Overview
- Bithell Games revealed Vampirium: 1997 on Wednesday and released an eight‑minute gameplay walkthrough by director Mike Bithell that demonstrates a mission and core systems.
- The game uses a minimalist, top‑down point‑and‑click interface that lets players approach targets by stealth, direct combat with weapons like a silver katana, environmental manipulation, or hypnotism.
- Levels are built for replay: completing a mission unlocks new tasks and the game uses XP to tailor powers and progression across replays.
- Bithell says Vampirium will launch into Steam Early Access soon and be expanded over an expected two‑year-ish period with new locations, characters, and powers while the studio develops publicly.
- The project is framed as a commercial and creative rebound for Bithell Games after major layoffs in 2025, and Early Access means player feedback and sales will directly shape the game’s scope and the studio’s recovery.