Werewolves, ghosts and other monstrous mobs are roaming the Italian countryside! No biggie to the pixely heroes of the acclaimed Vampire Survivors, now available on iPhone and iPad. Fend off the beasts for as long as possible to unlock intriguing new weapons, characters and locations in this genre-defining survival RPG.

What we love: The incredible depth. A vast array of foes and fantastical powers makes each playthrough unique. One game, you might be a winged guitarist repelling mummies with knives and axes; the next, you’re an adorable mutt smiting giant skulls with fireballs and lightning bolts. Explore carefully: levels hold hidden relics that enable you to access new modes, a merchant and more.

Quick tip: It may feel less impactful than other upgrades, but don’t shy away from increasing your luck. The higher this stat, the better your odds of freezing foes and earning multiple rewards from treasure chests.

Meet the creator: Luca Galante quit a new job to focus full-time on supporting Vampire Survivors, which his tiny London–based studio (Poncle) first released for PC in late 2021 to widespread acclaim.