Games Happy

poncle has launches its turn-based card-driven first-person dungeon crawler Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors for PC and consoles this week. Forward of its launch, I had an opportunity to play the Change model. You may learn my ideas on it after over 30 hours right here. I additionally performed the Steam demo on my PC handhelds earlier than, and have since performed each model to see the way it scales throughout platforms. For this, I examined the Change model on Change OLED, Change model on Change 2, Change 2 model, PS5 model on each PS5 and PS5 Professional, Xbox model on Xbox Collection X and ROG Ally, and in addition the Steam model on Steam Deck and ROG Ally.

Vampire Crawlers characteristic variations throughout platforms

Vampire Crawlers does not have any content material variations throughout platforms, but it surely does have some added options which are platform-specific. These embrace contact controls on Change and Change 2, Pleasure-Con 2 mouse controls on Change 2, Fast Resume and Play Anyplace help on Xbox Collection/Xbox on PC, a number of enter choices on PC, and extra. 

Whereas not included for launch, poncle confirmed that cross save is coming to Vampire Crawlers. It should doubtless be timed with the cell variations, however I wish to inform potential gamers of how this would possibly go down based mostly on the a whole bunch of hours I’ve put into Vampire Survivors throughout each platform. Vampire Survivors cross save shouldn’t be obtainable on PlayStation platforms. I’ve my progress carrying over throughout Change, Steam Deck, iOS, and Xbox consoles with none hassle. It’s unclear if Vampire Crawlers may have cross save on each platform, however that is value holding in thoughts for those who plan on enjoying it on a number of units like I do.

Vampire Crawlers visuals and efficiency variations throughout PS5, Xbox, Change 2, PC, and Change

Past these platform-specific options and potential points with cross save, the variations between console variations should do with visuals, efficiency, and cargo occasions. Visually, the PS5 (even when performed on PS5 Professional) and Xbox Collection X variations are similar. I in contrast 4K captures throughout 4 completely different conditions and every little thing was a match. The Change 1 and a pair of variations seem to focus on the identical decision docked although. I used to be stunned to see this as you’d count on Change 2 to supply a better decision. Hopefully that is addressed in a patch. I’ve included some zoomed compared pictures based mostly on 4K seize from all 4 consoles beneath to showcase the completely different in how the pixel artwork seems when enjoying at 4K: 

When enjoying handheld, having spent all my time pre-release with the Change 1 model examined by way of handheld increase mode on Change 2 and in addition on Change 1, I used to be stunned to see the Change 2 native launch runs decrease decision (handheld) than the Change 1 model by way of handheld increase mode. Should you use handheld increase mode, you lose out on contact controls although. I assume this can be a bug that shall be fastened quickly. It won’t look like an enormous situation given the sport, however when you do not have correct pixel artwork scaling for even the UI and menus, it is not nice. 

On the efficiency facet, I initially performed the Change model on Change 2 and Change 1. It struggled with some particle-heavy battles even on Change 2 with animations reduce down, however wasn’t a nasty expertise, and I used to be more than pleased with the way it performed on Change 2 handheld by way of increase mode. It does nevertheless really feel fairly sluggish on Change 1 with what looks like a variable body price. Through backward compatibility on Change 2, the Change 1 model feels lots higher as I mentioned, but it surely is not good. The Change 2 model hits its 60fps goal much more constantly, although there look like some animations at a decrease body price for particular card expertise even right here. That is all when enjoying on TV or docked. 

The PS5 and Xbox Collection X variations have a 120fps goal. I verified it by sluggish movement digital camera seize so it’s not simply utilizing a decrease body price in a 120hz container. In a turn-based first-person dungeon crawler with grid-based motion, you won’t be bothered by a decrease body price goal, however I did count on poncle to have 120fps help on Change 2 if the PS5 and Xbox variations provide it. 

Transferring over to transportable play, the ROG Ally adopted by Steam Deck OLED delivers one of the best efficiency as you’d count on, however I do not actually have main complaints with how the Change 2 model performs handheld. The Change 1 model however is noticeably sluggish even right here with for much longer load occasions as I’ll cowl beneath. As for the PC model itself, it helps uncapped body charges in my testing and does not break a sweat even on PC handhelds.

Vampire Crawlers ultrawide PC gameplay

Vampire Crawlers on PC additionally helps ultrawide screens. I performed it at 21:9 and the staff did a adequate job with the UI and menus, however the gameplay continues to be in the identical center portion of the display screen. Since that is maintained throughout all platforms, I did not count on issues to be completely different at 21:9, however it’s value noting. I hope a future replace provides correct 16:10 help although. 

Vampire Crawlers load occasions throughout Change 2, PS5, Steam, Xbox, Xbox on PC, and Change

To check load occasions, I put in Vampire Crawlers for Change on Change OLED SD card and Change 2 inside storage, the Change 2 model on Change 2 inside storage, the PS5 model on my PS5 and PS5 Professional inside storage, the Xbox model on my Xbox Collection X inside storage and ROG Ally inside storage, and the Steam model on my Steam Decks and ROG Ally. I measured the time taken to load the title display screen after the preliminary photosensitivity warning and in addition the time taken to load a mid-dungeon run. I discovered the preliminary load for a save file to the hub was almost the identical throughout all platforms and this gave a greater thought for the way folks will play Vampire Crawlers underneath regular circumstances since you may stop to menu and primarily droop your gameplay even throughout a boss battle. The outcomes beneath are in seconds.

*Observe: The Xbox console and Xbox PC apps can take longer based mostly on how lengthy it takes to sync, however even in one of the best circumstances, it was at all times lots longer than different consoles for the preliminary load.

As you may see, the PS5 model is the quickest to load throughout the board. The Change 1 model on Change 2 hundreds a bit sooner for in-game dungeon saves, however no console takes too lengthy barring the Change 1 model. The ROG Ally and Steam Deck each took longer than all present consoles for the preliminary load.

Which model of Vampire Crawlers is one of the best?

The PS5 model is one of the best console model of Vampire Crawlers if you wish to play solely on TV or a monitor. For transportable play, I’d truly go along with the Change 1 model on Change 2 by way of handheld increase mode because it delivers a crisper expertise. Till that is patched, the Change 1 model on Change 2 is the best way to go on console. 

Total, identical to Vampire Survivors, Vampire Crawlers for Steam is one of the best model since you’ve got the flexibility to scale efficiency above consoles and get one of the best transportable expertise on PC handhelds. It additionally doubtless will get updates and fixes sooner than the consoles. 

Vampire Crawlers Change 1 and a pair of improve buy and save switch

Should you purchase Vampire Crawlers on Change 1, the Change 2 model (Observe: This isn’t a Nintendo Change 2 Version with an Improve Pack like Closing Fantasy Techniques) seems at a 100% low cost to assert on the eShop by way of the identical account. Should you play the Change 1 model after which boot up the Change 2 native launch, it asks if you wish to load your save file and you’ll proceed your progress. You can not nevertheless take your Change 2 save to a Change 1 and I can not affirm if shopping for the Change 2 model grants you the Change 1 native launch. Maintain this in thoughts if you purchase and I like to recommend shopping for the Change 1 model to get each both approach. I can affirm it really works on the North American eShop that approach.

Which model of Vampire Crawlers do you have to purchase at this time?

Everybody has their very own priorities for what they need, so I’ll listing the benefits and downsides of each single model of Vampire Crawlers as a conclusion to this characteristic beneath:

Vampire Crawlers on Change 1/2: If you wish to play on the go or worth the hybrid nature of Nintendo’s Change consoles, purchase it on Change 1 (and declare the Change 2 model free). Whereas I do not advocate the Change 1 model on a Change 1 console, it performs nice on Change 2, and you too can strive each and see which one you like. Simply be aware that save knowledge can’t be synced from the Change 2 model again to the Change 1 model. It solely goes ahead for the primary time you load it up. 
Vampire Crawlers on Steam: Vampire Crawlers on Steam is one of the best model with help for uncapped body charges, ultrawide shows, and with how good it feels on PC handhelds with no points in any respect. This model may also doubtless see the quickest fixes for any bugs or different points. 
Vampire Crawlers on Xbox: You probably have entry to a PC handheld or play on Xbox Collection consoles and PC, the Play Anyplace characteristic is a giant promoting level along with the Fast Resume characteristic on Xbox, however the longer preliminary load occasions because of the syncing holds this model again a bit. This model is on Sport Go although so it’s value contemplating when you have the subscription and wish to check out the sport.
Vampire Crawlers on PS5: If you need the very best TV expertise, care about trophy help, and do not care about transportable play (except you stream to a PlayStation Portal or telephone), that is the model to get. It is usually the quickest model in relation to load occasions.

Hopefully this helped you resolve the place you must get Vampire Crawlers, my most-played Change recreation of 2026 proper now, and a giant shock from poncle in nearly each approach. I’ll revisit this when any main patches launch for the Change 2 port and in addition as soon as the cell variations launch alongside cross save.

Vampire Crawlers is now obtainable for Change 2, PS5, Xbox Collection, Change, and PC (Steam). It launches for iOS and Android this yr.