Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
VtM: Bloodlines, Vampire: Bloodlines
Release Date: November 16, 2004
RPG, FPP, TPP, fantasy, vampires, action RPG, urban fantasy, World of Darkness, immersive sim, singleplayer
Steam
The second virtual adaptation of the classic RPG system known as Vampire: The Masquerade. It is a third-person action RPG developed by Troika Games - though not the creators of the first adaptation, they were a team popular mainly for the well-received Arcanum: Of Steamwork and Magick Obscura. VTM: Bloodlines is set in an alternative version of the modern Los Angeles, where seven vampire clans fight each other constantly.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines for PC is an action-RPG which tells a story of a vampire community. It is the successor to 2000's Vampire The Masquerade: Redemption - a game developed by Nihilistic Software. VTM: Bloodlines was created by Troika Games - an American team established by co-creators of the legendary Fallout. The developer is also popular for two well-received RPGs, namely Greyhawk: The Temple of Elemental Evil and Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.
Plot
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines for PC is set in the World of Darkness, created by White Wolf Publishing. In particular, the plot is based on the events from Vampire: The Masquerade. The player is taken to an alternative version of the modern Los Angeles, where seven vampire clans fight for control over the area. The player assumes the role of a nameless character - either male or female. The protagonist gets killed and resurrected afterwards, by one of the bloodsuckers. Once the player has joined the clan they have chosen (each has their own values, way of behaviour and specific, unique abilities), the protagonist is entrusted with the task of discovering the truth behind a recently found artifact, which foreshadows the approaching end of the vampire race.
Mechanics
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines is an action-RPG featuring an extensive plot, as well as action sequences requiring the player to neutralize enemies in different ways of varying levels of sophistication. Contrary to the predecessing game released four years earlier (it focused mainly on action and killing in a hack-and-slash manner), VTM: Bloodlines concentrates more on the story and moral choices the protagonist has to make. Depending on which of the vampire clans the player has chosen, the protagonist receives a different set of abilities - these have a direct impact on the course of the playthrough and the way the protagonist deals with different matters. The protagonist faces different challenges and the way the player talks to NPCs influences the direction towards which the story develops.
The game stands out with an exceptionally large amount of freedom the player is given as it comes to creating and developing the protagonist. Thanks to the experience points earned, the protagonist is capable of acquiring up to twelve different special abilities, such as invisibility, superhuman speed or mind control. Eliminating the opposition is facilitated also by a variety of conventional weapons, such as a knife, a katana, a submachine gun or a flamethrower. However, it is entirely up to the player to decide about the way the protagonist behaves - they can become a disguised vampire capable of living among ordinary humans or a horrible monster forced to stay hidden and fight the bloodthirst constantly for example.
Technical aspects
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines for PC is the first game created by an external developer, which utilizes the Source engine created by Valve for the sake of production of the legendary Half-Life 2. Interestingly, depending on the player's preferences, the game can be played from the first, or third-person view. An incredibly dark and dense atmosphere of virtual Los Angeles deserves special attention as well. At one hand, the city reveals its charms with colorful, neon lights and tinsel, but on the other, it frightens with widespread corruption and moral decay.
Misc.
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines was originally meant to feature a full-fledged multiplayer mode allowing a group of vampires to fight a team of hunters. Due to some technical issues however, no multiplayer experience was included in the game.
Last updated on May 19, 2016
Videos and Screens
The main pros of the game
- Atmosphere and Immersion: The game is praised for its rich, immersive atmosphere that captures the dark and gritty underworld of vampires in modern-day L.A. Players appreciate the detailed environments, music, and overall aesthetic.
- Story and Characters: The narrative is highly regarded, featuring complex characters and engaging dialogues. Players feel a strong connection to the story and its various factions, enhancing the role-playing experience.
- Replay Value: The game offers considerable replayability due to the different vampire clans, each providing unique gameplay experiences and storylines. Players can approach missions in multiple ways (combat, stealth, or dialogue), allowing for varied playthroughs.
- Fan Support and Patches: The community has developed unofficial patches that fix numerous bugs, restore cut content, and improve the overall gameplay experience, making it more enjoyable for modern players.
The main cons of the game
- Combat System: Many players find the combat mechanics to be clunky and unbalanced, leading to frustration during boss fights and combat-heavy quests. The combat lacks polish, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Technical Issues: The game is notorious for its bugs and glitches, which can hinder gameplay. Players often recommend using unofficial patches to mitigate these issues, but some still encounter problems even with patches.
- Stealth Mechanics: The stealth system is criticized for being poorly designed, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially for players who prefer non-combat approaches.
- Dated Graphics: While the game's atmosphere is praised, its graphics are considered outdated, reflecting its 2004 release date.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Character Customization: Players express a desire for more robust character customization options, which are currently limited.
- Improved Gameplay Mechanics: Many feel that the gameplay mechanics, particularly in combat and stealth, need significant improvement to match modern standards.
- More Content: Some users note that the game feels incomplete, with hints of cut content that could have enhanced the experience. They express a wish for more depth and interactions, particularly in personal spaces like the player's apartment.
- Better Dialogue Options: Several reviews mention that dialogue choices can be lacking in variety and depth, often leading to similar outcomes regardless of the chosen option.
Summary
- Overall, "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is celebrated as a cult classic with a passionate fanbase, despite its flaws. The combination of a compelling story, rich atmosphere, and unique RPG elements makes it a memorable experience for players, especially when enhanced with community patches.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2232 votes.
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in Vampire: The Masquerade (RPG) Game Series
Game Series
Vampire: The Masquerade (RPG) Series
A series of RPG games based on the popular story system Vampire: the Masquerade published by White Wolf. Each installment of the series was created by a different development studio; the publishers also changed depending on the production. The first titles were released by Activision (now Activision Blizzard), followed by Asmodee Digital, Paradox Interactive and Bigben Interactive.
3 video games
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Troika Games
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium 4 1.6 GHz, 512MB RAM, graphic card 64MB, 3.3 GB HDD
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