Reviewed on Nintendo Switch

From visual novels that allow you to date inanimate objects to psychological thrillers starring anime girls, visual novels cover an unexpectedly wide range of bizarre and compelling experiences. However, for Vampire Therapist, you’re literally just that, guiding vampires through centuries of emotional baggage. With real-life therapy concepts and a humorous cowboy protagonist, you’ll explore what it means to live, die, live again, and how to feel alive.

This title was released back in 2024; however, it dropped its Nintendo Switch version in early March. Vampire Therapist’s premise is pretty simple: you help fellow vampires in their immortal existence with the help of your mentor, offering them a chance at self-acceptance.

From Six-Shooter to Soul Healer

The game kicks off as you’re placed in the shoes of Sam Wallis, a reformed Wild West gunslinger-turned-vampire-therapist. You’ve recently been contacted by the 3,000-year-old vampire Andromachos, who has offered to mentor you to become a vampire therapist to help all of vampire kind.

Looking for purpose in life, Sam travels to Germany to meet with Andromachos and learns therapeutic techniques and concepts to start working with vampire clients in a gothic nightclub. Throughout the game, Sam encounters a variety of vampire clients, each with different historical backgrounds, personalities, and psychological challenges.

As a player, you’ll cycle through various vampire clients and guide them through each therapy session. Sometimes, you have to point out the different cognitive distortions your clients are placing on themselves. Other times, it’s convincing them to push through the session and trust you.

I find it quite amusing when Sam has to “heel” one of his clients like a horse, which is fitting and amusing, especially given Sam’s cowboy background.

Heading Deep into Therapy Beyond the Tomb

Getting deeper into the game’s narrative without spoiling too much, its therapy sessions explore several themes that may seem fictional with its vampiric universe, but are nevertheless humanly real.

I loved the conversations about human relationships, especially when it came to expectations from others versus your own. Sometimes it’s also dealing with self-acceptance and realizing that you can only do so much with your limited abilities.

In line with that, the game’s treatment of mental health and psychological concepts feels thoughtful and grounded even within its fantastical setting. The game doesn’t shy away from showing the complexities of emotions, the weight of personal struggles, and the impact of external pressures.

Vampire Therapist manages to create a space where, besides playing a game, you can reflect on your own experiences while being fully immersed in the narrative.

Breathe In, Bite Out

Moving on to the gameplay, like most visual novels, you’ll have a set of options for dialogue and choose how you’ll converse with your clients. But the majority of the game involves you pointing out cognitive distortions in particular sets of sentences your client says.

While this seems simple enough, it’s a bit difficult on the Nintendo Switch, as at times pressing any distortion during a dialogue doesn’t register. At times, you might not even be certain when it’s time to pick a distortion during those moments.

Other than that, the game also offers mini-games between sessions, such as a “neck-biting” game that feeds on willing, consenting humans to replenish strength.

There’s also a “meditation” game wherein you can practice mindfulness with Andromachos by “breathing in and out.” While these minigames aim to complement the main game, you might find them a bit underdeveloped and lacking a clear purpose that ties into the therapy sessions.

Creatures that Reflect Back

With the game’s story mainly to be applauded for, you’ll also be able to appreciate the character designs and voice acting. Despite the limited movements for each character, you’ll love seeing their expressive stills that totally capture their personalities. From the historically accurate costuming to the detailed facial expressions, each vampire you meet comes to life in the game.

And as mentioned earlier, Vampire Therapist’s voice acting goes above and beyond. Featuring an iconic cast including Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Dispatch, and Overwatch), Sarah Grayson (Hades II and Gone Home), and Cyrus Nemati (Hades, Hades II, and When the Night Comes), the performances bring incredible depth to each character.

Every line you hear feels deliberate, whether it’s subtle introspection, an argument with Sam, or playful banter; the nuanced delivery elevates the immersion, making the characters’ struggles feel authentic and more engaging.

Final Diagnosis: A Verdict Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into

To close the coffin on this, Vampire Therapist is overall a surprisingly thoughtful and entertaining visual novel that blends humor, historical flair, and genuine emotional depth through each therapy session. Its unique premise offers both laughs and moments of introspection while staying true to its idea of personal growth despite the supernatural setting.

While some gameplay elements can feel a bit clunky on the Nintendo Switch, the story, character designs, and stellar voice acting more than make up for these minor frustrations.

For fans of narrative-driven games or those looking to take a dip into the visual novel genre, Vampire Therapist is a memorable experience that’s actually more relaxing and thoughtful than you’d think, especially with each session experience lingering long after you meet with Sam and his colorful cast of therapy clients.