Poncle, the independent developer behind the phenomenally successful Vampire Survivors, has officially announced a brand-new spin-off: Vampire Crawlers.
Scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch in 2026, Vampire Crawlers expands the universe of Vampire Survivors with a distinctive roguelite deckbuilding dungeon crawler experience, marking an ambitious move for the UK-based studio that has captivated millions since Vampire Survivors’ debut. Vampire Survivors took the indie world by storm after launching its early access version on PC in late 2021, followed by a full release in 2022.
Known for its addictive bullet-hell gameplay, accessible controls, and seemingly endless updates, Poncle’s flagship title amassed a devoted fanbase, reaching over 1 million copies sold in less than a year and later launching on platforms such as Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and mobile.
Vampire Crawlers aims to capture that same magic, blending roguelite deckbuilding mechanics with first-person dungeon exploration in a quirky, genre-mashing package.
According to Poncle founder Luca Galante in a statement to Xbox Wire, the new game is about cutting down hordes of enemies with cards as players explore dynamic dungeons at their own pace.
Galante described it as reminiscent of classic 'blobber' RPGs from the 1980s—games renowned for first-person grid movement and oversized on-screen controls—while innovating by replacing buttons with customizable card decks for each dungeon run. Key gameplay features outlined on Vampire Crawlers’ official Steam page include turn-based combat that rewards combo-building through card sequencing, a flexible playstyle accommodating both thoughtful strategizing and rapid-fire decision making, and a rich progression system where players acquire new cards, power-ups, and character upgrades.
Unique to this spin-off are actual dungeon walls for exploration, a notable change from the open arenas of Vampire Survivors.
Players will explore floors, unlock treasures, utilize special items like shovels to reach new levels—even venturing into unusual locations such as the clouds. While Vampire Crawlers is not a direct sequel, Poncle assures fans that support for the original Vampire Survivors will continue.
In his latest update, Galante teased ongoing work related to a proper Vampire Survivors sequel, stating, “With regards to a sequel to Vampire Survivors, we’re working on something, but we’re not talking about that just yet.” Vampire Crawlers is set to launch on Nintendo Switch in 2026, with additional platforms to be announced.
For fans eager for more content from the Vampire Survivors universe, this new title promises to deliver an innovative yet familiar experience, blending deckbuilding, roguelite progression, and dungeon crawling on Nintendo’s popular hybrid console. Stay tuned to official channels and future Nintendo Direct events for the latest updates on Vampire Crawlers and Poncle’s ongoing projects.
Scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch in 2026, Vampire Crawlers expands the universe of Vampire Survivors with a distinctive roguelite deckbuilding dungeon crawler experience, marking an ambitious move for the UK-based studio that has captivated millions since Vampire Survivors’ debut. Vampire Survivors took the indie world by storm after launching its early access version on PC in late 2021, followed by a full release in 2022.
Known for its addictive bullet-hell gameplay, accessible controls, and seemingly endless updates, Poncle’s flagship title amassed a devoted fanbase, reaching over 1 million copies sold in less than a year and later launching on platforms such as Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and mobile.
Vampire Crawlers aims to capture that same magic, blending roguelite deckbuilding mechanics with first-person dungeon exploration in a quirky, genre-mashing package.
According to Poncle founder Luca Galante in a statement to Xbox Wire, the new game is about cutting down hordes of enemies with cards as players explore dynamic dungeons at their own pace.
Galante described it as reminiscent of classic 'blobber' RPGs from the 1980s—games renowned for first-person grid movement and oversized on-screen controls—while innovating by replacing buttons with customizable card decks for each dungeon run. Key gameplay features outlined on Vampire Crawlers’ official Steam page include turn-based combat that rewards combo-building through card sequencing, a flexible playstyle accommodating both thoughtful strategizing and rapid-fire decision making, and a rich progression system where players acquire new cards, power-ups, and character upgrades.
Unique to this spin-off are actual dungeon walls for exploration, a notable change from the open arenas of Vampire Survivors.
Players will explore floors, unlock treasures, utilize special items like shovels to reach new levels—even venturing into unusual locations such as the clouds. While Vampire Crawlers is not a direct sequel, Poncle assures fans that support for the original Vampire Survivors will continue.
In his latest update, Galante teased ongoing work related to a proper Vampire Survivors sequel, stating, “With regards to a sequel to Vampire Survivors, we’re working on something, but we’re not talking about that just yet.” Vampire Crawlers is set to launch on Nintendo Switch in 2026, with additional platforms to be announced.
For fans eager for more content from the Vampire Survivors universe, this new title promises to deliver an innovative yet familiar experience, blending deckbuilding, roguelite progression, and dungeon crawling on Nintendo’s popular hybrid console. Stay tuned to official channels and future Nintendo Direct events for the latest updates on Vampire Crawlers and Poncle’s ongoing projects.
