The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

Making a fantastic return, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile was one of the best 2D action games when originally released in 2011, and it still manages to live up to that today.

93%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, grinding

95% User Score Based on 951 reviews

Critic Score 88%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

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About

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by Ska Studios and was released on May 12, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

The followup to 2009's Dead Samurai, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a combo-fueled, fast-paced, stylistic 2D action platformer that features the series' staple gritty, graphic novel-inspired art style, built on a new engine that allows for an even more visually gruesome experience.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile screenshot

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 951 reviews

story64 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

Fast-paced, satisfying combat with fluid controls and a deep combo system that appeals to fans of hack and slash games like Devil May Cry.
Unique, gritty, and stylish art style combined with a dark and atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the intense gameplay experience.
Multiple characters with distinct playstyles and weapons, offering varied campaigns, extensive replayability through arcade and challenge modes, and local/online co-op modes (though online has issues).

Excessive visual effects like screen shake and blurring can cause difficulty in tracking action and may induce headaches or discomfort for some players.
Online co-op mode is buggy, often causing players to get stuck or disconnect, limiting multiplayer experience.
Combat can feel repetitive due to heavy reliance on grab combos and some enemies or bosses having blocking mechanics that punish alternative tactics; some difficulty spikes and boss encounters may feel unfair or frustrating.

story
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The story in this game is dark, gritty, and presented in a distinctive comic book style that complements the unique art direction, though it can be confusing and nonsensical, especially without familiarity with the prequel. While not the main focus, the narrative provides enough intrigue and atmosphere to engage players, featuring two intertwined campaigns centered on revenge and survival. Overall, the story serves as a compelling backdrop to the intense, fast-paced combat without being overly complex or lengthy.
- “I was not prepared for just how good the soundtrack and sound design is, and I also wasn't prepared to be so invested in the story and its twists and turns either.”
- “Amazing and fluid controls, gripping story line and fantastic artwork make this a contender for my favorite action game ever.”
- “The story is engaging enough, and presented in a beautiful comic book fashion.”
- “The story is unclear and doesn't have much in the way for a player to give much of a crap about what's going on.”
- “The story is a bit confusing if you haven't played the first one (which isn't on Steam so that doesn't help), but it's definitely not the focus here.”
- “The reason behind the unclear story is due to this title being the second game, and the first is being exclusive to Xbox Arcade service with no plans to be ported here yet, thus you will miss out the background relationship between the samurai and Yuki; felt like jumping in the middle.”
graphics
153 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The game's graphics feature a unique, gritty, and dark art style reminiscent of early 2010s emo and Newgrounds aesthetics, with detailed, brutal visuals and fluid animations that enhance its intense, gore-filled combat. While some find the busy effects and edgy style overwhelming or divisive, most praise the distinctive, comic-inspired visuals and cohesive atmosphere that strongly complement the gameplay and soundtrack. Overall, the graphics are seen as a standout element that significantly contributes to the game's intense, stylish, and immersive experience.
- “The art style is dark and gorgeous, the story is quite interesting and has its own unique charm, and the controls are probably the best ones I've experienced in a 2D beat 'em up.”
- “The graphics are a delightful mix of comic book art and a horror movie marathon.”
- “The art style and direction are amazing with a perfect blend of grit, gore, and edge.”
- “Visual clarity isn't great either, edgy art style and effects make it hard to see anything after executing an enemy with a grab; enemy fire tracking missiles are barely visible, and some enemies are invisible or teleport.”
- “Vampire Smile is a great game, but being unable to see anything on screen during combat due to shaky, blurry visual effects is a very disappointing direction for the art style.”
- “The art style and general aesthetic of the game is borderline unplayable for me.”
gameplay
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The gameplay is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid, and satisfying hack-and-slash combat, featuring diverse weapons, characters, and intense, brutal action reminiscent of games like Devil May Cry. Players appreciate its edge-of-your-seat pacing, creative mechanics, and mix of chaotic combat with stylish visuals and a fitting heavy soundtrack, though some note occasional overwhelming moments or minor mechanical quirks. Overall, the game excels as a thrilling and addictive 2D brawler with high replay value and varied challenges.
- “The combat mechanics, different characters/weapons, and finishers are all satisfying throughout the playthroughs, with some fun additional challenges available after too.”
- “For the gameplay itself, it's a 2D, fast paced, and action packed platformer. If you can't tell what is going on half the time, then you are playing the game correctly. There is so much detail in how the combat feels and plays, and every enemy requires you to be consistently adapting.”
- “The gameplay is fast, chaotic, and can be a bit brutal at times (as brutal as you want to make it), but the combat is extremely fluid and fun to experiment with.”
- “There are some areas where it looks like your screen is flickering like mad which is one of the worst mechanics I have ever seen.”
- “Therefore, despite a variety of weapons, the general gameplay tactic is narrowed down to whatever you do, just grab it, which may be a downside for some.”
- “There are a couple of mechanics that are not fully realized, such as the dodge/shift ability.”
music
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The music in this game is widely praised for its intense metal and punk rock soundtrack that perfectly complements the gritty, fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay and dark atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the memorable, adrenaline-pumping tracks and engaging musical segments that enhance immersion and replay value, though a few find the music repetitive or less impactful over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, integral to the game's unique style and appeal.
- “I was not prepared for just how good the soundtrack and sound design is, and I also wasn't prepared to be so invested in the story and its twists and turns either.”
- “Moreover, the immaculate soundtrack helps establish a mesmerizing atmosphere, making the game even more addicting.”
- “The music fits the raging and oppressive tone of the game perfectly while still somehow feeling a little uplifting (big My Chemical Romance vibes sometimes), the visuals don't fail to present the atmosphere of a gritty industrial nightmare and are chock-full of detail, and the combat is more than a little on the visceral side of satisfying.”
- “The music does not match and is bad.”
- “Very annoying music.”
- “The battle music does get a bit grating after a while though, especially on the hardest difficulty, as you'll be walking into the same room over and over quite a lot.”
atmosphere
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
53%
12%
The game is widely praised for its dark, gritty, and moody atmosphere, enhanced by a striking art style and an impeccable, adrenaline-pumping soundtrack. Its blend of ultraviolence, sci-fi horror, and detailed visuals creates an intense, immersive experience that perfectly complements the fast-paced, visceral combat. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that elevates the game’s unique tone and addictive gameplay.
- “Moreover, the immaculate soundtrack helps establish a mesmerizing atmosphere, making the game even more addicting.”
- “The music fits the raging and oppressive tone of the game perfectly while still somehow feeling a little uplifting (big MCR vibes sometimes), the visuals present the atmosphere of a gritty industrial nightmare and are chock-full of detail, and the combat is visceral and satisfying.”
- “Dark and brooding atmosphere, bottomless buckets of gore, and a stellar soundtrack all combine to make a unique game out of a plain genre.”
- “As a story, Vampire Smile has a grim atmosphere and is, in a word, nonsensical.”
- “The atmosphere, the ambiance, the playthrough, everything, went out greatly, I recommend it for those who like these types of games 24/7.”
- “The atmosphere, sound design, and visual effects in Vampire Smile are all deeply moody like in other Ska games, but it isn't bleak like Salt & Sanctuary.”
replayability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The game offers strong replayability through multiple campaigns, characters, difficulty levels, and diverse modes like arcade and endless/roguelike. Its fast-paced combat, rewarding challenges, and rich soundtrack keep players engaged, making it a lasting favorite despite its age. While some find replay value limited beyond achievements, most praise its depth and variety for repeated playthroughs.
- “The replayability is really interesting since you have 2 different campaigns with 2 different characters, an arcade mode with 50 levels or so, an endless/roguelike mode, and 5 levels of difficulty (samurai is super hard but it feels really rewarding when you master it).”
- “Tl;dr - 10/10 fast paced character action game with bloody combat, brutal executions, and a healthy dose of replayability in a Metroidvania-esque map that begs to be explored.”
- “High replayability value with challenging, yet satisfying combat and an immersive story with a great soundtrack to go with it.”
- “It was fun for a playthrough but there is effectively zero replay value unless you're an achievement hunter.”
- “- Arcade mode adds some replayability.”
- “The game has replay value with multiple difficulties and 2 different characters.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is generally stable for local and solo play, with a solid engine and few issues reported, especially on Linux. However, the online multiplayer experience is noted to be buggy and glitch-prone, including camera issues and occasional glitches that can affect gameplay. Despite these bugs, many players find them amusing and still enjoy the overall experience.
- “Good locally and solo; the online is pretty buggy though.”
- “I have no complaints, but the multiplayer, just like Charlie Murder, is quite buggy. When playing it prior, I had an issue even leaving the starting area.”
- “There are also some rather annoying glitches near the end, with the camera going all over the place.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The character development is highly praised for its unique and appealing design, contributing significantly to the game's overall aesthetic and atmosphere. Players appreciate the detailed and well-crafted characters that enhance both gameplay and story.
- “I really love all the character designs in this game and really wanted to play this a long time ago; if I had a chance to go back and experience this again, I would do that.”
- “The style, combat, character designs, everything is well done.”
- “Rad character design and awesome, gloomy aesthetic.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game’s humor is widely praised for being creative, funny, and infused with a dark, quirky style that enhances its unique personality. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, amusing glitches, and playful tone, which add to the overall fun and charm.
- “So creative, so funny, beautiful art, very simple capable of fostering creativity and reflection.”
- “Enjoy the hand drawn cutscenes, the game’s visceral sense of style, and its signature dark humor.”
- “There's quite a few play styles through choosing different weapons and gear, tons of references, some crude humor, and a lot of "because why not" situations lol.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game can feel repetitive and tedious, especially during non-combat sections and against certain bosses with overwhelming on-screen effects. Some enemies require specific strategies to avoid frustrating block mechanics, but the overall action remains addictive and engaging.
- “- Due to the action-packed nature of the game, sections where you're running through the map without fighting can get a little tedious.”
- “- Some enemies block a bit too much and are tedious to fight without the right strategy.”
- “Arcade mode's final level relies on putting you against two bosses who are tedious to fight because of unnecessary amounts of flashy effects on screen, making it hard to tell what they're doing.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's optimization shows some shortcomings, particularly with netcode efficiency and poorly designed keybindings for PC, which can affect gameplay fluidity. While these issues don't drastically impair overall performance, they can impact user experience and challenge balance.
- “For most of this run, I thought I might have been a terrible player doing all I can to kill mobs and bosses, but then realized the difficulty is badly optimized. Actually, spamming the traditional dash and hit works best (normal difficulty as Yuki for reference).”
- “I'm sure there are mods out there to help fix that, but this game's netcode is not as optimized as it could be.”
- “My only complaint is the keybindings for the music minigames are really wacky and could be better optimized for PC.”
- “For most of this run, I thought I might have been a terrible player doing all I can to kill mobs and bosses and perform my very best observing patterns. However, the difficulty is badly optimized, and doing your best isn't rewarding. Spamming the traditional dash and hit works best (normal difficulty as Yuki for reference).”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a strong emotional impact through its punk-rock themed art style and metroidvania gameplay, creating a rugged yet satisfying experience. It is praised for being wholesome and highly enjoyable for players of all ages.
- “For the size of the team, it had an amazing metroidvania feel to it, including a rugged but very satisfying art style that fits well with the punk-rock emotional theme.”
- “Incredibly wholesome game, 10/10 fun for the whole family.”

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88%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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8h Median play time

10h Average play time

3-20h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a hack and slash game with horror and violence themes.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 10 hours playing The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile was released on May 12, 2017.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile was developed by Ska Studios.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile for its story but disliked it for its stability.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Bayonetta, Shank, Charlie Murder, Fight'N Rage, DmC: Devil May Cry and others.

The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

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