- A narrative adventure counseling vampires launches on iOS and Android
- UI improved for mobile touch controls… Includes base game and ‘Couple Therapy’ DLC
Little Bat Games, an indie studio based in Berlin, Germany, announced on the 27th (local time) that it will officially release the dark comedy visual novel ‘Vampire Therapist’ on iOS and Android mobile platforms on November 24.
Since its debut on the PC platform in 2024, this game has expanded its reach to major console platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation (PS) this year, gaining recognition for its gameplay.
In particular, it garnered significant attention from indie game fans after being nominated for the prestigious British Academy Games Awards (BAFTA Games Awards). The newly released mobile version features a completely revamped user interface (UI) optimized for touch controls on smartphones and tablets.
Retired Western Gunslinger Vampire Becomes a Counselor
The player begins the game as Sam Walls, a vampire and former gunslinger from the Wild West. Having retired and transformed into a psychological counselor, Sam lives an immortal life and takes on the mission of healing the hearts of fellow vampires who come to him carrying various mental anguish and deficiencies.
The counseling sessions sophisticatedly incorporate actual psychotherapy techniques to help clients objectively confront reality and themselves. In particular, this game is based on the core concept of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a representative technique of modern psychology.
The player must accurately identify ‘cognitive distortions,’ which are negative thought patterns detached from reality, within the client’s conversation, and thereby guide them to realize the difference between their distorted thoughts and actual reality and to change.
The developer emphasized that the psychological concepts and counseling mechanisms implemented in the game were completed after thorough review by actual licensed psychotherapists.
Wounded vampires across eras
The clients visiting the counseling room in the story consist of various characters with different historical backgrounds, such as ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy, revolutionary France, Tudor England, and Iron Age Ireland.
The counseling room is located on the upper floor of a Gothic nightclub in modern Europe, and the protagonist and counselor, Sam, has a unique backstory as a vampire who has lived for a whopping 3,000 years.
The main game includes a mindfulness meditation mini-game to aid in the healing of clients. Additionally, the developer introduced a unique mini-game that combines vampire instincts with psychotherapy, featuring a “safe and mutually consensual” neck-biting experience.
However, it was suggested that due to the nature of the work, which deals deeply with mature and profound themes such as emotional trauma and the futility of eternal life, it may not be suitable for users of all age groups.
Voice actor participation in ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and ‘Critical Roll’
The lineup of voice actors, who will enhance the characters’ immersion, is also impressive.
Matthew Mercer, who participated in the famous TRPG show ‘Critical Role’ and the worldwide hit ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’, took the microphone as a representative figure.
In addition, the quality was enhanced by the participation of a large number of proven veteran voice actors, including Francesca Meaux from ‘Hades’, Sarah Grayson from ‘Gone Home’ and ‘Hades II’, and Kylie Clark.
In particular, Cyrus Nemati, the lead developer and creative director of this title, garnered attention for personally taking on the voice acting role. He has previously proven his acting prowess by delivering distinctive voice performances in Supergiant Games’ popular titles, such as ‘Hades II’ and ‘Pyre’.
Mobile version includes base game and DLC… Free trial also available
The mobile version includes the base game, updates to previously released free content, and the ‘Couples Therapy’ DLC.
Before purchasing, you can download the game for free from the App Store or Google Play Store to experience the tutorial and the first two consultation sessions. The official price and supported languages for the mobile version have not yet been announced.
BAFTA Nominee and Games for Change Award Winner
‘The Vampire Therapist’ received widespread critical acclaim, being recognized for both its originality and social value.
It was nominated for the ‘Game Beyond Entertainment’ award at the BAFTA Games Awards 2025, which is given to works that deliver a social message beyond entertainment, and won the top prize in the Health & Wellness category at the Games for Change Awards 2025.
Indicators from global gamers and critics are also positive. According to data from the global game price comparison platform GG.deals, it has received an overwhelmingly positive response from 93% of the 892 Steam user reviews, and on the critic review aggregation site Metacritic, it is recording a high Metascore of 81.
Major international media outlets also spared no praise for the multi-dimensional characters, the outstanding performances of the voice actors, and the immersive text. SideQuest highly rated these narrative elements, while Checkpoint Gaming gave it 85 out of 100 points.
In addition, PlayDay.one, which reviewed the console version, cited the pacing—which humorously addresses potentially heavy psychological themes—as a strength, while pointing out that the lack of significant penalties for choosing the wrong answer during counseling somewhat diminishes the tension as the only drawback.
Berlin indie studio Little Bat Games
Little Bat Games is an indie studio established with the support of the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Board. The studio is led by Cyrus Nemati, who led the development of ‘The Vampire Therapist’.
The studio stated that it aims for memorable stories, engaging characters, and new gameplay, while placing importance on sustainable operations.
The mobile port of ‘Vampire Therapist,’ which has proven its value beyond simple entertainment through BAFTA nominations and the Games for Change Award, is welcome news for users who enjoy the visual novel genre on smartphones.
This new title, which allows players to experience the depth of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) embedded within the game through the exceptional accessibility unique to mobile, will be released on iOS and Android on November 24. Users who have been craving a unique narrative and a well-made indie game should keep an eye on the upcoming mobile version, starting with pre-registration on the Google Play Store.
Information regarding ‘Vampire Therapist’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Little Bat Games |
| Genre | Dark comedy visual novel, narrative adventure |
| platform | iOS, Android (New Mobile), PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation |
| Mobile release date | November 24, 2026 |
| PC release date | July 18, 2024 (Steam) |
| Mobile configuration | Includes base game, all free updates, and Couple Therapy DLC |
| Trial version | Tutorial and first 2 sessions provided with free download |
| Reactions/Evaluations | Steam user reviews 93% positive (892 reviews, based on GG.deals), Metacritic score 81 |
| premier | Nominated for the BAFTA Game Awards 2025, Winner of the Games for Change Awards 2025 |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
