Libra: Vaporum (Switch)

Libra is a series which will provide first impressions of games well before a review. As is the case with our formal reviews, these will generally be spoiler free, however some very minor spoilers could still lurk ahead.


My interest in first-person dungeon crawlers – like roguelikes – has experienced somewhat of a renaissance since becoming a hardcore Switch player. That said, I haven’t intentionally ignored the dungeon crawler in the past – in fact, Genesis games like Warriors of the Eternal Sun and Shining in the Darkness have coursed through my gaming veins since I was a child. The more modern crawler, however, I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing much. Thus, I am looking to change that, with titles like the previously reviewed The Lost Child and today’s topic, Vaporum.

The Gist

Vaporum is a first-person steampunk dungeon crawler that starts off with an amnesiac man waking up on a bed of rocks by the sea. In the distance, he sees a gigantic tower, and although he can’t seem to recall anything about himself or the structure itself, he feels compelled to go near it. With nothing more than a gut feeling, the man opens up the entrance to the looming tower, striding head-first right into it. Unfortunately, unspeakable horrors – and likely some recollection – is likely what is in store for our muddled protagonist.

+

  • Very Bioshock-esque feel which I’m absolutely digging.
  • Graphics are rather nice for a Switch game.
  • Although a real-time dungeon crawler by default, you quickly unlock the ability to stop time at will (ie. convert it to a classic turn-based affair).
  • Appears to be quite challenging, even on normal difficulty.
  • Multiple classes, gear types, and talents to choose from.

  • Too many “whiffs” in combat for my liking, and almost every enemy feels like a damage sponge.
  • As is the case with many dungeon crawlers, sheer amount of hotkeys feel a little overwhelming at times.
  • Lots of gear swapping to optimize damage dealt (and received).

Be on the lookout for my official Vaporum review soon!

Author

  • Ben T.

    IT professional by day, RPG enthusiast by night. Owner, webmaster, and content creator for this site. Dog dad and fan of dark beers.

Ben T.

Ben

IT professional by day, RPG enthusiast by night. Owner, webmaster, and content creator for this site. Dog dad and fan of dark beers.

Switch RPG