Vampyr

Vampyr is a dark and horror-themed action RPG released in 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The following year, a version was also released for Nintendo Switch. The game was developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Focus Home Interactive. Although not classified as a AAA title, Vampyr was well-received by the public and received positive reviews from critics.

PLOT

The protagonist of Vampyr is Jonathan Reid, a London doctor. Upon returning to the city after World War I, he is attacked by a vampire and condemned to eternal life. Jonathan is forced to accept his cursed existence but seeks to understand why he was transformed, an “honor” certainly not granted to everyone. Moreover, upon his return, he finds a London devastated by the Spanish flu. As a doctor, he will try to save as many lives as possible, but he must also contend with his insatiable thirst for blood and the vampire hunters of the Priwen Guard.

CONSIDERATIONS

Dontnod has done a masterful job, particularly with the story of Vampyr. To fully discover and appreciate it, players must interact with the inhabitants of 1918 London, excellently characterized characters with whom you can engage in non-trivial multiple-choice conversations. It is important to remember that every decision in Vampyr is final and always has repercussions in the game world, so you must be very careful about what you say or whom you kill. The developers decided to include only auto-saving, so it is impossible to retrace your steps—a bold authorial choice, especially considering that Vampyr offers several endings, unlockable based on the decisions made during the adventure. The game’s setting is truly stunning. The nighttime London where you undertake primary and secondary missions has been very well constructed, from the wealthier districts to the poorer ones (more heavily hit by the disease).

IN CONCLUSION

Vampyr is a video game that blends narration and gameplay very well. Everything you can do in it is enjoyable and satisfying, a game in which you can immerse yourself for around forty hours without ever getting bored. A special mention must be made for the high-quality voice acting; hearing the characters speak with a very marked English accent further enhances the immersion in the game world. If you are intrigued by vampire stories or simply want to try an RPG different from the usual, this title is definitely for you.

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