You will see many reviews for this game with <1 hour logged times. This is because you can beat the game - or rather, have a successful run - in as little at 10 minutes.

I'm 3 hours in, and I don't regret the purchase. I'm guessing that Vampire Survivors has wackier gameplay, but there's something to be said for strong fundamentals. I like the blue vs. red contrast of projectiles. I like the narrative inferences you can make about the setting based on the proper nouns involved. You get into a good flow with the enemy-fodder portions as well as most of the bullet-hell boss portions.

It's not flawless. Some of the SFX were so grating (looking at you, thunder blade) that I reduced the volume of it to like 30% and mostly vibed with the soundtrack, which is excellent. Some of the upgrades feel supremely pointless (why would anyone ever take slow cooker?) and as others have pointed out, speed upgrades are basically non-optional.

Still, it's good fun when you want something quick and simple.
Recommended.

[h1]It's a $4 twin-stick shooter; whaddya want?[/h1] You will see many reviews for this game with <1 hour logged times. This is because you can beat the game - or rather, have a successful run - in as little at 10 minutes. I'm 3 hours in, and I don't regret the purchase. I'm guessing that Vampire Survivors has wackier gameplay, but there's something to be said for strong fundamentals. I like the blue vs. red contrast of projectiles. I like the narrative inferences you can make about the setting based on the proper nouns involved. You get into a good flow with the enemy-fodder portions as well as most of the bullet-hell boss portions. It's not flawless. Some of the SFX were so grating (looking at you, thunder blade) that I reduced the volume of it to like 30% and mostly vibed with the soundtrack, which is excellent. Some of the upgrades feel [i]supremely[/i] pointless (why would anyone ever take slow cooker?) and as others have pointed out, speed upgrades are basically non-optional. Still, it's good fun when you want something quick and simple. Recommended.