Becoming the Monster: Cabernet’s Haunting Narrative on Xbox

Cabernet is one of those rare narrative RPGs that doesn’t rush to impress you with spectacle, but instead slowly coils around you with atmosphere, tension, and a sense of creeping transformation. From the moment you step into its 19th‑century, Eastern‑European‑inspired world, the game makes it clear that this isn’t a power fantasy about being a vampire, it’s a story about becoming one.

The introduction alone sets the tone beautifully: dimly lit taverns, whispered political unrest, and a protagonist who feels like she’s standing on the edge of a life she no longer recognises. On Xbox, the game’s painterly art style and moody soundtrack work together to create a sense of intimacy and dread, pulling you into a narrative that’s as much about identity as it is about blood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFaB_yfmK-w

At the heart of Cabernet is Liza, a young woman newly turned into a vampire, struggling to reconcile her fading humanity with the intoxicating pull of her new instincts. The story follows her as she navigates a society already fractured by class divides and political tension, only to discover that the vampiric elite are just as corrupt and self‑serving as the humans they prey upon. What makes the narrative so compelling is how grounded it feels with every character you meet having their own motivations, fears, and secrets, and the game encourages you to learn who they are before deciding whether to charm them, manipulate them, or feed on them. The writing is sharp, emotionally layered, and unafraid to explore themes of power, exploitation, and moral erosion.

The gameplay in Cabernet is deliberately slow‑burning and intimate, built around conversation, choice, and the psychological tension of being a newly turned vampire rather than the physical power fantasy most vampire games lean on. Instead of combat encounters or fast‑paced action, the game focuses on social navigation and moral decision‑making. You spend most of your time exploring richly illustrated environments, talking to characters, and uncovering the political and personal tensions simmering beneath the surface of this 19th‑century world. Every interaction is a kind of test, not of skill, but of who you’re becoming.

At its core, Cabernet is a narrative RPG where your decisions shape Liza’s emotional state, her relationships, and ultimately the kind of vampire she grows into. Conversations aren’t just dialogue trees; they’re opportunities to read people, manipulate them, or connect with them. The game encourages you to pay attention to tone, body language, and the subtle power dynamics at play. Feeding is the closest thing the game has to a “mechanic” in the traditional sense and it is handled with surprising weight. Each potential victim has a backstory, a life, and a reason to exist in the world, and the game forces you to consider who they are before deciding whether to take from them. Feeding affects Liza’s humanity, her psychological stability, and how other characters perceive her, making it feel less like a resource and more like a moral crossroads.

Exploration is gentle but purposeful. You move through taverns, streets, private rooms, and social gatherings, piecing together the political landscape and the hidden hierarchies of vampire society. There’s a light element of resource management as you balance hunger, social standing, and emotional strain, but it never becomes mechanical or intrusive. Instead, it reinforces the game’s themes: survival, temptation, and the slow erosion of self

Pros

• Rich, atmospheric storytelling with strong character writing

• A morally complex narrative that reacts meaningfully to your choices

• Beautiful 2D art direction and evocative soundtrack

• Unique approach to vampire themes, focusing on psychology over action

• Strong sense of world‑building and political tension

Cons

• Slow pacing may not appeal to players seeking action

• Occasional technical hiccups and minor bugs

• Narrative‑heavy structure can feel restrictive if you prefer open‑ended gameplay

Cabernet stands out on Xbox as a bold, emotionally charged narrative RPG that prioritises character, atmosphere, and moral ambiguity over traditional action. It’s a game that wants you to sit with discomfort, to question your impulses, and to feel the weight of every choice as Liza’s humanity slips through her fingers. While its deliberate pacing and text‑heavy structure won’t be for everyone, those who appreciate story‑driven experiences will find something genuinely special here, a vampire tale that isn’t about power, but about the cost of it. The world feels alive, the characters feel painfully human, and the narrative lingers long after the credits roll. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you emotionally as much as it entertains, Cabernet is absolutely worth sinking your teeth into.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

Cabernet is available now!