EvilVEvil Review: Dive into fast-paced FPS action with unique vampiric abilities
Table of Contents
EvilVEvil Review – An Addictive Shooter with Plenty of Bite
Doom Meets Vampires.
EvilVEvil, developed by Toadman Interactive, is a high-octane first-person shooter (FPS) that combines fast-paced combat with class abilities and a unique vampiric twist. Known for their previous title, Immortal: Unchained, which falls into the Soulslike genre, the Swedish studio has ventured into new territory with EvilVEvil. This game is a significant departure from their past projects, and while it has its fair share of problems, it remains an engaging experience that promises long-lasting enjoyment.
Introduction to EvilVEvil
EvilVEvil presents a dark and stylish world where players step into the shoes of powerful vampires. These vampires are not just your typical bloodsuckers; they come equipped with unique abilities and an arsenal of weapons that make the gameplay dynamic and exhilarating. The game’s premise is simple yet effective: embrace your inner vampire, team up with friends, and take down hordes of enemies in a variety of well-designed stages.
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Gameplay Mechanics
Character Selection and Abilities
EvilVEvil features three main vampire characters, each with their distinct abilities and playstyles:
- Leon: Known for his powerful Slam attack, which can be used both offensively and defensively. The Slam attack serves as a panic button, helping Leon escape tricky situations.
- Mashaka: Equipped with the ability to conjure Fireballs, Mashaka can deal significant damage from a distance, making her an excellent choice for players who prefer ranged combat.
- Victoria: Victoria can summon Ghosts to aid her in battle. These spectral allies can distract enemies and provide strategic advantages in combat.
Each character shares basic abilities like a floaty jump and a generic bite attack that kills targets outright, restoring health. This bite attack is crucial for survival and must be used strategically throughout the game.
Co-op and RPG Elements
EvilVEvil shines in its cooperative gameplay, allowing up to four players to team up and tackle missions together. The game incorporates light RPG mechanics, enabling players to level up, unlock new weapons, and acquire various perks. This progression system adds depth to the gameplay, encouraging players to replay stages to improve their characters.
Combat and Controls
The combat in EvilVEvil is fast-paced and frenetic, with a focus on movement and agility. The controls are responsive and intuitive on a keyboard and mouse setup, but the experience is less comfortable with a controller. Notably, the game lacks aim-assist for analog stick users, and there is a noticeable input lag, particularly with Vsync enabled. This issue may be addressed in future updates, but it is something to be aware of for now.
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Visuals and Performance
EvilVEvil offers a visually appealing experience with stylish graphics that, while not as detailed as some modern shooters, are sharp and defined. The game’s aesthetic is dark and moody, fitting the vampire theme perfectly. Despite the basic visuals, the game is well-optimized and runs smoothly, even on lower-end PCs. This optimization ensures that a wide range of players can enjoy the game without performance issues.
Stylish Cutscenes and Soundtrack
From the moment you load into EvilVEvil, you are treated to stylish cutscenes that set the tone for the game. These cutscenes are followed by a snappy tutorial that quickly gets you up to speed with the controls and gameplay mechanics. The soundtrack is another highlight, featuring a series of techno bangers that keep the adrenaline pumping. While it may not reach the iconic status of the Blood Rave from Blade, the music is energetic and fits the gameplay perfectly.
Level Design and Gameplay Loop
EvilVEvil’s level design is one of its strengths, with eleven stages that offer a variety of environments and challenges. The stages are composed of large arenas connected by corridors, providing ample space for players to utilize their vampire abilities and engage in dynamic combat.
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Objectives and Replayability
The primary gameplay loop involves completing objectives, eliminating enemies, and earning experience points (EXP) to unlock new weapons and abilities. Most stages can be completed in under 10 minutes, making them ideal for players with limited time. The simplicity of the objectives—often involving tasks like pulling switches or standing in specific areas—ensures that the focus remains on the combat.
Map Layouts and Verticality
The map layouts are designed with verticality in mind, allowing players to make the most of their vampire powers. The spacious arenas encourage creativity and strategic use of abilities, making each encounter feel unique. While the objectives may be straightforward, the combat and exploration elements keep the gameplay engaging.
Story and Atmosphere
EvilVEvil’s story, while not groundbreaking, serves its purpose in providing context for the action. The narrative is reminiscent of the Blade Trilogy, with familiar themes and settings. The voice acting is strong enough to advance the plot, although some of the one-liners from the playable characters may feel out of place.
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Navigational Challenges
One of the minor issues with the game is the navigation marker, which sometimes fails to guide players accurately. This can lead to moments of confusion, especially when the entire team needs to gather in one spot to progress. While this is a minor inconvenience, it does detract from the overall experience.
Comparisons and Inspirations
EvilVEvil draws clear inspiration from other popular titles, most notably Doom and Warframe. The level layouts, combat mechanics, and heavy electronic soundtrack all bear similarities to these games. While some may see this as derivative, EvilVEvil manages to carve out its niche by incorporating unique vampiric abilities and a distinct atmosphere.
Feeding and Health Restoration
The game features a feeding mechanic similar to Doom’s Glory Kills, allowing players to restore health by performing bite attacks on enemies. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy to the combat, as players must balance offense and defense to survive.
Class Abilities and Mods
The class abilities and mods in EvilVEvil are reminiscent of Warframe, providing players with a range of options to customize their characters. While the selection of abilities may feel limited, the combination of movement and combat abilities creates a satisfying gameplay experience.
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Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, EvilVEvil has several areas that need improvement:
- Controller Support: The lack of aim-assist and input lag issues make the game less enjoyable for controller users. This is an area that Toadman Interactive needs to address to ensure a smoother experience for all players.
- Feedback When Taking Damage: The game lacks sufficient feedback when players take damage, making it easy to lose health without realizing it. Adding more visual or auditory cues would help players stay aware of their health status.
- Enemy Spawn Logic: The enemy spawn mechanics can be frustrating, as enemies often appear just off-camera, leading to unexpected encounters. Improving the spawn logic would make the gameplay more predictable and fair.
- Story Resolution: The abrupt ending of the game leaves much to be desired. While this may be a setup for future content, providing a more satisfying conclusion would enhance the overall experience.
- Navigation Marker: The navigation marker needs improvement to provide more accurate guidance. This would help reduce moments of confusion and streamline the gameplay experience.
Final Thoughts
EvilVEvil is a fun and addictive shooter that, despite its flaws, offers a unique and engaging experience. The combination of fast-paced combat, vampiric abilities, and cooperative gameplay makes it a standout title. While there are areas that need improvement, the game’s potential for future updates and content makes it worth keeping an eye on.
FAQs
Q: What platforms is EvilVEvil available on?
A: EvilVEvil is available on PC and is planned for release on consoles. However, some controller issues need to be addressed for the console versions.
Q: Is EvilVEvil a single-player or multiplayer game?
A: EvilVEvil can be played both solo and cooperatively with up to four players. The cooperative gameplay is one of its highlights, allowing players to team up and tackle missions together.
Q: What are the main gameplay mechanics in EvilVEvil?
A: EvilVEvil features fast-paced FPS combat, class abilities, and light RPG mechanics. Players can level up, unlock new weapons, and acquire perks to enhance their characters.
Q: How long does it take to complete a stage in EvilVEvil?
A: Most stages can be completed in under 10 minutes, making the game suitable for players with limited time. The stages are designed to be replayed, encouraging players to improve their skills and unlock new content.
Q: Are there any known issues with the game?
A: Yes, some players have reported input lag and lack of aim-assist when using a controller. The navigation marker can also be inaccurate at times. These issues may be addressed in future updates.
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Q: How does the feeding mechanic work?
A: The feeding mechanic allows players to restore health by performing bite attacks on enemies. This adds a strategic element to the combat, as players must manage their health and resources effectively.
Q: What inspired the design of EvilVEvil?
A: EvilVEvil draws inspiration from games like Doom and Warframe, incorporating elements of fast-paced combat, class abilities, and a heavy electronic soundtrack. The game’s vampiric theme adds a unique twist to these familiar mechanics.
Q: Will there be future updates or additional content for EvilVEvil?
A: While not confirmed, it is likely that Toadman Interactive will continue to support EvilVEvil with updates and additional content. The game’s abrupt ending suggests the possibility of future expansions or seasonal content.
Q: Is the game well-optimized for lower-end PCs?
A: Yes, EvilVEvil is well-optimized and runs smoothly even on lower-end PCs. The game’s basic but stylish visuals ensure that a wide range of players can enjoy it without performance issues.
Q: How does the cooperative gameplay work?
A: In cooperative mode, up to four players can team up to complete missions. Each player can choose a different vampire character, and teamwork is essential to succeed. The game encourages players to strategize and use their abilities in tandem.
Q: Are there any microtransactions in EvilVEvil?
A: As of now, there are no microtransactions in EvilVEvil. All weapons, abilities, and perks are unlocked through gameplay progression.
Conclusion
EvilVEvil is a standout title in the FPS genre, offering a unique blend of fast-paced combat, class abilities, and a compelling vampiric theme. Despite its flaws, the game provides an addictive and enjoyable experience that will keep players coming back for more. With potential for future updates and content, EvilVEvil is a game worth keeping an eye on.