Lauren spends most of her time lifeless in League of Legends, or equally as lifeless in Valorant. Do not ask her about Vampire: The Masquerade.
Printed: October 23, 2026
Some issues go collectively completely. Strawberries and cream. Blood and wine. Lauren and Vampire: The Masquerade. There are jokes within the PCGamesN Slack about my VTM fanaticism, and the way it has transcended from being a wonderfully regular fandom to a full-blown obsession that some folks (not me) would deem unhealthy. I am not bothered, although: they do not know I am a Ventrue; I can do what I would like.
On Friday, October 16, a put up appeared on r/vtmb, the Bloodlines-dedicated Reddit web page. “I simply went to a Genitorturers present in Brooklyn, it was nice,” it reads. “However at one level, they requested us if we knew about [Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines], then they stated they’re remaking the sport. Is that this true?” For individuals who do not know who the Genitorturers are, they supplied ‘Lecher Bitch’ for the Bloodlines soundtrack.
This was adopted up by a second Reddit put up from the one who claims to have leaked the Forza Horizon 6 Japan setting (the Forza put up has been eliminated). “I can affirm that it’s within the works. NOT a remake, however a remaster, with some caveats. That is all I can say.” I virtually fainted. However I am unable to, as a result of I am a vampire.
So right here I’m as a substitute, presenting you with 1,037 phrases on why this remaster higher be actual. Strap in, people: I’ve acquired so much to say.
For these uninitiated, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines is a 2004 motion RPG made by Troika, a studio fashioned by Fallout legends Tim Cain, Jason Anderson, and Leonard Boyasky. You play as a Fledgling – or younger vampire (Kindred) – who has to take care of the political machinations of the government-esque Camarilla and rabble-rousing Anarchs. Set in Los Angeles, you possibly can select your distinctive class (or Clan), in addition to your alignment. You can play goody two sneakers to Prince LaCroix, throw in your lot with Nines Rodriguez, and even betray the Kindred as a complete and facet with the Kuei Jin, a novel vampiric race that hails from the East. There are totally different endings that rely in your decisions, and a slew of strange characters to come across in your journey.
What actually makes Bloodlines particular, although, is the setting. The soiled streets of Santa Monica; the sleazy really feel of Hollywood: there is a constant factor of grit and dirt, soundtracked completely with Rik Schaffer’s signature grunge. There’s the glitz and glamor of shiny lights and sequin clothes, however there’s blood within the alleyways and cobwebs within the corners. It is simply the most effective recreation of the World of Darkness setting that I’ve ever seen, and maybe one of the crucial plausible variations of a fantastical LA.
The world is populated by a forged of quirky, unforgettable characters. From Santa Monica’s twin Anarch barons, Therese and Jeanette, to the formidable, tricksy Ming Xiao, the night time is full of an unlimited array of feuding personalities that you just by no means fairly get a deal with on. Is LaCroix the white knight saviour he claims to be? Is Nines actually only a insurgent with a trigger? Does Ming Xiao truly wish to assist you to? The characters themselves are spectacular, however their political machinations are much more intriguing.
Whereas Baldur’s Gate 3 nailed each the texture and the silliness of Dungeons and Dragons, Bloodlines completely encapsulates the political manoeuvring of a VTM desk. The vampire ethos revolves round secrets and techniques and betrayals: at my very own desk, my boisterous Nosferatu Eins appears slightly foolish, however is inherently crafty. Bloodlines is fraught with betrayals and backstabs that you do not see coming, but is concurrently campy and foolish. It completely encapsulates the enjoyable parts of VTM, whereas authentically portraying its darkest ones. I’ve argued earlier than that Bloodlines is the most effective digital interpretation of a TTRPG – even post-Baldur’s Gate 3. I stay staunch in that perception.
That, in flip, makes it good for a contemporary viewers. Curiosity in TRRPGs is at an all-time peak, because of BG3, the Dungeons and Dragons film, Stranger Issues, and new Wizards of the Coast initiatives like Warlock. Videogame diversifications of board video games simply make sense today. Forward of Vampire’s sixth version, there isn’t any higher time to reintroduce folks to what VTM must be.
A remaster, then, is ideal. It is no secret that Bloodlines is a slog to play – with out the unofficial patch, it is successfully unplayable on numerous trendy PCs. There are some extreme bugs, hitboxes are janky, and a few ranges are woefully padded out and needlessly tough (Nosferatu Warrens, I am you). A remaster can repair all of these issues and add some visible aptitude to, hopefully, make issues even grimier.
Bloodlines will all the time be a tough recreation – that is par for the course with older titles in comparison with trendy ones. Fight is not all the time fairly, and the Ming Xiao struggle is actively painful when you’ve not specced into firearms. A remaster – relying on the scope of it – might easy a few of that out, however part of me would not need it to. High quality of life fixes and bug squashing apart, that is a part of why I really like Bloodlines – it does not pull its punches, and it does not care about your emotions.
I might speak for a really very long time about this recreation. It is the proper instance of translating a TTRPG right into a digital setting, and it nonetheless stands up as the most effective VTM videogame ever made. A remaster would give it the polish it sorely wants, whereas reintroducing it to a contemporary viewers forward of V6’s launch. The celebs have aligned: all of it is sensible.
The World of Darkness is at present internet hosting its Month of Darkness occasion, and we have seen new info drop for each the upcoming Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish and Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Rageborn. Maybe October 31 will see the Bloodlines remake made manifest; perhaps we’ll want to attend slightly longer till we’re nearer to V6’s launch. Both manner, I hope these rumors are true: there are visually enhanced cease indicators that want speaking to.
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