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An honest (and brutal) review of Vampyr.
7 years ago
Long and short of it: This game was done a major disservice by the inclusion of the combat system that's in place. The game has some good things going for it, mostly soundtrack and atmosphere, but the combat gameplay is absolutely abysmal. I haven't played a game with combat this poorly thought out and implemented in years, and legitimately every part of it, from the lackluster tacked-on crafting to the frankly idiotic blood-for-magic system (Yes, thank you, I needed a high "mana" cost AND arbitrary cooldowns on my abilities), is just a misery. This game would've been better suited as a combat-less exercise in drama via storytelling, with (I hate to say it) QTE segments to make up the meat of the action.
I would not suggest this game to anyone at this point, simply on the merit that it feels broken, unfinished and poorly balanced. The RPG elements aren't strong enough on their own, and the combat does nothing but hold back what could have been an atmospheric and intriguing RPG. The story just isn't enough to push it past a 4/10 for me. I never thought I'd say it, but The Order: 1886 felt better put together than this.
I would not suggest this game to anyone at this point, simply on the merit that it feels broken, unfinished and poorly balanced. The RPG elements aren't strong enough on their own, and the combat does nothing but hold back what could have been an atmospheric and intriguing RPG. The story just isn't enough to push it past a 4/10 for me. I never thought I'd say it, but The Order: 1886 felt better put together than this.
I do like the sorta "detective" feel it gives off, but I do have to agree it would have been a much better game without the current combat system, something more akin to the Batman Arkham series, or as you suggested just the QTE segments(and having proper knowledge/detective things) for the 'important' fights.
I wouldn't recommend it for it's current price, if it drops down to like...20$ it's good. Or you can just watch it on youtube, it seems there are possibly 3 ways to go about this? Not sure yet, but there are naturally at least 2 ways to play the game that are obvious from the start, but the further in I'm starting to get the sensation of a Third ending...not just 2...
I'm finding issue with several major aspects of the game, but to be 100% honest here it's still not a bad game, per se. The story is nowhere near as strong as they had implied it would be, and has done nothing to engage me on a personal level, but the atmosphere and aesthetic goes a long way toward keeping me engaged. I just wish it hadn't resorted to attempting a cheap emotional grab opening to establish an impetus for action.
The sudden steep difficulty spike and feeling of being "punished" for exploring and doing optional side quests doesn't sit well at all, given how janky the combat is. The camera is atrocious, and enemy combat tells are somewhat lacking.
I will say one of the things I've hated the most about direct combat is, of all things, the Rookies. Their stupid torch-flail that only triggers when you're attacking. Why would anyone think a stagger-triggering "defense" action ALSO needs to do aggravated damage? It's just an example of poor combat balance.
I feel the biggest service that could've been done for this game would have simply been to A: Give it a 15-20 minute tutorial segment to introduce the non-combat/crafting/dialogue tree mechanics pre-vampire and allow you to learn more about your character and his motivations, and B: Cut out or trim down the combat to a less clunky system. Point A feels like a given, but the way they throw you into the game doesn't work. Especially given that there are flashbacks to the main character's military service that would have AT LEAST been decent for teaching you about the crafting system, or telling you more about the character as a whole, but really exist only to say "Hey, this takes place post-WW1."
I'm just sorely disappointed.
i was sort of hoping for this game.
I find I get disappointed a lot by games now.
I love the new battletech, but it feels like it is missing pieces