When Dontnod Entertainment’s latest game, Vampyr, was released, the title received very positive reviews for its story. However, reviews overall were mixed. While the storytelling and acting was applauded, the game’s combat mechanics were widely criticized. Now, Dontnod Entertainment has announced the launch of a new Vampyr story mode which will feature reduced combat.
A New Vampyr Story Mode
Dontnod Entertainment has announced two different changes to Vampyr which will launch “this summer”; as for a precise date, the studio has yet to announce anything. The first of the new changes is the new Vampyr Story Mode. Focus Home Interactive, Vampyr’s publisher, stated that the new story mode will “de-prioritize combat”. In a statement, the publisher explained that the story mode; “places a greater focus on narrative, allowing players to experience Dr. Reid’s journey with less challenging combat”. It’s unclear whether the changes will simply make combat easier, or whether it will actually reduce the amount of combat there is in the game.
The story mode isn’t the only new mode coming to Vampyr, however. The game will also gain a new Hard Mode. “Hard mode makes combat much more difficult,” stated Focus Home Interactive; “Players will receive less experience from killing enemies too, forcing them to rely even more on embracing citizens to grow in power”. While many reviewers criticized the combat mechanics, many also criticized the game’s difficulty; in general, many felt that the game was too easy, which reduced the tension of the story. Hopefully, any fans left disappointed by Vampyr’s flaws will find a better experience with one or both of the new modes.
It’s unknown when the new modes will release. It sounds, from the announcement, that they will feature as part of a normal update. Thus far, Dontnod Entertainment has actively sought to address the game’s flaws through title updates, and this seems to be the next major step of that ongoing program.