Let me guess, they toned down the RPG elements of a series known for being RPG heavy in order to reach a wider audience?
The author picked a clan that’s all about brute force…
Then complains the game was about brute force except for the parts where you play a vampire from another clan.
I don’t even know much about WoD, but I know he picked the most boring clan and then complained it was boring action.
The reactions to what clan you pick is where the RPG parts seem to come in from other reviews I’ve read.
It’s not like it’ll be a perfect game, but I feel like whoever wrote the review didn’t really get the game.
Nah, the maps were all linear and there were no multiple solutions.
It’s pretty clear they made a random action RPG.
So it isn’t an immersive sim, there could still be some strong elements of role play involved in terms of dialogue decisions. I’m hoping for the best.
…
IS VTM Bloodlines (not to be confused with VTM Redemption or VTM Dating Sim Game) particularly known for being RP heavy? Or, at least, should it be?
Because I played Bloodlines and I even did a replay a few years back. Yeah, the hub city sounds a lot more “alive” than in the article… in the sense that just about every NPC had an interaction. But we also had maybe like ten NPCs (outside of the people dancing to Kidneythieves. Great band). This kind of feels like any game where the engine/tech is at the point that we can handle actual crowds but… how many people in a crowd do you expect to have a conversation with you if you walk up to them?
And the rest of the moment to moment gameplay really did feel like corridors with a few vents you could walk through and a LOT of people to mow down.
Don’t get me wrong. I really would prefer a VTMB that is what we “remember” VTMB to be and not what it actually was. But… that article very much sounds like just about every Troika game: Some REALLY cool dialogue based quests that have little to no bearing on the game outside of what XP bonuses you get. And then pretty janky ARPG combat once they ran out of money. And in that sense? Get the banner because it is Mission Accomplished.
Also my memories of VTM Redemption are that it was some super deep CRPG spanning centuries and was amazing. But I am pretty sure it was also an ARPG with some dialogue. I should replay that…
VTM Dating Sim Game
Not sure if this is what they’re talking about, but they made an ARG as part of the early VTMB2 promotion stuff. You had to do stuff within a fake dating app called Tender that was made in-universe to help vampires find feeding targets.
I don’t think any CRPG is RP heavy. I don’t think it’s possible for a computer game to roleplay. Well, maybe if they integrate LLMs? But generally, any RP happens entirely in the player’s head.
I think CRPGs that are sometimes seen as RP heavy, are just very well written. That’s not the same thing, although I suppose it’s possible for good writing to inspire RP in the player. But that depends as much on the player as it depends on the writing.
I enjoyed the original VTMB a lot, mostly because of its excellent atmosphere.
WHEN YOU COOK TOO LONG, YOU BURN THE SOUP
It’s a good thing that I haven’t given Paradox money since Cities: Skylines was released (solid game, but the transportation system was lacking on release).
It’s gonna SUCK!!!
I guess they’re hoping no one buying 2 has played the original or has much familiarity with the source material. Not the worst move from a marketing standpoint, but not really inspiring confidence for me since VtMB is probably one of my favourite linear/sandbox RPGs purely because of the atmosphere and dialog.
No, the combat in VtMB wasn’t very good, but that doesn’t mean the sequel has to be an ARPG. I really hope this is just one person’s opinion and it’s not that bad. Also, Phyre is a cringe name that hasn’t grown on me at all, so that sucks considering she apparently fucking says it constantly.
Man I remember interviewing to work on this game back in 2017. That was back when hardsuit labs was working on this game. How many studios has this passed through at this point?
It was just Hardsuit and The Chinese Room, until hardsuit was eventually removed from the project. The game did however get delayed a handful of times. Let’s just hope that whatever concept they have of the game now is strong enough to ship this time.
