It has been 20 long years since Troika Games tore back the curtain on the World of Darkness, letting us loose on the poor innocent mortals of Santa Monica and thrusting us right into the middle of a brewing war. Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 seeks to do the same thing, only this time you are Phyre, an elder vampire with a voice in their head and a chip on their shoulder. But, beyond that, we don’t know much about what the game actually looks like – well, until now.
Ever since the official re-unveiling of Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, I’ve been hoping (not praying, I don’t think Kindred do that) for a window into what the vampire game‘s actual gameplay will look like. We’ve seen snippets in the various clan trailers, but there hasn’t been anything concrete – until now. And, well, let’s just say the Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 release date can’t come soon enough.
The new gameplay trailer showcases our protagonist infiltrating an abandoned building, seeking out a Nosferatu called Willem, who apparently has information about the bizarre, twisted mark that now adorns the back of their hand.
We also see some pretty nifty looking telekinesis, as well as the reveal of ‘Heightened Senses,’ (when the screen goes purple) an Auspex discipline that I always like to run during my tabletop adventures. It allows you to hone one particular sense so that you can anticipate what comes next, and I’m excited to put it to use.
“The gameplay and action of Bloodlines 2 is a sort of dance,” says creative director Adam Skidmore. “Players can choose their legend, but the world is dynamic, and characters will remember how
you treat them. Think carefully, and trust no one.”
One thing that does stand out here, though, is that Phyre is apparently the Camarilla Sheriff for Seattle, meaning that they are the one who dishes out justice on behalf of the Prince. While that seems like a relatively small detail, it means they’re pretty high up in the pecking order – and therefore likely have a huge target on their back as a result. The night is always dangerous, but now it’s downright lethal.
And that’s what makes Vampire so exciting – you never know what lurks in the shadows, or who to trust. As I write this a storm rages outside my window – fitting, I know – and while initially it was putting me off heading to my weekly VTM session, now I am very much in the mood to cause some chaos.
So if you, like me, now can’t wait to sink your fangs into the next chapter of the Bloodlines saga, make sure you check out our list of the current Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 clans – in the World of Darkness, it pays to be prepared. Or, if you’re looking for something to while away the hours with, we have a rundown of all of 2024’s upcoming PC games.
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