REVIEW | Vampyr, a good port for a gothic adventure
Released without much alarm in 2018 for PC, Xbox One and PS4, and with a very weak reception from critics, Vampyr was an attempt to mix or horror genre with the myth of the vampire in an action adventure and mystery worthy of a masterpiece quality literary. However, the execution of the plan was, although well done, very weak. For that reason, I had my expectations very low when I learned that the game received a port for the Nintendo Switch. However, the game managed to surprise me in several ways.As ruas ensanguentadas de Londres
Certainly one of the most striking elements of Vampyr is its plot and the way it develops, highlighting the experience of being in the skin of a newborn vampire. It is a story that draws heavily on classics from the horror genre like Bram Stoker’s Dracula in his Gothic romantic prose. In addition, the plot also uses elements from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
Our supernatural protagonist is Jonathan Reid, a doctor who wakes up in a mass grave, recently turning into a vampire. From then on, you must balance the vampiric and doctoral aspects of your life, all while also trying to discover the mysteries behind who caused this curse.
In fact, Dr. Jonathan’s well-executed performance coupled with the overall atmosphere of the game manages to make the vampire’s journey much deeper and more realistic. It is a relief to know that, unlike many other ports for the Switch, Vampyr does not have its audio compressed, which does not detract from the user experience.
In addition to the powers that are included in the “basic vampire pack” (and those you acquire and increase during your journey through the bloody streets of London), one of Vampyr’s main mechanics is to work with systems of choices that are important in determining the direction of the narrative. They all come from typical interpersonal interactions, but they also come from the way you approach gameplay.
Even being from the same developer of Life Is Strange, here the protagonist’s decisions do not have as much impact on the way the story ends. Vampyr is more interested in creating the perfect horror / mystery atmosphere and testing the player’s ability to use his vampire skills than creating an engaging story for the player.
Be a creature of the night!
It is not because Dr. Jonathan is supposed to be the “hero” of the plot that you will not be able to use and abuse your vampire powers. In Vampyr, you can delight in any of London’s inhabitants, which has consequences that directly affect the city. Spending time talking to them and, thus, having them reveal their inner workings or send them on missions, allows them to increase the quality of their blood.
The advantage of “getting others into the conversation” is that feasting on those of superior blood yields extra experience points to invest in new skills. However, nothing prevents you from completing the game without killing civilians, but remember that you will not be able to get very far in your skill tree and certain combats can prove to be very complicated challenges. However, you will be rewarded with one of the four different endings in the game.
A significant part of the narrative in Vampyr also comes in the form of several documents that you find. Magazines, newspapers and articles are scattered throughout 20th century London. These elements help Dr. Jonathan to solve some mysteries and understand the secrets that surround his transformation into a supernatural creature. Such strange materials, although dense, are worth the commitment to dive into the world.
In terms of overall gameplay, Vampyr is an action RPG that is as brutal as it is intense. Whether battling vampire hunters or creatures of the night, you have a variety of different skills and weapons to try. There is everything from short-handed weapons like stakes to long-range weapons like revolvers.
Of course, you also have your supernatural abilities, such as becoming invisible or creating blood spears. However, while combat is fun here and there, it can sometimes become repetitive due to the sheer breadth of certain enemies’ health bars.
Too much blood in your hands
Overall, Vampyr is an ambitious game that seems to want to offer the player more than he can really give. Due to the ease of immersion in the world created by adventure, it is possible to forgive some of the most blatant failures with its repetitive combat of action and RPG. After all, it is not every game of this genre that gives the player so much power over the world and the characters. This provides a game with a high degree of replayability, allowing you to shape the protagonist in several different ways.
Maintaining quality performance in both portable and docked mode, Vampyr is a perfect adventure for those looking for a more serious and mature game on the Nintendo Switch. A frightening journey that is not afraid to put the fate of the world and people in the hands of a character tormented by a curse.
Pros
- Interesting and compelling story
- Abilities and experience system
Cons
- Repetitive combat
- Limited experience when played on TV
