Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is an unhinged tribute to its inspiration

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is an unhinged tribute to its inspiration

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is a love letter to the ages, meticulously crafted by fellow aficionados who clearly spent countless hours poring over every pixel of the legendary series. This DLC has taken the already addictive gameplay of Vampire Survivors and cranked it up to eleven, delivering an experience that feels like a wild ride through a candy store with a chainsaw in hand.


It was almost serendipitous how Vampire Survivor’s initial collaboration with Konami was with Contra instead of Castlevania, given the game’s nod to Castlevania while maintaining a “no vampires” aspect. It would have dampened the atmosphere if it had become an actual Castlevania game. However, when Ode to Castlevania appeared and overflowed with an excessive amount of elements in its first trailer alone, everything felt fitting. Rather than compromising the unique vibe, it turned out that the creators of this unexpected indie hit had enough passion to create a meticulous tribute to Castlevania, which is quite unusual given the number of such tributes seen recently.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is an unhinged tribute to its inspiration

Following the end credits of a climactic boss battle, I find myself at a bit of a loss for words (thankfully there’s spoiler culture here), as I grapple with where to begin discussing the Ode to Castlevania. This DLC marks the grandest, most ambitious expansion yet for Vampire Survivors, and it’s awe-inspiring to witness what poncle managed to fit within its own system without it collapsing like Dracula’s castle after a Belmont’s rampage. It’s not just the abundance of new characters and items (which is astonishing on its own), but how it architecturally honors Castlevania with its fresh stage as well.

In essence, the difficulty level in the Ode to Castlevania stage is slightly reduced compared to other levels. You progress more slowly, and the castle is considerably larger. On the map, there are specific spots that spawn bosses from the series, some of which open shortcuts, similar to those found in “Metroidvania” games. This design choice allows Vampire Survivors to regain some of its roguelike challenge while also paying homage to the “search action” structure that the latter part of Castlevania is known for. It’s an interesting spin on a formula you may find familiar by now.

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is an unhinged tribute to its inspiration

In summary, exploring the rest of the DLC involves experimenting with new characters, enhancing their weapons, and gradually unlocking more content. Until now, I had been casually playing Vampire Survivors without delving into detailed analysis or coverage. However, working under pressure to produce content has given me a unique perspective on how my lifestyle affects my gaming experience. For instance, when I correctly deduced the key to weapon evolution using contextual hints, it was a satisfying moment!

Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania is an unhinged tribute to its inspiration

It’s genuinely enjoyable to witness unexpected characters such as Grant Danasty from Castlevania 3 and Eric Lecarde from Bloodlines demonstrating extraordinary abilities. Even Leon Belmont, not typically a fan favorite, proves to be a formidable force. These instances, among others, suggest that the developers not only appreciate Castlevania but have meticulously studied it and invested significant creative energy into translating the intricate Castlevania mythos into their game mechanics. There’s also ample space for humor and over-the-top elements. By the game’s conclusion, I was operating an endless mode build with Richter Belmont, who is both the best and worst of the Belmont clan (you know what you know), wielding all whip weapons simultaneously and ruling the entire castle because it seemed like a comical idea.

Despite having completed the game, watched the end credits, and felt the climax of Vampire Survivors (looking back), I’m still eager for more. There are unexplored corners and hidden treasures yet to be found, and the mere thought leaves me astonished. This DLC is like a group of kids rampaging through a candy store armed with burlap sacks and chainsaws, embodying an uncontainable energy. Every excessive and absurd element within it is brimming with genuine affection and admiration for its origins. I haven’t even touched on the soundtrack, which boasts fantastic remixes of classic tunes and obscure hits. I can hardly wait to dive back in, once my wrist recovers from the unusual grips I’ve been using on my Steam Deck this past week.

On October 31, 2024, you can get your hands on “Vampire Survivors: Ode to Castlevania” across multiple platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, as well as mobile devices. The publisher generously provided a PC code for the DLC for this article’s purpose.

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2024-10-31 14:27