SILENT SLAYER: VAULT OF THE VAMPIRE Review: Jump Scares, Vampires, Puzzles, Oh My!

Review Key was provided by Schell Games

Gameplay

Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire is a VR puzzle game with some jumpscaring madness mixed in. The puzzles are simple yet complex at the same time. The pacing of the game is very fluid, you go from putting together a puzzle to get into the next level, to being in front of a coffin that has its own specific rules of what will make the coffin more difficult than the last. All while being as steady as possible so you don’t make too much noise and wake up the vampire and be on the ugly end of a jump scare.

In the game, you play as a vampire slayer tasked with eliminating a family of vampires one by one. You start with a straightforward puzzle and proceed to locate the vampire's heart, driving a stake through it to complete the level. As you advance, the steps to slaying each vampire become increasingly intricate, ranging from easy to extremely challenging.

When unlocking coffins, you need to be cautious and quiet. Moving too quickly triggers a warning, and making another mistake while the screen is still lit results in a mission failure and an unexpected surprise.

Graphics and Audio

The environments in each level are surprisingly detailed, with the rooms where the coffins are located telling a little story about each vampire if you pay close attention. The intricate designs on the keys and other coffin parts are beautifully crafted, adding to the overall immersion.

Unlike many games that rely on a single voice actor for monologues, which can be underwhelming and easy to tune out, this game features a guide with a powerful voice that draws you in. His narration keeps you engaged, making you eager to learn from him about your mission.

Feedback

The game feels quite brief, especially with the voice-over constantly reminding you that time is of the essence. Once you complete the 10-level campaign, the content feels limited. After finishing the main storyline, the only options left are to chase after the achievements or to share the experience with your friends. This lack of post-campaign content can leave players wanting more to extend their engagement with the game.

Verdict

Silent Slayer: Vault of the Vampire is an exceptionally well-crafted VR puzzle game. Priced at only $19.99 MSRP, it's a great value and hard not to recommend. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire game, but as soon as I finished it, I found myself hoping this wasn't the end of the road for the experience. The game masterfully blends horror elements with intricate puzzles, creating an intense and immersive VR adventure. Its well-executed combination of spine-chilling atmosphere and challenging puzzles keeps players engaged from start to finish.

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