Vasilisa

About Vasilisa

Vasilisa is a co-op survival horror game set in a 1990s Russian village haunted by Slavic folklore monsters. Developed by Steppe Hare Studio, it launched November 27, 2025, for PC. Players team up to scavenge resources, craft potions, and battle cursed entities while navigating a collapsing village. The story follows a possessed girl and an ancient evil awakening from a bunker. With single-player and co-op modes, it leans into tense base-building and monster-fighting. The game blends atmospheric horror with resource management, aiming to balance action and strategy.

Gameplay

In Vasilisa, you and up to three teammates manage a base, gathering herbs, tools, and weapons to fend off spectral beasts. Each session involves rotating between crafting stations, defending against waves of enemies, and venturing into the village to collect rare materials. Controls are straightforward but require coordination for tasks like lighting fires or brewing potions. The 1990s setting adds a retro aesthetic, with pixel-art monsters and environmental hazards. Matches typically last 1-2 hours, with difficulty scaling as the curse intensifies. Combat is fast-paced but punishing, demanding quick reflexes and communication.

What Players Think

Vasilisa holds a 78% PlayPile rating with 45% completion rate. Average playtime is 12 hours, though 30% of players abandon it before beating the main quest. Community moods are split: 42% call it Tense, 28% Frustrating, and 18% engaging. Critics praise its eerie atmosphere and co-op synergy but criticize repetitive enemy patterns. One review notes, "The potion mechanics feel clunky, but the multiplayer makes up for it." With 30 achievements (320 total points), most players earn 70% of them. It’s priced at $29.99, placing it mid-tier for indie horror titles.

PlayPile's Take

Vasilisa is worth playing if you enjoy co-op survival with a focus on teamwork. The Slavic folklore setting is fresh but underdeveloped, and the $30 price tag feels steep for a 12-hour experience. It’s forgiving for casual players but punishing for newcomers to the genre. The 30 achievements add replay value, though completion isn’t guaranteed. It’s a decent pick for horror fans who don’t mind occasional clunky mechanics. Prioritize multiplayer sessions for the best experience.

Storyline

The 1990s. After the collapse of the USSR, an ancient evil awakens in an abandoned bunker beneath your village. A spirit of darkness possesses a local girl, Vasilisa, hastening the hour of a monster invasion. You must join forces to find rare ingredients, brew a magic potion in Baba Yaga's hut, and lift the curse on the beautiful woman — before the village becomes a den of horror.