V Rising

Developer: Stunlock Studios
Release: May 8th 2024
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Massively Multiplayer
Addictive
Creative
Atmospheric
Save Wipes
Pv P Balance
V Rising Poster

" Immersive action-adventure MMO with unique vampire mechanics but frequent save wipes "

V Rising Review

V Rising is a unique top-down survival RPG blending melee and magic combat with castle building and a vampire theme. Players progress by defeating bosses, unlocking crafting blueprints, and designing highly detailed castles. The game features a single, carefully crafted map with distinct zones and a variety of enemies, providing an atmospheric gothic experience.

The combat system is skill-based with a high mechanical ceiling, praised for its engaging boss fights and fluid gameplay. Building and crafting mechanics are robust, allowing creative freedom. Multiplayer and PvP modes exist, but PvP is often criticized for balance issues and short server lifespans. The developers actively update the game, but a major pain point is the frequent save wipes after updates, forcing players to restart progress, which frustrates many.

Overall, V Rising is celebrated for its gameplay depth, visuals, and unique vampire survival elements, but save management and PvP balance remain notable drawbacks.

Highlights

Players widely praise V Rising's engaging combat system with a high skill ceiling and impactful boss fights.

The castle building and crafting mechanics are lauded for their depth and creative freedom, enabling detailed and personalized bases.

The game's atmospheric gothic visuals and distinct, well-designed zones enhance immersion.

Progression via boss fights and unlocking new abilities is rewarding, and the developers' active support adds value.

Multiplayer co-op is enjoyable, and the vampire theme with transformations and blood mechanics adds unique flavor.

Criticisms

A common criticism is the frequent save file wipes after updates, which invalidate hours of progress and force restarts, frustrating solo and multiplayer players alike.

Many find the PvP poorly balanced, with meta builds dominating and short-lived servers diminishing longevity.

The grind and crafting times can feel tedious and slow, especially mid to late game, causing repetitiveness.

Solo play can be challenging due to difficulty spikes and boss mechanics designed for groups.

Some UI and quality-of-life issues exist, such as lack of UI scaling and cumbersome inventory management.

Multiplayer server management and support have occasional issues, including connectivity and UX flaws.

Pros

  • Engaging and skill-based combat with rewarding boss fights.
  • Highly detailed and flexible castle building system.
  • Atmospheric and visually appealing gothic world design.
  • Unique vampire-themed mechanics and transformations.
  • Active developer support with regular updates and QoL improvements.
  • Single map with distinct, well-crafted zones and enemy variety.
  • Multiplayer co-op enhances gameplay enjoyment.

Cons

  • Frequent save wipes after updates invalidate player progress.
  • PvP balance issues lead to stale and short-lived servers.
  • Grinding and crafting times can feel slow and tedious.
  • Late-game difficulty spikes frustrate solo players.
  • Inventory and UI lack some accessibility and convenience features.
  • Multiplayer server browser and connection issues reported.
  • No official save migration tool for old versions.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Awaken as a Vampire. Hunt for blood in nearby settlements to regain your strength and evade the scorching sun to survive. Raise your castle and thrive in an ever-changing, open world full of mystery. Gain allies online and conquer the land of the living.

Release Date May 8th 2024
Publisher Stunlock Studios
Developer Stunlock Studios
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (49,747)
90% Positive 10% Negative