If you've ever had a crippling Vampire Survivors or Slay the Spire habit, avoid Vampire Crawlers at all costs
PC Gamer
by Wes Fenlon February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Vampire Crawlers is a fast-paced card game that blends the excitement of speed-based mechanics with strategic card play, making it an addictive time-killer for fans of Vampire Survivors and Slay the Spire. Developed by poncle, the game tasks players with navigating a map filled with monsters, using cards to trigger combat and defeat enemies. Unlike traditional dungeon crawlers, Vampire Crawlers allows you to play your entire hand at once, creating a frantic yet satisfying gameplay experience. The game’s unique combo system rewards players for playing cards in ascending mana cost, encouraging strategic deck building and thoughtful card usage.
The core mechanic hinges on a combo system that multiplies damage with each successive card played. This adds depth to the gameplay, as players must balance their deck composition to maintain combos and avoid sudden defeats. Treasure chests and level-ups provide gems that enhance specific cards, further emphasizing the importance of play order and timing. For example, boosting a high-damage card’s effectiveness by playing it at the right moment can turn the tide in a challenging encounter.
Vampire Crawlers also introduces passive bonuses like Spinach and Clover, which were previously static items in Vampire Survivors but now serve as one-time-use combo extenders. This adds an extra layer of strategy, forcing players to decide when to use these cards for maximum impact. The game’s fast-paced nature initially feels mindless, but as players master the mechanics, they’re drawn into a more deliberate and calculated playstyle.
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Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/19/2026