Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is deeply flawed with a lot of bad decisions but still enjoyable for patient players. It's an action RPG with an interesting story, dialogue, and atmosphere, despite issues in mission design, character progression, and role-playing elements. The game is not recommended for most gamers unless they appreciate unique, flawed experiences or are big fans of the vampire genre.
Game Overview and Initial Impressions #
- Setting: Seattle, as an elder vampire with amnesia and a voice in your head.
- Development History: Long development cycle, different teams, and a changed approach.
- Genre Shift: Not a full-on detailed RPG like its predecessor (Bloodlines 2004), but a lighter action RPG.
- Expectations: Reviewer went in with low expectations but eagerness for another vampire game.
- Overall Flaws: Deeply flawed, frustrating, hollow, messy, yet personally enjoyable.
- Target Audience: Not recommended for most, only for patient gamers who appreciate unique, flawed experiences.
- Balance of Good and Bad: For every cool thing, there's a massive flaw (e.g., interesting story/dialogue vs. poor mission design/RPG elements).
Gameplay Mechanics and Systems #
- Character Creation: Choose male or female vampire.
- Open World: Small open-world Seattle map, features a snowstorm and Christmas setting.
- Story Context: New vampire prince in charge, heavy on dialogue.
- Dialogue Style: Many conversations are like "extended codec conversations" from Metal Gear Solid, often involving a voice in your head.
- Lore Integration: Educates players on World of Darkness lore effectively.
- Voice Acting: Some good characters with campy/trashy fits, despite some annoying or flat voice acting.
- Clan Choice: Choose a vampire clan for different abilities (combat/stealth focus).
- Forced Combat: Often forces players into combat despite stealth options.
Combat System #
- Perspective: First-person melee combat, punchy with impact.
- Attacks: Heavy and light attacks, supernatural dodging.
- Parrying: Dodging serves as a light parry.
- Directional Moves: Directional dodging activates specific moves (e.g., backward kick).
- Telekinesis: Pull and throw environmental objects (bottles for distraction, weapons, explosive canisters).
- Finishing Moves: Suck blood for health, special vampire abilities via face buttons (slowing time, ground pound, taunt, super punches, "Dishonored blink," blood attacks).
- Combat Flaws:
- Lack of Lock-on: Desperately needs a lock-on or slower enemies.
- Jankiness: Enemies can float, hover, or get stuck.
- Challenge: Can be challenging, sometimes fair, sometimes "BS" due to enemy spam.
- Combat Strengths:
- Power Fantasy: Moments of feeling powerful (e.g., decapitating with claws, tricking enemies, telekinesis weapon throws).
- Flashy: Cool over-the-top finishing animations, camera changes, blood and gore, decent feedback.
Masquerade and Exploration #
- Masquerade System: Upholding the hidden nature of vampire abilities.
- Masquerade Meter: Increases with public displays of vampiric actions (sucking blood, climbing, super speed).
- Consequences: Pushing the meter too high leads to death by other vampires.
- Exploration Encouragement: Encourages using back alleys, pipes, scaffolding, and small streets for stealthy movement.
- Traversal: Thrilling "Superman run and jump and glide" on rooftops away from public eyes.
Abilities and Progression #
- Skill Tree: Simple but flexible skill tree.
- Ability Unlocks: Active clan abilities can be unlocked from clan trainers using resources from NPC blood.
- Blood Consumption: Use vampire vision to see hearts and blood types of NPCs to gain specific blood resources.
- NPC Interaction for Blood: Coax, trick, or force NPCs into dark alleyways for blood.
- Pacing Issue (Abilities): Many abilities are gained early, making the second half feel less rewarding for progression.
Mission Design and Pacing #
- Pacing Issues (Overall): Starts strong, then becomes "bitsy" with repetitive side quests and few enemy types.
- Side Quests:
- Rotation: New side quests appear after main missions, old ones disappear.
- Repetitive: Variations of "bring this here," "suck this guy," or "kill these people."
- Motivation: Cool NPCs but uninspired missions, lacking incentive to grind after initial unlocks.
- Flashback Sequences:
- Dull: Intended as time changes but feel like the "same old business" and a missed opportunity.
Dialogue and Decisions #
- Decision Impact: Light dialogue and decision-making.
- Multiple Endings: Exists, but most conversations offer an "illusion of choice."
- Clan Background Impact: Adds flavor text, but little true impact.
- Unfulfilling Choices: Dialogue options often lead to the same result, feeling unfulfilling.
- NPC Engagement: Enjoyed talking to NPCs and learning about the world and vampire clans, even without significant agency.
Technical Aspects and Aesthetics #
- Bugs:
- Enemy AI: Bad AI, characters getting stuck or floating.
- Technical Stutter: Slight stutter on PC (using high-end machine), attributed to "notorious Unreal Engine 5 stutter," especially in the open world.
- Graphics & Art Direction:
- Decent Looking: Graphically fine.
- Strong Art Direction: Shines in atmospheric effects and lighting, creating a snowy noir atmosphere.
- Character Design: Loved the character looks.
- Interiors: Appealing interiors where player might want to "hang out."
- City Streets: Cold, lonely feel, reminiscent of games like The Darkness or Max Payne.
Reviewer's Conclusion #
- Undercooked: Massively undercooked.
- Combat/Traversal: Decent, sometimes entertaining and empowering despite issues.
- Storytelling: Enjoyed engaging with the story and world-building, despite weak RPG decisions.
- Pacing/Abilities: Pacing and character abilities felt "off."
- Good vs. Bad: For every good, there is a bad; the bad might outweigh the good for most.
- Personal Enjoyment: Reviewer enjoyed the good elements enough to be glad they played it.
- Uniqueness: Feels different from many other games on the market.
- Recommendation: Cannot recommend at full price; maybe on sale for niche audiences (big vampire fans, tolerant of flawed games).
- Community Discussion: Invites comments on the game, pre-order debacles, and development changes.
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