Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Everything You Need to Know
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is an upcoming action role-playing game set in the World of Darkness, a dark and gritty universe where vampires secretly exist among humans. The game is a sequel to the cult classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, which was released in 2004 and is widely regarded as one of the best vampire games ever made.
In Bloodlines 2, you play as a newly embraced vampire who finds themselves in the middle of a bloody conflict between different factions of vampires in Seattle. You will have to navigate the complex politics and intrigues of the night while trying to survive and maintain your humanity.
The game promises to offer a rich and immersive story with branching paths and multiple endings based on your choices and actions. You will also be able to customize your character’s appearance, skills, disciplines (vampiric powers), clan (vampiric lineage), and faction allegiance.
If you are a fan of vampires or RPGs in general, you might want to keep an eye on this game. Here is everything you need to know about Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2.
Release Date and Platforms
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 was originally announced in March 2019 with a planned release date in Q1 2020 for PC (Windows), PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox One (XBO), PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox Series X/S (XSX/S). However, since then, the game has suffered several delays due to various reasons.
The first delay occurred in October 2019 when the developer Hardsuit Labs announced that they needed more time to polish the game and deliver a quality product that would meet the expectations of fans. The new release window was set for sometime in 2021.
The second delay happened in August 2020 when Paradox Interactive (the publisher) revealed that they had replaced the lead writer and the creative director of the game with new ones. The reason for this decision was not disclosed, but it raised some concerns among fans about the game’s vision and direction. The new release date was not announced, but it was implied that it would be later than 2021.
The third delay occurred in February 2021 when Paradox Interactive announced that they had parted ways with Hardsuit Labs and that a new studio would take over the development of the game. The reason for this change was also not revealed, but it was speculated that it had something to do with the game’s quality and progress. The new release date was again not announced, but it was confirmed that the game would not launch in 2021.
As of June 2021, there is no official word on when Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will be released or who is developing it. Paradox Interactive has stated that they are still committed to the game and that they will share more information when they are ready. Fans are hoping that the game will not be cancelled and that it will live up to the legacy of the original Bloodlines.
Gameplay and Features
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is a first-person action RPG that lets you experience the life of a vampire in a modern-day Seattle. You will be able to explore the city’s various districts, each with its own atmosphere, culture, and secrets. You will also encounter a variety of characters, both human and supernatural, who will react to you based on your appearance, behavior, and reputation.
The game’s gameplay is based on four pillars: combat, stealth, dialogue, and choices. You will be able to fight your enemies using melee weapons, firearms, or your vampiric disciplines. You will also be able to avoid or sneak past them using your heightened senses, agility, or invisibility. You will be able to interact with other characters using a dialogue system that offers multiple options and outcomes. You will also be able to make choices that will affect the story, the world, and your character.
One of the most important aspects of the game is your humanity, which is a measure of how much you retain your moral compass and resist your beastly instincts. Your humanity will be influenced by your actions, such as feeding on innocent people, killing unnecessarily, or breaking the Masquerade (the code of secrecy that protects vampires from human society). If your humanity drops too low, you will lose control of your character and become a mindless monster.
Another important aspect of the game is your blood, which is your source of power and survival. You will need to feed on human blood regularly to maintain your strength and abilities. However, you will also have to be careful about who you feed on and how much you take, as different blood types have different effects on you and overfeeding can cause problems. You will also have to avoid being detected by humans or other vampires while feeding, as this can have consequences.
Thinbloods and Clans
At the beginning of the game, you will create your character by choosing their gender, appearance, background, and Thinblood discipline. Thinbloods are vampires who are weak and have diluted blood due to being far removed from their original ancestors. They are considered outcasts and pariahs by most other vampires.
However, Thinbloods also have some advantages over other vampires. They can walk in sunlight for short periods of time without being harmed. They can also use technology without interference from their aura. They can also choose from three unique disciplines that other vampires cannot access: Chiropteran (bat-like abilities), Mentalism (telekinesis), or Nebulation (mist-like abilities).
Thinblood Disciplines
- Chiropteran: This discipline allows you to glide through the air, summon swarms of bats, or transform into a bat yourself.
- Mentalism: This discipline allows you to manipulate objects and people with your mind, levitate yourself or others, or crush things with telekinetic force.
- Nebulation: This discipline allows you to turn into mist, create clouds of fog, or suffocate your enemies with vapor.
Brujah Clan and Disciplines
Later in the game, you will have the opportunity to join one of five clans: Brujah, Tremere, Toreador, Ventrue, or Malkavian. Each clan has its own history, personality, and disciplines. Joining a clan will grant you access to two additional disciplines (in addition to your Thinblood one) and affect your relationships with other characters.
The Brujah are rebels and anarchists who value strength and freedom above all else. They are often involved in fights and protests against the establishment. They are also known for their passion and charisma.
The Brujah disciplines are Potence and Celerity. Potence grants you superhuman strength and durability, allowing you to smash through walls, lift heavy objects, or punch your enemies with devastating force. Celerity grants you superhuman speed and reflexes, allowing you to move faster than the eye can see, dodge bullets, or strike multiple times in a blink of an eye.
Tremere Clan and Disciplines
The Tremere are sorcerers and scholars who practice blood magic and seek knowledge and power at any cost. They are secretive and mistrustful of others, especially other vampires. They are also loyal and obedient to their hierarchy and elders.
The Tremere disciplines are Thaumaturgy and Auspex. Thaumaturgy allows you to manipulate blood in various ways, such as creating blood spears, boiling your enemies’ blood, or sealing your wounds. Auspex allows you to enhance your senses and perception, such as seeing through walls, reading minds, or predicting movements.
Toreador Clan and Disciplines
The Toreador are artists and hedonists who appreciate beauty and pleasure in all forms. They are creative and charismatic, but also vain and superficial. They are often involved in the cultural and social scenes of the city, influencing trends and opinions.
The Toreador disciplines are Presence and Celerity. Presence allows you to charm, seduce, or intimidate others with your aura, making them adore you, follow you, or fear you. Celerity grants you superhuman speed and reflexes, allowing you to move faster than the eye can see, dodge bullets, or strike multiple times in a blink of an eye.
Ventrue Clan and Disciplines
The Ventrue are leaders and aristocrats who rule over the vampire society with authority and discipline. They are ambitious and cunning, but also noble and refined. They are often involved in the political and economic affairs of the city, manipulating events and people to their advantage.
The Ventrue disciplines are Dominate and Fortitude. Dominate allows you to control the minds of others, making them obey your commands, forget your actions, or reveal their secrets. Fortitude grants you superhuman resilience and endurance, allowing you to withstand damage, heal faster, or ignore pain.
Malkavian Clan and Disciplines
The Malkavian are lunatics and seers who suffer from various forms of madness and insight. They are unpredictable and eccentric, but also wise and intuitive. They are often shunned or feared by other vampires, but also respected for their unique perspective and abilities.
The Malkavian disciplines are Dementation and Auspex. Dementation allows you to inflict your madness on others, making them hallucinate, panic, or laugh uncontrollably. Auspex allows you to enhance your senses and perception, such as seeing through walls, reading minds, or predicting movements.
Factions and Quests
In addition to clans, you will also have to deal with factions in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Factions are groups of vampires that have different agendas and interests in Seattle. You will be able to ally with or oppose them depending on your choices and actions.
There are four main factions in the game: The Camarilla, The Baron, The Pioneers, and The Newcomers. Each faction has its own leader, allies, enemies, quests, rewards, and consequences. You will be able to join one faction at a time, but you can also switch sides or betray them if you wish.
The Camarilla
The Camarilla is the oldest and most powerful faction of vampires in the world. They are the ones who enforce the Masquerade and protect the vampire society from external and internal threats. They are conservative and traditional, but also pragmatic and adaptable. They are led by Prince Alec Cross, a charismatic and ambitious Ventrue who has ruled Seattle for over a century.
The Camarilla quests will involve helping the Prince maintain his authority and influence, dealing with rival factions and enemies, and upholding the laws and customs of the vampire world. The Camarilla rewards will include access to high-class venues, resources, and contacts, as well as favor and respect from the Prince and his allies.
The Baron
The Baron is a mysterious and elusive faction of vampires who operate in the shadows and margins of Seattle. They are the ones who oppose the Camarilla and challenge their rule, often through violence and sabotage. They are rebellious and anarchic, but also cunning and resourceful. They are led by The Baron, a mysterious and powerful Brujah who has a personal vendetta against the Prince.
The Baron quests will involve helping The Baron undermine the Prince’s power and influence, fighting against the Camarilla and their allies, and surviving in the harsh and dangerous underworld of Seattle. The Baron rewards will include access to underground venues, weapons, and contacts, as well as loyalty and trust from The Baron and his allies.
The Pioneers
The Pioneers are a nostalgic and sentimental faction of vampires who were the original settlers of Seattle. They are the ones who built the city and its culture, but have been pushed aside by the newcomers and the changes. They are proud and honorable, but also stubborn and resistant. They are led by Lou Grand, a wise and benevolent Toreador who has been in Seattle since its founding.
The Pioneers quests will involve helping Lou Grand preserve the history and legacy of Seattle, dealing with the threats and challenges of the modern world, and finding a place for the old-timers in the new order. The Pioneers rewards will include access to historical venues, artifacts, and contacts, as well as gratitude and friendship from Lou Grand and his allies.
The Newcomers
The Newcomers are a progressive and innovative faction of vampires who are the latest arrivals to Seattle. They are the ones who bring new ideas and technologies to the city, but also cause disruption and conflict. They are adventurous and curious, but also arrogant and reckless. They are led by Elif Parmak, a brilliant and ambitious Tremere who has a vision for the future of Seattle.
The Newcomers quests will involve helping Elif Parmak implement her plans and projects, dealing with the opposition and competition of other factions, and exploring the possibilities and opportunities of the new world. The Newcomers rewards will include access to cutting-edge venues, gadgets, and contacts, as well as admiration and support from Elif Parmak and her allies.
Trailers and System Requirements
If you want to see more of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 in action, you can watch some of the official trailers that have been released so far. Here are some of the most recent ones:
- Official Gameplay Trailer: This trailer showcases some of the game’s core gameplay features, such as combat, stealth, dialogue, choices, and consequences.
- Official Story Trailer: This trailer introduces some of the game’s main characters, factions, and plot points.
- Official Clans Trailer: This trailer reveals the five clans that players can join in the game and their respective disciplines.
- Official Factions Trailer: This trailer reveals the four factions that players can ally with or oppose in the game and their respective leaders.
As for the system requirements, here is a table of the minimum and recommended specifications for running the game on PC:
