Obviously, this game is a 'hit or miss' for many - but for me, it caters to everything I could possibly want from a vampire RPG, and more.

The combat is especially creative, with unique skill trees that highlight your abilities as both a vampire, and a doctor; depending on the trees you decide to build. You can claw out throats, replenish your stamina through combative biting, craft medicines that heal, and poisons that kill. The combat mechanics stay fairly true to the abilities' descriptions - and hitting combos is a treat. There's just something about upper-cutting an enemy and launching them into the air with vampiric talons, while slow-motion blood sprays out of their gaping wounds, that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Combat aside, the gameplay itself is heavily centered on story and investigative quests, which is another perk for me. I adore investigating, hunting trails, and piecing together clues. Vampyr's investigative features are much like Geralt's in The Witcher: you have your "vampire senses" which turn the world around you monochrome, and hyperfocus on scents, blood trails, and more. You can heal districts by helping people with their ailments, or you can let them fall to the inevitable horrors of an untreated pandemic. You have the choice to be brutal, or virtuous; and every decision has an impact on your journey, and its outcome.

Some honorable mentions...

Hauntingly gorgeous soundtrack. Rich, dark atmosphere that emulates the eerie, foggy streets of a plague-ridden city, further exemplified by cinematic graphics. Characters with unique personalities, traits, quirks, and secrets that make the world and its setting realistic, immersive, and abundantly explorative. And, of course, my favorite part: low on blood? Just grab a few rats and start snackin'. They're low-calorie, and free!

Overall, this game is insanely beautiful, with a gripping story, ongoing air of mystery, creepy and curious codexes and letters sprinkled throughout side quests and the main story, and an impressive amount of versatility for a niche production. I personally could not turn it off, I was so enthralled. I spent hours reading both positive and negative reviews before deciding to buy it, and I'm so glad that I didn't let the negativity keep me away from this absolute gem. For the record, I've had zero issues with camera sensitivity, or "clunky" mechanics. So far, everything runs smooth as butter.

If you're looking for all the things I've found in this game, you won't regret giving it a chance.