Cabernet: A Vampire RPG Where Every Choice Cuts Deep

Cabernet: A Vampire RPG That Bites with Consequence and Intrigue

Cabernet isn’t just another vampire story. At its core, it explores the idea of monsters being hereditary, initially drawing a parallel between protagonist Liza’s vampirism and her father’s alcoholism. But the game doesn’t stop there—it delves deeper into the cyclical cruelty of humanity, particularly the tension between the emerging middle class and the entrenched elite. The result is a richly layered narrative where every choice carries weight, and the consequences can hit with surprising force. Minor late-game glitches slightly tarnish the finale, but the journey to Cabernet’s final hour remains a remarkable piece of interactive storytelling.

A 19th-Century RPG With Depth

Cabernet is a 2D narrative-driven RPG set in 19th-century Eastern Europe. The game opens at Liza’s funeral, where you briefly control her uncle to deliver a eulogy that determines Liza’s skillset. From there, control shifts to Liza, awakening in a dungeon and making a mysterious pact with an unseen presence. Soon, she finds herself at a vampire-filled party—and discovers she’s now one of them.

Vampirism in Cabernet is more than a supernatural makeover. Liza must balance her thirst for blood with societal rules: avoiding sunlight, feeding only on enchanted individuals, and navigating the complex hierarchies of vampire and human society. The transformation grants her incredible freedom and power, yet it also positions her as a stand-in for the 19th-century middle class—straddling the worlds of the wealthy elite and struggling poor, able to influence both but never fully belong to either.

Morality Beyond Good and Evil

One of Cabernet’s standout mechanics is its morality system, which balances humanity against nihilism. Unlike typical morality meters, this system doesn’t frame choices as simply good or evil. Choosing humane options isn’t always benevolent, and embracing nihilism doesn’t always equate to malevolence. Feeding on rabbits to save money or sparing someone’s feelings are nihilistic choices, while preaching nonviolence to a rebel is a humane one.

The system ties directly into gameplay: growing in humanity or nihilism unlocks new dialogue options, while skill expertise opens alternative approaches to challenges. This flexibility ensures that no two playthroughs feel identical.

Strategic Nights and Consequential Decisions

Gameplay revolves around managing Liza’s limited time each night. From her duties as the town doctor’s assistant to socializing with two dozen characters, every choice matters. Her blood consumption adds another layer of strategy. You can purchase bottled blood, but money is limited, forcing careful prioritization.

Feeding on humans requires earning their trust first, and the game heightens tension by leaving you unaware of the physical state of your victims. Take too much, and you risk their life; take too little, and Liza may need to feed again soon. These moments heighten both strategy and suspense, ensuring players feel the weight of Liza’s actions.

Narrative Depth That Rivals Its Mechanics

Cabernet’s narrative shines brightest in its character-driven storytelling. Early missions, like infiltrating a neighbor’s home on the Countess’ orders, demonstrate how a single choice can ripple across multiple characters’ perceptions of Liza. Each decision—from saving a girl’s brother to fulfilling a spurned lover’s dark request—carries consequences that can surprise, reward, or haunt you.

The game’s visuals and audio elevate the experience: painterly 2D environments evoke the era, and Jim Fowler’s gothic-inspired soundtrack (known for Bloodborne and LittleBigPlanet) perfectly complements the dark atmosphere. Exceptional voice acting ensures that every character leaves a memorable imprint, enhancing the impact of their intertwined stories.

Vampirism, Addiction, and Historical Context

While Cabernet draws clear parallels between vampirism and addiction, the mechanics don’t fully simulate dependency—though this doesn’t detract from the narrative. The real star is the human element: Liza’s navigation of complex social strata, her moral choices, and the consequences of her actions. Framing vampirism within the socio-political context of 19th-century Eastern Europe gives the story surprising depth and relevance.

Final Verdict

Cabernet is a narrative-rich RPG that masterfully balances consequence, strategy, and character-driven storytelling. Its moral complexity, historical grounding, and richly developed world make it more than a vampire game—it’s a study of humanity, power, and choice. Minor mechanical quirks aside, Cabernet delivers a deeply satisfying journey where every decision matters and every story leaves a mark. This is the standard that all vampire tales—and narrative RPGs—should aspire to.

If you like this review and want to see more like Cabernet, you can click here.  My snapchat is Cara_lynn97. Twitter and Instagram are the same. I stream on twitch multiple days a week! Be sure to follow me to see the live playthroughs of games and anything else I might do and post online.