Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 to be released in Q1 2020

The original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines was released in late 2004 and was considered back then one of the best “cult” RPGs to date. Paradox Interactive surprised everyone at GDC 2019, as the company finally announced the sequel called Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 after almost 15 years. Paradox provided an interesting trailer for the game, but select media representatives were also given a 30-minute behind-close-doors demonstration.

PC World reports that the sequel’s timeline advanced exactly 15 years and some events from the original will be referenced throughout the new game. Paradox managed to get hold of Brian Mitsoda, the original writer and designer for the first game, who has now been appointed as lead narrative designer. Mitsoda will be introducing new settings like a modern-day dark Seattle plus a host of new characters. The new game will still be aimed at adult audiences, since it will feature strong language and a brutal first person combat system with impactful melee fights and the occasional third person camera pulls that show off gruesome executions.

As far as the gameplay is concerned, players will be able to embody a freshly-converted Thin Blood that will choose between three initial powers: gliding, turning into mist and flying through tight spots, or telekinesis manipulation. As the game progresses, the protagonist will learn more abilities and eventually become a Full Blood vampire. The dialogue trees will provide inflection points that lead to different outcomes, so there is some degree of replayability offered. Additionally, the quest structure will be revolving around a massive bulletin board full of conspiracy theory string-graphs that offer certain leads for quests and points of interest. When it comes to levels, these will come in the form of hub-like areas “larger than a few blocks in each direction,” which can be accessed in any order, thus offering a non-linear progression path.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is expected to launch in early 2020, and more details should be unveiled at E3 this summer.