Sequel to the cult RPG disappoints at almost every step. Bloodlines 2 first reviews will discourage all but the biggest fans of the universe

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Update (October 22)

The long-awaited game, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, is now available, but it’s receiving a similar reception to its critical reviews. While around 26,000 people are currently playing on Steam, with a high of 27,020 recently, player reviews are currently mixed. With over 520 reviews submitted, only 40% are positive, suggesting they could soon become overwhelmingly negative.

Fans of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines debate whether it’s a genuine role-playing game or a worthy follow-up to the popular 2004 title by Troika Games. Its expensive price tag, combined with old-fashioned graphics and technology, isn’t helping its reputation. Many players and critics describe the game as just average, and it’s plagued by technical problems.

Original news (October 17)

Despite being scheduled for release on October 21st, early reviews of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, developed by The Chinese Room and Paradox Interactive, are starting to surface. Sadly, it appears the game’s troubled development history isn’t its biggest issue, as initial critic feedback has been largely negative.

The PC version of the game has an average score of 67/100 on Metacritic, based on 19 reviews. The PlayStation 5 version received an even lower average score of 64/100. These scores are disappointing for fans who were hoping for a game that lived up to the popular 2004 original. Considering the game’s difficult development, these results aren’t entirely surprising.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 – selected scores

  1. Gamereactor UK – 80/100
  2. PC Gamer – 78/100
  3. Vandal – 75/100
  4. Wccftech – 70/100
  5. IGN – 70/100
  6. Dexerto – 60/100
  7. PCGamesN – 50/100
  8. Eurogamer – 40/100
  9. Push Square – 40/100
  10. GamesRadar+ – 30/100

Okay, so before I get into what’s not so great, let me tell you what I really liked. Everyone’s saying the story in Bloodlines 2 is seriously good – it’s super engaging and throws some unexpected twists at you. Plus, the characters feel really well-developed and like they actually belong in the world. And speaking of the world, it’s amazing! It’s dark and atmospheric, and it totally nails the vibe of the Vampire: The Masquerade universe. It really pulls you in.

While there are some positives, the game unfortunately has significant flaws. Reviewers have noted numerous technical problems, with one calling the game’s performance among the worst they’ve encountered. Gameplay feels restrictive and often repeats itself, and players have little freedom to meaningfully interact with the game world. Many also complain that the game is filled with lengthy, unnecessary conversations and that the side quests are dull and uninspired.

Early reviews of Bloodlines 2 indicate it likely won’t reach the same level of success as the original game. We’ll see how players react when it’s released in a few days.

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2025-10-22 11:33