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> Results: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
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Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines (VtM: B) is the 'other' Source Engine game released on November 16th, and just about the only big-name RPG released this year. The release of this game was gated by Vivendi so as not to be prior to HL2, despite being ready a couple of months earlier. It is unfortunate that Troika didn't make use of that time to polish the game further and optimize the graphics performance, otherwise HL2 might be known as the 'other' game! Troika was also responsible for the 2001 RPG "Arcanum", which is fitting since both games are excellent and immensely fun in general and near perfect given the "correct" choices or character and skills, and quite difficult and frustrating if the wrong choices are made.
Given the shared Source engine, it is impossible not to compare VtM: B to Half Life 2, in terms of graphics and physics. Quite simply, it is not as good. But it is better looking, with better physics and interaction, than any other FPS (except Doom 3) or RPG I have ever played. The details are excellent, and the city feels alive. You can hack terminals and keypads, and pick locks, all based on your character's skills. The people you meet look realistic, and the facial animations are generally very well done. What VtM: B does better than HL2 is create haunting environments using graphics and sound, so that when you are in one particular mansion, you are constantly on edge and can't wait to get out. The sound and music in the game are superb, creating an environment of a city at night, and using music in a way that makes sense and really drives the action.  VtM: B is an "action RPG", in which you run around as you would in a FPS, without a convenient pause key, unable to assess a battle to make strategic choices, and in which your aim depends largely on your mouse ability while your damage depends on your character's stats. In some ways it has been compared to "Deus Ex", which is at least contextually correct - but the role-playing aspects of VtM: B are as deep and expansive as any traditional RPG such as "Baldur's Gate" have to offer. As a RPG it is a stellar experience - the story is excellent from the opening cutscene through the ending (there are reportedly six (!) possible endings, four of which I had the possibility of choosing during my run). From the beginning the side quests are more than your standard "package delivery" variety, and very often unfold from something small to a much larger sub-plot, which often touch on your main quest. It weaves an entire world around you and your main quest, and makes you part of that world - caring what happens around you. Character customization and progression is handled differently from most RPG's - you don't level up or get experience from killing rats in cellars, but rather get experience points by completing quests or finding clever ways around problems. You can then immediately spend those points to increase skills, which become more expensive as you increase your rank. For example, you start with one rank in Strength. Taking a second rank costs 3XP, a third rank costs 6XP, and so on. But what your character can do is not based on the stats you can increase, but rather on feats which are derived from one or more stats. For example, your melee weapon skill is based on the Strength and Melee skills; lockpicking is based on Dexterity and Security, and so on. The combat in VtM: B is a source of much debate among the community. Because it uses FPS controls and has guns, some expect it to play like a FPS. They are disappointed. The guns are weak, and aiming is impacted by your character's stats as well as the players "twitch gamer" chops. If you realize that Vampires are gifted with superhuman strength and fighting ability, you will focus on unarmed and/or melee fighting skills, and be appropriately rewarded with a satisfying combat experience. Add to that the selection of Disciplines - clan specific powers you can draw on to augment your strength or awareness, move at superhuman speeds, cause others to kill themselves, among others - and you will find that your vampire is quite the wrecking machine. My character was from clan Tremere - basically a blood sorcerer - and eventually gained the ability to cause an enemy's blood to boil until he exploded, causing massive area effect damage. VtM: B is an excellent game, an epic RPG that took me more than 70 hours to complete, including as many side quests as I could find. I encountered some graphical stuttering and occasional crashes to desktop, but no significant bugs or incomplete areas. It is some of these small things that mar the game - the lack of final polish in an otherwise excellent game. Again a necessary comparison to HL2 - while VtM: B has much more to offer in terms of plot and character, and it's action is more balanced and better paced through the game, and heck even some of the weapons are better & the tremendous production values of HL2 make it feel much more finished and complete. That notwithstanding, I heartily recommend VtM: B to any RPG fans, as well as fans of games such as Deus Ex. 
There is no Kid Factor - this game is appropriately rated "M". There is frequent obscenity, prostitution, urination in public, and a general adult theme. The environs reflect a crime-ridden city after dark, and there are several spooky areas. And the violence is frequent and messy, the action intense, and let's not forget that you need to drink blood to survive! I would not let my 6.5 and 8 year old watch me play, let alone play it themselves. And while some games with a M rating could easily be T, this one earns its rating. Play it yourself, at night, in the dark, wearing headphones.
It doesn't suck, so get it from Amazon and help support GamerDad (Adults Only please) Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Browse Amazon.com's selection of "Vampire" themed games Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines |
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