RPG Sequel 21 Years in the Making Gets Ripped Apart by Longtime Fans

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After over 20 years of waiting, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is finally here, but fans are largely disappointed. The game was highly anticipated as a return to a beloved RPG, but it hasn’t lived up to expectations for many who’ve been waiting for it.

Man, I first played the original Bloodlines way back in 2004, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. It just had this amazing dark vibe, really smart writing, and a role-playing system that let you really get into the character. Everyone who played it loved how much the game focused on the politics of being a vampire and how your choices actually mattered. It felt so personal, honestly, more so than a lot of RPGs I’ve played since. So, when Bloodlines 2 was announced, expectations were HUGE. We all hoped it would take that incredible experience and update it for today, while still feeling like the same Bloodlines we loved. Sadly, that hasn’t really happened, and the launch week has been…rough, to say the least.

Reviews for the game on Steam have become overwhelmingly negative. Many dedicated fans feel the sequel doesn’t offer the same level of complexity and freedom as the original. Unlike the first game, where players could fully create their own character, Bloodlines 2 features a pre-defined protagonist with limited customization and simpler role-playing mechanics. This makes the game feel much more constrained, offering fewer chances to create a unique story or character. Fans of the series, which was celebrated for allowing players to define their own vampire experience, are disappointed by this change.

Players have been particularly disappointed with the game’s direction. They were hoping for a story-rich RPG with political twists and meaningful choices, similar to previous games in the series. Instead, they found a more straightforward, action-packed game that focuses on fighting and dramatic scenes, sacrificing the complex storytelling and intricate world that fans loved. One Steam user, FloJo78, captured the feeling perfectly, saying it felt like “Dishonored with vampire goggles and not even that feel good.” While some players enjoy the faster pace, many believe it comes at the cost of the deep world-building and immersive writing that made the original game so special.

The game’s difficult development casts a shadow over how people are reacting to it. First announced in 2019, Bloodlines 2 experienced years of problems, including changes in the development team and how the studio itself was organized. The project moved between different groups, and updates were rare. Fans worried the game had lost its focus, and the finished product seems to confirm those fears. Many believe the missing features and technical problems show the game’s original idea changed too much during its creation.

Despite its issues, Bloodlines 2 still hints at the promising game it aimed to be. The world feels atmospheric thanks to its dark lighting and gothic style, staying true to the spirit of Vampire: The Masquerade. When the game functions well, it expertly captures the setting’s suspense and appeal. Unfortunately, these strong moments don’t happen often, as the game is hampered by slow pacing, restricted exploration, and a lack of meaningful player choices.

New players might find Bloodlines 2 to be a decent supernatural RPG with a good vibe. However, after waiting 21 years for a real follow-up, fans of the original Bloodlines will likely be disappointed. Instead of the triumphant return everyone hoped for, the game serves as a reminder that sequels need to capture the spirit of what made the first game great, and this one unfortunately misses the mark.

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2025-10-26 18:12