Vampyr Reviews
It can feel faintly embarrassing one moment, and then do something unexpected and with surprising confidence just a few seconds later. There's probably an equal chance that you'll hate it or love it. In an industry that constantly obsesses on trends and often disrespects the taste and intelligence of its audience, Vampyr is as refreshing and anomalous as Dontnod's other cult games.
Vampyr drives the desire of the player against the will of its protagonist. It creates sharp edge, and the ensuing conflict has the power to bore, excite, and infuriate an audience. Depending on your admiration (and patience) for its rampant ambition, Vampyr is either an unassuming action game or a garrulous gothic network of austere vampire folklore.
It takes some doing to find a middle-ground between two such conflicting genres, but Dontnod have done a terrific job marrying Adventure and Action RPG elements into a pleasant and modestly cohesive whole.
Vampyr may very well be the video game personification of the phrase "diamond in the rough".
The story of Vampyr is as good as a fantastic British drama which contains vivid characters and twisted plots. However, the clumsy gameplay is too bothersome to keep me enjoying the story.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Vampyr didn't generate much buzz last year on other platforms, but on Switch this fall, it stands as an overlooked but great RPG dripping with blood and atmosphere.
Vampyr is still a good game on Switch, but it’s not the best way to play it.
Vampyr is a game which has certainly surprised me and I’ve really enjoyed my time with it. The RPG elements, player choice and combat all seem to compliment each other perfectly, which in turn makes for a very good game.
I don’t feel like I am crossing the line in saying that Vampyr is clearly the best title which Dontnod has ever developed, and most definitely the best game which Focus Home Interactive has ever published. If you are looking for the next big RPG to scratch your role-playing itch, then you don’t have to look further, as Vampyr has been crafted especially for you, and if you happen to also be a fan of the Soulsborne series then you’ll simply be in heaven with this particular game – even with all its slight imperfections.
A number of glitches and the occasional obtuse plot point stop Vampyr from truly exceeding expectations but it’s a well crafted, expertly designed game that’ll likely be talked about for many months to come.
Vampyr has a few issues, but its top-notch storytelling and voice work drive a dark, intriguing narrative accentuated by memorable characters and a believable world.
Vampyr is a game marred by a mediocre combat system, but you know what? I don’t care – It’s the first game in a long time that made me think Vampires are cool again, with an incredibly interesting story that has me unable to stop thinking about what’s happening next.
Whilst each element isn't perfect, Vampyr manages to weave a brilliant dialogue system into a bleak yet atmospheric depiction of early 19th century London. The combat is serviceable, and the crafting system is basic. Yet the game is still a fantastic accomplishment - a refreshing reminder of just how important mid-tier titles can be.
Aside from a few technical issues, Vampyr delivers one of the most engaging action-RPGs in recent memory. It is a game where everything and everyone is connected through some fantastic gameplay design and yes, your choices do actually matter here.
Vampyr on the Switch is another quality port in my eyes. It took a game I never expected to be able to have on handheld and transformed it into an experience more players can now excess. The core concepts of the original release are retained here and only expected technically issues arise. While Vampyr seems to be a title that’s always had a bit of mixed reception, I feel the same will follow on the Switch release. Yet I find sometimes these are some of the most interesting games released. Now I can take my vampire skills on the go and in the night. If players can enjoy Vampyr on other systems, I say go for it as it’s a cheaper price. If the Switch is the only system or it’s a one for the road, I still highly recommend Vampyr, its one dark tale worth taking in your pocket.
If you’re yet to experience the dark and gritty world of Vampyr, the Switch is a great place to sink your teeth into it. True, this version is vastly inferior in regards to the visuals and suffers from a few performance dips here and there, but after playing in portable mode for a few hours, you’ll become accustomed to the compromises which were necessary to get this brilliant game on the system. With a few new difficulty options and the ability to either join the dark side or not, you can roleplay your own story which changes based on your actions and desires throughout the game. Multiple playthroughs are a must as seeing London thrive or suffer are two very possible outcomes.
Vampyr is a game of saturation of the vampire love within us, puts us in positions and makes us think about the dimensions of our choices, and we ask whether we are killing to make our lives easier, or whether we should keep people alive even if they do not deserve it. You will enjoy the stories and the dark game world, but you will not find a combat system that makes you excited to fight, but I will come back to the game again to try new options, like killing all human beings or not killing anyone.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Vampyr is a smart action game that poses regular moral dilemmas as you decide to either heal or kill characters in a wonderfully dark city. With decent melee combat and an interesting story, there are not many vampire games that taste as sweet.
Vampyr, from Life is Strange dev DONTNOD, is a unique beast. It plays with some interesting, and often great, ideas, but it never quite bites down. Choosing instead to play with its food rather than embracing the sumptuous meal on offer.
Although it's hampered with some little framerate issues, Vampyr on Switch delivers on mostly every other aspect. Well played.
Review in Italian | Read full review