Initial release date: October 21, 2025
Developers: Paradox Interactive, The Chinese Room
Engine: Unreal Engine 5, Unreal Engine 4
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, GeForce Now
Publishers: Paradox Interactive, White Wolf Entertainment
Composers: Rik Schaffer, Eímear Noone, Craig Stuart Garfinkle
Genres: Action role-playing game, Adventure game, Fighting game, Shooter game
KEY TAKEAWAYS!!
- Not a choice driven RPG
- Pedantic world building
- NPCs were lifeless
- Too much walking
- No fast travel
- Seattle looked good
- I liked Fabien
- Played as male Phyre
- Enjoyed the past sequences
- 15 to 20 hour story campaign
- Plenty of mid side-quests
- Combat is janky
- Enjoyed skyscraper roof traversal
- A few main missions were interesting
- Dialogue trees with little consequence
- Music unremarkable
- Just an overall mediocre mid experience
- Played on Playstation 5
- Mannequin NPCs
Introduction
I never played the original Masquerade Bloodlines yet have it in my STEAM library to this day which I think is a good thing after playing through Bloodlines 2. I have completed that Swansong vampire game a few years back other than that I have no experience with this franchise.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 went through copious development studios to be released into gamers’ hands around the world. I do give the game credit for releasing even if it was a mid experience to complete.
Presentation
The presentation for Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 isn’t a terrible OMG! garbo game. It’s just repetitive and lifeless for the majority of the time including interactions with NPCs. Combat is janky yet serviceable. From what I know after completing Phyre’s story this game would have had higher scores if it was named not “Masquerade Bloodlines 2”.
Story
The story is about taking control of Seattle’s vampire world. You play as Phyre known as the nomad elder who awakens in Seattle tethered to a recent deceased detective vampire named Fabien. Fabien helps guides Phyre through choices etc.
Phyre deals with vampire Princes, ex Princes and the leader of Ghouls Katsumi among others. You make choices dealing with various factions that don’t matter much until the last quarter of the game apparently. The story should’ve been this game’s strongest point but wasn’t for me.
Gameplay
Phyre’s combat was janky and clumsy yet fun in that he’s a powerful vampire who can destroy ghouls and humans at will in spectacular fashion. Phyre can make vampires explode, do a crazy 1000 punches attack and ground slam amongst other special attacks.
You unlock Phyre’s abilities by drinking the blood of various humans who have one of three traits tied to specific abilities in Phyre’s upgrade tree, Side Missions were mostly fetch and delivery quests.
I did enjoy the quite ambiance of nighttime Seattle during the holiday season with it’s neon lights, Christmas decorations and whatnot. You could enter certain stores, bars, pubs and clubs at will with not much interaction however.
Visuals
Visuals in Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is average looking game at best. Yeah sure, the close up dialogue sequences of NPCs had my attention but the mannequin moving lips looked bad at times. There were stutters while entering and exiting the The Glacier the entire game.
Sound
Fabien was the only voice acting I enjoyed in this game. Music was there but non existent to my ears most of the time. Sound design overall seemed muffled the entire time on Playstation 5.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 : Not the worst game ever but not a choice driven RPG either. Felt good in moments playing as a vampire Elder in nighttime via combat. Seattle had potential yet remained pedantic and repetitive as the game progressed. – Jason
