V Rising is a blood-pumping masterpiece—at least in its first half! From the moment you claw your way out of the grave as a weakened fledgling to the thrill of conquering your first major vampire lords, this game oozes gothic atmosphere and addictive progression. The world is beautifully dark, with haunting forests, crumbling castles, and villages ripe for the hunting. The combat is fast, fluid, and deeply satisfying—whether you're shredding enemies with claws, weaving blood magic, or dodging holy bolts with a last-second mist form.

The early to mid-game loop is *perfect*: scavenge by night, fortify your coffin by day, and slowly evolve from prey to predator. The boss fights are standout moments—each one feels like a true test of your vampiric prowess, and the rush of draining a powerful foe’s blood for new abilities is unmatched. Even base-building, which can often feel like a chore in survival games, is a joy here, as you customize your lair with eerie elegance.

If you love open-world survival with a sharp focus on progression, challenge, and power fantasy, V Rising’s first half delivers in spades. It’s a game that makes you feel like a true nightmare of the night—just don’t forget to flee from the sunrise. 10/10, would terrorize peasants again (after a quick blood refill).