Nightborn

About Nightborn

Nightborn is a narrative-driven action RPG set in a shadowy, gothic version of modern New Orleans. You play a Bloodhound vampire, blending detective work with supernatural prowess to track missing vampires and figure out a centuries-old conspiracy involving factions, werewolves, and eldritch threats. Developed by Occupational Hazard LLC and released in 2026, it mixes role-playing depth with stealth and combat. Create a vampire character from 10 lineages, each offering unique skills like mind control or shapeshifting. The game leans into simulation elements, requiring you to balance power-generating hunts with evading human authorities. It’s a slow-burn mystery where choices matter, set in a world where survival means navigating moral and political vampire divides.

Gameplay

Gameplay alternates between stealthy stalking, ritualistic magic, and brutal combat. You track supernatural targets using enhanced senses, then use lineage powers to either seduce, ambush, or outwit foes. Each lineage offers branching skill trees, think blood-based sorcery or feral strength. Missions often involve solving crimes, interrogating witnesses, and uncovering clues in eerie locations like abandoned mansions or underground lairs. Combat is action-oriented but tactical; you can brute-force through with claws or use spells to manipulate enemies. A key mechanic is managing your “prey” meter, which fuels abilities but risks attracting hunters. Factions like the rigid Orthodoxy or chaotic Libertines shift your options, and dialogue choices influence alliances. The camera lingers on atmospheric details, like fog-cloaked streets and candlelit crypts, but controls can feel sluggish during fast-paced chases.

What Players Think

Nightborn holds an 8.2/10 rating on PlayPile, with 72% of players completing the base story in 28 hours on average. Community moods are split between “haunting” (45%) and “intense” (38%), while 17% cite “slow pacing” as a downside. A YouTuber raves, “The lore and moral ambiguity are unmatched, every choice feels consequential.” Conversely, a critic pans it as “a 40-hour slog with uneven pacing.” The game has 345 achievements, with players averaging 180 unlocked, including 21% earning the elusive “Maker’s Secret” for discovering all hidden lineages. 63% of players side with the Establishment, but 22% who pick no faction report higher replayability. Critic scores hover at 78/100, praising writing but noting clunky combat.

PlayPile's Take

Nightborn is a niche gem for fans of slow-burn, story-rich RPGs. At $39.99, it’s a moderate investment with 30+ hours of content, but 22% of players report hitting 50+ hours. The 345 achievements add replayability, especially for completionists. While combat can lag and pacing drags in mid-game, the gothic setting and branching choices justify the price for lore-hungry players. Skip it if you prefer fast action or open-world exploration, but embrace it if you crave a moody, morally gray vampire detective saga.

Storyline

Fight, sneak, or charm your way through a gothic modern New Orleans as a Vampire detective of your creation. Unravel a vast centuries-old conspiracy involving Vampire factions, Werewolves, and far stranger horrors. Try to survive as a Nightborn without losing yourself to madness or damnation.