
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A nostalgic feel with high stakes
You don't have to think much while playing, which is exactly the point. It's a great time filler with arcade-style graphics and sound effects. It reminded me of Space Invaders with a vampire theme and higher stakes, since the enemies deal serious damage if you let your guard down.
Vampire Survivors is perfect for arcade lovers who want to challenge themselves with limited attacks and abilities. I still haven't beaten it, so it isn't as easy as it looks.
Is Vampire Survivors worth downloading?
Yes, if you want straightforward arcade action you can pick up in seconds. The free download covers the full game, with only revives sitting behind an optional purchase, and the difficulty holds up even after repeated attempts.
If you love arcade games, Vampire Survivors is the choice for you. I still haven't beaten it, so it isn't as easy as it looks.
Jessica Santero, WhistleOut Staff Writer
How I tested Vampire Survivors
- Started as the default character, Antonio, and tracked experience points toward unlocking others
- Tested the automatic attack system against timing and positioning
- Played repeated runs to test difficulty and whether the game could be beaten
- Compared the arcade feel and sound effects against classic arcade titles
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Vampire Survivors: FAQ
Is Vampire Survivors free?
Yes, Vampire Survivors is free to download, with optional revives as the only purchase.
Do you control your attacks in Vampire Survivors?
No, your attacks fire automatically, so survival comes down to timing your movement to line up against the swarm following you.
Which character do you start with in Vampire Survivors?
All new players start as Antonio, and other survivors unlock once you've built up experience points.
Is Vampire Survivors easy to win?
No, it's difficult to win since you don't control your attacks directly, and enemies deal serious damage if you let your guard down.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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