Poncle, the developer behind the influential Vampire Survivors, has released a first developer update for its upcoming roguelite deckbuilder spin-off, Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard. The update highlights two key mechanics designed to blend fast-paced action with card-based gameplay. Players can expect an upcoming demo to try these features.
Poncle first gained prominence with Vampire Survivors, a 2022 release that popularized the bullet heaven genre on platforms like Steam. The game allowed players to feel immense power by simulating large numbers of entities in chaotic battles. Building on this success, Poncle is now venturing into roguelite deckbuilders with Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard, marking the franchise's first spin-off.
The developer update, shared via a video on the official Poncle - Vampire Survivors YouTube channel, introduces two standout mechanics. The first, Turboturn, addresses the slower pace typical of turn-based card games. It enables players to play multiple cards rapidly without waiting for animations, as the system automatically calculates enemy deaths and damage from waves similar to those in Vampire Survivors. This preserves the fast-paced combat feel of the original while adapting it to a deckbuilding format.
The second mechanic, Card Customisation, lets players use Gems to modify cards for enhanced effects. Options include standard upgrades like damage multipliers, range adjustments, and pricing changes, alongside more unconventional combinations that lead to Weapon Evolutions. Poncle emphasizes creating counter-intuitive decks that deliver chaotic, havoc-wreaking results against enemies.
This update provides an initial look at Vampire Crawlers, with a demo slated for release soon. The team aims to redefine the roguelite deckbuilder experience, appealing to both new players and genre veterans by combining strategic depth with the exhilarating speed of bullet heavens.
