Vampyr

Vampyr might not be to everyone’s taste being heavily narrative-driven with its long dialogues, bland textures and repetitive combat sequences. But if you can overlook these little faults, you’ll find a refreshing title worth savoring.

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In "Vampyr," you play as a newly-turned vampire doctor during the 1918 flu pandemic in London. Your mission to find a cure conflicts with your vampire nature, forcing you to choose who to feed on among the city's citizens. Your decisions will have consequences, shaping the fate of London and its inhabitants. The game offers a blend of supernatural combat and manipulation, with a focus on the moral dilemmas of being a vampire.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,222 reviews

story3,651 positive mentions

grinding500 negative mentions

story
8,998 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of *Vampyr* is widely praised for its rich narrative and character development, set against the atmospheric backdrop of a plague-ridden London in 1918. Players appreciate the moral complexity of choices that significantly impact the game's world and characters, although some criticize the pacing and execution of certain plot points, particularly the forced romance and occasional plot holes. Overall, while the gameplay mechanics receive mixed reviews, the compelling story and immersive setting make it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “When it comes to story, characters, and making your choices matter, I believe Vampyr is close to rivaling the likes of The Witcher, although on a much smaller scale.”
- “The voice acting is superb, which gives a flavorful depth to the story.”
- “The story is emotionally compelling, though it occasionally stumbles with pacing and cliché moments.”
- “The narrative had promise, but the gameplay issues overshadowed any potential the plot had to shine.”
- “In the end, while the story was okay, it wasn’t enough to make up for how frustrating the rest of the game was.”
- “The story starts strong, but then there's the fairly forgettable middle part, where I had to do a lot of chores, and then the story takes up speed where you have several 'aha!' reveals and game rushes towards the end.”
gameplay
2,898 mentions
27 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Vampyr* has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its innovative mechanics and engaging narrative, while others criticize its clunky combat and repetitive elements. The game features a unique moral choice system where players must decide whether to feed on NPCs for experience, impacting the game's world and story. However, the combat mechanics are often described as frustrating and lacking depth, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel tedious and unpolished at times. Overall, while the story and atmosphere are compelling, the gameplay may not satisfy those seeking a more refined action experience.
- “The biting mechanics are both enjoyable and meaningful, as each choice impacts the narrative and the city around the player.”
- “The gameplay balances a unique social system with honestly very fun combat mechanics.”
- “The moral complexity keeps the story engaging and makes Vampyr a standout in terms of narrative-driven gameplay.”
- “The narrative had promise, but the gameplay issues overshadowed any potential the plot had to shine.”
- “The game had great visuals and voice acting, but gameplay was awkward and repetitive.”
- “The gameplay is also designed to make you think like a vampire.”
atmosphere
1,433 mentions
64 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Vampyr* is widely praised for its immersive and haunting depiction of 1918 London, effectively capturing the grim and gothic essence of a city ravaged by war and disease. Players commend the game's rich sound design, including a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall mood, alongside detailed environmental storytelling that draws them into the narrative. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the atmospheric elements, including visuals and voice acting, are consistently highlighted as standout features that contribute to a compelling and engaging experience.
- “As I delved deeper into the streets of 1918 London, now plagued by the undead, I discovered a world rich in atmospheric tension and moral complexity.”
- “The atmosphere is mesmerizing, especially the back alleys and certain parts of the city.”
- “The dark and brooding atmosphere of 'Vampyr' is impeccably crafted.”
- “The atmosphere is dark and depressing.”
- “The streets you spend so much time running through all look the same - the atmosphere is always grey and moody, and frankly, it gets dull very quickly.”
- “The combat is atrocious like the Witcher or Assassin's Creed series, the atmosphere doesn't reach the level of games like Bloodborne or Pathologic 2, and choices would matter if anything about the story, the gameplay or its character was capable of being remotely engaging.”
graphics
1,313 mentions
47 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics in *Vampyr* are generally praised for their atmospheric and artistic design, effectively capturing the dark, eerie essence of early 20th-century London. While some players note that the visuals may appear dated compared to contemporary titles, the game's unique art style and attention to detail contribute significantly to its immersive experience. However, there are also mentions of graphical glitches and inconsistencies, which can detract from the overall presentation.
- “The visuals in Vampyr are striking, especially in capturing the dark, eerie atmosphere of early 20th century London.”
- “While the graphics may not be the most advanced, the art style and attention to detail bring a haunting beauty to the city, from the rain-soaked alleys to the dimly lit interiors.”
- “The atmosphere is moody, the graphics are top-notch, the story is out of this world, and the gameplay is fantastic.”
- “The game doesn't look bad at all, but for 2018 the visuals are considerably below average and make the game look slightly outdated.”
- “For a game made in 2018, the graphics really feel like they're competing with something from 2008.”
- “The graphics are mediocre, the story is boring af, the characters are boring af, the combat system gets old super fast... did I mention this game is boring af?!?”
music
1,073 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in *Vampyr* has been widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the game's dark, gothic setting of 1918 London. Composed by Olivier Deriviere, the soundtrack features a blend of string instruments that evoke a sense of melancholy and tension, perfectly complementing the narrative and emotional weight of the gameplay. Many players noted that the music significantly contributes to the immersive experience, making it one of the standout elements of the game, despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness over extended play sessions.
- “The soundtrack blends haunting melodies with tense, atmospheric compositions, perfectly capturing the oppressive mood of plague-ridden London.”
- “The music, the voice acting, the backstory of all the protagonists, citizen quests, vampire lore, and each district with its distinctive feel all contribute to that.”
- “The music deserves special mention, as it impeccably complements the brooding atmosphere, enveloping players in a haunting symphony that heightens the immersion.”
- “Unfortunately, the music is lifeless, ambient to the point of banality, and completely forgettable.”
- “The music is mediocre and sometimes outright annoying.”
- “The music gets kind of depressing and repetitive after a while.”
grinding
519 mentions
1 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Vampyr" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who describe it as tedious and repetitive. Many reviewers express frustration with the lack of fast travel, excessive backtracking, and the necessity to farm resources and experience points, which often leads to prolonged and unengaging combat encounters. While some players appreciate the story and character interactions, they feel that the grinding mechanics detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “But it controls fluidly, the dodge is very generous, the camera has no significant issues, and exploiting enemy weakness is key to making it fun and not tedious.”
- “almost no grinding”
- “Make your game fun devs, not tedious.”
- “Since the game uses respawn, there's no sense of achievement in defeating them, turning the entire gameplay into one long, tedious slog.”
- “The need to traverse London on foot, coupled with the incessant respawn of enemies, becomes a tedious task that detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
- “The combat is clunky, made even more apparent in a post-souls-like gamesphere, and the travel can be a bit tedious.”
optimization
267 mentions
22 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frequent frame drops, stuttering, and crashes, particularly in certain areas like the hospital. While some users experienced stable performance on high settings, the overall consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, especially for PC, leading to frustration among players. Despite its engaging story and strong voice acting, the technical shortcomings significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “The game is well-optimized (playing on near-ultra quality with my GTX 1060, i5 6500 and 16 GB RAM @1080p) and no bugs or glitches so far.”
- “Awesome game, great gameplay, interesting plot, nice graphics, nice music, top-notch optimization.”
- “Finally, a unique vampire RPG after many years that too with super optimization and story.”
- “The game has severe issues caused by not optimized code in Unreal, there are some annoying FPS drops and in my case some unfair moments where I died when being nowhere near the enemy.”
- “Zero optimization and annoying bugs that never got fixed.”
- “The performance is awful.”
stability
238 mentions
3 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and a variety of graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some users noted that they encountered few issues during their playthroughs, the consensus is that the game remains unpolished and buggy, leading to frustrating gameplay moments and potential game-breaking scenarios. Overall, the game's stability issues significantly impact its enjoyment, making it difficult for many players to recommend it without reservations.
- “The gameplay is good, enjoyable, and well balanced, as well as bug-free.”
- “More games should release this bug-free :)”
- “It is interesting, it is bug-free, and it is well acted.”
- “Vampyr struggles with constant freezes, crashes, poor hit detection, and a terrible camera.”
- “It's disheartening to find oneself immobilized or unable to dodge due to unforeseen glitches, turning what should be a thrilling fight into an exercise in frustration.”
- “Unfortunately, it's a buggy mess and because it only uses autosaves you either lock yourself out of content due to bugs or completely wreck your game due to bugs.”
replayability
202 mentions
31 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mixed bag of replayability, with many players appreciating the impact of choices and multiple endings that encourage different playthroughs. While some reviewers highlight the game's rich narrative and decision-making mechanics as strong factors for replay value, others note limitations such as a lack of a new game+ mode and a relatively short length, which may deter extensive replaying. Ultimately, players can expect decent replayability, particularly for those who enjoy exploring various moral paths and character builds.
- “The story is great and the game certainly has replay value because of the multiple endings.”
- “This game has a lot of replay value, as there are a handful of different ways you can play it and multiple endings to find.”
- “The choices you make throughout the game have significant consequences, adding depth and replay value.”
- “The comparison stops there with Vampyr's limited replayability (no NG+, no fast-travel, no copying saves, etc.), occasional glitches, and often needlessly obtuse navigation choices.”
- “However, I will say that I found it lacks desirable replay value, but you won't regret your first playthrough.”
emotional
132 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the protagonist Dr. Jonathan Reid's internal conflict between his medical oath and his vampire nature, creating a rich narrative filled with moral dilemmas and poignant character interactions. Players report a deeply immersive experience, with compelling storylines and emotional performances that resonate, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and character animations. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from heartbreak to moral conflict, making it a memorable journey for those who engage with its narrative depth.
- “The protagonist, Dr. Jonathan Reid, is torn between his oath as a doctor and his new vampire nature, creating a fascinating duality that drives the emotional depth of the story.”
- “The narrative is a hauntingly beautiful tapestry that draws you deep into the emotional and psychological landscape of its protagonist, Dr. Jonathan Reid.”
- “There are some genuinely affecting moments in this game, whether conversing with an old lady suffering from Alzheimer's who occasionally breaks through the malaise of memory loss only to sink back into it, a reluctant thug neglecting the very son he loves in order to provide for him, or a soldier disfigured by scars of war set in a cycle of self-loathing for the way he looks; there is no shortage of genuinely emotional moments in this game.”
- “Slow start, slow progression, boring story and characters.”
- “Clunky gameplay, boring storyline.”
- “Boring story.”
character development
96 mentions
41 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The character development in "Vampyr" is widely praised for its depth and intricacy, allowing players to form meaningful connections with both the main character and the diverse cast of NPCs. The game's emphasis on moral choices significantly impacts character arcs and the overall narrative, creating a rich storytelling experience. However, some players noted inconsistencies and limitations in character growth, particularly for side characters, which detracted from the immersive experience.
- “Character development is top-notch, and Dontnod does a fantastic job of making you care about the people you meet.”
- “The story is where this game truly shines - it's a masterclass in writing and character development.”
- “The character development and choices you make significantly impact the game world, providing a unique and immersive role-playing adventure.”
- “Unfortunately, the story, poor mission structure, and character development break that immersion completely.”
- “Amongst the few life-or-death choices you can make, you never really feel anything because the character developments are lacking.”
- “Character development was badly thought out.”
humor
77 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of dark, witty dialogue and unintentional comedic moments stemming from bugs and awkward animations. Players appreciate the clever writing and character interactions, often finding humor in the absurdity of situations, such as the protagonist's dramatic demeanor and the game's take on vampire lore. However, some feel the humor can be overshadowed by the game's flaws, leading to a blend of genuine laughs and frustration.
- “For a newborn vampire who is trying to be discreet and stay under the radar, it's hilarious that in order to get the full value out of everyone's blood, you had to find out all the dirt on them from talking behind everyone's back, having dozens of conversations with each NPC to finish upgrading their blood quality so as to maximize your XP gained from the embrace.”
- “The voice acting is hilariously bad.”
- “It's funny that I have to go through hours upon hours of gameplay (as talking to only one NPC takes approximately 10-15 minutes) just to see what would happen if I'd chosen option A instead of B in a not-so-major dialogue.”
- “It's not challenging in the midgame; it's not funny.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced throughout the game.”
- “I expected more clever humor, but it mostly misses the mark.”
monetization
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
47 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, which is a refreshing change in an industry often criticized for aggressive monetization strategies. Players appreciate that the game does not pressure them into additional purchases, allowing for a more immersive experience without financial strain. Overall, the absence of microtransactions enhances the game's value and player enjoyment.
- “A good game in the sea of bad microtransactions these days, fun good story.”
- “No microtransactions basically.”
- “Ladies and gentlemen, this isn't a game stuffed with microtransactions. Dontnod and Focus are not big companies, so please, if you like the look of the game, support them by purchasing a copy.”
- “A more malicious incarnation would have offered microtransactions to circumvent the issue, but a better studio would have made the game more fun.”
- “(but in-game purchases will drain your wallet)”
- “Vampyr is a game that would like you to believe that it has given you ample player agency to do as you please in the world with its advertising, its loading screens, and text tutorials telling you how much your choice matters.”