Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 – The Hype So Far
Films are not the only things that can be called cult classics. Video games have earned that title through the ages of gaming evolution. And yet it’s not the state-of-the-art graphics that define a beloved classic, but the feel of it.
Soul, character, style, however you want to call it – a video game that has it will find its place in gamers’ hearts, no matter the competition or outcome. This is the tragic tale of a title’s resurrection. Since the announcement at this year’s GDC that Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will be released in early 2020, fans have clamoured to get every scrap of news available. Here is some background regarding what this sequel means to the public and, of course, everything known so far about its development.
A good horror story has always been some peoples’ favourite thrill. Gamers and game creators take that enjoyment to the next level. What goes bump in the night can make an epic character or boss fight, after all. The imagination put into gothic entertainment is returned by the player, whose mind adds its own spin to the experience. A simple title like Playtech’s Halloween-themed slot game Pumpkin Bonanza on Betfair’s online casino making use of bats, flaming pumpkins and a spooky backdrop adds flare to its five spinning reels. Players appreciate the chance to enjoy Halloween all year round and that indulgence is why gothic games have a special niche of their own in the video gaming community.
As far as the original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is concerned, it was a case of bad choices and timing. Its hasty release in 2004, buggy and unfinished, shortly before Troika Games closed down, was only made worse by Half-Life 2 coming out on the exact same day, on November 11. But the potential of VMB was not abandoned. Its developers’ farewell patch has since been upgraded and embellished by avid modders, establishing it as a flawed but gripping cult RPG worthy of several playthroughs. Those new to the game, though, are advised to research the topic beforehand. PC Gamer’s guide is an example of quality sources that can outline the title’s dos and don’ts in order to get the most out of its wicked masquerade.
Now, to the much-anticipated new instalment, 16 years after its predecessor. Set in Seattle, the storyline will kick off with the player as a Thinblood vampire, newly fledged in the middle of a mass “embrace” – the turning of humans into vampires – and rising tensions between undead factions. The official Bloodlines 2 website promises the return of some, if not all, favourite clans, including Tremere, Malkavian and Bruja, alongside other familiar features. The gameplay is built to compete against the market’s best. It includes reactive storytelling, first perspective combat, impressive graphics and compatibility across PC and console. It’s already available to pre-order via the Paradox, Steam, GOG and Epic stores, as well as PS4 and Xbox One.
While it’s still early to get overexcited, each new hint that comes to light sends more shivers down thousands of spines. One thing is for certain. When this game hits the market, tears will be shed as much as blood.
