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[Gamer79]

We always do not need Digital Foundry beating off to frame comparisons that are almost identical to approve a good game. Throw out the Framerate/resolution circle jerks and take it back to good old fashioned fun gaming. I discovered this Gem on the Switch a couple of days ago and became hooked. A simple 8 bit game with an improved color pallete has given me more Fun than most modern day $70 releases. A rogue game where the player only uses the Joystick. Once you get into the game and realize there is a ton of complexity on how to level up certain characters and creating different builds on each run. I know the game has been out for awhile but never really put time into it until recently and damn, 8 bit games can still be just as fun as these modern $100 million dollar games. If you like rouge games with rpg elements that convert into a bullet hell game this is a title to try. For $5 I feel like I ripped them off.

 

[Feel Like I'm On 42]

We always do not need Digital Foundry beating off to frame comparisons that are almost identical to approve a good game. Throw out the Framerate/resolution circle jerks and take it back to good old fashioned fun gaming. I discovered this Gem on the Switch a couple of days ago and became hooked. A simple 8 bit game with an improved color pallete has given me more Fun than most modern day $70 releases. A rogue game where the player only uses the Joystick. Once you get into the game and realize there is a ton of complexity on how to level up certain characters and creating different builds on each run. I know the game has been out for awhile but never really put time into it until recently and damn, 8 bit games can still be just as fun as these modern $100 million dollar games. If you like rouge games with rpg elements that convert into a bullet hell game this is a title to try. For $5 I feel like I ripped them off.

This game isn't all that good, it just has a very addicting gameplay loop. I don't think this proves anything other than yes, simple graphics can also be fun

 

[Sleepwalker]

It was alright but I was over it after a few days lol

 

[dreamstation]

Same with Chronicon. I wasn't a fan of the graphics but the gameplay is amazing.

 

[Knightime_X]

Also helps this game lets you get as strong as you want without any strict caps.
Its fun to be allowed to get OP at any degree. Between Xbox, PC and Switch I have probably close to 400 hours.

 

[lh032]

i understand where you coming from, i played the game many times, very fun.

But in the end, something were still missing, i just personally want some great visual experience from gaming.

 

[mrmustard]

This game isn't all that good, it just has a very addicting gameplay loop. I don't think this proves anything other than yes, simple graphics can also be fun

How can a game not be good if it is fun and has addicting gameplay?

I rather play those games than 'good' AAA borefests.

 

[coffinbirth]

How can a game not be good if it is fun and has addicting gameplay?

I rather play those games than 'good' AAA borefests.

Yeah, I dunno. Vampire Survivors serves up "just one more game" better than most anything out there.

 

[Robb]

There are plenty of examples of that. But yeah, Vampire Survivors is amazing!

 

[Warablo]

While Vampire Survivors is a decent little game, I wouldn't say its a good or great game.

 

[struggler_guts]

It's a decent little game but you've played all of it after like an hour. It really just proves idle games can be mainstream

 

[plip.plop]

That music when you open a chest waiting to see what you get is top-notch.

 

[Hohenheim]

It'sa great game, but would be even cooler if it had Diablo 4-ish graphics! Imagine the frame rate on lower end systems when there's 1000's of enemies on screen..! DF would have a field day on their analysis.

 

[coffinbirth]

It'sa great game, but would be even cooler if it had Diablo 4-ish graphics! Imagine the frame rate on lower end systems when there's 1000's of enemies on screen..! DF would have a field day on their analysis.

Halls of Torment is Diablo 2-ish...

 

[Daneel Elijah]

Have you played The Binding of Isaac OP? Even indies games like it can get better with a graphics upgrade. Or rogue knight? Vampire survivors was really fun the few times I played it. But if it got a graphics upgrade like those 2 games I think that a lot of people would love it even more. But yes gameplay>graphics.

 

[tusharngf]

I had to check my eyes after 50hrs into this game. Not good for eyes.

 

[Darkness_Arises]

In this genre, I much prefer Soulstone Survivors due to the low poly cartoonsy aesthetics. Looks matter, to a varying degree, but they do. I am not denying that VS is a modern masterpiece but I would play it a lot more, if it looked better.

 

[nemiroff]

It's a good game for playing when listening to podcasts, I'll give it that..

 

[Soodanim]

I've done over 130 hours in that game, which is more than I can say for the majority of games that I've ever played.

I've never been particularly impressed by the push for realistic graphics outside of the novelty aspect and technical achievement. In terms of actual game design, it's so-so. And we're seeing the drawbacks when Resident Evil needs yellow paint slapped on everything to guide the player.

I want games to be games, not attempt to be sims.

That reminds me: where's my Timesplitters remakes?

 

[coffinbirth]

It's a great game, but...the thread.

 

[MAtgS]

I mean a lot of indie games prove that. Undertale looks like a NES game but was a breakout hit for example.

 

[rofif]

Od so it’s also and example that gameplay don’t matter.
The game is just drugs. I don’t know how it works. Where are my 100 hours lol.

 

[acm2000]

It's just a mobile game, fun for short bursts but that's it.

 

[systemr123]

It's a decent little game but you've played all of it after like an hour. It really just proves idle games can be mainstream

What? In 1 hour you can play a maximum of 2 levels (as you have to survive 30 minutes to win a single level) providing you don’t die a single time lol. And after you finish all the levels there are many different characters you can play with each level and each level has its different options as well. Game has massive amounts of content and besides that is tons of fun. Lots of weapons, lots of power ups, lots of upgrade, lots of levels now in the most recent updated game. Then there are 2 massive expansions that are almost free as well.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

The Callisto protocol also falls into that category

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

Its a great game but in the end its a simplistic but addictive gameplay. You cant apply that to a game as heavy as GOW. Theres a reason why so many animations exist and cutscenes, all of which a game like VH doesnt need. Id say it falls under the category same as Tetris.

 

[Mephisto40]

Unfortunately an arcade style game is never going to receive too much praise and will be overlooked, most people are done with games like this after a couple of tries

 

[Markio128]

Vampire Survivors was okay for a few hours, and I don’t mind simple looking games, but I much prefer games like Geometry Wars.

 

[lyan]

How can a game not be good if it is fun and has addicting gameplay?

I rather play those games than 'good' AAA borefests.

Same can be said to slot machines and the myriad of games in a casino.

 

[mrmustard]

Same can be said to slot machines and the myriad of games in a casino.

BS comparison. Nobody likes the 'gameplay' of slotmachines. It's just stupid greed and for some people a real addiction.

 

[lyan]

BS comparison. Nobody likes the 'gameplay' of slotmachines. It's just stupid greed and for some people a real addiction.

Well, when the creator of VS was a slot machine developer, the feedback loop that makes the game addicting shares similarities.

 

[The Cockatrice]

Talking as if Vampire Survivors is your first indie game. Graphics matter and dont, both statements are true.

 

[dreamstation]

That music when you open a chest waiting to see what you get is top-notch.

It takes too long. Can you skip it?

 

[Alexios]

I like its graphics more than its gameplay.

 

[StabbyStabStabStabStab]

I enjoyed VS for sure, although I ended up just chasing golden eggs for no discernible, reason and then you end up with a unplayable character that serves no purpose aside from generating cash for eggs. Weirdly satisfying if you're wired that way, although you do end up questioning what the hell you're doing with your life. Same with all idle games really...

 

[CeeJay]

Yes graphics are not the be all end all, never have been. But Vampire Survivors is really not the best example either. The game is OK and gets way over hyped for what it is. When I first played it I was thinking yes this is alright but from the great things i'd heard I was thinking that it must step up a gear and open out into something grander at some point. After a couple of days playing I realised that this was it and the game was pretty shallow. There isn't a lot of complexity in the builds at all. You have a weapon that you can upgrade and then if you also have the weapon it synergises with then you can evolve it into a super powerful version, nothing more complicated than that. Games like Minecraft and Stardew Valley have way more breadth and depth than Vampire Survivors and would be better examples supporting your premise.

It's fairly common sense to say that if you are shooting for the very best possible visuals a machine is capable of there are going to have to be trade-offs. If you simplify the graphics you can use that extra power to do various things such as make the physics engine deeper, have more objects on screen, push the framerate higher, reduce the control latency etc. These are all things that can help to make the actual gameplay more engaging. It's very seldom that you get both high end graphics and high end gameplay in the same package and even then it's usually because the scope of the game is narrow in some way such as going 2d instead of 3d. Game like Ori or perhaps fighting games show this.

 

[Guilty_AI]

There are shittons of examples on how graphics don't matter. Not sure why pick Vampire Survivors as the prime example.

 

[rofif]

It's just a mobile game, fun for short bursts but that's it.

short bursts added to 100 hours for me.
I just played it whenever I had any podcast or stream to listen to

 

[acm2000]

short bursts added to 100 hours for me.
I just played it whenever I had any podcast or stream to listen to

exactly, its just a mobile game with basically no real gameplay mechanics, but its a good time sink

 

[DryvBy]

Neither does gameplay. This is an advanced clicker known as a walker. I don't get the appeal of ultra casual games.

 

[ClanOfNone]

lol, I almost made a thread about this game and its mystery appeal. I tried it out on gamepass and sunk like 50 hours into it and I still can't really explain why.

 

[Yamisan]

Try Holocure - Save the Fans! or Halls of Torment, both on steam and are both better.

 

[radewagon]

I dunno, OP. I have heard of this game. I am a fan of retro-pixel games. I adore old-school arcade games and vampires. And yet I haven't played this game. I'm not ashamed to admit that it's very much due to the fact that it looks ugly. It just looks terrible through and through. Maybe it's the best thing ever made. Doesn't matter because I just won't play it. A game doesn't have to look phenomenal, but it does, at least for me, have to look pleasant.

Is that a silly point of view? Yeah. But I imagine it's a fairly common one.

 

[Null Persp]

Fun game but I enjoyed more Halls of torment

 

[Krappadizzle]

Matters enough that I didn't pick it up despite all the praise. Even then, I like pixel art/styles, I just think the overall art direction of Vampire Survivors is boring to look at. I will probably pick it up down the line when I have nothing better to do though. Even with shitty graphics, a good game is a good game though. Great graphics just help. A lot.

 

[El Muerto]

I must be in the minority here because i hate this game. The graphics are obviously ripped from Castlevania. And people get addicted to it because of the casino like noises and rewards. Just like how old people get addicted to casino games on their phone. All you do in the game is run around in circles and try not to get hit. Everything else is just chance.

 

[Drizzlehell]

I disagree with sentiments like these. Graphics only need to be good enough for what the intended experience requires. A high level of realism and fidelity isn't important in a simple arcade game like Vampire Survivors but it will be an essential part of creating an immersive and realistic setting in a found footage horror game for example.

That doesn't mean that either one of these styles doesn't matter or has any less right to exist than the other.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

I enjoyed it for awhile but I agree a game doesn't have to have amazing graphics to be fun

I really enjoyed Battlebits and no Mini Royale and neither are gorgeous games

One of my most played games ever is Rocket League and you know how it looks

 

[AngelMuffin]

Of course not, two of the most successful games of all time are Tetris & Minecraft. All about the gameplay. Couldn’t care less what my game looks like when paused and zoomed at 100X magnification.

 

[Hudo]

Fun game but I enjoyed more Halls of torment

This is the real Diablo 4 (Not joking).