The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 694 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile Game Cover
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.
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"The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile" is a 2D action platformer brimming with gruesome visuals and a graphic novel-inspired art style. Players can choose to control Yuki, a prisoner with machine-armed abilities, or The Dishwasher, a relentless reanimated samurai. Both protagonists seek vengeance against the corrupted leaders of society in a violent, combo-fueled quest. This fast-paced game was originally released for Xbox360.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 694 reviews
story49 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced, satisfying combat with a variety of weapons and combos.
  • Unique art style and dark atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • Engaging story with two playable characters, each offering different perspectives and playstyles.
  • Some players experience issues with screen clutter and visibility during intense combat.
  • Online co-op functionality is reportedly buggy and can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The story may be confusing for those who haven't played the first game, as it lacks sufficient context.
  • story151 mentions

    The story in "The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile" is generally described as straightforward and somewhat chaotic, featuring two playable characters with distinct narratives centered around revenge and dark themes. While some players appreciate the unique comic book presentation and the engaging, albeit gory, plot, others find it confusing and lacking depth, especially for those unfamiliar with the prequel. Overall, the game prioritizes fast-paced action over a complex storyline, making it more of a hack-and-slash experience than a narrative-driven one.

    • “The story is engaging enough, and presented in a beautiful comic book fashion.”
    • “The story is beautifully told and the music is really, really good and fits the game perfectly.”
    • “The dishwasher: vampire smile is one of the most fun games I have ever played; there is a lot to talk about this game, so let’s start with the story.”
    • “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 boring so far, which was to be expected, but it also takes up quite a lot of time if you sit through it.”
    • “It's hard enough to keep up on your own, but not knowing the story from the first game makes understanding so much harder.”
  • graphics102 mentions

    The graphics of "Vampire Smile" are characterized by a unique and gritty art style that blends punk and gothic elements, creating a visually striking atmosphere filled with detail and intense combat effects. While many players praise the stunning visuals and fluid animations, some express frustration with the chaotic screen effects during combat that can obscure gameplay. Overall, the game's aesthetic is polarizing, appealing to those who appreciate its dark, edgy design and visceral gore, while others find it overwhelming or reminiscent of lower-quality flash games.

    • “The art style and direction are amazing with a perfect blend of grit, gore, and edge.”
    • “Stunning visuals and intense combat with a hopeless dark atmosphere, while playing this feels like my hair suddenly grows, becomes jagged, and covers my left eye.”
    • “The music fits the raging and oppressive tone of the game perfectly while still somehow feeling a little uplifting, the visuals don't fail to present the atmosphere of a gritty industrial nightmare and are chock-full of detail.”
    • “Being unable to see anything on screen during combat from the shaky, blurry mess of VFX is a very disappointing direction for the art style.”
    • “The art style is poor, looks like a cobbled together mobile game with no art direction other than 'it must be grey, flashy and have blood.'”
    • “Visual clarity isn't great either; edgy art style and VFX make it hard to see anything after executing an enemy, and there are invisible enemies that can teleport.”
  • gameplay91 mentions

    The gameplay is widely praised for its fast-paced, visceral combat and intuitive mechanics, particularly the use of the right analog stick for dodging, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the variety of weapons, upgrades, and the chaotic yet satisfying nature of the brawler-style action, although some note issues with certain mechanics and screen flickering. Overall, the game delivers a unique blend of artistic style, engaging gameplay, and a compelling soundtrack, making it a standout title in the genre.

    • “The gameplay is solid: the use of the right analog stick for dodging is such a great mechanic from the first game that really made it stand out against other platforming brawlers.”
    • “This game has a sick comic art style; the gameplay is insanely good and overall one of the best games I've ever played.”
    • “The fast-paced hack and slash gameplay with an epic soundtrack is something that I'm sure most people will enjoy -- unless you're not a fan of gore!”
    • “It hinders gameplay; it prevents you from seeing the multiple finishers you do.”
    • “There are some areas that look like your screen is flickering like mad, which is one of the worst mechanics I have ever seen.”
    • “Overall, this is just another good-looking game with mediocre gameplay.”
  • music89 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the fast-paced combat and dark atmosphere. The blend of heavy metal, punk, and emo influences creates an engaging audio backdrop that complements the game's gritty visuals and visceral gameplay. While some players found the music occasionally repetitive, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal and replayability.

    • “A good amount of challenge, interesting tools for movement and combat, and a soundtrack that gets you in the right mood as you perform complex attacks and finishers (all animated excellently).”
    • “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 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 fast-paced hack and slash gameplay with an epic soundtrack is something that I'm sure most people will enjoy -- unless you're not a fan of gore!”
    • “The music is irritatingly tame and boring for such a violent game.”
    • “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.”
    • “As for the soundtrack, there's not much that can be said for it.”
  • atmosphere21 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its stunning visuals, dark and gritty aesthetic, and immersive sound design, creating a compelling blend of ultraviolence and moodiness. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music that complements the oppressive tone, alongside a unique art style that enhances the overall experience. The combination of visceral combat and a richly detailed environment contributes to a memorable and engaging atmosphere that resonates with fans of dark, action-oriented games.

    • “The music fits the raging and oppressive tone of the game perfectly while still somehow feeling a little uplifting, 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.”
    • “Basically a 2D Devil May Cry with an oozing sci-fi/horror atmosphere, and what is possibly the best art style I've ever seen in a game.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's dark, grotesque comic style lends it an atmosphere all its own.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by engaging combat, a captivating soundtrack, and additional modes like arcade that enhance the experience. While some players find limited replay value unless pursuing achievements, many agree that the combination of action and co-op features makes it a standout title worth revisiting.

    • “High replayability value with challenging, yet satisfying combat and an immersive story with a great soundtrack to go with it.”
    • “It's very violent, has great weapons and while it is short, it has great replayability.”
    • “Great replay value, soundtrack, and gore mechanics.”
    • “It was fun for a playthrough, but there is effectively zero replay value unless you're an achievement hunter.”
    • “- Arcade mode adds some replayability.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its creativity and dark undertones, with players enjoying the hand-drawn cutscenes and quirky character designs. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend fun gameplay with hilarious glitches and a variety of comedic references, including some crude humor. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “Enjoy the hand-drawn cutscenes, the game’s visceral sense of style, and its signature dark humor.”
    • “Glowing personality, good sense of humor, takes initiative, and is a dishwasher-vampire-ninja/samurai, so that's cool.”
    • “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.”
  • character development5 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its exceptional designs and aesthetic, contributing to an immersive experience. Reviewers appreciate the well-executed character styles and the overall integration of design with gameplay and story elements.

    • “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.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some encounter various glitches, particularly towards the end of the game, others experience a stable performance without crashes, especially on Linux. The glitches are often described as annoying but occasionally humorous.

    • “However, I have encountered some glitches on Steam.”
    • “There are also some rather annoying glitches near the end, with the camera going all over the place.”
    • “Ran into a bunch of glitches, but boy were they hilarious.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game evokes a strong emotional response through its punk-rock aesthetic and satisfying metroidvania gameplay, creating a rugged yet wholesome experience that appeals to players of all ages. Reviewers highlight its ability to deliver fun and emotional depth, making it a standout title for family enjoyment.

    • “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.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find that the grinding aspect can become tedious, particularly during action-packed segments where running through the map without engaging in combat feels repetitive. Additionally, some enemies are perceived as overly defensive, requiring specific strategies that can make encounters feel frustratingly drawn out.

    • “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.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for poorly balancing difficulty, leading players to feel that skillful play is often less effective than spamming basic attacks. Additionally, the keybindings for music minigames are considered awkward and in need of better optimization for PC users.

    • “For the love of the lord, for most of this run I thought I may have been a terrible player doing all I can to kill the mobs and bosses and perform my very best observing patterns. However, that might all be thrown out of the window once you realize how not only the difficulty is badly optimized, but also doing your best isn't so rewarding or maybe not at all. Actually, spamming the traditional dash and hit works absolutely the best (normal difficulty as Yuki for reference).”
    • “My only complaint is the keybindings for the music minigames are really wacky and could be better optimized for PC.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
3-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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