Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

November, 15 years ago, Activision and Microsoft teamed up to publish Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines, an RPG made by Troika Games. Set in Santa Monica with a mixture of 3rd-person open world, deep multiple-choice narratives with NPCs, and melee, projectile and supernatural combat, it became a cult classic and a favourite in my collection.

Unfortunately, with its mixed reception from numerous technical bugs, and a world that ultimately proved too large to create with the resources, the studio folded months after release and many experienced community developers tried to resolve the game's issues themselves.



Now the game has a sequel, VtM: Bloodlines 2, due in March 2020, powered by Unreal Engine 4 and set in 21st Century Seattle in Christmas-time. After many fall victim to a Mass Embrace, a power struggle erupts among powerful vampire factions for control of North America's blood trade. As one of these “Thinbloods” (fledgling, but much closer to Humanity than other vampires), you must hone new skills as you help the houses – Toreadors, Ventrue, Brujah, Malkavia, Gangrel, Tremere and Nosferatu – becoming strong enough to join a side and apprehend those threatening to expose the Masquerade.

 

Gameplay



Besides the seven houses, the city is divided into five Factions:

• The Pioneers - led by Prince Lou Grand, representing some of Seattle's first settlers. Though some of their authority has dminished with growing ideologies of other factions, they still have great influence;
  
• The Camrailla - led by Prince Alec Cross, he commands many of the wealthiest and most powerful businesses in the city, with his forces the de facto guardian of the Masquerade;
  
• The Baron - leader for the city's criminal underworld, they make contracts with vampires, Thinbloods and humans alike. Only the highest in their inner circle has ever seen who the Baron is;
  
• The Newcomers - led by Viktor Goga of House Tremere, they comprise blood mages, scholars and runaways, situated in and around Seattle University's quarter. Rumour has it Alec Cross welcomed them to the city, presumably for a high price;
• The Unseen - led exclusively by the Nosferatu, most are homeless that don't fit in anywhere else. However, their power is thought to rival the Camarilla for they represent hackers, journalists and outcasts, which could be a powerful ally to other houses. If you can find them.

The player is empowered by their Blood Pool, a reservoir of energies that dimishes by one point every night, or more so when using their abilities. You can replenish this with blood, which can be purchased, received in payment for a job, or "acquired" when you hunt. Be careful you do not break the Masquerade, however, or you might lose your head!



The official site can tell you more about the factions, houses and abilities in the game. There is also an ARG, Tender, where users complete challenges and receive Blood Points to unlock content when the game launches (you must register a Paradox account for this). If you wish to help me gain Blood Points, use this link when registering - alternatively, visit Bloodlines2.com.