I love that Kain...
I love vampires. There, I said it. I want to like Deadhaus Sonata, really. Are you like me? Well, you're reading someone's impressions of a vampire game... The short version: The game is still more late alpha than beta, support the devs if you see potential and play when it matures.
And there is plenty of potential. The atmosphere is spot on, the lore is on point. In fact, every element of the game gives the same impression - a good foundation, but it's clear that it needs work. From melee combat that glitches here and there as if you're playing Naraka: Bladepoint with 500 ping against a Chinese player with 1500; co-op that sometimes works and sometimes bricks your mission progress because you equipped an item too early and you're not the host; tutorial messages that you half-read and are no longer there, swept away by the wind.
There is enjoyment to be had in Deadhaus Sonata, of course, but that’s currently the problem. A die-hard Kain fan and a fanatic for anything vampire will get hooked by the game. However, since the game is realistically 20-50% "finished," every now and then they will hit a moment like "wow, I can't wait to see what classes and combinations there are... oh, that... well, they will definitely add more."
The Celestial Clock and Tarot mechanics are bursting with potential and they MUST develop them properly. A little optimization, a little content, a little fixes and there you have a game. I will be happy as soon as they fix invert y and sensitivity for controllers without me having to fiddle around with Steam Input.
Another opinion:
I like the idea of a game where, for a change, the main protagonist is a vampire fighting against humans, instead of the usual story where the roles are reversed. The plot revolves around exploring a large fantasy world, completing various missions, upgrading your build, and gradually uncovering a rich and detailed lore. I particularly like the atmosphere, which is dark and gothic, and that is one of the strongest impressions of the game for me. The upgrade system through tarot cards feels original and interesting, and the skill design is well thought out. I would especially highlight the Celestial Clock, which may seem confusing at first, but contributes to the diversity and dynamics of the world.
However, I believe the game still has a lot of room for improvement, especially in terms of polishing, fixing bugs, and better communication with the community. I understand that the game is still in alpha, but I wouldn't recommend it for purchase at this time. The game leaves the impression of an unfinished product, with numerous bugs appearing right from the start, both in gameplay and in the interface. Combat quickly becomes repetitive, despite attempts at variety through skills and the Celestial Clock. Additional issues include poor optimization and unnatural controls that are evident in almost all parts of the game and significantly detract from the overall impression.
Author: Alastor
What do players say?
Deadhaus Sonata has received mixed reactions from players on Steam, with negative comments often relating to the impression that the game was released too early in Early Access. Players note that the current version feels very unfinished, with problematic combat, inaccurate hitboxes, strange enemy behavior, and technical difficulties that can hinder progress.
Frequent complaints also relate to poor optimization, an unfinished user interface, limited controller support, and a lack of content compared to expectations. Some users particularly criticize the fact that the game already has a store for cosmetic additions, even though the core gameplay still feels raw and unstable.
Despite the criticisms, some players point out that Deadhaus Sonata has an interesting atmosphere, potential, and an appealing concept. The problem, according to their impressions, is that the current Early Access version feels more like an early prototype than a product ready for a wider audience.
Example PC version for review purposes provided by the development studio Apocalypse Studios
