Impressions: Vampire Therapist (2024)

The pitch?

The protagonist of the game is an American Vampire, Sam Walls. He had been turned in during the early 19^th century and had rampaged the continent for at least a few decades. However, a family of mortals had offered him respite and provided him with a much-needed support system. Throughout this time, Sam came to appreciate the world, started his education, and went on a journey of self-discovery.

He concludes that other vampires might struggle in similar ways to him, thus, his interest in helping others slowly expands. He starts reflecting on the many ways vampires might unintentionally misconstrue reality, and Sam wishes to provide those vampires with much-needed help.

This journey would then lead to a letter from a certified Vampire Therapist, Andromachos, who asks to meet with Sam in the city of Leipzig, Germany. Andromachos, who himself is about 3’000 years old, then offers Sam a position as a therapist and apprentice at his place. The younger vampire accepts, thus becoming the first vampire therapist who is also a cowboy.

What IS Vampire Therapist?

The game released on Steam on July 18^thand was the first project of the team behind the Indie-Studio Little Bat Games, which is located in Berlin, Germany. I came across the game due to my recent deep-dive into Hades, funnily enough. The founder of Little Bat Games, Cyrus Nemati, is also known for his voice work in Hades (Ares/Dionysus/Theseus) and as I was researching for one – I found the other. My known fascination for vampires already ensured I’d keep this in mind. Moreover, the concept itself sounds so out of pocket, I found myself immediately hooked. You’re a vampire? You’re also a Therapist? Oh… and yes, you’re also a cowboy! ENJOY!

What is the game's draw?

There is something so appealing about such a premise. Moreover, since the developers created this piece of work while collaborating with therapists and the techniques used in-game, cognitive behavioural therapy, are techniques known and used in real life.

On another note, I am a sucker for some good vampire related puns and this setting and the dark comedic aspect of it certainly isn't shying away from any of it. Moreover, these are then also often found in relation to psychology terminology:

One cannot drink blood from a straw man, after all. (Andromachos to Sam, in Vampire Therapist)

And last, but not least - Sam Walls, our cowboy therapist, is just such a charming fella! He's simultaneously such a 'young vampire' but also still so confused by contemporary times and modern technology.

How does it play?

Vampire Therapist, at its core, is a visual novel. A very nice-looking one! The few places I’ve seen so far are gorgeously designed, and all of Sam’s patients are quite distinctive. As Sam, you have smaller interactions at the local Nightclub in Leipzig, which could be considered a bit of a breather after whatever session you’d had before.

The game slowly introduces you to more and more ‘cognitive distortions’ that Sam can always check in his little notebook. Personally, I thought it was very charming that Sam had come up with some of them on his own during his self-discovery journey – but due to his lack of psychology education, he had simply named them in an appropriately cowboy-ish manner.

The notebook is one of the major pieces needed throughout gameplay. It includes a list of all ‘distortions’ that had been previously discussed, details about Sam’s patients and their respective sessions, as well as some flavour text in the form of the younger vampire’s diary entries.

The main gameplay aspect are the many therapy sessions with these clients. As their therapist you’re supposed to listen to their plight and if a ‘cognitive distortion’ can be found within its phrasing, you’ll point it out to them. This can lead to a slow understanding between Sam and their patient, however, the initial sessions will be rather “railroaded”. There are only so many distortions Sam can remember at a time. While at the start this won’t make a difference, after a while Sam will learn more from his Mentor Andromachos, thus, there are more distortions than ‘active slots’ that can be used during any future session.

At this point, one can probably pinpoint the major ‘distortion’ of their client, and then pick a few additional ones that will most probably prop up again. The ones that are not locked in can not be brought up during a session, even if the patient makes such a statement.

Sam: But what do I do if I detect he's shown' the distortions I'm puttin' aside?
Andromachos: You do not need to address all of them, my friend. You will not catch every distortion, and if you did, I believe your clients would find you irritating. [...]

It’s an interesting choice, as it forces one to think before the session about the “most probable” outcome. It’s an interesting way to keep engagement and interest up.

After each session there will be a smaller cool-down period, where Sam gets to chat with some of the other NPC’s, giving the setting and world building some more time to casually expand.

What keeps you playing?

As of now, I have not yet finished the main story by any means. What keeps me playing is the interesting world building, as well as the care put into so many smaller details. Moreover, the gameplay reminds me a lot of the Ace Attorney gameplay loop during the trial sessions. In AA, you, as the defence attorney, press and present evidence to counter the lies found within a witnesses' testimony to find the truth. Here, Sam’s a therapist working with a handful of concepts trying to improve the mental health of his clients by ‘presenting’ them the many ways they’ve misconstrued their current situation.

Vampire Therapist also doesn’t shy away from actually being a visual ‘novel’. This means that the notebook becomes a much-needed asset all throughout. This, I’ve truly enjoyed, moreover, since the fully-voiced game has an excellent cast for their lines. It’s a joy.
Another fun element is the diversity in cast, and their problems,which are also interesting. The fact that this is a dark comedy in itself should not be disregarded. They do not shy away from any typical vampire topic, which means there’s a lot of talk about sex, blood, and violence. The usual when confronted with vampires in any form. Honestly, they're all playing their stereotypes, but it's done in such a fun and interesting way that I can hardly complain.

However, there is a certain charm to it, which draws me in. They’re blunt, they’re overt, and they’re all struggling with life. It’s just an interesting concept that I’d like to see the end of. Moreover, having had this introduction to this form of therapy was interesting, these little things such as ‘should-statements’ or ‘labelling’ that you might notice in your everyday life. I guess even mortals struggle every once in a while.

Important to note, that the game makes sure to tell you that this is no substitution for therapy, nor is it probably the best tool to study for a psychology exam, but it’s such a fascinating way to introduce these things on a more surface level. It’s this fascination with the subject, and my interest in the diverse cast and their stories, that keeps me playing.

Are there any notable flaws?

The game itself declares itself as a dark comedy, which is fine. However, I still found myself a bit surprised by… some? Of the game’s bluntness. Less in regard to the blood or violence, but solely on the all-time presence of love, lust, and sex. Personally, it’s sometimes a bit much. However, luckily, Sam himself seems to be quite reserved too, which many put on his American (and cowboy) nature, but still. It certainly hasn’t pushed me off the game, but it seems like it is more often than not overstaying its welcome just slightly.

Important to note, though, none of this had come as a 'big' shock, the developers did acknowledge this in their "Mature Content Description" on the Steam page itself, so it's not like I had gone into this unaware.

"Naturally, a game about vampires will also involve blood and sexual themes (though nothing explicit is shown). [...]" ("Mature Content Description" - Steam, Vampire Therapist)

Overall, I also don’t think many will share my reservations here, this is just the perspective of an Ace, who wishes that these vampires would stop talking about their sexual life. Thanks.

Who'd be interested in this?

As previously mentioned, some of the topics are still rather sensitive and potentially triggering, thus, I'd still recommend checking the previously mentioned "Mature Content Description" on their steam page.

However, I think this game is for people who’ve enjoyed similar visual novels, such as the Ace Attorney series, and don’t mind some of the overexaggerated elements. People that are interested in cognitive distortions and certain aspects of psychology might get something out of this as it's the main gameplay aspect. It’s also probably fun for people who prefer more complicated visual novels, though, the game is kind enough to ensure that no fail-states exist. Overall, I do think that if the premise: “A vampire cowboy therapist” sounds appealing, then this could be a great choice.

Vampire Therapist is currently on Steam for 16.80 CHF / 14.99 US$