Rumors have spread about a Vampire The Masquerade Bloodlines remaster. Here’s a brief (1,000-word) rundown of why I hope they’re true.
Some things go together perfectly. Strawberries and cream. Blood and wine. Lauren and Vampire: The Masquerade. There are jokes in the PCGamesN Slack about my VTM fanaticism, and how it has transcended from being a perfectly normal fandom to a full-blown obsession that some people (not me) would deem unhealthy. I'm not bothered, though: they don't know I'm a Ventrue; I can do what I want.
On Friday, October 16, a post appeared on r/vtmb, the Bloodlines-dedicated Reddit page. "I just went to a Genitorturers show in Brooklyn, it was great," it reads. "But at one point, they asked us if we knew about [Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines], then they said they're remaking the game. Is this true?" For those who don't know who the Genitorturers are, they provided 'Lecher Bitch' for the Bloodlines soundtrack.
This was followed up by a second Reddit post from the person who claims to have leaked the Forza Horizon 6 Japan setting (the Forza post has been removed). "I can confirm that it is in the works. NOT a remake, but a remaster, with some caveats. That's all I can say." I almost fainted. But I can't, because I'm a vampire.
So here I am instead, presenting you with 1,037 words on why this remaster better be real. Strap in, folks: I've got a lot to say.
For those uninitiated, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is a 2004 action RPG made by Troika, a studio formed by Fallout legends Tim Cain, Jason Anderson, and Leonard Boyasky. You play as a Fledgling - or young vampire (Kindred) - who has to deal with the political machinations of the government-esque Camarilla and rabble-rousing Anarchs. Set in Los Angeles, you can choose your unique class (or Clan), as well as your alignment. You could play goody two shoes to Prince LaCroix, throw in your lot with Nines Rodriguez, or even betray the Kindred as a whole and side with the Kuei Jin, a unique vampiric race that hails from the East. There are different endings that depend on your choices, and a slew of weird and wonderful characters to encounter on your journey.
What really makes Bloodlines special, though, is the setting. The dirty streets of Santa Monica; the sleazy feel of Hollywood: there's a consistent element of grit and grime, soundtracked perfectly with Rik Schaffer's signature grunge. There's the glitz and glamor of bright lights and sequin dresses, but there's blood in the alleyways and cobwebs in the corners. It's easily the best recreation of the World of Darkness setting that I've ever seen, and perhaps one of the most believable versions of a fantastical LA.
The world is populated by a cast of quirky, unforgettable characters. From Santa Monica's dual Anarch barons, Therese and Jeanette, to the formidable, tricksy Ming Xiao, the night is filled with a vast array of feuding personalities that you never quite get a handle on. Is LaCroix the white knight saviour he claims to be? Is Nines really just a rebel with a cause? Does Ming Xiao actually want to help you? The characters themselves are impressive, but their political machinations are even more intriguing.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.pcgamesn.com/vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines/remaster-rumors
