Step into the rain-slicked, fog-choked streets of London in 1918, a city gripped by the devastating Spanish Flu. You are Dr. Jonathan Reid, a distinguished surgeon recently returned from the front lines, now awakened as a vampire. This transformation places you at a profound moral crossroads: as a doctor, your oath compels you to find a cure and heal the afflicted citizens, yet as a vampire, an insatiable thirst demands you feed on the very people you vowed to protect.

This role-playing adventure challenges you to navigate a city teeming with desperation and danger. You'll encounter a cast of characters, each with their own lives, relationships, and secrets. Your vampiric nature grants you potent abilities, but every decision carries weight. The core gameplay loop revolves around balancing your medical duties with your predatory instincts, exploring the darkly atmospheric environment, and making critical choices that will shape the fate of London and your own humanity.

The Premise: A Doctor's Curse

Set against the backdrop of a city ravaged by disease and fear, this game casts you as Dr. Jonathan Reid, a man caught between his medical calling and his newfound vampiric curse. The narrative thrusts you into a desperate search for a cure for the Spanish Flu, while simultaneously confronting the primal urge to feed. This internal conflict is central to the experience, forcing players to consider the consequences of their actions in a world where every inhabitant is a potential source of sustenance.

The Moral Dilemma of Feeding

The most distinctive feature of this game lies in its intricate web of character interactions and the direct impact of your choices. Every citizen in London is a potential victim, possessing unique traits, relationships, and importance to the city's districts. Carefully studying these individuals—their habits, their connections, their vulnerabilities—is crucial before deciding to feed. Seducing them, altering their routines, or orchestrating their isolation are all viable strategies. However, each life taken has tangible consequences, affecting the health of districts, the availability of resources, and the overall narrative progression. This system creates a deeply personal and often agonizing decision-making process, where the player's hunger directly influences the world around them.

Unlocking Powers Through Sacrifice

Feeding on victims is not merely about survival; it is the primary means by which Dr. Reid gains new vampiric powers. The more potent the victim's blood, the greater the potential for unlocking devastating abilities. This mechanic directly ties your character progression to your moral choices, creating a compelling feedback loop where embracing your monstrous side leads to greater combat effectiveness, but at the cost of your humanity and the well-being of the city.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Combat and Supernatural Abilities

When diplomacy and stealth fail, this game offers dynamic real-time combat. This system blends hard-hitting melee attacks with ranged shooting mechanics, augmented by your growing arsenal of supernatural vampiric powers. These abilities, fueled by your own blood, provide a significant advantage in battle but also leave you vulnerable. Managing your health and the energy required for powers becomes a critical aspect of combat, often necessitating feeding even during intense encounters to replenish your strength.

Crafting and Preparation

To survive the dangers of London, a robust crafting system is available. Players can scavenge for materials and components from fallen enemies and the environment to craft and upgrade a variety of items. This includes tools, melee weapons, ranged firearms, and specialized ammunition designed to exploit enemy weaknesses. Strategic preparation through crafting is essential for overcoming the diverse array of threats, from vampire hunters to other supernatural creatures.

Game Information

Release and Platforms

Originally released in 2018, this main game is available on PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It offers a complete role-playing and adventure experience.

Genres and Development

The game falls under the Role-playing (RPG) and Adventure genres. It was developed by DON'T NOD and Dontnod Eleven, and published by Focus Entertainment.