Phrasemaker

Reviewed on PC

One of the more intriguing indie releases to kick off 2026, Vampires: Bloodlord Rising is an ambitious open-world RPG/sandbox that combines base building, survival, and storytelling and wraps it together in a bloody, gothic bow. The premise is undeniably strong. You take on the role of a newly awakened vampire lord who seeks to rid the rest of his lands of opposition while gathering servants, rebuilding his castle, and removing an ancient foggy curse that divides the regions.

Releasing in early access on 30th January 2026, Bloodlord Rising already has a lot to be proud of. Visually, the game really leans into its atmospheric strengths. The moody lighting and design evoke the classic vampire fiction we all associate with Dracula or Nosferatu, but don’t just focus on the grim. The gothic beauty of moon-drenched forests and imposing architecture really helps to sell the fantasy while immersing us in this land we seek to conquer. 

Unfortunately, there are some technical issues that interrupt this immersion. I found myself draining a poor bunny to sustain myself, only to throw it through the floor, while enemies threatened me from inside the walls. No amount of window dressing can make you ignore these hiccups, but luckily, we aren’t talking about Bethesda-level glitches. These bugs can disrupt gameplay flow and may be frustrating for players seeking a smooth experience, especially during combat or exploration. 

Combat is very intuitive. You have to defend yourself from a cult-like regime that isn’t your biggest fan, and while I thought at first that button mashing would suffice for all enemies, I was pleasantly surprised to find that you can be as strategic as you like. Sneaking up on an enemy feels far more ‘vampire’ than running in guns blazing and fangs flying.

Your character automatically moves onto the next foe once you’ve dispatched your current one, but my only complaint is that if you’re quick enough, there isn’t actually any real peril. If you run away just far enough, these enemies quickly give up, allowing you to recover while keeping them in sight. While I don’t want to be chased halfway across the map, there has to be a happy medium. Chasing down prey can also be a little finicky; if you’re not careful and exact with your attack, you’ll zoom right on past everything.

Narratively, I like the story. Reclaiming what was stolen is a classic call to adventure for fantasy games, but it’s one that doesn’t seem to get old. I like deciding who will be my next thrall (or victim), depending on the village gossip, but I am confused about how they know I’m a vampire but also don’t seem worried about all their missing friends. This seems like a missed opportunity for some clever cover-ups and a good old case of cause and effect. RPGs are often at their best when your decisions and wrong turns matter. The story of Bloodlord Rising is intriguing, but the lives of everyone around it, however lacks depth. 

The narrative is only one side of Bloodlord Rising, and while base-building fans will enjoy the creation and management of the castle, strongholds, and servants, this is also where I feel the game suffers a bit of an identity crisis. The mix of game types and mechanics can and has worked well with other games, but here it doesn’t feel like they come together cleanly, and I was often left more confused than satisfied when deciding which tasks to complete. I keep coming back to the cause, effect, and repercussions of what you decide to focus on first –  story or castle. I didn’t see much incentive to veer off the main storyline too much.

My biggest takeaway from Vampire: Bloodlord Rising is that the potential here is huge. While I appreciate the developers’ aim to create an atmospheric vampire experience that blends strategic settlement-building with open-world exploration and narrative storytelling, at this stage, it feels unfinished and uneven rather than a coherent blend of ideas. This isn’t uncommon with early access games, but it does contribute to a sense of unfinishdness that slows the momentum and enjoyment. My hope is that as the game develops, it will create more depth and more cohesive gameplay. For players willing to be patient with the developers, I’m confident they’ll be rewarded with a worthwhile experience.