Vambrace: Cold Soul

 Xbox One
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Xbox Tavern
    Aug 28, 2019
    79
    There’s a lot to like about Vambrace: Cold Soul. From the gorgeous art work, through the brilliant world building and atmosphere to the deeply involved systems at play, there’s clearly been some love poured into this game. The difficulty – especially early on – and the obscure nature of some elements of the HUD are the main snags in an otherwise brilliant bit of software. If you’ve got the time (and patience), there’s a brilliant experience to be had here.
  2. XboxAddict
    Oct 9, 2019
    70
    Vambrace: Cold Soul has amazing qualities about it, particularly the graphics, UI and combat. If someone were to ask me a week from now, I'd still recommend Vambrace: Cold Soul. The amount of detail is fascinating to me. I'm gonna get out of here before a Spook gets to me. See ya!
  3. Generación Xbox
    Sep 18, 2019
    70
    In general, the game offers interesting proposals finished off by a magnificent technical aspect, as well as a good story and some interesting exploration components. But these virtues end up being buried by the monotony of their playability and the superficiality of the meta-game.
  5. TheXboxHub
    Aug 28, 2019
    70
    If you wish to enjoy the gameplay of Darkest Dungeon without tearing your hair out, then Vambrace is very much for you. It couples a Game of Thrones narrative with engaging side-quests and a more than amply challenging progression.
  6. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Oct 12, 2019
    60
    Stunning art direction can’t quite save Vambrace from RPG mediocrity. [Issue#183
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  7. Cubed3
    Oct 16, 2019
    50
    Vambrace: Cold Soul is not bad, but it quickly becomes a mindless, repetitive, grinding slog of the same battles that require very little strategy, not to mention the lack of any sort of enemy variety. Enemies come in different forms, but basically consist of similar attacks, with varying curses, and Lyric and her party members are hardly any better. The gameplay loop of exploring, fighting and healing only suffers due to the tedious battle system and the similar-looking dungeons. Beyond that, the story and lore of Icenair is a rich world that deserved better treatment, as the various codex entries enrich the world. Vambrace: Cold Soul had a lot of potential, and while it pulls off some things well, the mechanics hold back an experience of what could've been.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Sep 11, 2019
    7
    Vambrace: cold soul as an gripping 2D RPG with an extremely extensive story that is thrilling and captivating. the world of vambrace: coldVambrace: cold soul as an gripping 2D RPG with an extremely extensive story that is thrilling and captivating. the world of vambrace: cold soul has a very a engaging and interesting map design with almost all npc's having custom dialog for a certain area. i personally think a new player could be over-welled with the tutorial at the start of the game much like what i was due to how many controls there are. the tutorial also feels cramped and doesn't allow the player to do one thing multiple times to get used to that part of the controls. although the the tutorial is very condensed i do feel that the game has a well thought out story with lots of side quests and other types of content that all add up to the whole plot of the game. the art style is also amazing i can definitely tell that the artists took heavy inspiration from the Japanese art style of anime and put there own twist on the art style that makes it fell unique but yet very familiar. the combat in the game is quite easy to get the hang of when attacking but trying to heal while in combat can feel like a severe task because the controls for the inventory are quite confusing. in conclusion i would say that the controls are abut confusing at first but are some what manageable and this game has a very extensive plot that will surely grip any RPG fan.… Full Review »
  2. Awanka
    Nov 18, 2020
    6
    The combat and dungeon exploration is kind of like Darkest Dungeon, but it follows a much more linear progression. The combat is also "much"The combat and dungeon exploration is kind of like Darkest Dungeon, but it follows a much more linear progression. The combat is also "much" more simplified, which isn't to say that it's bad, but it lacks the character development options and delightful complexities of DD. On the other hand, it's kind of nice to just build a party and go in without thinking about it too much.

    The sticking points for me are that Vambrace: CS is "much" easier than DD, so the combat becomes dully routine after a while. Also there are some points in the game where you get forced into long side-tracks for the sake of the narrative. These can be kind of frustrating.

    All-in-all, I had a fun enough time, but I wasn't eager for more when it ended.    … Full Review »
  3. Daelus
    Aug 20, 2020
    5
    Very clearly a wannabe Darkest Dungeon that tries to copy it in almost every way (right down to many of the EXACT same curios) but it is notVery clearly a wannabe Darkest Dungeon that tries to copy it in almost every way (right down to many of the EXACT same curios) but it is not nearly as good at any of them. It is a very small game and fairly short While I am predisposed to like a DD clone this game fails badly in 2 ways; first the NPCs in your party are static, they cannot level' secondly and most importantly, RNG dominates this game and includes actual survival in that you REQUIRE campsites to survive the dungeons yet you can go through several dungeons that lack any and therefore you will die to frostbite with no ability to do anything but start the level over.....disgusting take on "roque-like:!… Full Review »
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