I know I said I was going to review Avowed… But I have nothing good to say about it. So instead, let’s take a look at something better. V Rising. This gem of a game is a mash-up of ARPG, Survival, and crafting game, with some amazing map details, lore, and challenges to overcome.
If you’ve read any of my fantasy novels, you may see an underlying current of vampire mythology pervasive through the stories. So to say I love me a good vampire story, or book, or game, is an understatement. V Rising manages to suck me in, without to much story to bog down the game play. What it DOES do well, since the story is missing, is set up an atmosphere of ALL vampire lore, and display it proudly and unabashed. It truly is a love letter to the mythology of the vampire.
At the beginning of the game, you are thrown into a simple narrative: Dracula was killed, and now it’s your turn to rise from the coffin and put humans in their place. You start modestly, struggling to survive in a hostile map with everything from plants, trees, wolves, and of course, humans, gunning to plunge a stake through your heart. You’re given a pretty linear tutorial on how to stay alive, and set up your first home, where all your workshops and resources will begin to pile up.
Building in V Rising is not horrible, there are some minor annoyances with it. Like trying to build upward. That’s also not to mention, room on your plot of land is at a premium. And moving your castle/home to a new plot is dreadfully complicated. And this is a personal preference, I am NOT a fan of how horses are controlled.
That is more or less the extent of my negative critiques. Pretty minor at that. V Rising is an immersive, “must play one more hour” kind of experience, and even at the full price tag of $35, well worth it. There is plenty to do and many hours of gameplay await you. There are enough challenges to overcome that you’ll be trying to tune your gear and stretch upward to the next goal. Even toward the end game, you’ll be discovering new things to do and build, leading to expanded castle builds and resource gathering. It can be a bit grindy at times, and some of the boss fights can be completely unfair at times. Looking at you, Dr Frankenstein.
Now, as for the DLC. Completely optional and up to your preference. Not required, but if you are a fan of any of the DLC packs, Castlevania, etc., then sure, support this game and get the DLC. You won’t be disappointed.