Vampire The Masquerade

Now with the second game on its makings, I think its time for us to shine the spotlight on this marvelous game. A game set in and probably licensed by, White Wolf's famous pen and paper rpg Vampire: The Masquerade, this game puts the player in the shoes of a childe, a fledgling vampire in Los Angeles. With a branching story that will swiftly (and very violently) toss you in the center of the politics of the night, this game features a robust RPG system, a multitude of choices, unique classes (vampire clans) and one of the best written stories in the history of gaming to this day if I am honest. Is this a game worth your time however? Has it aged like Celene from Underworld or Nosferatu from Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror?

Lets start with the grievances first. The game is buggy as all fuck, with numerous fan made fixes to the game, even the GoG version of it has its share of gamebreaking bugs, which is normal when one considers it uses the Valve engine. But that is not all, unfortunately the fact that the game has split its combat into first person shooting and third person action brings about all the problems one would expect from a game that does not focus on a specific way of gameplay. To say it plainly, they just do not feel satisfying enough. You focus on melee? you feel as if there is just a FEW more steps missing that would make the combat feel amazing. You focus on first person shooting? Just, a tiny bit away from the combat feeling intense and engaging.

Many of you might think that with the words "gamebreaking bugs" and "half way awesome combat" the gameplay is not exactly the place where it shines, and you might be right. But! With a great leveling up system copied directly from the pen and paper game, great use of -every- possible aspect of your character, from skills to sneaking to social diplomacy, it is one of the few, if not only role playing games that you can literally not fuck up a build.

Essentially the gameplay is boiled down to: "Make the Vampire that suits -you- and then try to survive the night".

Holy shit, this game has one of the most atmospheric music I have seen in an action rpg so far. With -great- licensed tracks, and proper ambient music, the game really leans on the gothic atmosphere and as such it delivers! It perfectly encapsulates everything Vampire the Masquerade evokes, from that bittersweet nostalgia of human life, to the melancholy and lonely nature of the vampires in the universe, the music of the game is going to stick with you.

With strong horror moments with properly creepy music and some interesting licensed songs, the game's sound design leaves little to want. Voice acting is great, sound effects are what you would expect. One thing is certain, whoever directed the sound design of the game deserves a bloody award. (Get it? Bloody? Cos...vampires? Ah whatever)

Oh my god where to begin with this?! Everything this game has done in terms of story is -top- notch. Even the tutorial is delivered in an immersive, roleplay like fashion, and everything in the game works perfectly to deliver a story. Whether its the dialog, the imagery or even the hubs themselves, the game tells a story. I will not give ahead any spoilers, as I do believe everyone should experience the game in on themselves, but I have found from subsequently playing the pen and paper roleplaying game, that the story is masterfully executed.

Intrigue, politics, horror, action, it has it all! With numerous objectives and quest npc's that are less obvious, the game rewards and promotes exploration. And if you really want something unique, then I strongly suggest you play as a Malkavian or a Nosferatu.