EVERDARK: Undead Apocalypse — Proof That Vampire Games Can Still Bite

As someone who genuinely loves vampire games and who still has emotional scar tissue from playing Redfall, EVERDARK: Undead Apocalypse was a surprisingly refreshing change of pace. It doesn’t pretend to be a huge, glossy blockbuster or the “next big thing” in supernatural shooters. Instead, it feels like the kind of game you’d stumble across late at night, boot up out of curiosity, and then suddenly realise you’ve been playing for three hours because the vibes are just that good. From the moment the neon‑drenched intro kicks in, it leans hard into that gritty, 80s‑inspired comic‑book energy. It’s messy, stylish, and a bit rough around the edges, but that's ok!

The story isn’t trying to reinvent vampire lore. You’re basically dropped into a city that’s already gone to hell, overrun by feral, intelligent vampires who behave more like predators than cannon fodder. There’s no long setup, no dramatic cutscenes, no “assemble the quirky squad” moment. It’s just you, a collapsing metropolis, and a bunch of bloodsuckers who want to turn you into a Capri‑Sun. The plot unfolds through scraps of notes, radio chatter, and environmental clues, which honestly works better than forcing a big narrative onto a game that’s clearly more about atmosphere and survival.

Gameplay-wise, this is where EVERDARK quietly shines. It’s a proper survival‑horror shooter ad not a looter‑shooter, not an open‑world collect‑athon, not a “live service but we promise it’s not really live service” situation. Ammo is scarce enough that you actually think before firing, and the staking mechanic is genuinely satisfying. It’s not a quick button tap; it’s a committed, weighty action that makes every successful kill feel earned.

In EVERDARK, the guns actually have impact. Every shot feels like it matters because ammo isn’t something you can spray around without thinking. You’re constantly aware of how many bullets you have left, which weirdly makes the combat more exciting. Instead of mowing down enemies, you’re picking your moments, lining up shots, and trying not to panic when a vampire suddenly sprints at you like it’s late for a meeting.

The weapons themselves have a chunky, old‑school feel and not hyper‑realistic, but definitely satisfying. Pistols kick just enough to feel punchy, shotguns have that glorious “thunderclap” effect when you fire them in a tight corridor, and even the more basic rifles feel like they’ve got some weight behind them.

What really elevates the gunplay, though, is how it ties into the staking mechanic. Shooting a vampire isn’t the end, it’s the setup. You weaken them, stagger them, and then close the distance to finish the job properly. That little dance between ranged and melee combat gives the game a rhythm that’s way more interesting than just point‑and‑shoot. It’s messy, frantic, and incredibly satisfying when you pull it off cleanly.

And compared to Redfall, where enemies often just stood there absorbing bullets like bored interns, the vampires in EVERDARK actually react. They flinch, they lunge, they dodge, they swarm. Sometimes they’re a bit too unpredictable, but honestly, I’ll take “chaotic but alive” over “cardboard cutouts with fangs” any day.

The presentation does a lot of heavy lifting. The lighting, the rain, the neon glow bouncing off ruined buildings all creates a vibe that’s way stronger than the game’s budget should allow. It’s not the prettiest game on Xbox, but it has a clear identity, and that counts for a lot.

Pros

• Strong, stylish 80s‑horror atmosphere

• Surprisingly satisfying combat, especially the staking

• Proper survival‑horror pacing with real tension

• Cohesive visual style that punches above its weight

Cons

• Occasional jank and technical hiccups

• Enemy AI can swing between brilliant and baffled

• Shorter, more contained experience

• Story is more flavour than substance

EVERDARK: Undead Apocalypse isn’t trying to be the next big vampire franchise as it’s a focused, atmospheric, slightly scrappy survival shooter that knows exactly what it wants to be. If you’re coming off something like Redfall, this feels like a palate cleanser. It's smaller, tighter, and actually committed to making vampires feel dangerous again. It’s not perfect, and it definitely shows its indie seams, but it has heart, style, and a gameplay loop that’s way more engaging than I expected. If you enjoy vampire games, survival shooters, or anything with a bit of B‑movie charm, this one is absolutely worth sinking your teeth into.

XPN Rating: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)

EVERDARK: Undead Apocalypse is Available Now!