Important takeaways
- Early comparisons of Vampire: The Masqerade – Bloodlines 2 to Dishonored have raised optimism.
- Changes in development studios have shifted the gameplay towards action RPG elements.
- Paradox aims to deliver Bloodlines 2 in the first half of 2025, despite previous production issues.
Paradox Interactive's Mattias Lilja has commented on the development of Vampire: The Masqerade – Bloodlines 2and notes that early tests of the much-anticipated sequel have drawn comparisons to the beloved action RPG Dishonored. Changes between development studios and the removal of several stories have left many fans fed up with the direction of Vampire: The Masqerade – Bloodlines 2but these latest comments from the game's publisher have sparked a new wave of optimism.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has already experienced a tumultuous development, with the vampire title having its release date pushed back again after an August 2024 update. Audiences have been unhappy with repeated delays and a less-than-satisfying gameplay trailer for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2so it seems that Paradox is keen to alleviate any issues with a healthy comparison to a successful title.
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Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 release date delayed yet again
Fans of the hit 2004 RPG will have to wait a little longer, as Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 faces yet another delay.
During an interview with GamesIndustry, Paradox vice president Mattias Lilja mentioned it Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has drawn early comparisons to Arkane Studios Dishonored. The original cult classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines gained a devoted following thanks to its heavy focus on World of Darkness TTRPG story and an extensive RPG skill tree system with an emphasis on dialogue choices. However, early viewing Bloodlines 2 drew backlash for a seemingly action-heavy strategy over the original game's prioritization of stealth and deception. Lilja attributed the change in gameplay to current developer The Chinese Room, but noted that early reviews have repeatedly compared this new gameplay to the Dishonored. He further emphasized that the “vision” for the game has remained the same while the gameplay has simply shifted more in the direction of a true action RPG.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is similar to Dishonored
Lilja also talked a lot about the struggle of switching studios during development, saying that The Chinese Room was given the freedom to decide which aspects of the existing version of the game were kept and which were completely changed. He complimented the “stability” of The Chinese Room as a developer, saying that Paradox has “more confidence” that it can deliver a game with a solid story and setting. Despite the troubled production that leads to Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 When she was almost canceled, Lilja confirmed Paradox's intentions to launch Bloodlines 2 during the “first half of 2025.”
Dishonored ranks among the most popular and successful first-person action RPGs of all time, so Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 being compared to such a title has raised curiosity among fans. While many remain skeptical due to the sheer number of delays, others are crossing their fingers that a hidden gem is waiting to be revealed. If Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will be met with the same praise as Dishonored or earn the dedicated successor to its predecessor remains to be seen, but it seems the teams at Paradox Interactive are optimistic about the game's future.
Fight your way through a modern Seattle on the brink of open war as an elderly vampire. Meet the power players, make allies and decide who will rule and what the city will become.
A three-front siege of Seattle, a power vacuum in the vampire court, and an awakened elder in conflict with the voice in their head, realized by award-winning studio The Chinese Room.
You are the monster
Blood fuels you and powers your vampiric disciplines. You will stalk and feed on the city's population at night. Use your supernatural powers or brute persuasion on civilians and lure them into deep, dark alleys to satisfy your hunger. Beware of breaking the masquerade: don't reveal who you are or risk reprisals – first from law enforcement and then, well, remember that you're not all you're cracked up to be on this night.
Explore visceral, immersive battles that reward completely different playstyles and approaches based on your choice of vampire clan. Will you wade into the fray with supernatural fists, harangue from afar, or rebalance your odds by thinning the pack like the apex predator that you are? Clan choice supports these playstyles and more.
- Released
- 2024
- Engine
- Source
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Nudity, Drug Reference, Strong Language
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