Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines | Game Brain

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Game Cover

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Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is a single player open world role playing game with horror, fantasy and thriller themes. It was developed by Troika Games and was released on March 22, 2007. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines," you play as a newly embraced vampire in a dark, supernatural version of modern-day Los Angeles. Your choices in dialogue, actions, and alliances will shape your character's abilities, factions, and story outcomes. Navigate the Masquerade, a set of rules that govern vampire society, while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the existence of vampires. Be careful though, as your decisions and mistakes may lead to terrifying consequences.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines screenshot

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,356 reviews

story3.3k positive mentions

stability1.7k negative mentions

The game features a deep and complex storyline with engaging characters, rich lore, and multiple branching paths that enhance replayability.
The atmosphere is immersive and richly detailed, capturing a dark, gothic vibe complemented by a haunting soundtrack that resonates with players.
Character development is a standout feature, allowing for meaningful choices that significantly impact gameplay and storytelling.

The game suffers from dated graphics and numerous technical issues, including bugs and performance problems that can hinder gameplay.
The gameplay mechanics, particularly combat, are often criticized for being clunky and frustrating, especially in the latter parts of the game.
Some players find the humor and certain character portrayals to be problematic, with instances of awkward or offensive stereotypes.

story
7,786 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The story of "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and intricate plot, which revolves around the power struggles within vampire society in Los Angeles. Players appreciate the game's rich lore, multiple branching storylines, and the impact of their choices on the narrative, making each playthrough unique. Despite its dated graphics and some technical issues, the compelling storytelling and immersive atmosphere continue to resonate with players, solidifying its status as a cult classic in the RPG genre.
- “If you are in the mood for a dark but fun story, I highly recommend you pick this game up.”
- “The story, the characters, the ambiance, the music, the choices, bloodlines is simply amazing at storytelling.”
- “The story is captivating, the characters are unique and real, dialogue is superb and so is the voice acting.”
- “The last third or so of the game does suffer pretty heavily in a lot of strange ways; it's famous for becoming a pretty awful shooter at the end, but the story also descends into some really awful, racist stereotypes.”
- “The story isn't special, the characters aren't deeply involved or fleshed out, and the impact of a story that I'd get from being in a VTM campaign isn't really there.”
- “The main quest is not the most groundbreaking, but the story still holds itself up, and the numerous routes and character customization adds to replay value.”
gameplay
2,480 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The gameplay of *Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines* is a mixed bag, with many players noting its dated mechanics and numerous bugs, particularly in combat and stealth systems. While the game offers a rich narrative, immersive atmosphere, and deep RPG mechanics that allow for varied playstyles depending on the chosen vampire clan, the overall execution can feel clunky and frustrating at times. Despite these shortcomings, many players find the engaging story and character interactions compelling enough to overlook the gameplay flaws, especially when using unofficial patches to enhance the experience.
- “An atmospheric RPG game with immersive, fun, and deep gameplay.”
- “Good story, fun gameplay, the RPG system is well-made, playing with different clans can greatly alter the way you play.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the fights are fun, the story keeps you interested.”
- “The gameplay isn't great, particularly the combat, and it became a major slog towards the end; I just wanted it to be over.”
- “Yes, the gameplay hasn't aged particularly well; even back then, it was clunky.”
- “The combat mechanics of Bloodlines are where the game shows its age.”
graphics
2,230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
64%
15%
The graphics of "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2004 release, with many players noting that they do not meet modern standards. Despite this, the game's unique aesthetic, immersive atmosphere, and strong storytelling often overshadow the graphical shortcomings, making it a beloved classic among RPG fans. Players are encouraged to install unofficial patches and mods to enhance the visual experience, which can significantly improve performance and graphics quality.
- “The atmosphere, graphics, characters, and quests were all so original, and I couldn't find any other game that drew me in the way Vampire: Masquerade - Bloodlines did.”
- “Bloodlines creates an unforgettable atmosphere with its stunning visuals, atmospheric sound design, and evocative writing.”
- “The game's distinct art style and character designs have become iconic, leaving a lasting impression on players.”
- “The graphics are not as high tech by modern standards as they once were but if you can look past that then you will have one of the best RPG experiences on PC even compared to what modern games offer.”
- “This game, despite its relatively poor graphical fidelity, at times frustrating combat, and relatively dated systems, is life-altering.”
- “The graphics are dated, but still okay.”
atmosphere
2,026 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
39%
1%
The atmosphere of "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is widely praised for its immersive and richly detailed world, capturing a dark, gothic vibe that resonates with players. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia for the early 2000s goth culture, complemented by a haunting soundtrack and compelling storytelling. Despite some technical flaws, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into its gritty, urban setting filled with intriguing characters and engaging quests.
- “The atmosphere, writing, and overall feel of the game is just remarkable and gives off the impression that it was made with love.”
- “From the moment you step into the dark, brooding world of Bloodlines, you are enveloped in an atmosphere thick with gothic allure and mystery.”
- “The entire game is coated in this deliciously sleazy atmosphere that they constantly build upon with each zone you enter.”
- “The atmosphere this game captures is something else, man.”
- “Despite its age, the game’s atmosphere, gothic style, and narrative depth continue to shine, making it a standout title in the vampire RPG genre.”
stability
1,694 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The stability of "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can significantly hinder gameplay. Many reviews emphasize the necessity of installing the unofficial patch to improve stability and fix game-breaking issues, as the original release was notably unfinished and problematic. While the game retains a cult following due to its engaging story and characters, the persistent bugs and the need for community support make it a challenging experience for players, especially those unfamiliar with older, less polished titles.
- “With the unofficial patch, it runs great on a modern PC even at 3440x1440 resolution.”
- “Many people say that the game plays really well with the latest patches and there's next to no glitches to be found.”
- “Although the game looks dated from a graphical standpoint and it's far from bug-free, thanks to the fan-created unofficial patch, the game is playable on most modern systems, fixes most of the instability issues and quest bugs, and even restores some lost and/or unfinished content.”
- “The original game was buggy to the point where it was virtually impossible to finish the game.”
- “This game doesn't work on modern systems and is notoriously buggy which requires a fan patch to even get the game running as of writing this review.”
- “Wow, this game is such a buggy mess that it's practically unplayable.”
music
1,486 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is widely praised for its exceptional ability to enhance the game's dark, immersive atmosphere. Composed by Rik Schaffer, the soundtrack features a mix of original tracks and licensed music from notable bands, effectively capturing the gothic and industrial themes of the vampire universe. Players frequently highlight the soundtrack's role in setting the mood across various locations, with many expressing a desire to listen to it outside of the game, solidifying its status as one of the best in gaming history.
- “The soundtrack, the atmosphere, the lore, the story.”
- “The music perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere, enhancing immersion and adding an extra layer of depth to each experience.”
- “The soundtrack is what builds the game's atmosphere and pushes it to eleven.”
- “The clubs and bars have loud and sometimes obnoxious music that plays that makes it difficult to hear NPCs when talking to them.”
- “This gives the feeling that no one here gives a single crap about you while the music keeps blasting away.”
- “The music is very much what you would hope for in an early 2000's vampire game (if you like massive attack and similar, you will love the soundtrack).”
replayability
994 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, largely due to its diverse selection of vampire clans, each offering unique abilities and dialogue options that significantly alter gameplay and story outcomes. Players can explore multiple paths, make impactful choices, and experience different endings, ensuring that each playthrough feels distinct and engaging. Despite some technical issues, the game's rich narrative and community support through mods further enhance its replay value, making it a highly recommended experience for RPG enthusiasts.
- “Hours of fun in an intriguing, mysterious, highly replayable storyline, in which each decision can, and will, affect the game.”
- “The game features a deep and complex storyline with many branching paths and multiple endings, allowing for a high degree of replayability.”
- “The fact that every clan offers such a different experience offers so much replayability; I love the political intrigue and machinations of it all, the soundtrack is gorgeous, the quests are genuinely interesting, and the characters are all fascinating.”
- “With the many different clans that you can choose to base your character off, it opens up extreme replayability as they each have special abilities that change how you approach obstacles.”
humor
636 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is widely praised for its sharp, dark wit and clever dialogue, particularly from the Malkavian character, whose unique perspective adds a layer of hilarity to the game. Players appreciate the blend of dark humor with serious themes, creating a rich narrative experience that balances comedy and horror. While some jokes may not have aged well, the overall writing and character interactions are considered standout features, making the game both entertaining and immersive.
- “I haven't laughed at a game in years until I read Malkavian dialogue, and while this game does have good/funny dialogue overall, playing Malkavian enhances that experience further and will by far give you the most unique first playthrough.”
- “The writing is sharp, filled with dark humor, political intrigue, and moral ambiguity.”
- “This game is loaded with so much awesome stuff, and the humor in it is great.”
- “I think it's supposed to be funny, but it's just really awkward and gross.”
- “The sole black NPC wears a basketball jersey, sports an afro, refers to women as 'baby girl', and in conversation, when he invites the player to eat with him, there is a dialogue option that reads: 'couldn't I just watch the monkeys feed down at the zoo?'...not funny!”
grinding
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
6%
90%
The reviews highlight a significant divide in player experiences regarding grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the lack of traditional grinding for experience points, as progression is tied to quest completion, many find certain levels and combat encounters to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the latter parts of the game. The overall sentiment suggests that while the story and atmosphere are compelling, the gameplay can become frustratingly grindy, especially during specific missions and combat scenarios.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Also, there is absolutely no grinding necessary!!!”
- “RPG elements are implemented a bit differently than most RPGs, in that XP is only awarded for completing quests, so there's no grinding involved, or even leveling (as XP is used to increase stats).”
- “There are a couple of tedious and repetitive levels, and some of the things you have to do are extremely unintuitive.”
- “The worst of which is the sewer level to find some Nosferatu dude; we're talking Halo 1 library levels of tedious. Luckily, the unofficial patch fixes this so you can skip the whole thing if you want.”
- “I gave up a few missions before the end, due to the fact that combat becomes 10x more frequent in the second half, and every single combat event in the game is at best tedious and annoying.”
optimization
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
41%
19%
The optimization of "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" is widely criticized, with many players noting significant performance issues, bugs, and crashes, particularly in the unpatched version. However, the installation of the unofficial patch is deemed essential for improving performance, allowing the game to run smoothly and reducing the frequency of glitches. While the game shows its age and struggles with optimization on modern systems, it can still deliver a compelling experience when properly patched.
- “Should also mention I was running the unofficial patch and had great performance and only minor bugs with zero crashes.”
- “It lets you have up to 4K resolutions and makes the game run smoothly.”
- “With the unofficial patch plus, my game runs smoothly and I've yet to run into any major issues.”
- “It had abysmal performance, tons of bugs, including game-breaking ones; it took around 10-15 minutes to load the larger levels on my 256 MB RAM rig.”
- “This game was not optimized well and has some game-breaking bugs that make completing certain missions impossible.”
- “It's an unoptimized and buggy mess.”
character development
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
64%
3%
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, allowing players to make meaningful choices that significantly impact gameplay and storytelling. Many reviewers highlight the diverse and well-designed characters, along with a unique system that encourages strategic investment in skills. Despite some criticisms regarding linearity and bugs, the overall consensus is that the character development is a standout feature that enhances the immersive experience and replayability of the game.
- “Character development is one of its biggest strengths here, having such a diverse cast of actual characters, well written and not once out of character, and with some of the best voice acting you will ever hear in a video game.”
- “If you're looking to immerse yourself in an otherworldly experience, this is the video game for you: Bloodlines ticks all the boxes any gamer could ask for, from awesome action sequences to meticulous character development; which ultimately makes all the changes to your gameplay.”
- “The roleplaying aspects, character development, and different ways to tackle quests were strong enough to offset any blemishes in the combat.”
- “A decent RPG shooter, but it has a poor character development system and only an okay story at best.”
- “Character design lacking in depth and development.”
- “The character design system is initially intoxicating due to its apparent 'depth', but after playing the game for more than ten minutes, it becomes obvious that any variety in gameplay choices is just a veneer over a linear adventure game with gratuitous sexual pandering and jump-scares thrown in for good measure.”
emotional
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its atmospheric storytelling, engaging characters, and moments that evoke a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. While many players found the narrative deeply immersive and memorable, some criticized the latter parts of the game for lacking emotional payoff and feeling rushed. Overall, it strikes a balance between humor and emotional depth, making it a standout experience for fans of the genre.
- “The world has its moments of pure horror and comedy, as well as moments that leave your dead heart breaking in half.”
- “It truly made me feel involved with the characters and story.”
- “There are parts in this game that in my heart can't be topped just because of how enveloped they made me feel.”
monetization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for being perceived as a cash grab, particularly in light of the lack of quality and depth in recent vampire-themed titles. Reviewers express disappointment over the game's insufficient advertising and support, suggesting that it deserved more attention and a remaster to better serve its genre. Despite its strong narrative and gameplay, the game's marketing strategy has left it feeling unloved and underappreciated.
- “Hopefully I can reach a few people to spread the message that, instead of buying a fun vampire game, you are being the target of an insidious cash grab.”
- “It's a great game, sad to see it so unloved because of the dev's problems and lack of advertising.”
- “They didn't give this the time or advertisement it deserved.”

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74%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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25h Median play time

78h Average play time

23h Main story

40h Completionist

6-42h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 88 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is a open world role playing game with horror, fantasy and thriller themes.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is available on PC and Windows.

The main story can be completed in around 23 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 40 hours to finish. On average players spend around 78 hours playing Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines was released on March 22, 2007.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines was developed by Troika Games.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is a single player game.

Similar games include Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: Origins, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords, Deus Ex, Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption and others.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

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PC Review - 'Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines'