The indie game "Vampire Survivors" has introduced its 1.6 update, breathing new life into the title with a novel couch co-op mode and a much-enhanced game engine. While this update stands as a significant development, it's important to note that the co-op mode is local only. Some players have managed to access it via Steam's Remote Play Together, but this approach might encounter some hitches.
The local co-op mode expands the gameplay, making every map and expansion in "Vampire Survivors" accessible. There's also a new item introduced: the Friendship Amulet, which upgrades other players when chosen. However, to maintain balance, co-op players will find fewer slots for weapons and items in this mode.
Arguably the most prominent feature of the update is the game's new engine, which provides a marked improvement in smoothness, particularly on machines with limited resources. Poncle's YouTube channel showcased the performance differences on a Steam Deck before and after the engine update, underscoring the optimization. Despite these enhancements, the developer has taken care to ensure gameplay remains consistent with previous versions.
Additionally, new toggles for co-op have been added, such as player colors and indicators, to make identification easier amid the game's chaos. Further details about the update and future content can be found on Steam and in Poncle's official YouTube trailer.
Source: YouTube