Casual gothic horror game Vampire Survivors has been a big hit for developer Poncle since 2022. The 2D roguelike sees players battling seemingly endless waves of monsters. Now it’s the turn of Meta Quest players to try and survive the onslaught. But as our friends at 131XR find in their review, Vampire Survivors VR doesn’t really benefit from being in VR.
A 2D Vampire Adventure
Very reminiscent of old 2D games from the ’90s, in Vampire Survivors, you choose your character and then complete wave after wave of attacks, collecting coins and gems to level up your character and arsenal to progress further. All on a very flat, 2D plane.
So the idea to bring the game to VR is an interesting one, because none of the core gameplay has been changed. If you love the original, then you’ll probably love the VR edition. The only real change/addition is the inclusion of virtual environments, replicating the levels you’re currently playing. Begging the question, why bother?
Vampire Survivors VR Review
As mentioned, both the VR and non-VR versions play the same way, and 131XR confirms this in its review, noting that the gameplay is exceedingly fun and enjoyable. Like most roguelikes, the odds are stacked against you to begin with, with repeated runs unlocking more content and giving you access to more powerful upgrades.
This is all great, although it must be noted that the flatscreen edition supports 4-player local co-op, while the VR version doesn’t – because it can’t. Furthermore, this is the standard edition of the game; there’s no additional DLC or extras included.
Which is why 131XR ponders the reason for the port to VR. If you’ve never played Vampire Survivors, then the VR is worth a look at, because it’s an enjoyable game. But if you already own it on other formats, there’s no real reason to own the VR version. See what you think in 131XR’s full review of Vampire Survivors VR below.
Do 2D Ports Really Work?
Ports of flat-screen games into VR are nothing new, they’ve even turned into a popular sub-category. But when studios do port these games across, they try to give them some VR flavour, tuning the game to the hardware, encouraging bother new and previous players alike. The most common are 3D shooters being given full motion control support, allowing players to manually aim and reload.
But then there are games like the Pixel Ripped series, taking old-school game designs from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, and giving them an immersive twist. So 2D ports do work in VR, but only stand out when given that VR spark.
Vampire Survivors VR, at its core is a great game; it just doesn’t leverage the technology enough.
What do you think, let us know your impressions in the comments!
