Vampire Hunter D is one of the better-known anime properties, due in large part to a great setting, strong thematic elements, and one very cool main character! With a long-running series of novels, two anime films and a manga adaptation to its name, the only thing currently lacking is a decent video game.
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A Vampire Hunter D game was released on the original PlayStation in 1999 but was ill-received. Here are 10 things we'd love to see from anew one. We hope someone out there is listening!
Vampire Hunter D is set thousands of years after nuclear war ravaged the Earth. During that time, the vampire class rose up to plunge the world in a second darkness plagued with horrible monsters and demons. However, humanity has also managed to claw itself back from the precipice, creating an unstable relationship between the two races.
There'd be a lot to explore within an open world such as this one, from ancient castles to bustling cities and sprawling forests. We'd hope for a game with a map size at least as large as The Witcher III, with plenty of room for some good DLC.
D is a character who walks softly and carries quite a long sword. His otherworldly grace and fluidity would translate well into an entirely new style of game combat. Where many fantasy games focus on heavy, weighted attacks and dodging maneuvers, D could rely instead on supernatural grace and free-flowing combo attacks that are woven together like silk.
Not to be forgotten is the symbiotic entity that occupies the palm of D's left hand, as well. This wisecracking character gives D an advantage in combat, and we picture it translating into a meter-based system where Left Hand can identify the weak points and powers of an enemy, and use his supernatural abilities to suck things like projectile attacks into the void.
D's profession is self-evident. As a dhampir (half-human/half-vampire), he's especially well-suited to going after the more monstrous baddies that infect the world. There's a lot of gruesome foes to go up against, and we'd definitely want the ability to take bounty offers from local cities to defeat them.
We picture the bounty system becoming increasingly more difficult as the game goes on, with the harder-level enemies featuring their own intricate sub-plots and side quests that may or may not have an impact on the world around you.
D works well alone, but there are times when two (or three) heads are better than one. A Follower system could allow us to create a party featuring characters with far different abilities and combat styles than D.
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The ability to hot-swap between these characters would be an added benefit, as well. Yes, it would be fun to simply control D as the primary character, but switching to another who specializes as a sniper, or a magic-user could drastically expand on the fun! Plus, it would immediately unlock a full-fledged weapon and armor crafting system.
D is a solitary individual by nature, and this could be showcased in how he interacts with others in his party. Not only could it drive a good story, but it could also give a platform for how other characters engage with each other.
We're not opposed to an optional romance system a la Mass Effect, either. In the case of D, it could either result in a happy ending, or a tragic one that tugs at the heartstrings. One thing we'd avoid is having lock n' stock characters with no emotional ties to the story.
A weapon and armor system could be handled via a crafting system, or by traditional buy/sell RPG mechanics. Strolling into new towns and buying better weapons would keep things fresh, while a modular system could allow for weapon and armor add-ons that give special perks.
It's nothing new, but it could increase the depth of the game. Even D could upgrade his existing sword, or sheathe it in favor of something like a crossbow or a mace. Different characters could specialize in different weapons, instead of every character being able to wield them all.
Vampire Hunter D circles largely around the shaky coexistence of the vampire Nobility and the rising numbers of the leftover human race. This should be the crux of the overall story arc, with some sort of a twist at the end.
There's lots of material to draw on and adapt to the game, as well. The novels Throng of Heretics, Nightmare Village and The Golden Demon are just a few stories that could be inserted into the main plot arc, detailing the fascinating relationship between these two races.
Anime fans will remember several scenes where D goes from soft-spoken traveler to fully-fanged rage-monster, and that's something that can be explored within the context of a game.
A Rage Meter system could allow D to unleash his super-powerful vampire lineage to take out scores of opponents, or deal crushing damage to bosses. We'd like to be able to unlock these abilities through a tier-tree system, and craft a version of D that suits our particular playing style.
D's cybernetic horse is pretty cool, but we've never seen it do particularly much except run. It would be interesting if we could install upgrades that increase running speed and carrying capacity, but we wouldn't stop there.
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Defensive items, weapons, and even armor plating could play a pivotal role in how horseback combat works. Anything less would be a ruined opportunity.
From terrifying demons to snake women and vampire overlords, boss fights in a Vampire Hunter D game could be exceptional! We'd definitely want the same kind of intensity as boss fights seen in games like God of War, with a strong emphasis on locating weak points.
If the plot were diverse and deep enough, there'd be plenty of opportunities to stuff the game with some memorable encounters and see how it plays out. Vampire Hunter D is an imaginative property and one that should be fleshed out in greater measure.
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Derek started out writing about video games way back in the mid-90s. Since then, he's gone on to write for Cinemablend and GamePro Magazine, to name a few. What keeps him going strong? Hard to tell, but a constant infusion of butter chicken might have something to do with it!
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10 Things Wed Want From A Vampire Hunter D Game | TheGamer - TheGamer
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