Review: 'Vampire Survivors' is old-school video game fun

A constant drip-drip of unlockables keeps you going, in part because these unlockables apply to all levels. So yes, you’ll unlock several new levels. You’ll also uncover new weapons that you’ll want to try in every single area. — poncle/TNS

On its surface, Vampire Survivors looks like an ultra-simplistic game from the 8-bit era, the kind where you run around and kill things and work not to die. But once you dive in, you realise just how multifaceted this game is. And once you dive in, you can’t stop playing.

I didn’t expect to love Vampire Survivors, to be honest, but the hype train had rolled for long enough without me taking a look. So when it showed up on Xbox Game Pass shortly before Thanksgiving, it was an easy download. Since then, I’ve played the game more than many blockbusters, because it’s simply that good.