Vampire Survivors-likes are popping up all over the gaming world, all trying to emulate the success of Poncle's indie hit, which was named the best game of 2022.
However, many of these games fail to match the original in various ways. But, there's one game that stands out from the rest: Spellbook Demonslayers.
Despite being in early access, it already has a solid foundation and is quickly gaining popularity among gamers.
Spellbook Demonslayers follows the classic formula of a Vampire Survivors-like game. Players steer a witch through an arena filled with rotten hounds and fetid fungi, using periodic auto-attacks and spells to keep the demonic masses at bay. What sets Spellbook apart is its unique take on the formula, borrowing the best elements from Vampire Survivors and adding its own witchy twist.
One of the game's biggest selling points is its extensive collection of spells and upgrades. Players can level up their spellbook by collecting gems from fallen demons, choosing from a wide selection of spells to imbue their book with. Although the game is still in early access and the spell selection isn't quite as extensive as the Yellow Pages yet, there are already plenty of options to choose from. From sigils that highlight enemies and call forth deadly lightning bolts to rotating acid sprays that make demons explode on death, players are sure to find a spell that suits their playstyle.
What makes Spellbook's spells even more appealing is their upgrade paths. Players can transform their spells into even more powerful versions of themselves. For example, ice traps can become towering obelisks that shatter on impact, and fizzing orbs can become beetles that leech health. This adds a fun layer of progression to the game and rewards players for their investments.
At the moment, the game doesn't have a lot of variety in terms of enemy types and arena designs. Each stage is fairly similar and rather small, with the same demons appearing over and over again. However, this is expected to change as the game continues to develop.
After completing a stage within the 30-minute timer, players are faced with a handful of challenges, including defeating all the elite enemies or surviving for as long as possible. This earns players "Astral Blooms" which can be spent on upgrades at the main menu. Although this may seem tedious to some players, the real reward for surviving is unlocking new spell books that act as new characters. Each spell book offers a different starting spell, allowing players to switch things up and try out new playstyles.
Another way Spellbook stands out from the crowd is through its "Shrines". These are small arenas that appear randomly and task players with a challenge. For example, the "Smuggler's Shrine" might appear and challenge players to slay 30 enemies within its bounds to receive a special "Smuggler's Chest" that grants a powerful upgrade. Although the incremental boosts from these shrines may not seem exciting, they add a fun mini-challenge to break up the usual wave-clearing gameplay.
The presentation of Spellbook is one of its greatest strengths. The colorful and bouncy sprites keep the chaos of a lengthy run under control, providing players with all the information they need to stay on top of the action. This is in stark contrast to other Survivors-likes, where the art style can often be difficult to navigate and doesn't provide enough information during gameplay.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a Vampire Survivors-like game with a solid, magical platform and plenty of room for improvement, Spellbook Demonslayers is the game
However, many of these games fail to match the original in various ways. But, there's one game that stands out from the rest: Spellbook Demonslayers.
Despite being in early access, it already has a solid foundation and is quickly gaining popularity among gamers.
Spellbook Demonslayers follows the classic formula of a Vampire Survivors-like game. Players steer a witch through an arena filled with rotten hounds and fetid fungi, using periodic auto-attacks and spells to keep the demonic masses at bay. What sets Spellbook apart is its unique take on the formula, borrowing the best elements from Vampire Survivors and adding its own witchy twist.
One of the game's biggest selling points is its extensive collection of spells and upgrades. Players can level up their spellbook by collecting gems from fallen demons, choosing from a wide selection of spells to imbue their book with. Although the game is still in early access and the spell selection isn't quite as extensive as the Yellow Pages yet, there are already plenty of options to choose from. From sigils that highlight enemies and call forth deadly lightning bolts to rotating acid sprays that make demons explode on death, players are sure to find a spell that suits their playstyle.
What makes Spellbook's spells even more appealing is their upgrade paths. Players can transform their spells into even more powerful versions of themselves. For example, ice traps can become towering obelisks that shatter on impact, and fizzing orbs can become beetles that leech health. This adds a fun layer of progression to the game and rewards players for their investments.
At the moment, the game doesn't have a lot of variety in terms of enemy types and arena designs. Each stage is fairly similar and rather small, with the same demons appearing over and over again. However, this is expected to change as the game continues to develop.
After completing a stage within the 30-minute timer, players are faced with a handful of challenges, including defeating all the elite enemies or surviving for as long as possible. This earns players "Astral Blooms" which can be spent on upgrades at the main menu. Although this may seem tedious to some players, the real reward for surviving is unlocking new spell books that act as new characters. Each spell book offers a different starting spell, allowing players to switch things up and try out new playstyles.
Another way Spellbook stands out from the crowd is through its "Shrines". These are small arenas that appear randomly and task players with a challenge. For example, the "Smuggler's Shrine" might appear and challenge players to slay 30 enemies within its bounds to receive a special "Smuggler's Chest" that grants a powerful upgrade. Although the incremental boosts from these shrines may not seem exciting, they add a fun mini-challenge to break up the usual wave-clearing gameplay.
The presentation of Spellbook is one of its greatest strengths. The colorful and bouncy sprites keep the chaos of a lengthy run under control, providing players with all the information they need to stay on top of the action. This is in stark contrast to other Survivors-likes, where the art style can often be difficult to navigate and doesn't provide enough information during gameplay.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a Vampire Survivors-like game with a solid, magical platform and plenty of room for improvement, Spellbook Demonslayers is the game
