Revisiting a Darkstalkers Classic via the Capcom Fighting Collection
With EVO 2026 officially on the calendar, I’ve been taking stock of the fighting games I want to reconnect with before heading to Las Vegas. While Tekken 8 and Guilty Gear Strive are firmly on my radar, there’s one title that feels especially fitting to revisit right now: Vampire Savior.
Available through the Capcom Fighting Collection, Vampire Savior represents a cornerstone of fighting game history. It’s fast, stylish, unapologetically weird, and deeply influential. Getting back into it ahead of EVO isn’t just about practice; it’s about reconnecting with a piece of the FGC’s DNA.
Why Vampire Savior Still Matters
Vampire Savior isn’t just another classic. It’s one of the most expressive fighting games Capcom ever released. The speed is relentless, the movement is aggressive, and the characters feel alive in a way few games even today manage to replicate.
What immediately stands out when returning is how offense-driven the game is. Momentum matters. Pressure matters. Hesitation gets punished. There’s a rawness to Vampire Savior that makes every round feel volatile, and that unpredictability is part of its lasting appeal.
At EVO, games like this remind us where modern fighters pulled their ideas from.
Playing It Again in 2026
Booting up Vampire Savior today, especially through the Capcom Fighting Collection, feels surprisingly smooth. Training modes, rollback netcode, and quality-of-life features make it far more approachable than it ever was in the arcade era.
But don’t let that fool you, this game still demands respect.
Execution matters. Matchups matter. Understanding system mechanics like chain combos, pursuit attacks, and Dark Force activation is key. There’s no autopilot here. You’re either engaged or you’re losing.
That’s exactly why revisiting it before EVO feels right.
EVO Energy and Legacy Games
EVO has always been about more than just the newest releases. It’s about honoring the lineage of the genre. Vampire Savior carries that legacy proudly. Even if it’s not the loudest game on the show floor, it represents a style and philosophy of fighting games that continues to influence modern design.
For spectators, legacy games bring a different kind of hype, one rooted in mastery, personality, and history. For creators, they offer context. Understanding where the genre has been makes covering where it’s going far more meaningful.
What I’m Focusing On This Time Around
As I get back into Vampire Savior, my focus isn’t on grinding for perfection. It’s on:
- Relearning the rhythm of the game
- Appreciating character individuality
- Understanding how older systems reward aggression
- Observing how legacy titles still hold up in competitive spaces
This is about perspective as much as it is play.
Road to EVO Continues
Vampire Savior is just one stop on the road to EVO 2026, but it’s an important one. Revisiting classics like this keeps me grounded in what makes the fighting game community special: creativity, competition, and respect for the past.
Whether you’re a longtime Darkstalkers fan or someone curious about where modern fighters draw their roots, now’s a great time to give Vampire Savior another look.
The night is still young, and EVO is coming.