There are a lot of reasons why Vampire Survivors is so good. The mechanics, systems, and progression are just a few aspects of why it feels so satisfying to play. A mashup of the rogue-like and bullet-hell genres, Vampire Survivors is something special.
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The games on this list have a lot in common with each other, but they all lean into different aspects of Vampire Survivors. They will have you dodging to stay alive, finding the best build, quickly replaying loops, or progressing through trial and error. While the games on this list are each unique in their own way, they will all have you saying, “just one more game.”
7 Resogun
In this fast-paced, highly replayable shoot-em-up, you fly around a cylindrical-shaped world that needs you to Save The Last Humans. Resogun uses a beautiful art style and bright colors to draw you into its atmosphere. The fantastic gameplay, creative boss fights, and increasing challenge will make you want to stay there.
Resogun uses ideas from rogue-likes, shoot-em-ups, and traditional arcade games to create a unique and immensely fun experience. Once you’ve completed a level, defeated a boss, and used a bomb to clear the entire screen, you’ll know why this game is so awesome.
6 Slay The Spire
If you love the characters, art, and randomness of Vampire Survivors, you should try Slay the Spire. In this deck-building rogue-like, you’ll make a thousand small decisions that will impact your gameplay. Starting off slow and ramping up over the course of a run, Slay the Spire is the perfect game if you want a relaxing and cerebral Vampire Survivors-like.
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As you ascend the Spire, you’ll encounter monsters, treasures, and challenging boss fights. Look for merchants, campfires, and mysteries to help you along the way, but watch out for traps, curses, and elite enemies.
5 Returnal
Returnal is a fun and never-ending shoot-em-up that will keep you coming back for more. The core principle of Vampire Survivors that will serve you well in Returnal is - never stand still. With projectiles coming at you and enemies closing in on your position, Returnal is a high-octane thriller in a sci-fi universe.
Returnal has the presence of a high-budget Hollywood blockbuster. The audio draws you in while the atmosphere envelops you. From the ambient noise to the environmental elements, games have never sounded or looked this good.
4 Risk Of Rain 2
Seconds after exiting the escape pod, Risk of Rain 2 will start throwing enemies at you. Right away, the game will give you as much as you can handle. Just like in Vampire Survivors, trial & error and perseverance are the key. You won’t make it to the end of the game on your first run, but you shouldn’t stop there.
Immediately after dying in Risk of Rain 2, like in Vampire Survivors, you are taken back to the character selection screen and then dropped back into the world. The action is fast and kinetic, the sounds are enthralling, and the game is so fun that you won’t want to stop playing.
3 Rogue Legacy
In this 2D, side-scrolling, rogue-like platformer, you play as a medieval knight that must explore a randomly generated castle dungeon. The first time you play Rogue Legacy, you enter the castle as a knight and try to keep them alive as long as you can. Each time you die, you choose between that character's descendants to avenge them.
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Rogue Legacy will have you collecting gold to obtain permanent upgrades and choosing between interesting options that enhance your upcoming runs. Your first visit to the castle might only be a few minutes, but as you progress, the game will unveil new and interesting challenges to conquer.
2 Hades
The addictive gameplay loop of Hades is punctuated by visits to your home - the house of Hades. Your character Zagreus (the son of Hades) plunders the Underworld for treasures looking for a way to escape to Mount Olympus. Each time he dies on his journey, Zagreus respawns back in the house of Hades.
You will meet the gods, obtain gifts from Olympus, and unlock new weapons to help you on your way. The procedurally generated levels, variety of enemies, and options for gameplay make this game an amazingly fun time.
1 The Binding Of Isaac
The Binding of Isaac is widely considered one of the best rogue-like games of all time. Isaac starts the game in a mysterious labyrinth in his basem*nt with nothing around. You navigate a Legend of Zelda-style dungeon map (from the original Zelda game on NES) while finding item upgrades and descending deeper into Isaac’s basem*nt.
The levels are procedurally generated, and the items are randomly placed, making each run surprisingly different. The item upgrades will alter your attacks, change the way you play, and create an endless amount of combinations. If you enjoyed Vampire Survivors, The Binding of Isaac should be the very next game you play.
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