V Rising

About

V Rising is a single player and multiplayer open world hack and slash game with fantasy and dark fantasy themes. It was developed by Stunlock Studios and was released on May 8, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 89,178 reviews

gameplay4.9k positive mentions

grinding5.8k negative mentions

gameplay
11,666 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The gameplay of "V Rising" is characterized by a unique blend of action RPG mechanics and survival crafting elements, reminiscent of titles like Diablo and Valheim. Players engage in a satisfying loop of gathering resources, building and upgrading their vampire castle, and battling diverse bosses, each with distinct mechanics that require strategic thinking and skill. While the game offers immersive vampire-themed mechanics, such as blood types and sunlight sensitivity, some players find the gameplay can become grindy and repetitive, particularly in solo play, and express concerns about certain mechanics feeling tedious or unbalanced. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging combat, beautiful graphics, and innovative mechanics, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
- “The game blends action-RPG combat with survival and crafting mechanics, all set in a rich, gothic world.”
- “Building and customizing your own vampire castle is seamless, and hunting down bosses for new powers keeps the gameplay fresh.”
- “The blood mechanic in place of food is super interesting and fresh, and leads to a lot of meaningful decision making.”
- “The gameplay and AI for the combat is also so formulaic, predictable, and repetitive that it just is not worth playing.”
- “I played for about 30 hours, which is barely enough to start to understand the mechanics, but then I lost interest in the game, as the economics and the grinding become more and more complicated, and you have to micromanage 8 different fabrication chains, while combat remains uninteresting and exploration frustrating.”
- “The game has absolutely no balance to it; you're tasked with missions far above what you can reasonably do, basic mechanics and resource refinement is locked behind absurdly leveled bosses and enemies.”
grinding
6,036 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
96%
The aspect of "grinding" in V Rising has received mixed reviews from players. Many find the resource gathering and crafting processes to be excessively tedious, especially in the late game, where the need for materials can feel overwhelming and repetitive. However, some players appreciate the grind as a necessary part of the gameplay loop, allowing for progression and rewarding moments when crafting new gear or defeating bosses. The ability to adjust server settings to reduce grindiness has been highlighted as a positive feature, making the game more enjoyable for those who prefer a less tedious experience. Overall, while the grinding can be a significant aspect of the game, opinions vary on whether it enhances or detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- “The game is not too grindy and offers a continual steady stream of progress which never makes you feel like you are just over grinding for the sake of power.”
- “The survival elements were fun and not grindy or overwhelming, the progression and leveling was fun and manageable, the hack and slash combat was fun and enjoyable.”
- “Crafting feels smooth, combat feels fleshed out and fun, gathering is actually fun and not tedious.”
- “Otherwise, this game is an empty husk of a grinding sim.”
- “I played for about 30 hours, which is barely enough to start to understand the mechanics, but then I lost interest in the game, as the economics and the grinding become more and more complicated, and you have to micromanage 8 different fabrication chains, while combat remains uninteresting and exploration frustrating.”
- “The bosses are really unbalanced, and it becomes extremely grindy over time.”
graphics
3,544 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The graphics of "V Rising" have received a generally positive reception, with many players praising its stunning gothic art style and atmospheric visuals that effectively capture the vampire theme. While some users noted performance issues and optimization concerns, particularly on lower-end systems, the overall aesthetic appeal and attention to detail in character models and environments were highlighted as standout features. The game successfully combines engaging gameplay mechanics with beautiful graphics, making it a visually captivating experience for players.
- “The visuals and overall aesthetic of the game are awesome, the devs did a great job of creating a vampire-esque environment all throughout the game.”
- “The immersive storyline keeps me engaged, and the stunning graphics truly bring the world to life.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the crafting system is phenomenal and the bosses make for so much fun.”
- “Graphics are okay, but nothing more than that.”
- “+ the game is very poorly optimized, the graphics are not very special but I always encounter cases of lag, fps drop, most of the time I die at the decisive blow to defeat the boss, but the fps drop makes me have to play again from the beginning.”
- “The game for me was lacking in graphical appeal, thus I did not wish to invest any time into creating an awesome looking castle.”
story
2,954 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
75%
11%
The story in "V Rising" is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it feels minimal or non-existent. While there are some narrative elements conveyed through boss descriptions and environmental storytelling, the overall experience is more focused on gameplay mechanics, crafting, and survival rather than a cohesive plot or character development. Players express a desire for more substantial story content, quests, and lore to enhance the immersive experience of the game.
- “The immersive storyline keeps me engaged, and the stunning graphics truly bring the world to life.”
- “The rich story and lore are revealed through quests and interactions, making your journey rewarding and meaningful.”
- “While the story is in the background, the little tidbits you see are pretty interesting.”
- “Only criticisms are that there is a lack of story and endgame content other than endless PvPing like other survival games.”
- “The game itself has almost no story element other than the opening movie explaining the situation your character will find themselves in, then you are left to your own devices.”
- “The story is non-existent, and if you're playing by yourself you'll quickly lose interest as there is no narrative force driving you forward.”
optimization
1,124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
61%
22%
The optimization of "V Rising" has received mixed feedback from players, with many citing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent gameplay, particularly during intense combat or when managing large castles. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, others experience severe lag even on lower settings, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for a range of hardware. Overall, while there have been improvements since early access, many players feel that further optimization is necessary for a more stable and enjoyable experience.
- “The game’s optimization is remarkable, ensuring smooth performance even in the heat of intense multiplayer fights.”
- “Came back after the 1.0 update and the game just got better, from the gameplay, the optimizations that they did and the building experience.”
- “With good optimization and nice art style, in my opinion, V Rising is one of the best games in its genre.”
- “The game is very poorly optimized, the graphics are not very special but I always encounter cases of lag, fps drop, most of the time I die at the decisive blow to defeat the boss, but the fps drop makes me have to play again from the beginning.”
- “I have a 4090 GPU; this game is the worst optimized game I've played in my life.”
- “I like the concept of the game and the graphics as well as gameplay, that is when I could play the game without stuttering which is as random as the loot drops in it, I envy those who play this without stuttering but given that it stutters for me and so many others I honestly can't recommend it.”
music
820 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in "V Rising" has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities that enhance the game's gothic aesthetic. While the soundtrack is often described as beautiful and fitting, some players noted that it can become repetitive over time, particularly during combat. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's ambiance, although a desire for more variety and unique tracks for boss encounters has been expressed.
- “The music is fantastic as well as the graphics and voice acting.”
- “The soundtrack, visuals, and overall design come together to create a world that’s both haunting and beautiful.”
- “The music is amazing, really great soundtrack, loved every second of it, super fitting.”
- “The music of this game was by far the weakest part of my experience.”
- “Seriously, the music did not match the setting and feel of this game at all.”
- “The music is pretty uninspired and I end up using a Castlevania soundtrack over top it.”
atmosphere
732 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
72%
28%
The atmosphere in *V Rising* is widely praised for its immersive and gothic design, effectively capturing the essence of a vampire's world through detailed environments, haunting soundscapes, and a captivating art style. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of mystery and foreboding, with each area offering a distinct ambiance that enhances exploration and gameplay. While some critiques mention a desire for deeper lore and more atmospheric elements, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere significantly contributes to its appeal and enjoyment.
- “The atmosphere in V Rising perfectly captures the gothic, eerie world of vampires, immersing you in dense forests, lively towns, creepy swamps, or simply brooding in a castle of your own design.”
- “Every shadowy forest, decrepit castle, and eerie village is meticulously detailed, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and beautiful.”
- “The game's gothic-inspired visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive atmosphere combine seamlessly to create a truly authentic vampire experience.”
- “With 1.0 they've changed the game visually, it lost the feel and atmosphere that only after going away has made me realize how much it carried the game.”
- “The atmosphere could be much darker, you play as a vampire after all, but so probably lots of kids can (and will) enjoy this game too (count this as positive or negative, whatever).”
- “That takes away from the atmosphere when there is castle next to castle.”
stability
484 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
2%
74%
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many players report a generally smooth experience with minimal bugs and good performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, others have encountered significant issues such as frequent crashes, freezing during gameplay, and glitches that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the game shows promise but still requires further optimization and bug fixes to enhance stability.
- “Really well made game with no glitches or performance issues, still receiving updates from the devs.”
- “V Rising is such a well-built game, I have to applaud Stuntlock for doing a good job not only making a functional game, but also keeping the game almost bug free.”
- “Absolutely one of the greatest survival games I've ever played, don't let 'early access' fool you, this game has a ton of content and is practically bug free.”
- “I like this game but it is so buggy/laggy :( often kicks you out of the game at random which can be a frustrating experience.”
- “This game is 100% unplayable and I will be returning it as I've spent less than an hour 'in game' - all just troubleshooting of course (not to mention the extra hour+ spent out of game reinstalling, rebooting computer, etc).”
- “The game freezes during the fight with bosses and other characters, you return after a restart - and your character is killed.”
replayability
468 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
60%
15%
The replayability of "V Rising" is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the game offers enjoyable multiplayer experiences and customization options, it suffers from a lack of meaningful endgame content and a static world. Solo players, in particular, find limited replay value after completing the main objectives, as the game becomes repetitive without procedural generation or varied gameplay experiences. However, those who engage in PvP and enjoy the social aspects of the game report higher replayability, suggesting that the experience can vary significantly based on playstyle.
- “The multiplayer aspect adds replayability and keeps things exciting, while the vampire mechanics give the game a fresh and strategic twist.”
- “With its vast open world, varied combat, and deep customization options, V Rising offers high replay value.”
- “The game's diverse cast of vampire characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles, allows for endless replayability and customization.”
- “The game puts a lot of emphasis on the PvP aspect and offers little to no replayability for purely PvE players: the progression system based on killing bosses is linear, the world is static, and the only late-game area gets repetitive after an hour of gameplay.”
- “Nothing in the game changes; everything is the same each playthrough, so there's not much replayability.”
- “There is little to no replayability with the game as it stands on the PvE side, because nothing changes in a new playthrough and it takes so incredibly long to progress in the first place.”
humor
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in this vampire-themed game is widely praised for its dark, quirky, and often absurd elements, making it a fun experience, especially when played with friends. Players enjoy the comedic interactions with NPCs, the silly boss designs, and the amusing scenarios that arise during gameplay, such as farmers attacking vampires with frying pans. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its survival mechanics, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the gaming experience.
- “It's hilariously dark at times.”
- “The concept of being an asshole vampire, running around terrorizing the populace, all while scrounging for stuff to build a castle is both hilarious and satisfying.”
- “Npc quality and difficulty of beating them - kind of very cheerfully well cared for, especially the random npcs' voice acting and the way they try to defend their farms that is really funny if you can see a farmer running at you with a frying pan.”
- “Learning boss fighting strategies in solo is not funny.”
- “Eet's not funny!”
- “Whoever thought it was a good idea for there to be areas with multiple healers who can full heal an enemy in a split second should be fired because this is so obviously broken it's not funny.”
monetization
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
23%
71%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and pay-to-win mechanics, labeling it as a consumer-friendly approach. However, concerns have been raised about the release of costly DLCs shortly after launch, leading some to perceive it as a potential cash grab. Overall, while the game avoids predatory monetization practices, the early DLC pricing and frequent in-game ads (referring to enemy minions) have sparked debate among players.
- “No pay2win, no microtransactions.”
- “Finally, the monetization of this game is one of the rare good ones that absolutely don't nickel and dime you to cough up extra to have the full experience.”
- “There are no microtransactions, paywalls, timers, predatory pricing tactics, or lootboxes.”
- “It is nothing but tedious and I suspect it to be an intentional decision to sell buffs later via microtransactions. Let's not pretend that the devs are some kind of saints and the DLCs were not more expensive than the game itself during early access.”
- “As it is now, do not waste your money on this cash grab dumpster fire.”
- “Edit: game is still terrible and they release DLC for an early access title should tell you this is a cash grab, not a labor of love.”
emotional
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a wide range of feelings, from the thrill of feeling powerful as a vampire to the heartbreak of losing progress or witnessing the demise of companions. Players express nostalgia and joy in their experiences, particularly in solo play, while also highlighting frustrations with certain mechanics that can detract from the overall enjoyment. The haunting soundtrack and immersive environments further enhance the emotional journey, making it a memorable experience for many, despite some players feeling disheartened by specific challenges.
- “This game made me feel emotions again.”
- “The haunting soundtrack becomes an integral part of the experience, elevating emotional impact in every encounter.”
- “I really just wanted to thank the developers for making me feel the same emotions that MMORPGs 5-8 years ago made me feel.”
character development
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
7%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and ability to engage players in their characters' journeys, while others criticize the lack of meaningful progression and linearity. The character designs are noted for their detail and aesthetic appeal, although some players find them stylized in a way that may not suit everyone's taste. Overall, while some players appreciate the immersive experience and customization options, others feel that character development is either superficial or lacking entirely.
- “Plus, the character development adds depth, making me genuinely invested in their journeys.”
- “Lovely character development that makes you keep playing.”
- “It scratches that particular itch for an isometric action game, while having depth to choices on character development that make it easy to play how you want.”
- “There is no XP, no character development; the only progression is based on getting better gear.”
- “I feel like the life of a vampire in this game is very surface level with little character development.”
- “Character development factually doesn't exist.”