Virtually 20 years in the past, Troika unleashed Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines on the world, engulfing us in a world of undead political struggles and thrusting us into Santa Monica fangs first. It’s a recreation that I return to far too typically, every time selecting Malkavian and yelling indiscriminately at harmless cease indicators whereas internally urging myself to ‘play one other clan subsequent time round.’ Bloodlines has all seven of the tabletop recreation’s authentic clans, every with their very own distinctive attributes and playstyles, executed completely. Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, against this, has 4 at launch, and I can’t deny that such a direct step again has come as a disappointment.
With Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 apparently dropping in fall 2024, The Chinese language Room has slowly however absolutely drip-fed its 4 totally different launch clans: the Brujah, Tremere, Banu Haqim, and Ventrue. Whereas Malkavian all the time felt prefer it was off the playing cards as a result of our participant character, Phyre, already has a voice in her head and possibly doesn’t want any extras, every reveal has left me feeling somewhat extra deflated.
The non-beating coronary heart of the World of Darkness’ vampire recreation is its clans – now numbering a powerful 13. Regardless of the sequel’s protracted, bumpy growth and alter in developer, I had hoped we’d a minimum of see all the mainline clans once more in playable type. The Chinese language Room has confirmed, nonetheless, that there’ll solely be 4 clans at launch, and two as a part of DLC – certainly one of which feels prefer it’s destined to be Nosferatu. After this lengthy of a wait, that information stakes my pleasure proper by its core – and, fairly actually, has killed off a few of my curiosity within the recreation.
And it’s not as a result of they’re unhealthy clans, don’t get me flawed. Whereas I’d perhaps have most well-liked Toreador over Ventrue, the choice we now have is fairly good. I’m excited to see how the Banu Haqim play – particularly as somebody who loves that stealthy assassin-style fight.
As a substitute, I’m extra involved with how the sport feels prefer it’s pigeon-holed our clans – horses for programs, as they are saying. It’s clear that The Chinese language Room has gone the standard route of tank, melee DPS, ranged DPS, and help, but it surely feels so constricting in a world fraught with limitless prospects.
Take the Tremere for example. Whereas in Bloodlines that they had a wide range of totally different spells that had been largely ranged, you may nonetheless run as much as some unsuspecting human and whack them with a drain pipe in the event you felt so inclined. In Bloodlines 2, against this, they’re clearly the ranged DPS-style archetype, firing out their very own blood to take down foes from afar.
It’s an identical story with the opposite clans: the Brujah is the tanky melee fighter, the Banu Haqim is the murderer, and the Ventrue is the traditional silver-tongued menace who can management the minds of mortals and Kindred alike. Every one suits into a particular mildew – and the factor I really like about Vampire is its flexibility.
What Baldur’s Gate 3 did so effectively is seize Dungeons & Dragons’ phantasm of limitless selections. Your character may very well be whoever you envisioned them to be. Certain, some rolls operate higher as tanks, whereas others work as healers, however there was a lot alternative that no two felt the identical. The unique Bloodlines was comparable – my myriad Malkavians all really feel like separate entities: Swan isn’t Morri, who isn’t Drac. They’re all the identical clan, sure, however they’re oh-so distinctive.
Think about taking part in as LaSombra and having expertise explode round you – payback for my Malkavian’s misgivings with televisions. Think about taking part in the stealth murderer Toreador and channeling LA By Evening’s Nelli G. What makes the unique recreation so particular is the actual fact you’re a vampire. You command the evening, you are able to do what you need – there aren’t any guidelines (besides the Traditions, after all). Your fledgling Kindred had no set path; fancy being a horny Nosferatu? You may, effectively, attempt that. In Bloodlines you may be the creature your twisted coronary heart desires to be, whereas in Bloodlines 2 I’m anxious that it’ll really feel such as you’re simply one other DPS.
As a substitute, I’d relatively see the sport prepare dinner for somewhat longer and supply extra flexibility and selection in its base expertise. There’s an entire World of Darkness on the market, but it surely feels just like the scope to discover and experiment utilizing the inspiration laid by its predecessor has already needed to be clipped.
I’ve waited this lengthy for the Bloodlines 2 launch date. I can wait some extra; time, in any case, strikes a lot quicker in our immortal undead lives. Maybe it’s unreasonable to count on an already closely delayed recreation to attract that cycle out even longer to offer me the Toreador, the LaSombra, the Gangrel – however on the coronary heart of my concern lies a deep want to see Bloodlines 2 stay as much as the VTM identify. The Chinese language Room is an attention-grabbing developer with a powerful monitor file. I’m holding out hope.
