Warhammer Survivors is more than just a Vampire Survivors spin-off, and after 10 hours with the demo, I’m starting to believe it deserves a sequel label.
Auroch Digital, the studio behind Boltgun, built this game with real care for its heroes, maps and monsters. Rather than copying Vampire Survivors wholesale, the team added new systems like followers and more direct boss battles. Playing it on my Steam Deck has already wrecked my sleep routine, just like its predecessor. The game launches November 10, and I’m ready to be exhausted for the rest of the year.
Everything You Dig About Vampire Survivors Is Here
Weapon evolutions, enemy chests with multiple items, arcana, bosses, challenges and upgrades — if it exists in Vampire Survivors, it’s probably in Warhammer Survivors. The differences are mostly cosmetic, with experience skulls replacing gems and Extremis bosses standing in for Red Death.
Nuln oil, a staple of Warhammer painting, now does damage and slows enemies while making them more flammable. Explosive dice roll across the battlefield before exploding. It’s a clever twist on a familiar mechanic.
Maps Carry Strong Themes
Each map has its own identity. The first WH40k map drops you on a battlefield being swallowed by tyranids, pink and full of grotesque alien pustules. Age of Sigmar brings skaven rodents and glowing warpstones. There’s even a map set on a tabletop, complete with paints and measuring tape, where all the game’s monsters gather to fight you.
You’re Not Alone
Warhammer Survivors is a singleplayer romp, but you’re not alone in it. Defeat enemies harassing unlockable characters, and they’ll join you in battle. Subsequent fights bring them back when you pick their associated weapons at level-up. At least one character gets stronger with more followers, and upgrading his lasgun lets him run with his fellow Astra Militarum grunts.
The game is tougher than Vampire Survivors. Battles escalate faster, and figuring out good weapon combos took longer. Healing felt more urgent. The demo has fewer weapons and characters, which could be making it feel harder than it will be at launch.
Enemy Factions Have Unique Traits
Tyranids can be empowered by intelligent members of their species, who use synapse power to enrage lesser creatures. You’ll want to take those psychic beasts down fast. Orks can get all riled up and kick off a WAAAGH, spawning in greater numbers and becoming faster and stronger.
WH40k and AoS Are Separate Games
You choose a universe first, and characters, upgrades and unlocks are specific to each. Some passive abilities repeat across both, but it feels like two spin-offs packed into one game.
The demo already runs great on Steam Deck, and Auroch Digital says it’s still working on compatibility. It’s where I’ve spent most of my time with it, and I’ve got no complaints.
Cancel all of your plans in November, because Warhammer Survivors is launching on the 10th.
I’ve got high hopes for it. It’s a spin-off, but it also feels like a proper Vampire Survivors sequel and potentially my favorite bullet heaven since the OG.
The demo shows real design effort beyond a simple reskin. New systems, fresh themes and a tougher challenge set it apart from the game it borrows from. November 10 cannot arrive soon enough.
Source material: “Warhammer Survivors is more than just a Vampire Survivors spin-off,” PC Gamer.
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