Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines, what a masterpiece

[dammets]

What a brilliant game. The atmosphere, the lore, the characters, the dialogue, just amazing. The re-playability is immense. Different builds to make, different choices. Different clans with different dialogue. Each with their own set of skills that are very satisfying to use.

It's too bad how buggy and unfinished it was at release, but that was nearly 10 years ago, and has since been fixed and polished up. A common opinion is that the game takes a large drop in quality by the end, but I don't agree with that. Yes it does have a larger combat focus, but at that point, you should have something like firearms or melee/unarmed at a high level, while still having a high social stat for everything beforehand. It also doesn't have a section where having a ranged build over a melee build, or vice versa puts you at a disadvantage. Nor does it take away stealth as an option. If you don't like the combat in the game, then I don't blame you for lot liking the final parts of the game. But I personally found the combat to be quite enjoyable.

But the sewer part of the warrens did suck.

What are your thoughts on Bloodlines?

 

[Tragedy's Rebellion]

It's one of my favorite games ever. I recently replayed it and I can say that it still holds up (despite what *some* people are saying). The quests are imaginative, the setting interesting and suspenseful, although White Wolf's World Of Darkness has always been awesome ;d. The characters are memorable and most of the areas in the game are very creative and well done (The hotel, Andrei's house). I can excuse some gameplay issues, but it really didn't have that many to begin with anyway.

 

[Mangod]

I still maintain that it is one of the grestest RPGs of all time, brought down by unfortunate circumstance to the levels of just being great.

Ah, the fond memories of shooting the shit with Jack, listening to the TV news about all the shit you'd been getting up to, arguing with a stoplight... Malkavians; what game isn't improved by including one?

 

[DoPo]

A common opinion is that the game takes a large drop in quality by the end, but I don't agree with that. Yes it does have a larger combat focus, but at that point, you should have something like firearms or melee/unarmed at a high level, while still having a high social stat for everything beforehand.

The problem isn't that it has a large focus on fighting...well, actually it sort of is - the problem is that while in the beginning of the game, you have a multitude of ways to finish each quest, towards the end, they become less and less. Which is in contrast with the previous wide range of options you had. But while it's effectively "worse", as in "worse than in the beginning of the game", it's by no means "bad".

But anyway - Bloodlines is my favourite game of all times. I love the setting, I utterly adore the World of Darkness, and that game brought me into it (well, technically it was Redemption, but it was Bloodlines' influence that was the most significant). I love the voice acting, too - it it one of the best ever I've heard. I love the characters - there are a lot and even the minor ones still manage to leave an impression. I love the skill system - while not "unique" the point buy system is certainly underused, in favour of the levelling system which is actually misused in a lot of games. I love the atmosphere and the style - a gothic style church turned into a night club, an underground sewer system overrun with things, the Hollywood cemetery, a mad person's creepy serial kill-y lair, Ocean House hotel (oh gods, the Ocean House hotel), and so on - all distinct, all memorable, all stand out in crisp detail and all actually feel genuine.

I feel that in many respects there are still a lot of games that have catching up to do. A lot of games, and a lot of catching up.

 

[Blitsie]

One of the best RPGs I've played, just everything from the story to the characters to the beautifully crafted world just sucks you in and absolutely refuses to let go until the credits roll. It also had some truly memorable sequences like the haunted hotel and that truly disturbing snuff film studio, among many others.

Also, playing as a Malkavian is the best thing ever, the added insanity almost turns it into a whole new game. Convincing a man to chase down the moon because its the love of his life, only to later on have an argument with a stop sign is something truly worth experiencing. Also, yelling out "I shall invade this orifice" as you proceed to pick a lock never gets old.

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

If you guys liked Vampire ( I know I did, though it went to shit around he time you go to Chinatown.), some of the writers are working on Dead State, so you should check it out.

What did you guys roll? I went with a Tremere, focused on melee, magic, and gun combat ( Pretty much have to by the ened of the game.)

 

[geK0]

I just started playing the pencil and paper version of masquerade and it's been a lot of fun. I didn't realize there was a video game inspired by it. Is this available on GoG?

 

[SUPA FRANKY]

I just started playing the pencil and paper version of masquerade and it's been a lot of fun. I didn't realize there was a video game inspired by it. Is this available on GoG?

It's on most Digital download services, if I recall.

 

[Ratty]

If you guys liked Vampire ( I know I did, though it went to shit around he time you go to Chinatown.), some of the writers are working on Dead State, so you should check it out.

What did you guys roll? I went with a Tremere, focused on melee, magic, and gun combat ( Pretty much have to by the ened of the game.)

Gangrel ftw. Saved up my extra points and put them into melee or dialog as needed. Got a Malkavian playthrough I need to finish someday as well.

I just started playing the pencil and paper version of masquerade and it's been a lot of fun. I didn't realize there was a video game inspired by it. Is this available on GoG?

There are two. VtM: Redemption (the earlier game which is on GoG) and VtM: Bloodlines (Steam and I think a few other places).
Redemption is more of a diablo style RPG in terms of gameplay, while Bloodlines is more like Deus Ex. Redemption is a good game but Bloodlines is an absolute masterpiece. I consider it to be superior to Deus Ex, along with most of the other games I've ever played.

The shame is, it's broken. So broken you'll need to get a fan patch to get it working. Guaranteed. It's a long story but sufficient to say that Activision pushed the game out before it was ready. So it had a lot of bugs and the devs didn't have time to put in non-combat options for the latter half of the game. Then the dev closed down before they could properly patch it.

Reguardless of that, Bloodlines is one of the most immersive, beautiful games I've ever played, bar none. And I recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in RPGs. But be aware of those major problems I listed above, and it's for those reasons if money is tight you might want to wait until the game goes on sale. Even though the game is literally a decade old and doesn't work without fan patches it somehow still costs $20 on steam.

PS- In Bloodlines, turn off stereo in the audio options, stereo just really messes up the dialog, making it loud and doubled. And don't forget to get the key from the little trailer before you go into the haunted hotel, or you'll be locked in.

PPS- Did it bug anyone else that there were no actual friendly dialog options with Pisha? She's one of my favorite characters.

 

[dammets]

I loved Pisha too. Her design and voice acting were so good. My last playthrough, I sent the girl in confession (Patty I think her name is) too her. Loved how she sort of thanked me for it later.

Also, the music in this game is fantastic. My favorite being the alt downtown hub song that plays during the opening tutorial section if you're using the unofficial patch. Which you should be using.

 

[The Madman]

One of the best rpg ever made, I love it. Even bought it on release and fortunately didn't encounter any of the game-ending bugs other people were reporting about the game early on.

Contrary to some of the people in this topic I even like the Chinatown section. The sewer bit is a slog to be sure and doesn't really fit the pacing of the rest of the game, but Chinatown is a great hub with some fantastic characters of its own to be had and quite a few memorable moments. That creepy as hell storekeeper for example, what was his deal? I remember reading something ages ago where someone said he fit the description of a demon or somesuch in the tabletop Vampire rpg, but that the game leaves it so vague and mysterious is great. It fit perfectly into the mood and ambiance the game had been working to establish.

Oh, and the werewolf fight. I actually really liked that encounter. Intense, fast paced, and with multiple solutions and even unique dialogue based on how you finish. Wish more boss fights in rpg were like that *Cough*HumanRevolution*Cough*.

So yeah, amazing game.

 

[Funyahns]

I just played it again around Christmas. Probably the 4th or 5th time I have played it. I still love it, one of the greatest atmospheres within a game of all time. I wish someone would make a new game. CCP should have made a crpg version instead of that stupid Dust 514 crap. Then bankrolled in into WoD.

 

[The_Scrivener]

It was stellar. Really ahead of its time too. The idea that Fallout/Skyrim have only come as far as technology has allowed in relation to Vampire 10 years ago is pretty astounding. It really doesn't get the credit it deserves as far as its influence to WRPGs, the dialogue choices,etc.

I'm going to play this game again soon in fact because it's been about 7 or 8 years and I could use the experience again.

Although ............


SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Spoiler

I stayed loyal to what's-his-name and got blowed up reaaaaaaaaaal good. That's what I get for being a good henchmen? Bogus. RIP Tremere guy.

 

[The Madman]

Spoiler

I stayed loyal to what's-his-name and got blowed up reaaaaaaaaaal good. That's what I get for being a good henchmen? Bogus. RIP Tremere guy.

You think that's bad try siding with the asian vampires next time. No spoilers here, but their ending makes being blown up seem downright cheery.

 

[Mangod]

That creepy as hell storekeeper for example, what was his deal? I remember reading something ages ago where someone said he fit the description of a demon or somesuch in the tabletop Vampire rpg, but that the game leaves it so vague and mysterious is great. It fit perfectly into the mood and ambiance the game had been working to establish.

Mister Ox! God, I loved running his little errands. Retrieve a dead mans eyes (good lord, that dialogue was creepy), and the "bad luck charm" quest... oh, man. You break into a bath house, dump the "bad luck charm" in a guys locker, the guy walks in on you, you beat him to death, return to Ox, and his reaction is "Ah, then the charm worked". XD

Oh, and the werewolf fight. I actually really liked that encounter. Intense, fast paced, and with multiple solutions and even unique dialogue based on how you finish. Wish more boss fights in rpg were like that *Cough*HumanRevolution*Cough*.

So yeah, amazing game.

I love the Anarch ending, when you find out Nines apparently decapitated the bloody werewolf and is keeping the severed head as a trophy.

 

[The_Scrivener]

Spoiler

I stayed loyal to what's-his-name and got blowed up reaaaaaaaaaal good. That's what I get for being a good henchmen? Bogus. RIP Tremere guy.

You think that's bad try siding with the asian vampires next time. No spoilers here, but their ending makes being blown up seem downright cheery.

Well, being that the protagonist fell into the circumstance of the game to begin with, I suppose he is a just a star-crossed fellow.

I don't remember her name, but the red scare girl from the rebel faction? If she wasn't such a jerkass, I'd have been more inclined to party with those people. Take a pill lady.

 

[Fireaxe]

I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, it was a decent game at the start, but as it went on it kind of fell into the combat focus trap and stopped having multiple routes to objectives where it lost a lot of appeal to me -- by the end of Hollywood you're slugging your way through monster filled sewers, just like every other bloody action adventure that ran out of ideas.

 

[The Madman]

I love the Anarch ending, when you find out Nines apparently decapitated the bloody werewolf and is keeping the severed head as a trophy.

It's possible for the player to kill the werewolf as well. Tricky, but possible. Although unfortunately you don't get to keep its head as a trophy unlike Nines.

Stupid Nines, stealing my spotlight!

Well, being that the protagonist fell into the circumstance of the game to begin with, I suppose he is a just a star-crossed fellow.

I don't remember her name, but the red scare girl from the rebel faction? If she wasn't such a jerkass, I'd have been more inclined to party with those people. Take a pill lady.

Hah, Damsel. I think that was her name anyway, bit of a subtle jab there with her name and personality as I recall.

And as I recall there are five main endings... I think.

-Side with Delacroix
-Side with the Tremere (Surprised you didn't take this one)
-Side with the Asian Vampires
-Side with the Brujah
-Be a rebel, take no sides!

Delacroix and the Asian option end badly for the player, but the others are a bit more positive.

 

[The_Scrivener]

Things.

I knew who signed the paychecks bro. That's real loyalty.