When Troika’s Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines was released back in 2004, it instantly became a cult classic. Its open world and narrative systems helped cultivate a fanbase that would treat the game with the reverence it deserves, even as it was ravaged by bugs and performance issues. Some games seem to be cursed to become flawed cult classics, and Bloodlines is no exception.
But, thankfully for fans, a sequel is on the way. Paradox Interactive picked up the rights to the franchise in 2015, and the news of a follow-up was met with almost universal cheer by the Bloodlines community. A few years later, we’re finally seeing new footage from the game, as well as some additional details on how it will work.
The original game positioned itself as an RPG with branching narratives and unique gameplay mechanics, and the sequel looks set to carry on that legacy. You’ll be able to choose from various clans and powers, as well as the faction you align with, all of which will impact the world around you. This system also allows for a great deal of replayability, as how you approach relationships with other characters, what disciplines you select, and which vampire clans you choose to align yourself with will all change your experience.
With Cara Ellison on board as Lead Narrative Designer and Brian Mitsoda as lead writer, the team behind Bloodlines 2 has some serious pedigree. Unlike the first game, which was left in a broken state after its release until fans nursed it back to life with patches, the sequel will receive dedicated support. This may not stop the game from being delayed a third time, but it should ensure that any problems are ironed out rather than being rushed out as is often the case with modern releases.
We have some details on the clans, powers, and gameplay of the game so far. The Brujah clan, for example, are no-nonsense warriors who focus on close-quarter combat and speed. The Tremere are occultists that specialise in blood magic and have two disciplines to help with this. We’ll have more info on the different playstyles and how you can interact with other vampires in the coming months, so stay tuned.
The new trailer doesn’t reveal a release date, but Paradox did confirm that it will be releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. We’ll update this article with any further information that comes to light, but as it stands, Bloodlines 2 looks like it will be arriving sometime in 2021.