Subj : Im not worried Bloodlines 2 doesnt appear to be an RPG like the o To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Sep 17 2025 21:15:09 Im not worried Bloodlines 2 doesnt appear to be an RPG like the original heres why you shouldnt be either Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000 Description: The long awaited sequel might have taken a stake to its RPG heart but it looks like theres still plenty to sink your fangs into. FULL STORY ====================================================================== The latest gameplay demo for Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 , showcased at this years Gamescom , seems to have worried fans with its apparent absence of a vital element of the 2004 prequel: namely, its role-playing mechanics. The focus on combat which has been praised for its depth and fluidity by those whove played the demo, by the way certainly marks a departure from the original, and seems to have taken precedence over character sheets and player choice. Some think this means Bloodlines 2 wont deliver the vampiric fantasy sim they crave. But truth be told, I dont think these are really the elements that made the original Bloodlines so good. Despite being one of the best RPGs of the past quarter of a century, the key to its greatness lay beyond upgrading skills and tracking stats. All brawn, no brains? (Image credit: The Chinese Room) No, what made Bloodlines so appealing was the writing. The diverse characters and their dialogue, as well as the intriguing plot, explored the power dynamics and machinations of vampire society, couched in a contemporary setting. Because of this, interacting with the story and its characters was endlessly rewarding. From what weve seen of Bloodlines 2 so far, that slick writing is still present and correct. For instance, Fabien, the old Malkavian whose voice is trapped in the head of protagonist Phyre, is as witty and as charming as youd expect given his noirish Gumshoe persona. A good job, too, since he appears to talk to the player a lot, standing in as narrator. (Image credit: Paradox Interactive) And just because Bloodlines 2 isnt a role-playing game (RPG), it doesnt mean player choice has been eradicated altogether. You can still choose your starting class or clan in the parlance of the VTM universe with four available at launch (or six with the optional Shadows and Silk DLC pack), including fan favorites Tremere and Ventrue. Dialogue options are still present, too, and look to be a salient part of the game. They allow you to navigate the world in your own way, with your approach requiring good judgment to say the right thing to the right people in order to win them over. (Image credit: Paradox Interactive) Another highlight showcased in the Bloodlines 2 demo is the setting. The first Bloodlines captured the milieu of postmillennial LA brilliantly, but it lacked the detail and artistry to sell it consistently. The Chinese Room, the studio behind Bloodlines 2 , has a knack for nailing environments, whether its the English bucolic idyll in Everybodys Gone To The Rapture or the brutal reality of a North Sea oil rig in Still Wakes The Deep . From what weve seen, it looks like its pulled off the trick yet again. Of course, theres been graphical improvements over the twenty-year-old original, but the studios fastidious attention to detail is whats really caught my eye. (Image credit: Paradox Interactive) Every environment weve seen in its wintry Seattle setting looks authentic and lived-in, suggesting Bloodlines 2 will be an even more immersive playground for skulking around in. It also looks like every level of vampire on the socio-economic ladder is getting equal attention with respect to their dwellings, from opulent manors to scruffy bedsits. I hope Ive done enough to allay any concerns you may have had about the potential for this game to head in the wrong direction. Of course, well have to wait till the full release to see exactly where the focus of the game lies, but if it does end up forgoing many of the more traditional RPG elements, I don't think that'll necessarily be a bad thing it could, in fact, be a great thing. You might also like Best of Gamescom Awards 2025 our 11 favorite games and products from this years show I spoke to Gamescom's organizers about the event, its future, and the city of Cologne - 'the entire city is transformed into the gaming capital of the world' The six biggest announcements of Gamescom 2025 so far from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally release date to a new Lego Batman game ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gaming-accessories/im-not-worried-bloodlines- 2-doesnt-appear-to-be-an-rpg-like-the-original-heres-why-you-shouldnt-be-eithe r --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .