Summary
Paradox Interactive’s Mattias Lilja has commented on the development ofVampire: The Masqerade - Bloodlines 2, noting that early testing of the highly-requested sequel has drawn comparisons to the beloved action RPGDishonored. Changes between development studios and the removal of multiple story leads have left many fans weary about the direction ofVampire: The Masqerade - Bloodlines 2, but these latest comments from the game’s publisher have sparked a new wave of optimism.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2has already experienced a tumultuous development, with the vampire title getting its release date pushed back once again following an update in August 2024. Audiences have been disgruntled by repeated delays and a less than satisfyinggameplay reveal trailer forVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, so it would seem Paradox is keen on soothing any concerns with a healthy comparison to a successful title.
During an interview withGamesIndustry, Paradox deputy CEO Mattias Lilja mentioned thatVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2has drawn early comparisons to Arkane Studios’Dishonored. Theoriginal cult classicVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlinesgained a dedicated following thanks to its heavy focus on theWorld of DarknessTTRPG story and an extensive role-playing skill tree system with an emphasis on dialogue choice. However, early looks atBloodlines 2sparked backlash for a seemingly action-heavy approach over the original game’s prioritization of stealth and deception. Lilja attributed the shift in game style to current developer The Chinese Room, but noted that early reviews have repeatedly compared this new gameplay style to that ofDishonored. He further highlighted that the “vision” of the game has remained the same while the gameplay has simply shifted more in the direction of a true action RPG.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Is Similar To Dishonored
Lilja also spoke extensively about the struggles of swapping studios during development, stating that The Chinese Room was given the freedom to decide what aspects of the existing version of the game were kept and which were completely changed. He complimented the “stability” of The Chinese Room as a developer and said Paradox has “more confidence” that it can deliver a game with a solid story and setting. In spite of the troubled production leading toVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2almost getting canceled, Lilja reaffirmed Paradox’s intentions of launchingBloodlines 2in “the first half of 2025.”
Dishonoredranks among the most popular and successfulfirst-person action RPGsof all time, soVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2being compared to such a title has reignited curiosity among fans. While many still remain skeptical due to the sheer number of delays, others are keeping their fingers crossed that a hidden gem is waiting to be revealed. WhetherVampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2will be met with the same praise asDishonoredor earn the dedicated following of its predecessor remains to be seen, but it would seem the teams at Paradox Interactive are optimistic towards the game’s future.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Fight your way through a modern-day Seattle on the brink of an open war as an elder Vampire. Meet the power-players, ally yourself and decide who will rule and what the city will become.A three-front siege on Seattle, a power vacuum in the vampire court and an awakened elder at odds with the voice in their head, realized by BAFTA award winning studio, The Chinese Room.You are the MonsterBlood sustains you and powers your vampiric Disciplines. You’ll stalk and feed on the city’s population by night. Use your supernatural powers or raw persuasion on civilians and lure them into deep, dark alleys to sate your Hunger. Beware of breaking the Masquerade though: do not reveal what you are or you risk reprisals - at first from law enforcement and then, well, remember you are not all that goes bump in this night.Explore visceral, immersive combat rewarding entirely different playstyles and approaches based on your choice of vampire clan. Will you wade into the fray with supernatural fists, harangue from afar or rebalance your odds by thinning the herd like the apex predator you are? Clan choice supports these playstyles and more.
