Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
" Immersive action RPG with rich vampire lore and branching quests but plagued by bugs and clunky combat "
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Review
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is a unique RPG that immerses players in a gritty vampire world with strong role-playing elements and an engaging storyline. The game features distinct vampire clans, each with unique abilities and dialogue options, enhancing replayability. The atmospheric presentation, including gothic visuals and a fitting soundtrack, contributes to its cult status. However, it suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues requiring the Unofficial Patch for stable play. Combat is often seen as janky, particularly gunplay, and the final act feels rushed. Despite these drawbacks, the game’s narrative, worldbuilding, and player-driven choices make it a beloved classic with a dedicated fanbase and modding community that extends its lifespan.
Highlights
Players praise the game's immersive storytelling and rich role-playing depth, especially the clan-specific dialogue options that bring unique experiences. The atmospheric gothic presentation, including the soundtrack and world design, is highly acclaimed for capturing the dark vampire theme. The leveling system is appreciated for allowing diverse character builds, and the branching quest outcomes based on player decisions add significant replay value. The game's faithful adaptation of vampire mythology and the memorable locations like the Ocean House Hotel also stand out as highlights.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's numerous bugs and technical issues, making the Unofficial Patch essential for a stable experience. Combat mechanics, particularly gunplay, are often described as clunky and frustrating. The final act of the game is frequently noted as rushed and less satisfying compared to earlier content. Some players find the sewer section tedious and difficult. Additionally, the graphics and animations feel dated, and certain gameplay aspects can be overwhelming or poorly balanced without guidance.
Pros
- • Immersive and richly detailed vampire-themed world and atmosphere.
- • Strong role-playing elements with clan-specific dialogue and abilities.
- • Branching quests and meaningful player choices impact outcomes.
- • Engaging and well-written characters and storylines.
- • Gothic presentation with fitting soundtrack and sound design.
- • High replayability due to diverse clans and roleplay options.
- • Leveling system allows flexible and varied character builds.
Cons
- • Numerous bugs and glitches requiring Unofficial Patch for playability.
- • Combat, especially gunplay, is clunky and frustrating at times.
- • Final act feels rushed and less polished than earlier parts.
- • Sewer section is tedious and often criticized by players.
- • Outdated graphics and animations detract from visual appeal.
- • Technical issues can cause crashes and performance problems.
- • Some gameplay mechanics can be overwhelming for new players.
Rating Criteria
Vampire®: The Masquerade-Bloodlines™ delivers a new type of RPG experience-one that blends all the core elements of a traditional RPG with the graphical richness, immediacy and brutal combat of a first-person action game. The game plunges players into the dark and gritty vampire underworld of modern-day L.A. as a creature of the night.
