Vampyr (PC, PS4, Xbox One) (Rated Mature)
A lot of games seem promising, especially when their ideas are so original and refreshing. Even more so when mixed with ideas and mechanics players already love, or long for. The idea of a game set in Victorian London with a dark, brooding and gothic tone. Especially one where you're a Vampire who has to choose to embrace and become a monster, to be a savior, or simply try to survive and live as humanly as possible. Well, that is as enticing as game ideas can get.
You start the game having been attacked by a mysterious vampire, and shortly after as your in the fog of turning from human to vampire... You drain your sister of her life. After that, you're pursued by hunters and police, and inturn learn the game's combat and basic gameplay mechanics, which will feel very familiar to anyone who has played Fable 2. In fact beyond combat, the game's structure and approach to a morality system are incredibly close to Fable 2, with a dialog system that is heavily reminiscent of a Bioware game. The game takes place in a small open world environment, however it's size is immediately forgivable due to its incredible sense of detail and brooding atmosphere. The world feels inspired by many great gothic tales set in Victorian London, as well as stories like The Crow and Blade.
The game's tone may feature some comic moments, but it is far removed from Fable's childlike & silly sense of adventure. This is a gloomy gothic tale, one which you are free to shape in more ways than most games allow. For example, while combat is not totally avoidable, you can find non-violent creative solutions to some encounters, or simply sneak through a lot of the game using your stealth vampiric abilities. However, I would say you'd be missing out on some of the game's best aspects. Combat in Vampyr is viscerally satisfying, with accessible controls and a level of challenge that is foreboding, but never off-putting. While offering a wide range of options and abilities for the more advanced player. But no matter your skill, combat always looks and feels rewarding and intense, which is a tough feat to accomplish. Although there were rare times that it seemed like the controls were not entirely responsive, whether that is a bug, glitch or due to design, I can not determine.
The story sadly cannot quite reach the heights that most players will be expecting, at least when compared to other heavily story driven titles. Still, it delivers many satisfying arcs, and many diverse choices that are more satisfying than disappointing. I am sure there will be those who are disappointed in the game's simplicity of the moral choices available. Still, the story is well acted, written and presented in a very refreshing manner, mainly due to the game's story, ideas, and setting. You simply do not see games like this. Those who love gothic tales maybe slightly dismissive of the stories unmet potential, as for all its originality, it does follow very familiar story beats. But it is forgivable, not because this is the only game like this, but because the game is genuinely fun. The game also does something with its evil choices few games attempt. They depict even the worst person you could make a meal of, into a human being. While they do this in an ultimately minimal fashion, it nevertheless adds weight to your vile actions, should you choose that path. Something the entire game does well on all fronts as a matter of fact, is it's attention and response to the player's choices, and my are the choices plenitful.
No matter your actions, those choices will have some matter of consequence on the story, and a great deal of these consequences are very impactful. You are free to approach most objectives in a few ways, you could play the game like a Victorian-era Blade, slaying any monster you see becoming a powerful vigilante. Or, you could feed off the innocent people of London, embracing your true monstrous nature. You could even try to simply stay as human as possible, and just survive and live as a Dr during the Spanish Plague that is infecting Victorian London. Though this option features the least choices, and still requires combat at certain sections. It is also the slowest paced option, although it often leads you to make a choice. Be good and help others, or drain them to become as powerful as possible. No matter how you choose to play, you will be using some very cinematic abilities, that feel original while providing the types of abilities a player would expect in an Action Role Playing Game. Which at the end of this day is what Vampyr is, this is a game with a fairly heavy focus on combat. Those wondering whether or not the game's combat is on the relaxing side ala Fable, or on the more strategic and tense side of something like Bloodbourne, will find that it has a satisfying and often unseen middle ground.
Which is something that I suspect many players will be disappointed with, combat is required and while it is avoidable to a degree as mentioned, it is still an extremely large part of the game. Which for a game that advertises the choice of action, and tries to sell you on your choices as a player, it does end up limiting your actions, in that oh so familiar way. Choices are generally either good, evil, or a form of grey, I do not mind this kind of choose your own adventure storytelling. In fact, I find it has a certain kind of charm that I really enjoy, still, it does not reinvent the wheel in any way. I also think some may feel slighted at the blunt and obvious nature of most choices. Still the story is engaging due to a fascinating setting, with a very detailed and original lore, world building and the characters that populate that world, is something Vampyr nails at damn near every turn. Even if the basic plot is heavily formulaic. It is how the world feels alive due to your actions, that makes London a city you will not want to leave, few games manage to make your choices and actions feel as relevant as they do in Vampyr.
Vampyr is a game that has issues, it's base plot is merely above average, and combat can feel clunky in sporadic moments. Visually however though, the game is actually quite beautiful, it features a unique and rarely seen style, yet it does lack detail and features a good amount of lower resolution textures, character animations outside of combat are also lacking. Loading times are perhaps the game's worst fault, which is saying something, as there are no major bugs or issues to be found. The only fault which is even noticeable is that the loading screens can be fairly intrusive, and lengthy. Yet, in spite of the game's shortcomings. I found an experience that was perfectly paced, and always giving me the desire to push forward into this highly atmospheric world.
Vampyr is the kind of game we rarely get anymore, one made with sheer passion and devotion, not to check boxes to make a game to that will sell based on statistics or data, but based on "dude wouldn't this be such a badass game?". This is a game made by people who truly love the art form, and truly love playing fun games. Every second you play Vampyr you can feel that sense of love and adoration for gaming, and that is what makes every moment an absolute treasure. These are the kinds of games that need our support, ones made by gamers like you and me, who simply want to create the kind of experiences they loved and longed for. Made on and budget and with a team that is minuscule in comparison to something like God Of War. Yet it is as enjoyable and fun for all the reasons GOW is, it may not reach those insane heights, but it shows that games do not need mega budgets or teams, to craft something that reminds gamers why they adore the medium. I loved growing my vampiric powers and seeing how the story played out for me, and I was enthralled enough to want to play again right after it was all over.
I get hesitant about a lot of games, most like this are more of a letdown than any kind of good experience. Yet, there are a few that are hidden treasures that could very well become buried by larger titles. There are only two series game that even touches on this type of subject matter, both are close to being two decades old. Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines, which had so much potential that was sadly never lived up to, and BloodRayne a fun if clunky hack and slash action game. Interestingly enough, I found that both games seemed to inspire very interesting portions of the game's lore and mechanics. Vampyr surprisingly exceeds any and all expectations, delivering an enthralling, lengthy, and highly character-driven action experience that should not be missed. These are the games that are disappearing from the market, without support we may not get original, and captivating niche titles like this.
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