Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire is an action-farming-roguelite that blends daytime crop cultivation with nighttime defense against waves of enemies. Players take on the role of Voltaire, the rebellious youngest son of Dracula, who rejects a blood-based diet in favor of plants. The game supports solo play or local split-screen co-op on PS5, with the core loop revolving around resource management, exploration, and combat in a hand-drawn Transylvanian setting.
Gameplay
The experience splits into distinct day and night phases across seven-day cycles in each location. During the day, Voltaire explores a compact area to gather seeds from bushes, dig for supplies, collect water, and plant magical seeds in prepared plots. Every action drains a hunger meter, so players must balance foraging, planting food crops for sustenance, and cultivating defensive plants that later attack intruders. Quests from uncles Frank and Stein provide additional rewards and guidance. At night, Dracula dispatches hordes of minions that target specific crops or the house itself. Voltaire fights back with melee strikes, ranged attacks, magic circles, traps, and orbiting allies unlocked through progression. Defeating enemies grants experience toward a skill tree where players select perks for new abilities and upgrades. If hunger runs out, Voltaire faints and the night phase begins prematurely with heightened threats.
Game Modes
Three distinct modes shape the experience. Story mode forms the main campaign, requiring players to survive full weeks, defeat weekly bosses, and advance through biomes while managing hunger and defenses. Casual or Farming mode reduces combat pressure, offers more planting space, and lowers hunger costs to emphasize relaxed crop growing. Boss Rush mode focuses on repeated confrontations with stronger enemies and frequent boss appearances for targeted challenges. Co-op allows a second player to join in split-screen for shared farming and defense duties.
Progression and Biomes
Surviving a full week ends with a boss encounter against one of Dracula's Grimlords, each with unique attack patterns such as spawning additional foes or launching area effects. Victory unlocks a portal to a new biome, resetting the farm setup but introducing fresh plants, enemy types, and environmental hazards across eight varied locations. Leveling through combat and composting seeds expands Voltaire's capabilities, including evolved vampiric forms and passive benefits from dietary choices. Soulstones earned from bosses and activities unlock additional classes and cosmetics. The roguelite structure encourages repeated runs to experiment with different skill combinations and plant synergies.
Is It Worth Playing?
Steam user reviews rate the game Mostly Positive, with praise centered on its charming aesthetic, satisfying blend of farming and defense, and replayability through skill builds. Some players note repetitive daytime tasks or occasional bugs as drawbacks. The upcoming PS5 release brings the full experience to console players with co-op support intact. It suits those who enjoy managing resources under pressure, experimenting with defensive setups, and tackling escalating nightly threats in short, focused sessions. Fans of hybrid sims with roguelite progression will find a distinctive take on the formula here.
