If you thought poncle was done with their BAFTA-award-winning retro phenomenon, think again. The studio dropped a massive, totally unexpected Vampire Survivors update today, October 28, 2025, that packs in so much content it feels like three updates rolled into one. It’s launching now across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation, with Nintendo Switch and Epic Games Store following on October 31st.
Despite its pixel aesthetic and ridiculously low price of £3.99 / $4.99, Vampire Survivors continues to redefine what an indie game can be, and this 1.14 update is proof that no IP is safe from being dragged into the chaos.
It’s also Steam Deck Verified!
Online co-op: Survival just got social
“Absence makes the garlic grow stronger.”
That’s apparently what someone once said. And since the community has been desperate for it, poncle has finally hit the big red button and delivered online co-op.
Following a successful beta, distance is now no obstacle. Up to four players can jump into a single session together, just like the couch co-op version, but now you can roam freely without being tethered to a shared screen. If you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, you can now host a game, share a simple room code, and drag your friends into the bullet hell.
Online co-op is out now for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, with the Switch and Epic Games Store getting it on Halloween. Now there’s no excuse not to survive.
Ante chamber: When Balatro broke the game
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you: Vampire Survivors just crossed over with Balatro. This is peak unexpected indie gaming synergy, delivered completely free to all players.
The Ante Chamber update introduces the world of the high-stakes poker roguelike, complete with four new, utterly ridiculous characters and a new stage:
- Jimbo: Your favourite forklift-certified clown (who now has a full body) is here.
- Canio: The tragic clown with a special technique to trigger additional Survarot drafts.
- New Weapons: The update adds four new weapons and evolutions, including the Infernolatro (which stacks your score to fan the flames) and Gros Michel (a banana projectile barrage with a critical chance).
This crossover is a “Full House of silly synergies” designed to “break the game,” proving that Luck really is just another statistic when you’re firing mathematically beautiful, spiraling streams of destruction like the Fibonacci Seltzer.
Ode to Castlevania, part two: Everyone is really here
Last year, poncle and KONAMI teamed up for the highly anticipated Ode to Castlevania expansion. At the time, they cheekily said “everyone is here,” but they weren’t entirely truthful.
Now, in 2025, they’ve somehow returned with a massive free update for existing owners of the Ode to Castlevania DLC. This update is described as the biggest adventure poncle’s ever made and includes:
- 16 new characters, each more obscure than the last.
- 16 between new weapons and weapon unions.
- 12 new music tracks composed by the original composers.
Yes, even “that one” character has finally joined the crew. If you haven’t bought the DLC yet, it’s currently available with a 25% discount—a small price for a legendary haul of content.
The 1.14 update also features the bizarre, meta-commentary updates Westwoods and Mazerella, both promising even more free stages, weapons, and characters, continuing poncle’s commitment to giving you way too much game for your money.
With a board game Kickstarter also launching today, Vampire Survivors isn’t slowing down. poncle has promised two more big updates are coming soon, one of which will reveal the full future of the series.
Will you be jumping back in for that online co-op experience? The update is out now on Steam, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, iPhone, and Android.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
