Vampire Survivors fans are about to experience an exciting new twist as the world of Dracula and the Belmont family collides with the popular survival game. The latest downloadable content (DLC), titled Ode to Castlevania, has been officially announced by developer Poncle and is packed with fresh content. You'll be treated to 20 new characters, 40 weapons, an expansive stage, and over 30 new music tracks. The DLC is designed to provide more than 10 hours of gameplay for just US$3.99, adding another layer of excitement to the already beloved game.
the new Vampire Survivors DLC NO ONE expected! Ode to Castlevania is coming October 31st to all platforms 🍷
our biggest DLC to date, there's so much content you're guaranteed at least another 10 hours of gameplay 😈
🧄 20+ characters
💥 40+ weapons
🗺️ 1 MASSIVE stage + more! pic.twitter.com/lHjFm3cUFi
— Vampire Survivors 🦇🧄 Ode to Castlevania 31st Oct (@poncle_vampire) October 21, 2024
Even though the legendary Castlevania series inspires Ode to Castlevania, it's still unclear whether you'll encounter any vampires in this new expansion. However, given Vampire Survivors' quirky take on the survival genre, it's likely that there will be plenty of surprises, even if actual vampires don't make an appearance.
A Halloween release to watch out for
You won't have to wait long to get your hands on the Ode to Castlevania DLC, which is scheduled to launch on October 31st—just in time for Halloween. The DLC will be available across multiple platforms, including PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, Android, and iOS. Poncle has even created a nostalgic 1990s-style countdown website for the DLC release to keep the anticipation high.
Poncle's dedication to entertaining the Vampire Survivors fan base with free and paid updates has been impressive. Each new update has added more characters, stages, weapons, and achievements. One of the latest significant updates introduced local co-op mode, allowing players to enjoy the survival experience with friends. Vampire Survivors has remained a favourite on the Steam Deck, regularly appearing in the top-played games since Valve started tracking gameplay hours.
A Castlevania collaboration brings it full circle
Vampire Survivors first made waves in 2021, with its pixel art and gameplay heavily inspired by Castlevania. The developer, Poncle, initially sourced the game's art from an asset pack, but now the game has come full circle with an official collaboration with Konami's Castlevania. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the game, solidifying its connection to the iconic franchise.
Interestingly, Konami has been increasingly open to licensing its franchises for collaborations in recent years. Earlier this year, Vampire Survivors had a Contra-themed collaboration, and the Castlevania franchise was also used in Evil Empire's critically acclaimed Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania expansion. These partnerships show that Konami is keen on keeping its beloved franchises alive in creative and unexpected ways.
With Ode to Castlevania, Vampire Survivors is paying homage to its roots and expanding its universe in a way that's sure to delight fans of both games. Whether you're a die-hard Castlevania fan or a newcomer to the series, this new expansion offers plenty of content to sink your teeth into.
