Gamer Chic(k): Enter the World of Darkness

Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2

Genre: Action RPG

Developer: Hardsuit Labs

Publisher: Paradox Interactive

Platform(s): Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One

Release Date: Q1 2020

Be it tabletop, PC, or hell even LARPing, White Wolf’s Vampire the Masquerade has made quite the name for itself over the years. Originally a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) released back in the 90s, the World of Darkness received an upgrade to PC in 2004 thanks to Activison and Troika Games. Despite all of its issues (crazy glitches, the Half-Life 2 release) the game was an instant hit complete with its own cult following (myself including).

Now, 15 years later, we’re finally getting a sequel. With a tentative release date of March 2020, VtM: Bloodlines 2 looks to be everything we wanted out of the original times 10. This includes an actual character creation as well as your human’s background story (i.e. were you a police officer or coroner?) that will affect the way other NPCs see you.

Players begin in downtown Seattle where they’re brutally attacked and “turned” during a vampire uprising that’s being called a Mass Embrace. Unfortunately for you, an unsanctioned Embrace is a huge no-no in vampire society. This goes directly against the Masquerade, the vampire code of secrecy to keep all things Kindred hidden from humans.

An investigation is called by the Prince of Seattle in order to understand why this Mass Embrace occurred, and you’re at the forefront (oh, yay…).

While news is still trickling through the cracks about the storyline, at least five of the original Camarilla clans (six if you include the Thinbloods) have been confirmed since May 2019; Brujah, Tremere, Toreador, Ventrue, and Malkavian. Each clan will have two Disciplines (ancient powers) on top of their own personal power that was chosen when they were a Thinblood.

Let’s delve a little deeper into the clans.

The Brujah, or “Rabble” as the Camarilla have so thoughtfully dubbed them, are considered the powerhouses of the vampire clans. They thrive on strength and power, often times showing off to other vampires by taking part in an immortal version of Fight Club. Their Disciplines are Potence and Celerity.

The Tremere are considered the pariahs of the Kindred. Their obsession with blood magic and sorcery makes them difficult to trust, even among their own clan. The Tremere Disciplines are Thaumaturgy (Blood Sorcery) and Auspex.

Obsessed with the beauty of all things, the Toreador are often said to turn only the most accomplished in life believing that they can utilize the Embrace to enhance their art. They are known for their haughty, narcissistic ways, yet the Toreador are visionaries and often sought out for their keen eye for creation. Their Disciplines are Presence and Celerity.

Sweet talkin' Toreador

Known as the clan of blue bloods, the Ventrue run the Camarilla. They are in charge of keeping other Kindred in line, the guardians of the Masquerade. They can be found inter mingled with human affairs, usually as a conglomerate’s CEO or other similar stations of power. The Ventrue Disciplines are Dominate and Fortitude.

Last but not least are the Clan of the Moon; the Malkavian. Known as the crazed lunatics, Malkavian are (cursed?) gifted with the power of sight. “To be of the clan is to understand things no one else does.” Think all knowing oracle who has seen too much and can never look back. You might think them crazy, but in actuality they know a hell of a lot more than any of us truly do… Their Disciplines are Dementation and Auspex.

A screenshot from the Malkavian release trailer. Watch it here.

Unlike the original Bloodlines, the sequel will be mostly played from first person point of view. I say mostly because there will be times where an over the shoulder angle will occur, but those seem to be strictly for story progression sequences. The first person perspective gives this a more intimate feel with the action right in your face (literally). Feeding should be pretty, um, interesting to…watch? Perform? *ahem*

Everything you do in Bloodlines 2 depicts the way the game goes. Every choice, every action, every path you take (*sings* I’ll be watching y-o-o-o-u). Who you were as a human to the choices you made as a Thinblood, to the clan you devote yourself to, everything matters. Can we say replay value?

As of right now (August 2019) only the PC version is available for pre-order with home consoles coming soon. There are three versions you can pre-order with a butt load of goodies in the meantime, including a super sweet (typical!) trench coat; First Blood (basic), Unsanctioned (+24 hour early access), and the Blood Moon Edition (+24 hour early access). Check them out on Bloodlines official site.

Retro, huh?

I don’t know about you guys, but I cannot wait to make me a badass Brujah (let’s be honest, I’m gonna make a Malkavian…) to roam the streets of Seattle and dance my immortal ass off. C’mon, it’s a game about vampires. You know there’s going to be an obligatory club scene...