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VICTOR VRAN (XONE)
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Publisher: EuroVideo Medien.
Developer: Haemimont Games. Released: June 2017. Genre: Action RPG. Other versions: PS4; SWI; PC. Posted 27th February 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
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Like a distant cousin of the Diablo series with a taste for heavy metal, Victor Vran would emerge from Haemimont Games, a developer known mostly for their strategy games. It seems like an easy write-off, wearing its influences brazenly on its sleeve. However, investigating further uncovers a solid Action RPG with enough noticeable tweaks to form a more distinctive beast. While a few frustrating design decisions dampen the positives, those searching keenly for an alternative take on the addictive loot-hunting RPG would do well to try this out, especially if wielding firearms appeals to you.
Originally exiting early access in 2015, Victor Vran would arrive for Xbox One two years later. It follows the exploits of the titular hunter, voiced capably by The Witcher actor Doug Cockle, who enters the fantastical land of Zagoravia in search of a fellow hunter. Everything has gone to hell though, as demons infest the land and are only combated by a small army led by Queen Katarina. Told through stills and stylised cut-scenes, it’s a basic narrative that serves as light motivation to go hunting for both monsters and loot. Some of the later reveals are interesting, but it’s mostly set dressing. A demonic accompanying you throughout the game proves the highlight, cackling and cracking jokes with glee.
Players who enjoy Diablo-style RPG action and the dark fantasy settings that typically accompany it should find plenty to admire here
This top-down Action RPG seems very derivative at first, but Haemimont would implement some unique twists to help it forge a different identity. After an initial tutorial, you’ll gain access to Castle Zagore, which acts as a hub. Several vendors allow you to buy gear, dummies let you practice your skills and transmutation allows you merge items to improve stats and build recipes, though this is only available from Level 16. The world map is also available here, letting you jump to any unlocked level, some requiring exploration of larger areas and particular levels. The world map isn’t great in fairness, sometimes proving confusing to navigate and it makes unlocking certain levels trickier, but it gets the job done, even if you can tell it better suits mouse-and-keyboard. Speaking of which, Victor Vran otherwise translates very well to consoles, with all the important moves and key actions mapped across the controller and attacking allowing for either button presses or holds.
Victor Vran takes a timing-focused spin on the formula, focusing on the armaments you use rather than traditional Classes. Firearms in a Diablo clone aren’t new, but these and a solid roll mechanic add an almost twin-stick flavour to the action. More traditional weapons can be used too, including hammers, rapiers and swords. Vran can eventually equip two demonic powers, which run the gamut from defensive to offensive and are critical to survival. Destiny Cards and Armour also add buffs to Vran. Tough enemies include spiders, demonic ghouls and resurrected skeletons, and further modifiers make some foes harder to slay than others. Combat feels gratifying and varied, depending on your weapon of choice. Shotguns reward timed presses with stronger hits, rapiers trade damage for speed and lightning guns prove suitable for crowd control. It’s very fun to experiment.
Victor Vran takes a timing-focused spin on the formula, focusing on the armaments you use rather than traditional Classes. Firearms in a Diablo clone aren’t new, but these and a solid roll mechanic add an almost twin-stick flavour to the action. More traditional weapons can be used too, including hammers, rapiers and swords. Vran can eventually equip two demonic powers, which run the gamut from defensive to offensive and are critical to survival. Destiny Cards and Armour also add buffs to Vran. Tough enemies include spiders, demonic ghouls and resurrected skeletons, and further modifiers make some foes harder to slay than others. Combat feels gratifying and varied, depending on your weapon of choice. Shotguns reward timed presses with stronger hits, rapiers trade damage for speed and lightning guns prove suitable for crowd control. It’s very fun to experiment.
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There are just a few frustrating decisions and issues which hold this one down. Heavy reliance on spawners sees numerous foes swarming until destroyed, which can be compounded by narrow levels and feel like a cheap way of inflating the difficulty. Some mobile enemies even spawn enemies, such as egg-laying spider matrons, and these border on hair-pulling. While combat isn’t too bad near the start, the difficulty creeps up and levels become rather difficult. A casual mode offers a reprieve for the inexperienced, but the drastic reduction of loot can stifle progress, as better weapons soften the challenge. There’s also a lack of polish in spots. Vran will sometimes freeze in place and force a restart, transmuted gear sometimes reverts back without replacing the old items. Additionally, little stutters and hitches can lead to cheap deaths.
The main quest takes around 40 hours to beat, a sizeable duration that can be extended with collectable chests and challenges in each stage. These fall into a handful of categories: kill a certain type of enemy, avoid using healing and don’t take any damage. Some challenges prove straightforward while others are very tricky, especially ones that ask you to avoid taking damage entirely. After completion, Elite challenges open up and prove even more gruelling. For the masochistic, Hexes can be enabled to add more challenge, including increasing enemy damage and Tyrant variants of creatures spawning. Some challenges require these hexes to be enabled, but the loot drops prove worthwhile. Add in online co-op for the entire game and PVP arenas, and this budget release is rich with content. This is especially true if you buy the Overkill edition, which adds two further expansions revolving around Motorhead and randomised dungeons.
The main quest takes around 40 hours to beat, a sizeable duration that can be extended with collectable chests and challenges in each stage. These fall into a handful of categories: kill a certain type of enemy, avoid using healing and don’t take any damage. Some challenges prove straightforward while others are very tricky, especially ones that ask you to avoid taking damage entirely. After completion, Elite challenges open up and prove even more gruelling. For the masochistic, Hexes can be enabled to add more challenge, including increasing enemy damage and Tyrant variants of creatures spawning. Some challenges require these hexes to be enabled, but the loot drops prove worthwhile. Add in online co-op for the entire game and PVP arenas, and this budget release is rich with content. This is especially true if you buy the Overkill edition, which adds two further expansions revolving around Motorhead and randomised dungeons.
You couldn’t call Victor Vran the best-looking Xbox One game, but the art style goes a long way to smooth over a general lack of detail. The dilapidated crypts covered in dusty webs, gothic towns teeming with rotting life and hellish landscapes all feel absorbing. The camera feels a touch zoomed out to appreciate these details though, and general animation and texturing is modest. Performance is mostly steady at least, though a couple of ultra-hectic battles can cause choppiness. The audio is also decent, with a plethora of talented voiceovers adding to a somewhat camp script, plenty of uneasy music that builds tension as you explore and hard-hitting effects that add weight to every strike.
Victor Vran is a solid take on the Action RPG formula, with the same addictive looting and combat as the best of its class. It’s a shame some frustrating design choices and lack of polish in spots can hamper your enjoyment, as there’s a kitsch satisfaction in wiping out dozens of skeletons with a single hammer smash. Those looking for an alternative to the big hitters may still find a lot of enjoyment here though, and anyone looking to lose themselves in a gothic landscape for dozens of hours should seek this one out especially if you have like-minded friends to bring along for the ride.
Victor Vran is a solid take on the Action RPG formula, with the same addictive looting and combat as the best of its class. It’s a shame some frustrating design choices and lack of polish in spots can hamper your enjoyment, as there’s a kitsch satisfaction in wiping out dozens of skeletons with a single hammer smash. Those looking for an alternative to the big hitters may still find a lot of enjoyment here though, and anyone looking to lose themselves in a gothic landscape for dozens of hours should seek this one out especially if you have like-minded friends to bring along for the ride.
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VERDICT"Victor Vran is a solid Action RPG, with the same addictive looting and combat that as the best of its class, only let down by some frustrating design choices and a lack of polish." OVERALL: 7/10 |
OTHER FANTASY ACTION RPG GAMES REVIEWED
NightCaster (2002, Xbox)
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Diablo III (2013, Xbox 360)
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