A new update on Vampyr , the vampire-focused action RPG from Dontnod Entertainment, is giving fans a better idea of what combat will feel like when Vampyr heads to PC and consoles next year. And those worried the supernatural story wouldn’t emphasize combat enough should have their fears assuaged by the latest word from Vampyr game director Philippe Moreau.
If you weren’t already aware, Vampyr is set in the early 20th century, dropping players into the city of London in 1918. Players step into the shoes of Jonathan Reid, a former soldier and surgeon searching for the cause of the Spanish Flu outbreak ravaging his hometown. Reid also has a dark secret: he’s a vampire, transformed after being bitten by a London resident thought to have contracted the flu. And now we’re finding out just what that transformation means for Dr. Reid if (and when) he finds himself going toe-to-toe with those who’d do him harm.
According to Moreau , Reid will have a variety of conventional and supernatural responses at his disposal, including period-appropriate melee and ranged weaponry. He’ll also have access to the powerful Blood magic enabled by his vampiric transformation, provided the corresponding gauge is full enough to activate the spell or ability in question. Like many action RPGs, Vampyr will also include skill trees for its protagonist, each intended to emphasize a specific play style. Players can choose to load up on a specific set of abilities, making it easier to adopt a stealth or aggressive play style (as desired), or mix and match to fit their current needs.
Skills can also be specialized for certain situations. Moreau offered one example, via branching upgrades for the Spring ability, by pointing out the player’s freedom to enhance a distance-closing skill with an area-of-effect attack or a temporary invincibility buff. The Vampyr director also says players non-combat actions can have an impact on certain situations. But the impact won’t always be a positive one. So it’ll be important to think carefully before making decisions.
Vampyr is in development for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. The game debuts in 2017.
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