Vampirako

Vampirako Review: A Charming Homage with Batty Surprises

Vampirako delivers a delightfully condensed platforming experience that captures the nostalgic essence of classic Mario adventures while adding its own quirky personality. This Spanish-developed indie gem features an unlikely hero - an endearingly ugly troll named Vampirako - on a mission to stop the villainous Rey Vampiro from executing his dastardly vampire-related plans. What unfolds is a compact but satisfying journey through familiar yet freshly presented environments that balance accessibility with clever mechanics.

The game's foundation rests solidly on polished platforming fundamentals. Movement feels responsive and satisfying, with controls described as "smooth" and intuitive enough for players of all ages to quickly grasp. Vampirako's core movement includes a momentum-based dash ability that activates once he builds up speed, adding a layer of kinetic satisfaction to navigating the colorful desert and castle environments. The visual presentation, while simple, features "very good" graphics that create a cohesive, charming world where every jump and enemy encounter feels intentionally designed.

The keys are smooth and the graphics very good. I wish the author would create a sequel.

Granny

Vampirako's standout feature is undoubtedly its bat transformation mechanic, which introduces strategic depth to the platforming. When encountering special white urns scattered through levels, our troll protagonist can temporarily shapeshift into a flying vampire bat. This transformation creates meaningful gameplay choices - flight opens new traversal possibilities and lets players evade certain enemies, but comes at the cost of offensive capabilities since bat form disables Vampirako's attack options. This risk-reward dynamic encourages players to strategically time transformations, turning simple platforming sections into thoughtful puzzles about when to take wing versus when to stay grounded and combat-ready.

The game shines brightest in its unexpected bonus stages, which provide delightful departures from the main platforming action. One particularly memorable sequence has Vampirako riding a donkey through the desert while jumping over cacti - a moment so charmingly absurd that it becomes an instant highlight. These well-placed diversions showcase the developer's playful creativity while breaking up potential platforming monotony. Though compact in scope, the adventure maintains engagement through these surprising interludes and well-paced challenges that respect players' time without sacrificing satisfaction.

Riding a donkey through the desert and jumping cacti is worth downloading the game to see.

Gohst

While clearly inspired by Mario's timeless design, Vampirako avoids feeling like a mere clone by injecting enough personality and mechanical twists to stand on its own. The condensed structure means environments transition quickly from desert to castle without overstaying their welcome, delivering concentrated platforming joy rather than padded content. Though some may find the adventure shorter than modern standards, its replay value comes from the sheer fun of its mechanics and the satisfaction of mastering its clever bat-transformation puzzles.