Title:
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile
Rating:
M
Genre:
Action
Show More
IGN Score:
7.5
Release Date:
2011-04-06
Date Added:
2018-07-03 13:46:23
Game Summary:
Developed by Ska Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile was released on April 6, 2011, as an Xbox Live Arcade exclusive for the Xbox 360. It is the sequel to The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai and refines its predecessor’s mechanics while introducing new weapons, cooperative multiplayer, and an expanded narrative. Despite its strong reception, the game is not backward compatible with Xbox One or later consoles, making the Xbox 360 the only official way to play it.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a side-scrolling beat ’em up with hack-and-slash elements. The gameplay is fast-paced and combo-driven, with fluid animations that enhance the feeling of intense combat. Players can choose between two characters: The Dishwasher and Yuki. Each has their own combat style, weapons, and special abilities, allowing for varied playthroughs.
The game expands upon the original Dishwasher mechanics with new weapons such as the Guillotine, a pair of oversized scissors, and the Painkiller, a massive syringe. Players can dual-wield and swap between weapons on the fly, adding depth to the combat system. Teleportation and dodge mechanics enable evasive maneuvers, making the action feel dynamic and skill-based. The art style is heavily stylized, featuring stark black-and-white visuals punctuated by red blood splashes, reinforcing the game’s dark and violent aesthetic.
Several additional modes are included beyond the campaign. Arcade Mode features fifty levels that test a player’s skill with unique combat challenges, while Dish Challenge mode presents survival-based gameplay where players face endless waves of enemies. These extra modes add longevity and replayability to the experience, offering something beyond the core story.
Narrative and Storyline
The game features two intertwined campaigns, following The Dishwasher and Yuki on their respective journeys. Yuki’s story focuses on her escape from a high-tech prison and her quest for revenge against three powerful figures: The Banker, The General, and The Judge. These individuals played a role in her suffering, and her path is one of bloodshed and vengeance. Meanwhile, The Dishwasher’s storyline follows his battle against a new cybernetic force threatening the world.
Both narratives are presented through comic-style cutscenes, giving the game an immersive and graphic novel-like atmosphere. The themes of revenge, corruption, and rebellion are central to the story, with the gameplay and visual design reinforcing the bleak, violent world in which the characters operate.
Multiplayer and Co-op Features
Unlike its predecessor, Vampire Smile introduces cooperative multiplayer, supporting up to four players in both local and online play. The main campaign allows two players to team up, with one controlling The Dishwasher and the other controlling Yuki. Additionally, up to four players can participate in co-op, with the extra players taking on the roles of The Dishwasher’s Raven and Yuki’s Cat. These additional characters act as support roles, enhancing the gameplay experience without disrupting the core action.
Players can mix and match local and online players, with local co-op supporting one to four players and online co-op allowing for two to four players. This flexibility makes the game one of the more multiplayer-friendly beat ’em ups available on Xbox Live Arcade, providing an enjoyable experience for solo players and groups alike.
Achievements and Completion
The game features twelve achievements totaling 200 Gamerscore, ranging from story progression to specific combat challenges. Some of the most notable include “Lead Dishwasher,” awarded for completing the game on Samurai difficulty, and “Twitch Game Master Extreme Ultra,” which requires players to complete all fifty arcade levels. Other achievements, such as “Real Ultimate Power,” challenge players to kill three enemies in one second, while “The Brutal Achievement” is unlocked by executing fifty brutal kills.
For achievement hunters, the game is a manageable but challenging completion. There are no unobtainable or multiplayer-exclusive achievements, making it possible to complete the game entirely solo. However, some achievements require a significant level of skill, particularly those tied to the hardest difficulty and arcade mode challenges. On average, full completion takes between ten and fifteen hours, depending on player skill and familiarity with the mechanics.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile received strong reviews, with critics praising its fast-paced combat, fluid animations, and striking artistic style. GameSpot awarded the game an 8.5 out of 10, calling it “grimly gorgeous and violently entertaining.” The game’s deep combat system and engaging arcade modes were also well-received, helping it stand out among other indie action games of the era.
Despite its success, Vampire Smile was never made backward compatible, meaning it can only be played on an Xbox 360. This has made it a cult classic among fans of Xbox Live Arcade titles, as it remains one of the most polished and engaging indie beat ’em ups from that generation. The combination of stylish visuals, fluid combat, and cooperative gameplay ensures its place as one of the standout indie titles on the Xbox 360.
Final Thoughts
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is an excellent follow-up to Dead Samurai, improving on nearly every aspect of the original while introducing new mechanics and cooperative play. Its brutal combat, unique visual style, and compelling narrative make it a must-play for fans of beat ’em ups and hack-and-slash games. While its lack of backward compatibility limits accessibility, those with an Xbox 360 will find a deep, rewarding experience that remains one of the best indie action games of its time.
Gameplay and Mechanics
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a side-scrolling beat ’em up with hack-and-slash elements. The gameplay is fast-paced and combo-driven, with fluid animations that enhance the feeling of intense combat. Players can choose between two characters: The Dishwasher and Yuki. Each has their own combat style, weapons, and special abilities, allowing for varied playthroughs.
The game expands upon the original Dishwasher mechanics with new weapons such as the Guillotine, a pair of oversized scissors, and the Painkiller, a massive syringe. Players can dual-wield and swap between weapons on the fly, adding depth to the combat system. Teleportation and dodge mechanics enable evasive maneuvers, making the action feel dynamic and skill-based. The art style is heavily stylized, featuring stark black-and-white visuals punctuated by red blood splashes, reinforcing the game’s dark and violent aesthetic.
Several additional modes are included beyond the campaign. Arcade Mode features fifty levels that test a player’s skill with unique combat challenges, while Dish Challenge mode presents survival-based gameplay where players face endless waves of enemies. These extra modes add longevity and replayability to the experience, offering something beyond the core story.
Narrative and Storyline
The game features two intertwined campaigns, following The Dishwasher and Yuki on their respective journeys. Yuki’s story focuses on her escape from a high-tech prison and her quest for revenge against three powerful figures: The Banker, The General, and The Judge. These individuals played a role in her suffering, and her path is one of bloodshed and vengeance. Meanwhile, The Dishwasher’s storyline follows his battle against a new cybernetic force threatening the world.
Both narratives are presented through comic-style cutscenes, giving the game an immersive and graphic novel-like atmosphere. The themes of revenge, corruption, and rebellion are central to the story, with the gameplay and visual design reinforcing the bleak, violent world in which the characters operate.
Multiplayer and Co-op Features
Unlike its predecessor, Vampire Smile introduces cooperative multiplayer, supporting up to four players in both local and online play. The main campaign allows two players to team up, with one controlling The Dishwasher and the other controlling Yuki. Additionally, up to four players can participate in co-op, with the extra players taking on the roles of The Dishwasher’s Raven and Yuki’s Cat. These additional characters act as support roles, enhancing the gameplay experience without disrupting the core action.
Players can mix and match local and online players, with local co-op supporting one to four players and online co-op allowing for two to four players. This flexibility makes the game one of the more multiplayer-friendly beat ’em ups available on Xbox Live Arcade, providing an enjoyable experience for solo players and groups alike.
Achievements and Completion
The game features twelve achievements totaling 200 Gamerscore, ranging from story progression to specific combat challenges. Some of the most notable include “Lead Dishwasher,” awarded for completing the game on Samurai difficulty, and “Twitch Game Master Extreme Ultra,” which requires players to complete all fifty arcade levels. Other achievements, such as “Real Ultimate Power,” challenge players to kill three enemies in one second, while “The Brutal Achievement” is unlocked by executing fifty brutal kills.
For achievement hunters, the game is a manageable but challenging completion. There are no unobtainable or multiplayer-exclusive achievements, making it possible to complete the game entirely solo. However, some achievements require a significant level of skill, particularly those tied to the hardest difficulty and arcade mode challenges. On average, full completion takes between ten and fifteen hours, depending on player skill and familiarity with the mechanics.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile received strong reviews, with critics praising its fast-paced combat, fluid animations, and striking artistic style. GameSpot awarded the game an 8.5 out of 10, calling it “grimly gorgeous and violently entertaining.” The game’s deep combat system and engaging arcade modes were also well-received, helping it stand out among other indie action games of the era.
Despite its success, Vampire Smile was never made backward compatible, meaning it can only be played on an Xbox 360. This has made it a cult classic among fans of Xbox Live Arcade titles, as it remains one of the most polished and engaging indie beat ’em ups from that generation. The combination of stylish visuals, fluid combat, and cooperative gameplay ensures its place as one of the standout indie titles on the Xbox 360.
Final Thoughts
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is an excellent follow-up to Dead Samurai, improving on nearly every aspect of the original while introducing new mechanics and cooperative play. Its brutal combat, unique visual style, and compelling narrative make it a must-play for fans of beat ’em ups and hack-and-slash games. While its lack of backward compatibility limits accessibility, those with an Xbox 360 will find a deep, rewarding experience that remains one of the best indie action games of its time.
Platform:
Microsoft Xbox 360
Publisher:
NOT BC
Developers:
Ska Studios
Show More
Players:
1-4 Local 2-4 Online
Country of Purchase:
United States
Input Devices:
Controller Game Pad
Show More
Media Type:
Download
Game Modes:
Single Player
Show More
Date Added:
2018-07-03 13:46:23
