Cabernet – A Tale of Oppression, Vampires, and a Creepy Doll
- Danny McRae
- Feb 23
- 5 min read
A Vampire RPG That Actually Feels Different
Vampire RPGs tend to follow a predictable formula—you’re immortal, you look great in a long coat, and you spend half the game brooding about whether or not drinking blood makes you a bad person.
But Cabernet? Cabernet does something brilliantly different.
Set in a 19th-century Eastern European-inspired world, this 2D narrative RPG gives you actual power over the lives of both humans and vampires. It’s not just about choosing to drink blood or not—it’s about manipulating, scheming, and surviving in a world where every decision has consequences.
For me, my moral compass was broken from the start. I tried to be nice… sometimes. I helped the townsfolk, listened to their problems, and did my duties as Liza, the doctor’s apprentice. But then there were nights when I… uh, indulged.
The sweet old neighbour Faina? Well, let’s just say she’s in a better place now (and I still water her plants, so it evens out, right?). I also had a deep, meaningful friendship with a doll —which is definitely not creepy at all.
This isn’t your standard morality-driven RPG. Choices don’t always lead where you think they will. Conversations spiral in unexpected directions, and by the end, you’ll be questioning who’s the real monster—you, or the people around you?
Setting & Atmosphere – A Town on the Edge of Life and Death
From the very first scene, Cabernet wraps you in a painterly, hand-drawn world that feels alive yet decaying at the same time. Every street corner, every flickering lantern, every shadow tells a story.
The town itself is the heart of the game—and it’s full of places to explore:
The Bookstore – Because even vampires need to up their History & Politics stats.
The Salon – Where aristocratic vampires gather to debate ethics while sipping on goblets of human misery.
The Forest – A peaceful place… unless you count the fact that it’s where you can hunt rabbits instead of people.
A Small Island – You need a boat to get here because, shockingly, even vampires can’t fly that far.
And let’s not forget the humans. Some of them fear vampires, some serve them, and some have no clue what’s lurking right next door. You can be their friend, protector, manipulator… or their worst nightmare.
Also, Matilda the Doll exists. She is as creepy as she is charming, yet somehow, throughout the story becomes one of Liza's closest confidents.
Plot & Story Themes – The Fine Line Between Humanity and Monstrosity
Liza is not your typical vampire protagonist. She’s a doctor’s apprentice, forced to do the dirty work of her vampiric mentor—from healing villagers to pouring over medical charts, but the main focus of Liza is to Countess Orlova, the town’s head vampire, who always seems to have a task for her.
And this is where things get interesting.
You can build relationships, make allies, or create lifelong enemies.
Choices matter, but not in the typical “this is the good ending, this is the bad ending” way.
The morality system is nuanced—sometimes, the "right choice" leads to horrible consequences, and vice versa.
For example, I had one conversation with Anastasia, a local music teacher and the focus of one of your first 'assignments', thinking I was being polite—but she took it the completely wrong way. My solution?
✨ Enchant her and take her blood. (Look, it was the easiest option, okay?)
There’s real weight to your decisions. This isn’t a game that hands you easy answers—and that’s exactly why it’s so compelling.
Gameplay & Mechanics – Power, Skills, and Influence
Unlike other choice-based RPGs, Cabernet makes every interaction feel personal.
Character Skills & Progression
Liza has a skill set, and these stats actually matter:
Music & Arts
Literature & Writing
Science & Logic
History & Politics
Each of these can be improved by reading books, or increased by allocating skill points to each category, as well as wearing a stylish, era appropriate dress.
I, naturally, became a musical prodigy because nothing says “fear me” like absolutely shredding on a piano at the local music school.
Vampire Abilities
Liza’s vampiric powers add a layer of strategy to every interaction:
Turn into a bat – Fly around town, find hidden entrances, and mildly annoy people.
Become invisible – Perfect for pickpocketing or eavesdropping.
Enchant humans – Persuade them to willingly donate their blood (or, uh, do worse things).
The absolute highlight? Flying around as a bat, harassing townsfolk and hearing them go, “Shoo! Get away!”
Visuals & Sound – A Gothic Masterpiece That Feels Alive
If you were to describe Cabernet in one sentence, it would be: a moving, breathing painting that sounds like a haunted symphony.
Everything about this game’s visuals and sound design works in perfect harmony to create a rich, immersive atmosphere that sinks its fangs into you from the very first scene. It’s not just a town—it’s a world on the edge of both life and death, a place where history lingers in the shadows.
The painterly art style is nothing short of mesmerizing. The entire game looks like it was plucked straight out of a gothic novel, with muted colour palettes, and attention to the tiniest details—from the flickering glow of lanterns to the delicate ripples on the river.
The streets of town feel almost too quiet, like a place that was once full of life but now exists in a state of eerie stillness (where the few townsfolk are still up at odd hours).
The salon is a warm yet unsettling contrast—opulent, richly decorated, and filled with aristocratic vampires discussing matters of the night.
The forest is vast, dark, and foreboding—a place where you can hunt small animals instead of people (but really, isn't that more evil?).
The bookstore, a sanctuary of knowledge, has an air of dusty wisdom, filled with volumes on history, philosophy, and a backroom perfect for a late night snack out of the prying eyes of the local bookworms.
But this world isn’t just beautiful—it’s alive. And that’s where the music and sound design truly elevate the experience.
The Sound of a Town Drifting Between Dreams and Nightmares
The soundtrack of Cabernet isn’t just there to set the mood—it’s there to lull you into a false sense of peace before quietly reminding you that not everything in this town is as it seems.
As you walk through the sleepy, lantern-lit streets, a soft piano melody follows you, its delicate notes like a whispered lullaby for a town that never truly rests. It’s soothing, almost hypnotic, making it easy to forget the darkness lurking just beneath the surface.
It’s in these carefully orchestrated moments that Cabernet’s sound design does something truly special—it doesn’t just accompany the visuals; it completes them.
A Game Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
I loved Cabernet. It’s one of the most immersive, atmospheric narrative RPGs I’ve played in years.
It gives you freedom, power, and influence, but also makes you question everything you do.
Want to be a noble vampire? You can.
Want to be a ruthless monster? Absolutely.
Want to be an absolute menace, stealing blood and ruining marriages? Go wild.
And the best part? I know I’ll replay this. I need to see what happens if I fully embrace my inner monster.
Or… maybe next time, I’ll try treating the locals with a little less disdain.
…Nah, who am I kidding?
What Do You Think?
What’s your favourite vampire RPG? And if you played Cabernet, did you embrace the darkness, or try to hold onto your humanity?
Cabernet is available on steam, xbox, playstation and nintendo switch!
Get it on steam below:
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