The long-time coming vampiric RPG and a sequel to one of the true cult classics finally has a release date, after all those years and troubles which will certainly make for a wonderful post-mortem video-essay one day.
Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is coming, finally, this year! Hopefully. So says the Gamescom ONL trailer!
Originally announced all the way back in… 2019?… Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has survived changes in writers’ room, got shifted from Hardsuit Labs to The Chinese Room, had its entire story concept redone, and might even not be the same exact genre blend it was originally supposed to be. But it’s coming, and soon!
The release date is currently set for October 21, 2025, which feels weirdly sudden for a game so long in such a complicated development hell.
But, let’s not talk of what isn’t, let’s talk of what is, because the current direction is as interesting as the original one, judging by the trailers, at least.
We’ll be playing as a customizable fellow called variably Phyre or Nomad, an elder vampire a few centuries old, who awakens after a lengthy, 100 year slumber in modern day Seattle. Talk about Sleeplessness in Seattle, even a vampire can’t cope. Despite having considerable power, Phyre has two issues to deal with.
One is a weird brand restricting their abilities from their full potential. Annoying but not dramatic. The other is a weird presence in their head. No, it’s not rockerboy Johnny Silverhand.
Instead it’s a thinblood vampire detective from the 1920s, by the sound of it. However, that lad, called Fabien, is a Malkavian, so the reality of his situation is questionable. Either way, he’s stuck in our head, acting as a narrator to the adventure, and possibly an extra set of powers at our disposal.
Our own clan will be customizable, with four to choose from: Brujah, Banu Haqim, Tremere, and Ventrue. In an unpleasant twist, two more are available through the Premium preorder: Lasombra and Toreador. That’s Premium pre-order, mind you, as opposed to basic pre-order or Deluxe Edition pre-order. What a Ventrue thing to do.
They will likely be available as standalone DLC post-release, but the sour taste remains.
The trailer suggests Bloodlines 2 will lean closer to being an action game, perhaps with shades of immersive sim, rather than a full-fledge RPG, but given the current developer’s The Chinese Room experience with horror, it might be a good thing, actually. The combat looks pretty smooth, powers can interact with the enemies and environment in fun ways, including in conversations, so as long as the story delivers, it should be pretty neat.
More info will certainly come closer to the October 21 release, and the game’s official space on Paradox’s website offers some more info, if you want to dig in.