I want to start by saying that I really enjoyed the game — the criticism it gets feels a bit exaggerated. Yes, the game is quite linear, but the story (at least where I am so far) is genuinely engaging. It mixes elements of horror and mystery in a way that’s very well done — much better than in many of the recent games I’ve played. Mechanically, it’s a completely different experience from the original. Anyone expecting classic RPG-style mechanics might be a bit disappointed, as most of the RPG elements now come through dialogue options and skill choices rather than deep systems. That said, I absolutely love the above-ground travel mechanic. We’ve seen similar things in other games, but here it really makes you feel like a vampire — skulking across rooftops and gliding through the night unseen. Massive props for that. Overall, it’s a solid game. If the developers had been upfront, they probably wouldn’t have called it Vampire: The Masquerade 2, but we live in times where clickbait sells. Would I have played it if it had a different name? Maybe not — but I’m glad I did.
