We’ve all been there. After a lengthy nap, you awaken a bit hungry, grumpy, and averse to the harsh rays of the sun. Feeling like death, you go in search of something to revitalize your decrepit husk of a body. A fry up maybe, or a strong coffee. V Rising knows your pain. The only difference is you’re playing as a literal vampire in search of a place to belong in a hostile world of sunshine. And the only dark liquid you’ll be guzzling is the fresh arterial spray of the local wildlife.
V Rising is a vampire survival game, and in hindsight, it’s surprising the connection between the romanticized undead and the harsh world of survival games hasn’t really been exploited all that much before. They are a perfect match on paper, and V Rising shows the promise in this unholy union.
You can make your very own stylish vamp.At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was more in line with Diablo than Rust. The camera positioning, the combat, and the generally dark and moody look all contribute to that feeling. But look a little longer and the survival aspects begin to show their teeth.
The game begins by getting you to assemble the ingredients to create a few basic tools. So initially, you’ll be forging a sword from the bones that litter the floor of your crypt, and before long, you’re chopping down trees and breaking boulders to build a personal castle. All the while, there’s a need to quench your thirst and protect yourself from the threats of the world, which include monsters, large animals, and on some servers, other players.
The biggest threat to your continuing existence however, is the big glowing sphere in the sky. V Rising has a Day/Night cycle which means any pallid vamps need to seek shelter or burn up quicker than an aerosol can lathered in hand sanitizer. Thankfully the shadows provided solace in the daytime, so it’s not all doom and gloom if you stay up a bit too late. It does mean there’s an extra need to be mindful of getting embroiled in combat, as it’s all too easy to accidentally find yourself in the light.
The world is cruel, cold,and dark. Perfect for a vampire, really.V Rising’s online-focused world makes for an interesting place. Servers cater to PvE and PvP, so there’s a welcome choice of not being trolled by other players as you struggle to get a foothold in the early hours of the game. I’m keen to see how things play out over time as V Rising launches and gains a larger audience, but currently, it’s a nice alternative to the myriad survival games already on the market.
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