Nearly 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 sport that I return to far too usually, 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 sport’s unique 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 an instantaneous 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 at all times felt prefer it was off the playing cards as a result of our participant character, Phyre, already has a voice in her head and doubtless doesn’t want any extras, every reveal has left me feeling slightly extra deflated.
The non-beating coronary heart of the World of Darkness’ vampire sport 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 at the least see the entire mainline clans once more in playable type. The Chinese language Room has confirmed, nevertheless, that there’ll solely be 4 clans at launch, and two as a part of DLC – one in every of which feels prefer it’s destined to be Nosferatu. After this lengthy of a wait, that information stakes my pleasure proper by way of its core – and, fairly truthfully, has killed off a few of my curiosity within the sport.
And it’s not as a result of they’re unhealthy clans, don’t get me improper. Whereas I’d possibly have most well-liked Toreador over Ventrue, the choice now we 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 an alternative, 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 assist, nevertheless it feels so constricting in a world fraught with infinite potentialities.
Take the Tremere for instance. Whereas in Bloodlines they’d a wide range of totally different spells that had been largely ranged, you could possibly nonetheless run as much as some unsuspecting human and whack them with a drain pipe if you happen to 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. Each suits into a selected mould – and the factor I like about Vampire is its flexibility.
What Baldur’s Gate 3 did so effectively is seize Dungeons & Dragons’ phantasm of limitless decisions. Your character might be whoever you envisioned them to be. Certain, some rolls operate higher as tanks, whereas others work as healers, however there was a lot selection that no two felt the identical. The unique Bloodlines was related – 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 Night time’s Nelli G. What makes the unique sport so particular is the very fact you’re a vampire. You command the night time, 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 might, effectively, attempt that. In Bloodlines you may be the creature your twisted coronary heart needs to be, whereas in Bloodlines 2 I’m frightened that it’ll really feel such as you’re simply one other DPS.
As an alternative, I’d quite see the sport prepare dinner for slightly longer and provide extra flexibility and selection in its base expertise. There’s an entire World of Darkness on the market, nevertheless it 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 sooner in our immortal undead lives. Maybe it’s unreasonable to anticipate an already closely delayed sport to attract that cycle out even longer to provide me the Toreador, the LaSombra, the Gangrel – however on the coronary heart of my concern lies a deep want to see Bloodlines 2 dwell as much as the VTM identify. The Chinese language Room is an attention-grabbing developer with a robust monitor file. I’m holding out hope.
