Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 not too long ago stepped out into the sunshine, and like a newly turned vampire, it could have the identical identify, however it appears to be like a little bit completely different. It additionally took a little bit warmth from being out within the solar. The authentic model of the sport, then in growth at Hardsuit Labs, was deliberate as a hardcore RPG that appeared to develop on the role-playing alternatives out there within the cult traditional 2004 authentic. The new model, picked up by The Chinese language Room, appears to be like like it would reduce on these choices significantly.
Within the authentic sport, you created a personality from one among seven completely different clans. In Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, you’ll play a named and absolutely voiced character, Phyre, who hails from one among 4 clans (down from a deliberate six within the Hardsuit Labs model of the sport). General, The Chinese language Room’s tackle VTMB2 appears much less bold than the one Hardsuit Labs initially pitched to gamers again in 2019.
It is also extra in step with the sort of video games the studio has made earlier than. The Chinese language Room beforehand developed Expensive Esther, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, All people’s Gone to the Rapture, Little Orpheus, and a VR sport known as So Let Us Soften. With the exception of Little Orpheus, these are all first-person narrative journey video games that place a heavy emphasis on constructing a way of place, and considerably much less emphasis on mechanical depth. I used to be stunned when The Chinese language Room was introduced as Hardsuit Labs’ substitute for that purpose: it does not make video games like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines.
So it is smart that VTMB2 appears to be assembly its new stewards within the center. The Chinese language Room makes strolling sims, VTMB is a hardcore RPG. The Chinese language Room’s tackle VTMB2 appears to be the logical results of that pairing, splitting the distinction. That may, clearly, trouble some followers, and I can not say that I blame them. Devotees of the primary sport have waited a very long time for a real follow-up, and the model that Hardsuit Labs was engaged on appeared to be nearer to Troika’s authentic than The Chinese language Room’s model can be.
Writer Paradox Interactive by no means gave a transparent purpose for why Hardsuit Labs was faraway from the venture both, which makes this all of the extra puzzling. In 2021, the publisher simply said:
“We now have now chosen to postpone the discharge of the sport additional, and we won’t be launching the sport in 2021. We now have additionally determined that Hardsuit Labs will not be main the event of Bloodlines 2, and we’ve began a collaboration with a brand new studio companion to complete work on the sport. This has been a troublesome resolution, however we’re satisfied that it’s the proper method ahead to do the sport justice.”
Paradox hasn’t stated way more in regards to the change since then, which has left followers questioning what may presumably have gone so unsuitable with the unique sport that this transfer was essential. This wasn’t regular hand Ron Howard coming in to proper the ship on Solo: A Star Wars Story when the much less skilled Lord and Miller made Disney nervous. Neither of those studios had made this type of sport earlier than.
I can’t perceive Paradox’s rationale and, barring a Noclip documentary a decade from now that exhibits off earlier builds of the sport, I doubt I ever will. However I’m prepared to provide The Chinese language Room the good thing about the doubt. Nonetheless, I don’t suppose that something the group has proven off from the brand new sport appears to be like particularly spectacular. Phyre’s voice appearing has a stilted high quality, and the graphical presentation isn’t what you’d anticipate from a giant triple-A sport, as an alternative extra on par with World of Darkness spin-off video games like Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. In most ways in which matter, it looks like a giant step down from the preliminary sport Hardsuit Labs confirmed off.
However I’m not evaluating it to that sport anymore. After questioning for years if VTMB2 would ever come out, I’m evaluating this sport that exists to the prospect of the venture being lifeless completely. I do know current is a low bar to clear, however VTMB2 appeared to be within the direst growth hell I can recall seeing for a couple of years. That the sport has a brand new launch window and we’re getting updates on its growth is a significant enchancment — even when the sport isn’t precisely what I anticipated or wished.
