Romancelvania posits a question I’ve long wanted to see answered: can you make a romance-heavy game without being a visual novel? Is it possible to frame more traditional genres around finding love? While Persona and Mass Effect have romance subplots, they’re never the core goal of the experience. Romancelvania hopes to not only manage this, but also be an endearing comedy game in the same stroke.
In its current state, it might actually manage both of these things. If anything, it’s the ‘vania part of the formula that needs work.
The story begins with Dracula depressed and alone. His last lover long since rejected him. His castle is a pixelated ruin. It’s not until he’s invited to a poker game that his best friend the Grim Reaper drags him into the opportunity of an after-lifetime: a reality dating show! One murdered lich accountant later, you have all the money necessary to throw together an epic monster mash. You’re met with a wide variety of ghouls and gals from all corners of the supernatural realm.
In the demo build, I had the chance to chat up Drac’s ex, Medusa, as well as a genie with a dirtbag runaway master and a bro-ified version of the Jersey Devil. The final game promises even more contestants, but these three alone are surprising in their charm, and in how you can interact with them.
Drac can actually choose to be friendly rather than flirty – your dialogue not only influences others’ opinions of you, but also alters the framing of the relationship. It’s a refreshing system, because instead of trying to game the system, you’re encouraged to answer genuinely. Each character also carries with them unique gameplay bonuses and date night opportunities.
The replay value potential is impressive, though the difficulty settings lean towards the easier side of things so you can follow your heart instead of just min-maxing. Rest assured, no matter who you pick, there’s a wealth of hilarious weapons – from bonerangs to “Headouken!” blasts with Medusa’s head.
The dialogue is great as well. Even characters I wouldn’t typically be fond of were funny enough to get a chuckle or two out of me. Grim, by far, tends to steal the show. His lighthearted voice and showboating is the perfect offset to Drac’s adorkable hesitance. Dracula could have easily been a smoldering sourpuss or grumpy prick, but thankfully he (or she, if you so prefer) is more of a nervous nerd with stunning good looks.
Also worth noting: while you’ll start the game as masculine Drac, Romancelvania frames the gender transition option in a remarkably positive light. It’s subtle – Grim casually dropping a line about choosing whichever option feels best to you – but wonderfully inclusive.
It’s fortunate that the dating side of Romancelvania comes together, as the Metroidvania portions that tie all this together leave one wanting. As I said, the game is fortunately very forgiving, as the combat is a sloppy mess. Hit detection can be random, most enemies have a bit more health than necessary, and quick-selecting different weapons can be finicky.
Platforming in Romancelvania is not ideal either. It’s by far the roughest part of the entire game, with certain areas too reliant on you having multiple moves unavailable to you in earlier portions of the game. I don’t mean that in the normal Metroidvania sense of unlocking new routes, I mean the timing of the basic jump can be off by a hair, leaving you trying the same jump ten times in an area you’re supposed to have access to from the start.
The upside is, The Deep End Games assures that they’re working on these exact elements, knowing they’re not quite where they need to be yet. Given the quality of other aspects, I’m inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. Romancelvania might not be the deepest, most jaw-dropping Metroidvania on the market – but it’s not trying to be. What it aims for is to be a heartwarming supernatural romp of comfort food. In this regard, it’s already a rollicking success.
