Vampire: The Masquerade — Night Road | Game Brain

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"Vampire: The Masquerade — Night Road" is a text-based narrative game where you play as a vampire enforcer, navigating a world of moral ambiguity and supernatural politics. Your choices impact the story's outcome, as you balance the Masquerade with your own desires and loyalties. With a focus on dialogue and decision-making, this game offers a rich, immersive vampire experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 464 reviews

story143 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Incredibly well-written with a captivating story that immerses players in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe.
Offers a high level of replayability with multiple clans, choices, and character builds that significantly affect the narrative.
Successfully captures the atmosphere and themes of the World of Darkness, providing a rich role-playing experience.

Lacks a save feature, forcing players to restart from the beginning after a character's death, which can be frustrating.
Some players found the character interactions and romances to be underdeveloped and not as engaging as expected.
The game can feel railroaded at times, with limited branching paths despite the numerous choices available.

story
419 mentions
34 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in "Vampire: The Masquerade - Night Road" is generally praised for its depth, engaging characters, and the ability to shape the narrative through player choices, providing a rich role-playing experience reminiscent of tabletop gameplay. However, some players express disappointment with its linearity and the feeling that many choices lead to similar outcomes, limiting the overall impact of decisions. While the writing is often described as solid and immersive, the game’s reliance on stats and mechanics can detract from the storytelling experience for some players.
- “The story is very captivating and keeps you wanting more, and the characters are well written, even the side ones.”
- “A truly enjoyable story, with excellent characters and massive attention to detail.”
- “The story is ambitious, with many ways to deal with problems, consequences, intrigue, and violence.”
- “I am disappointed because I have played free Ren'Py games with longer stories, where the choices radically changed the plot, not just the flavor... and they are full of images that not only note what people look like, but their expressions during conversations, locations, moods, etc. I am disappointed because I paid $15 for a 99% black and white story.”
- “The story seems more linear than it lets on and I have to wonder how much divergence there really is as I found myself pushed into situations where my options were more limited than expected.”
- “The story is serviceable, but not perfect.”
gameplay
60 mentions
23 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Night Road" is heavily text-based and relies on role-playing and stat-building mechanics reminiscent of tabletop RPGs, offering a rich narrative experience with significant replay value. While the game features a variety of character options and choices that impact gameplay, many players find the mechanics unbalanced and poorly integrated, leading to frustration with skill checks and a lack of a save feature. Overall, it appeals to fans of interactive fiction and those who appreciate deep storytelling, but may not satisfy players seeking traditional gameplay elements.
- “Every clan gives your character a great backstory, and I love the fact that it changes gameplay and certain scenes, adding a lot of replay value.”
- “From a tabletop perspective, this game is great. It features many paths, a variety of different clans to play as, and different ways of making your character using RPG-based stats that are common in tabletop gameplay.”
- “This game genuinely encapsulates the in-depth storytelling and mechanics of the tabletop.”
- “As for gameplay, if you're not a fan of entirely text-based CYOA games, turn back.”
- “The mechanics and UI are terrible.”
- “The gameplay is boring and dull; you feel more like you're in a book instead of a game where you can make choices of your own.”
replayability
49 mentions
43 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, with players praising the diverse clans, impactful choices, and multiple story paths that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many reviews highlight the extensive content and customization options, particularly with the addition of DLCs, which further enhance the replay value. While some players note that the initial experience may feel complete, the variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game engaging for repeated runs.
- “Every clan gives your character a great backstory, and I love the fact that it changes gameplay and certain scenes, adding a lot of replay value.”
- “Very replayable as your choices make a lasting impact on how the story plays out, and I was constantly shocked by how frequently the game recalled every choice I had made so far.”
- “With all these different outcomes from your choices, this game is very replayable, and even though I’ve played for many hours and done multiple playthroughs, there are still paths I’ve yet to explore!”
- “The only thing I'd say doesn't add much to the game is replayability, even if it might initially feel like it, seeing all the clans, skill-rolls, and choices involved, but most of it is smoke and mirrors.”
- “What I did notice is that seeking out certain characters can lead to a side plot or two which is cool and gives something extra (especially for replay value!) but after your first playthrough you're gonna know the long and the short of what the general story has in tow for you.”
- “I like that the game has a lot of variety, but I'm not sure it's going to be that replayable.”
music
43 mentions
16 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting the absence of a built-in soundtrack as a significant drawback. While some found this lack of music disappointing, they suggested using external soundtracks from other Vampire: The Masquerade games to enhance the experience. Overall, players appreciated the strong writing and immersive storytelling, but expressed a desire for a more robust audio-visual presentation.
- “Pop in some good music, turn off the lights and let fantasy carry you along your alter ego on a true VTM adventure.”
- “I suggest playing with a dark ambient soundtrack as background noise; it really enhances the atmosphere that the text drips with.”
- “Turn on some nice background music (like the Bloodlines OST) for maximum immersion.”
- “The game is stripped of music, backgrounds, advanced menu/UI options, and other production value aspects that were in the previous games.”
- “There are no graphics, no music, no sound or animations.”
- “The absence of graphics and music is disappointing, even as someone who has enjoyed choice-of games in the past.”
graphics
42 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game are minimal, primarily consisting of a few beautifully painted character portraits, with no animations, sound, or extensive visuals. While some players appreciate the focus on storytelling and character development over graphical fidelity, others find the lack of visuals and music disappointing, especially for a text-based adventure. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling narrative and replayability, but its aesthetic limitations may deter those seeking a more visually engaging experience.
- “The artwork for the characters is gorgeous, and it captures the VTM experience incredibly well. I've greatly enjoyed its writing.”
- “Despite the game obviously lacking any visual graphics aside from beautiful digitally painted pictures of the characters you meet, there is a lot of room for different choices and outcomes.”
- “Good writing that is in tune with the overall atmosphere you'd expect from a WOD/VTM entry, an intriguing main storyline, and multiple ways to go about solving your missions, with gorgeous artwork for the characters.”
- “It doesn't have the graphic and active gameplay qualities of Redemption or Bloodlines.”
- “The absence of graphics and music is disappointing, even as someone who has enjoyed choice-of games in the past.”
- “There are no graphics (only a few illustrations), and honestly, this ended up being a feature rather than a bug.”
atmosphere
13 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and intense qualities, reminiscent of classic entries in the World of Darkness series. Players appreciate the strong writing, intriguing storylines, and character designs that enhance the overall experience, while some suggest that a dark ambient soundtrack can further elevate the mood. However, a few reviews note that the atmosphere may not be as rich as expected, with some elements feeling underdeveloped.
- “Immersive atmosphere, a lot of choices, hard decisions, nice role-playing elements.”
- “I suggest playing with a dark ambient soundtrack as background noise, it really enhances the atmosphere that the text drips with.”
- “The game is horror in the sense that it's a world of darkness game so there's a certain baseline of awful things being done to bodies and souls, but instead of kind of pornographically lingering on that stuff, I'd describe the game's prevailing atmosphere as kind of... taut, atmospheric tension.”
- “Atmosphere: 3/10”
- “The most atmosphere you get are certain VTM-esque fonts here and there, the descriptions of places you go to (which are okay, never something I focus much on) to the pictures of the characters.”
- “Not v5 heavy atmosphere so if you are an older fan of v2 or v20 like me you will enjoy this game as well.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of dark and dry humor that enhances its serious themes, with clever pop-culture references and engaging dialogue that elicits genuine chuckles. Players appreciate the well-crafted writing and interesting characters, though some note that the humor is balanced without veering into goofiness. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that complements the game's narrative and gameplay.
- “This is my first ever review on a game on Steam (it's that good in my personal opinion that I'm writing this, lmao) and I promise you if you like dark and serious books in general with a little sprinkle of humor, this game might be your choice to get.”
- “With chuckling humor sprinkled in without ever drifting off into goofiness.”
- “Everything from its references (pop culture and callbacks to Bloodlines), to its art, to the locations (some of which I've actually been to!), and finally sandpaper-dry humor, all blend exceptionally well together.”
grinding
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be minimal, with achievements being easily attainable and the game capable of being completed in a short time frame. This lack of grinding contributes to a more enjoyable experience, free from unnecessary frustrations.
- “There is no grinding; the achievements are easy to get, and it can be finished in one work shift.”
- “Buckle up then, no actually, buckle up, because you're about to embark on a journey of blood-sucking, experience farming, and drifting your piece of crap starter car.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players feeling disconnected from the chaotic narrative, while others found it deeply moving, particularly praising the emotional impact of the ending. Overall, it is seen as a valuable addition to the dark fantasy genre, evoking strong feelings despite its narrative inconsistencies.
- “I cried at the ending.”
- “Since playing the cult classic Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, I wished for more dark world games and, in terms of emotional experience, Night Road is a worthy addition to the dark fantasy genre.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game experienced a buggy launch, but most issues have been addressed since then. While some bugs remain, the implementation of v5 rules and lore is considered solid. Overall, stability has improved, though minor glitches persist.
- “A little buggy in places.”
- “Although the launch was buggy, most issues have since been fixed.”
- “The implementation of v5 rules and lore is surprisingly solid, even if the game itself is still a little buggy.”
character development
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
While the game features deep character development and meaningful choices, some users feel that the plot is slightly railroaded and that side characters lack sufficient development.
- “This game is what RPG gaming is about: deep character development and choices that matter.”
- “The character arcs are incredibly well-written, making each decision feel impactful.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, reflecting the choices I make.”
- “The plot feels slightly railroaded, and there's a noticeable lack of development for side characters.”
- “While the main character has some depth, the side characters are underdeveloped and don't contribute much to the story.”
- “The character development is disappointing, as many choices feel inconsequential and fail to impact the narrative.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game enhances immersion by allowing characters and factions to react dynamically to player behavior and mission outcomes, creating a more engaging and responsive world.
- “The world and characters feel alive; characters and factions develop opinions of you based on your behavior as well as your mission performance.”
- “The optimization of character interactions adds depth to the gameplay, making every decision feel impactful.”
- “I love how the game optimizes resource management, allowing for strategic planning and enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating performance issues.”
- “I often experience significant lag and stuttering, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.”
- “The game feels unpolished, with many features that should be optimized still feeling clunky and unresponsive.”