Vampire Survivors Darkasso Update Brings New Challenges and Experimental Gameplay Mechanics
The latest update for Vampire Survivors has introduced a fresh batch of content, focusing on five new Arcana cards that offer players strange and experimental ways to experience the game. Dubbed the “Darkness,” these new additions are part of the Darkasso update, which also features a new challenge stage, character skins, and more.
The Darkasso update brings nine new achievements, a new challenge stage, a relic, two special character skins, and five new Arcana cards. The new Arcana cards are described as “experimental and subject to change,” signaling that Poncle, the game’s developer, is still fine-tuning these gameplay elements.
The new character skins aren’t just cosmetic; they also alter the base stats and weapons of the characters they are equipped with. These skins are rewards for completing the two base game Adventure modes, and if you’ve already completed those, the skins should be available in the menu.
Among the Darkasso is one particularly chaotic card that causes your character to spit out exploding projectiles every time you take damage. The damage from these projectiles scales with the amount of health you’ve recovered throughout the run, adding a layer of strategy where taking damage can be beneficial.
This update follows the previous major addition, Operation Guns, a crossover with the classic Contra series, which brought new weapons and even rideable jet bikes into the mix.
For more details on the Darkasso update and how to unlock the new content, you can visit the Vampire Survivors page on Steam. With its intentionally lo-fi graphics and absurd gameplay, Vampire Survivors continues to be a standout in the roguelike genre, even earning the title of Best Roguelike of 2022 with an 87% review score. If you haven’t tried it yet, the game remains a steal at just $5.
