Bloodlines 2 Rises Again: The Long-Awaited Vampire RPG
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2: Collected Information Regarding the Game
After a rocky development, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is set to rise once more. Following its initial announcement in 2019, the sequel has faced a series of departing leads and shifting development studios, leaving many wondering about its status. Now, Bloodlines 2 rests in the capable hands of The Chinese Room, the developers of Dear Esther and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture.
When Can We Expect Bloodlines 2?
Bloodlines 2 is now scheduled for release in October 2025. Despite a slight delay, the final push (or so we hope!) keeps it within the planned year.
The game's journey has been a complex and uncertain one, with its original release date set for March 2020 before being pushed back multiple times. After many twists and turns, Bloodlines 2 was delayed into 2021, leaving its fate up in the air as we weren't even sure which studio was handling its development.
In 2022, Fredrik Wester, CEO at Bloodlines 2's publisher Paradox Interactive, tweeted that "the game is in good hands." Fast forward to June 2023, and we learned about a significant September announcement about Bloodlines 2. As promised, Paradox revealed in September 2023 that The Chinese Room had taken over Bloodlines 2 development, with its release initially set for 2024 and now finally landing in October this year.
Bloodlines 2 Extended Gameplay Reveal
In the 33-minute Bloodlines 2 extended gameplay reveal, we witness Phyre, the player character and a Brujah in this demo, exploring a warehouse to learn more about a mysterious mark that's curbed her elder vampire abilities. We catch a glimpse of dialogue choices, some stunning vampire combat magic, and some gruesome, first-person combat - not to mention neck-biting finishers!
September 2023 Trailer
While we can't call this "September 2023 trailer" an announcement trailer in the traditional sense, in light of the game's troubled development, it may well serve the purpose. We get a glimpse of the action produced by Bloodlines 2's new development home with The Chinese Room, featuring clips of incredible, first-person vampire combat complete with superhuman strength, blood magic, and more.
The Character and Story
In Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, we'll play as Phyre, an elder vampire who's recently awakened from a century of hibernation. Unfortunately for Phyre, she's found herself in a dilapidated Seattle apartment building with a magical brand that's severely limited her abilities and the voice of a Thin-Blood vampire named Fabien inside her head.
Players will have some control over Phyre's history, with elements of her background being customizable. As Phyre navigates her rude awakening, she'll have to navigate the vampire politics and intrigue of Kindred society in Seattle, with player dialogue choices impacting her relationships and standing.
Vampire Clans
The Chinese Room has revealed four of the Masquerade vampire clans available in Bloodlines 2, with two additional clans arriving as DLC post-launch. These playable clans include the:- Brujah: Revolutionaries, radicals, and activists, the Brujah are known for their rejection of hierarchy and tradition. Their fighting style is fierce and aggressive.- Tremere: The Tremere are occultists who seek and hoard arcane knowledge. In Bloodlines 2, players can expect Tremere abilities to focus on blood sorcery.- Banu Haqim: The self-appointed vigilantes of the vampire world, the Banu Haqim stick to a strict moral code and dispatch those who violate it. Stealth will be this clan's forte.- Ventrue: The most aristocratic and domineering of the clans, the Ventrue specialize in manipulating and controlling their enemies and prey. Feeding on others also strengthens their defenses.
Fans concerned about Malkavian representation need not worry. Fabien, Phyre's vampire companion, is a Malkavian. This clan was previously one of the options for players in the first game, known for their portrayal as "wise madmen."
Gameplay and Dialogue Choices
Gameplay reveals for the new Bloodlines 2 have suggested a more Fallout 4-like approach to NPC interactions. Instead of seeing the actual text of players' responses, they'll be choosing the general vibe of their dialogue. It remains unclear to what extent these choices will impact the story or simply influence the tone along the way.
A Look at the Development History
Bloodlines 2 has gone through numerous delays and changes, including the firing of lead writer Brian Mitsoda in 2020. In October 2020, senior narrative designer Cara Ellison also left Hardsuit Labs to join League of Geeks. By February 2021, Hardsuit Labs had been replaced as the developers of Bloodlines 2 following disagreements with Paradox Interactive. The game was delayed past 2021 while a new studio partner handled the completion of the game. In September 2023, Dear Esther developer The Chinese Room took over the project.
Changes with the New Developer
After the transition to The Chinese Room, it's clear that Bloodlines 2 has adjusted its gameplay mechanics and RPG systems, although the extent of these changes remains to be seen. The game remains set in Seattle, with deep and complex narratives taking center stage. The Chinese Room promises more details in early 2024, including an extended gameplay reveal in January 2024.
Pre-2023 Details
Announcement Trailer: Revealed in 2019, this trailer set a dark tone and established Bloodlines 2's Seattle setting, which The Chinese Room has confirmed remains the same[3].
Gameplay Demo: A 30-minute gameplay demo from Gamescom 2019 offered an insightful look at what it was like to traverse the dark streets of Seattle in the earlier version of the game.
Playable Clans and Disciplines: The five clans confirmed for play in Bloodlines 2 by Paradox were the Brujah, Tremere, Toreador, Ventrue, and Malkavians. Additionally, eleven disciplines of vampire powers, including Potency, Celerity, and Thaumaturgy, were discussed. However, the extent to which these mechanics remain unchanged with the transition to The Chinese Room remains uncertain.
Sources:1. Paradox Interactive2. The Chinese Room3. Bloodlines 2 wiki4. IGN5. PC Gamer6. PC Gamer interviews with Paradox Interactive VP of World of Darkness7. Rock Paper Shotgun
- The fans eagerly await the release of Bloodlines 2 in October 2025, putting their bets on another exciting addition to the world of entertainment.
- Following the troubled development, it's a relief that the aptly named studio, The Chinese Room, is now spearheading Bloodlines 2, promising a thrilling race to the finish with stunning visuals and captivating narratives.
- The extended gameplay reveal in January 2024 will likely offer fans a glimpse of Bloodlines 2's intense fights, fascinating character development, and whispered dialogue choices shaping the game's season.
- While Bloodlines 2 has gone through many changes in its history, collaborating with the renowned The Chinese Room ensures our expectations will be met, with fresh gameplay mechanics and resilient RPG systems that keep us enthralled in this vampire-themed game.
