VampMania Game Franchise
| VampMania | |
|---|---|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Developer(s) | Jazz Crisis |
| Publisher(s) | Jazz Crisis |
| Platform(s) | List
|
| First release | VampMania June 25, 1987 |
| Latest release | VampMania: Lament of Sorrow August 15, 2020 |
VampMania is a Vitosian action-adventure gothic horror video game series about vampire hunters created and developed by Jazz Crisis. It has been released on various platforms, from early systems to modern consoles. The franchise has also expanded into other media, including comic books and an animated TV series. It is one of Jazz Crisis' most critically acclaimed franchises and also one of the best-selling of all time.
VampMania is largely set in the eponymous castle of Duke Ambrovius Ramial, the main antagonist of the Vilcovo clan of vampire hunters. It debuted with 1987's VampMania for the Dream Entertainment gaming console also developed by Jazz Crisis.
Games
| 1987 | VampMania |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Vampmania 2 |
| 1989 | |
| 1990 | VampMania 3: Vander's Curse |
| 1991 | |
| 1992 | VampMania 4 |
| 1993 | |
| 1994 | VampMania 5 |
| 1995 | VampMania Ex |
| 1996 | |
| 1997 | |
| 1998 | VampMania: Dance of Misery |
| 1999 | |
| 2000 | |
| 2001 | VampMania: Ballad of Twilight VampMania: Tome of Agony |
| 2002 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2004 | VampMania: Solace of Paradise |
| 2005 | VampMania: Waltz of Damnation |
| 2006 | VampMania: Requiem of Despair |
| 2007 | VampMania: Sonata of Death |
| 2008 | |
| 2009 | VampMania: Circle of Deceit |
| 2010 | VampMania: Sarabande of Ruin |
| 2011 | VampMania: Portrait of Agony |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | VampMania: Chorus of Shadows |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | VampMania: Lament of the Night |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | VampMania: The Children of Ramial |
| 2018 | VampMania: The Wayward Collection |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | VampMania: Legacy of Sorrow |
| 2021 | VampMania: The Wayward Collection 2 |
| 2022 | VampMania: Birthright of Dissonance |
VampMania
Legends tell of a mysterious manor known as The Kinoborough. Its architect, whose name nobody knows, is said to have dabbled in the dark arts and created its rooms from the depths of the underworld. Its owner, the vicious and bloodthirsty Lord Ambrovius Ramial, is said to feed on the blood of the innocent and reward the guilty for their darkened hearts. Those same legends tell of a family that opposed the dark lord and, not only survived, but went on to battle him. Time and time again, when Lord Ambrovius returns, the famed Vilcovo family will venture into the Kinoborough and defeat him once more. This is the tale of a young man named Silas Vilcovo.
VampMania 2
In the year 1436, the country of Oscaynia enjoyed two decades of peace thanks to a mysterious member of the legendary Vilcovo family of vampire hunters. While nobody knew his name, they knew of the crest on his outfit as well as the legacy behind the Vilcovo name. Having settled down in the village of Woshad, the man, 46-year-old Silas Vilcovo, has now had 2 children with his beloved, Rosa. However, fate changed its course and demons began to ravage the village, killing many, including his bride to be. Ready to, once again, enter the mysterious reality warping manor, The Kinoborough, Silas set off to exact his revenge and take down Lord Ambrovius Ramial once again.
VampMania 3: Vander's Curse
In 1494, in the town of Mogriora, a talented alchemist in training, Vander Vilcovo, yearns for the return of his mentor and master, Eli Stanhope, said to be the best alchemist in the country of Oscaynia. His friend and colleague, Wendel Porter, reveals that the lack of Eli's influence has caused the residents of the land to turn to chaos. However, before they can leave, Vander soon discovers that a lethal curse has been placed on him giving him a week to track down and dispose of Eli Stanhope.
In the latter half of the adventure, it is revealed that Eli is trapped within The Kinoborough, setting the next path in Vander's journey. As the story nears its conclusion, he discovers that the person who cursed him was none other than Wendel Porter, a worshipper of Lord Ambrovius who sought power in exchange for his loyalty.
VampMania 4
In the year 1803, Josiah Vilcovo, an established author and researcher, delved into the passing of his father, Abram, discovering the legacy hidden from him since birth. Since Vaughan Vilcovo, his family has hunted vampires. Now, hoping to discover how his father perished, he decides to hunt for any sign of The Kinoborough's return.
Along the adventure, he comes across new allies such as Alira Barclay, Ezra Aldridge and Leander Nethersole. Together, the four find the fabled manor. Within its walls, it is revealed that Leander is actually the son of Ambrovius, actually named Everadus Ramial, who opposes his father and wishes to end his reign of terror once and for all. Within the manor's core, they find the manor's new owner, Ammiras.
VampMania 5
The year is 1061. Alchemist, William Carteria, completes his ritual to summon Paltacinto due to his yearning for power. While the ritual is successful, Paltacinto begins a reign of terror. Carteria now must fix his mistake.
VampMania Ex
The year is _.
VampMania: Dance of Misery
The year is 1592. Thaddeus Vilcovo is an explorer shrouded in tragedy who finds himself transported to the grounds of Lord Ambrovius' shape-shifting estate, The Kinoborough. It was the series' first attempt at 3D and was a commercial failure.
VampMania: Ballad of Twilight
Ballad of Twilight, which takes place in 1149, tells the story of the very first Vilcovo to defeat Lord Ambrovius: 34 year old Vaughan Vilcovo. Vaughan, an explorer, alongside his good friend and colleague, Abiel Brisco, enter the castle after hearing many rumours about the "lord of vampires" who resides there. As the story progresses, Abiel goes missing only to reveal later that Lord Ambrovius found him and "chose" him, turning him into a vampire.
VampMania: Tome of Agony
Tome of Agony is the first handheld title in the franchise, which stars Henry Vilcovo.
VampMania: Solace of Paradise
The year is 1167. The game stars the son of Lord Ambrovius, Everadus Ramial, who hopes to bring an end to his father's reign of terror once and for all. The game also sees the return of Vaughan Vilcovo, who is now 52. The end of the game sees Lord Ambrovius sealed away. Players are then introduced to Parthienna Ramial, Everadus' sister. However, she just reveals that their siblings are not happy with him. She doesn't care less but the others are now plotting.
VampMania: Waltz of Damnation
The year is 1522. Waltz of Damnation is the second handheld title in the franchise, which stars Ulysses Vilcovo, alongside antagonist Rozrodon, whose real name at the end is revealed to be Zaccheus Ramial, one of the sons of Lord Ambrovius Ramial. One of the side characters who has been helping you, Alban Datchery, is actually a 62 year old Silas Vilcovo who was transported to this time five years ago. It turns out that there was some plot involving a curse and, before he could do anything, Rozrodon appeared before him and sent him to this time, decades in the future. The end sees Silas killed as well as Ulysses lose his only son, Matthew Vilcovo, to Rozrodon's final trap, leaving the poor seven year old trapped in another dimension.
VampMania: Requiem of Despair
Requiem of Despair is the third handheld title in the franchise, which stars Mordecai Vilcovo.
VampMania: Sonata of Death
The year is 1219. Juliette Rhomind, an assassin-in-training, is framed for a large scale murder she did not commit. Cephus Vilcovo, a blacksmith with a reputation for being overdramatic, risks his large standing in the town's hierarchy to protect her. What follows is a tale of espionage and corruption with Junius Canning, the mayor's aide, at the center of everything with a convoluted plot to resurrect his mentor, Lord Ambrovius Ramial, and a mysterious traveler named Nonian.
VampMania: Circle of Deceit
The year is 1342. Circle of Deceit tells the story of a Vilcovo descendant within a group of Ambrovius worshippers. Louis Diamo is a member of The Circle of Agony for the True Lord, whose leader is Abiel Brisco. Other notable members of The Circle include Aphra Leggett, Comio Rutledge, Joseph Rexword, Reuben Gifford and Vielle Saldanine. At the end of the game, he finds out that his birth name was Edmund Vilcovo and that his parents gave him away, along with a new name, when the Vilcovo family were being hunted down in 1325.
VampMania: Sarabande of Ruin
Sarabande of Ruin is the fourth handheld title in the franchise, which stars Preshia Scarborough. It is the year 1546 and Dr. Scarborough has been called to assist a frail man by the name of Edwin Deering. This is actually a trap as Edwin Deering exclaims that he knows that Scarborough has "Burnet blood" in her. Preshia says that, yes, she is related to the Burnet lineage but her grandmother married into the Scarborough family, hence her last name. Feeling as though all of this was a set up to get information on her mysterious lineage, she leaves. However, that confession summons Rozrodon who tries to kidnap her but ends up kidnapping the man who saved her, Gander Langridge, somebody who she met on the way over. Guilty over an innocent man being kidnapped over some connection to her heritage, she sets out to try and rescue Mr. Langridge. She discovers magical abilities that awaken in her after a near death experience when entering the Kinoborough. At the end of the game, Gander Langridge is revealed to be Ulysses Vilcovo, who tells her about a man named Byron Burnet who was the architect of The Kinoborough. Years of research led him to discover her connection to Burnet about six months ago. Her abilities are a result of Ambrovius Ramial's genorosity towards Byron as he would bless his lineage. Although the powers of the Burnet family would remain dormant until they set foot near The Kinoborough. Both Ulysses and Preshia are able to permanently defeat Rozrodon (actually Zaccheus Ramial) with Ulysses lamenting over his missing son, Matthew, hoping that, where-ever he is, he is doing okay.
VampMania: Portrait of Agony
The year is 1316. Artistic vampire, Hector Barmandy, has kidnapped everybody in the local village and put them into paintings. Olander Vilcovo and his wife, Maletta, must travel into the paintings, traverse the dreamscapes of these villagers, and find a way to end Hector's reign of terror. At the end, it is revealed by Hector that he had met with something that called itself Paltacinto, leading to his powers. The duo are curious if Paltacinto is just an alias for Lord Ambrovius Ramial. The epilogue takes place five years later, in 1321, where they have a child who they name Edmund William Vilcovo.
VampMania: Chorus of Shadows
The year is 1933. Chorus of Shadows is the fifth handheld title in the franchise, which stars Josephus Wickham and Elijah Hedersett. Near the end of the game, it is revealed that Josephus Wickham is the reincarnation of Lord Ambrovius Ramial, who Elijah killed for good 20 years prior (1903), and that Elijah Hedersett is actually Matthew Vilcovo, the son of Ulysses. A man who helped them on their journey, Gabriel Fordham, is actually Everadus Ramial.
VampMania: Lament of the Night
The year is _.
VampMania: The Children of Ramial
The Children of Ramial was released on the Basilica within the first six months of the console's release. The story takes place in 1182 and stars Everadus Ramial, having been warned by his sister, Parthienna Ramial, about their siblings plotting their revenge for Everadus sealing away their father 15 years ago. The players are introduced to the other siblings: Adonijah Ramial, Deoric Ramial, Keturah Ramial, Lucriasia Ramial, Mavro Ramial (the oldest and designated leader of the siblings), Nonian Ramial, Philemus Ramial, Vertiline Ramial, Zaccheus Ramial and Ziophar Ramial.
The game sees Zaccheus backstab Mavro to assume power while also killing the siblings most loyal to him: Philemus and Ziophar. With Zaccheus now leading the charge, he and the others are defeated. At the end of the game, the only siblings alive are Everadus, Keturah, Nonian and Parthienna, who all joined forces in the last fifth. They all go their separate ways but plan to keep in touch. They also hope to prepare future warriors in the event that their father rises again.
VampMania: Legacy of Sorrow
The year is 1094. Byron Burnet finishes his project, The Kinoborough, for his friend, Leonardo Martaine, the new Duke of Carrington. However, having revealed himself to now be a vampire thanks to a demon named Paltacinto, he yearns for world domination and grants Byron the ability to use magic as reimbursement for his hard work on the castle. He decides to then go by Lord Ambrovius Ramial.
Now Byron, alongside his other childhood friend, Laurentius Vilcovo, a coward who wants to see Ambrovius come to his senses, venture into The Kinoborough to try and talk some sense. After Byron is killed by Lord Ambrovius for daring to use his gift of magic against him, Laurentius decides that there is no turning back and now hunts the duke for revenge.
During the story, it is also mentioned that Ambrovius (then Leonardo) was born in 1066.
VampMania: Birthright of Dissonance
The newly announced game, VampMania: Birthright of Dissonance, is set to star Quintin Vilcovo, the great grandson of Elijah Hedersett, in the year 2008, who finds himself being transported to a world with his past relatives facing a dangerous threat. It is also said to be a co-op game. The antagonist is none other than Paltacinto, who gave Lord Ambrovius Ramial his powers.
Collections
VampMania: The Wayward Collection
The Wayward Collection is a collection of the older handheld games, including Tome of Agony (2001), Waltz of Damnation (2005) and Requiem of Despair (2006).
VampMania: The Wayward Collection 2
The Wayward Collection is a collection of the older handheld games, including Sarabande of Ruin (2010) and Chorus of Shadows (2013).
Media
The franchise had gotten its own animated series in 2018, titled "VampMania: The Animated Series". The first season (2018) covered VampMania and VampMania 2 while the second season (2019) covered VampMania 3. There has been no news on a season three as of yet.
The Timeline
| Year | Game | Protagonist |
|---|---|---|
| 1061 | VampMania 5 (1994) | William Carteria |
| 1094 | VampMania: Legacy of Sorrow (2020) | Byron Burnet + Laurentius Vilcovo |
| 1149 | VampMania: Ballad of Twilight (2001) | Vaughan Vilcovo |
| 1167 | VampMania: Solace of Paradise (2004) | Everadus Ramial |
| 1182 | VampMania: The Children of Ramial (2017) | Everadus Ramial |
| 1219 | VampMania: Sonata of Death (2007) | Cephus Vilcovo + Juliette Rhomind |
| 1316 | VampMania: Portrait of Agony (2011) | Olander Vilcovo + Maletta Vilcovo |
| 1342 | VampMania: Circle of Deceit (2009) | Louis Diamo |
| 1421 | VampMania (1987) | Silas Vilcovo |
| 1439 | VampMania 2 (1988) | Silas Vilcovo |
| 1494 | VampMania 3: Vander's Curse (1990) | Vander Vilcovo |
| 1522 | VampMania: Waltz of Damnation (2005) | Ulysses Vilcovo |
| 1546 | VampMania: Sarabande of Ruin (2010) | Preshia Scarborough |
| 1592 | VampMania: Dance of Misery (1998) | Thaddeus Vilcovo |
| 1803 | VampMania 4 (1992) | Josiah Vilcovo |
| 1933 | VampMania: Chorus of Shadows (2013) | Elijah Hedersett + Josephus Wickham |
| 2008 | VampMania: Birthright of Dissonance (2022) | Quintin Vilcovo |