Summary
- We play through the opening hours of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and can’t wait to sink our teeth in for more.
- Playing as the Elder Nomad vampire in modern day Seattle feels at times like a classic noir detective film.
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will launch October 21, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S.
There I was, walking into a seedy, underground bar where the air smelled like a mix of cigarette burns, stale alcohol, and broken dreams. I was there to talk with Fletcher, the resident owner of this establishment, as he sat alone at the piano in the corner, stringing lonely notes together hoping they’d form a memorable tune. A lead sent me here, something about how a mortal girl had stumbled upon knowledge of the Masquerade, an elaborate veil of deception maintained by the Camarilla vampire faction to convince humans that vampires do not exist. How did she find out? And more to the point: How am I able to talk to her if I’m already dead?
This was how my three hours with the captivating Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 came to a close, just as I started to peel back the layers of a larger mystery that was unfolding throughout my time with the game. With a narrative that was at times seemingly pulled from classic noir films like “The Maltese Falcon” and “Double Indemnity” (which I was not expecting), in addition to the volumes of work as part of the rich World of Darkness universe, I was left immensely impressed by everything I had played and now eagerly await its release on October 21, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is the follow-up to the cult-classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel for years, and now with The Chinese Room (Still Wakes the Deep, Dear Esther) at the helm, this first-person ARPG is close to finally seeing the light. And, based on what I’ve played so far, it may just be worth all that waiting for.
Hours before I’m investigating Fletcher’s bar, my adventure began in the shoes of a totally different vampire in an abandoned building, who had just woken from a 100-year slumber, no thanks to a security guard’s flashlight in my eyes. It wasn’t long after taking my first bite from his unsuspecting neck than the disembodied voice of Fabian, a Malkavian vampire, spoke to me. He says he’s a detective who has just assigned himself a new case: finding his body. That means, for now, he’s stuck inside my head.
Fabian fills the role of the omnipresent narrator for you, channeling a mix of James Cagney, William Holden, and Humphrey Bogart, and he provides both useful background information to the game’s universe while also serving as the catalyst to the game’s story here in the early going.
It’s also during this early part of my playthrough that I begin to get a handle on my vampiric abilities, like feeding on enemies and swiftly moving through this ramshackle residence – the how and whys my character found herself here will have to wait. Even in this early area, I am already getting a sense of how important stealth and movement will be key to surviving in Bloodlines 2, like using heightened senses to see through walls to “sense” body heat, gliding across gaps, and swiftly moving up through elevator shafts to avoid the additional guards that have arrived on the scene.
It’s also here that my favorite ability is introduced – telekinesis can be used to solve environmental puzzles like tearing away wooden planks, or grabbing bottles to throw as a distraction, but can also be used in combat by throwing baseball bats at enemies, pulling them towards me, or picking up and firing weapons. It’s an interesting approach that you can’t “hold” any of these things – but that leaves your vicious claws at the ready.
Combat is primarily melee focused, with strikes tied to RB and dodges with LB – you can’t take many hits, so remaining agile with any opponents you square off against will be key. Later, as you begin to increase your vampiric power, you’ll unlock other useful abilities to enhance your playstyle.
Players pick their vampire clan, including the Banu Haqim, Tremere, Brujah, and Ventrue, each with its own unique attributes. I chose the Ventrue because I connected with the ability to manipulate enemies, like being able to turn them against each other or to make them forget I was even there. These are pretty solid traits for role-playing as a vampire!
Two of the abilities I unlocked early on were Flesh of Marble, which hardens skin shortly after a feeding (great to use in the middle of a fight), and Terminal Decree, which convinces a mortal to snap their own neck. These powers only have a limited use, and I need to “feed” on my foes in order to recharge them during combat.
Lore-wise, the reason I could tap into such powerful abilities early on is that I’m known as the Nomad, an ancient vampire who is fairly well known to have pulled off some legendary exploits – what those are is not exactly clear as the game begins – but I have a reputation to uphold from the get-go, which can inform some of the dialog choices while interacting with other characters in the world.
After assigning some early traits, it was time to hit the streets of a snow-filled night in Seattle’s International District. As a real-life resident of the city, it really feels like a faithful representation – even if snow doesn’t last that long on the ground here, and my favorite bubble tea place was missing, but I digress. The layout of the streets and alleyways, as well as several landmarks off in the distance – like the Great Wheel – makes it feel pretty spot-on. It’s also incredibly immersive to walk about as people stroll by, cops are out on patrol, and vans are unloading goods — it feels alive.
It’s also here where you must contend with the Masquerade. The rules of being a vampire mean there’s no showing off supernatural abilities. No floating, extra-high jumping, or sprinting at a wind-like pace – any of these movements around them will set off human suspicions, essentially “breaking” the Masquerade, which will have them start to attack you (or worse). In one instance I got a little reckless by jumping off a building and landing in front of a human. It wasn’t long after that I found a wooden stake through my heart – the Camarilla, it seems, are always watching.
The roleplaying goes much farther than just that, however. Interactions with notable NPCs in the world are incredibly dense and layered, with multiple choices in how you choose to interact with them that feed into a reputation system (e.g. characters can become pleased or frustrated by you depending on how you reply to them). We’re told all these choices and actions will matter — relationships characters do or don’t make, and the actions they choose will impact gameplay. Bloodlines 2 features multiple endings that are shaped by these choices, dialog options can also differ depending on which vampire clan you choose, and NPCs will even react differently depending on your outfit.
Related to this, the facial modeling of these characters, which has been excellent from everything that we’ve seen, features expressive faces and well-synced audio to go along with the rich dialog that helps with the immersion factor, vital for such an active-dialog system such as this, and with so much deep lore to pull from. This goes for your character as well who is fully voiced, making me think that the number of lines of dialog in this game must be staggeringly high.
As I mentioned right at the beginning, there’s a whole other layer to this. Later in my playthrough is when I stepped into the past as Fabian, leading me back to Fletcher’s bar. Here I got to play with some other vampire abilities, like Forgetful Mind, which can erase someone’s recent memories, Mask of a Thousand Faces, which can convince someone you’re a friend, and Scry the Soul to interrogate someone’s thoughts. All of these are used to glean additional information to Fabian’s case.
My brief time with Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 really surprised me with its role-playing depth, quality of combat, and neo-noir approach to its storytelling — I really wasn’t expecting that last one. It’s pulled off so well, even at times when it starts to feel a little too tongue-in-cheek, I could practically smell the whiskey on Fabian’s breath. Right now, as far as follow-ups go to a classic such as the original Bloodlines, it feels like The Chinese Room have become the perfect fit to bring us into this World of Darkness when Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 launches October 21, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S.
Vampire: The Masquerade® – Bloodlines
2 – Premium Edition – Preorder
Paradox Interactive
You are the Nomad — an elder vampire awakening from a century-long slumber, new to the modern nights. Trapped in your Blood is a stranger’s voice. This mysterious entity, a vampire detective known as Fabien, will be your guide to 21st-century Seattle. In sections of the game, you will explore the city through his eyes as you revisit a cold case from a hundred years ago that threatens undead and mortal society.
Hunt your way through a modern-night Seattle on the brink of an open supernatural war in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, where visceral vampire action meets a neo-noir murder mystery. Navigate the vampire Court of Seattle and its dark underbelly in this action RPG, realized by the BAFTA award-winning studio The Chinese Room.
Shadows & Silk
Unleash new depths of darkness and artistry in Shadows & Silk. Embrace the shadows as a Lasombra, commanding the very essence of darkness to bend to your will. Or, revel in beauty and passion as a Toreador, channeling your artistic spirit to captivate and influence those around you. This Shadows & Silk unlocks two distinct and powerful vampire clans, each with unique abilities and playstyles, as well as a total of eight new outfits, offering a new way to experience Bloodlines 2.
Santa Monica Memories
Premium Edition also includes Santa Monica Memories, which lets you relive the nostalgia of the original Bloodlines. To decorate your haven, this cosmetic pack features iconic items, including a Stop Sign, Ankaran Sarcophagus, and Voerman Portrait. Additionally, with Santa Monica Memories, your haven will be adorned with a clan LED sign each time you complete the game as a new clan.
You are the Monster
Blood sustains you and empowers your vampiric Disciplines. You’ll stalk and feed on the city’s population at night. Use your supernatural powers or raw persuasion on unsuspecting mortals to lure them into dark alleys and slake your Hunger. However, be cautious about breaking the Masquerade: revealing your true nature risks reprisals, starting with law enforcement and escalating from there. Remember, you are not the only creature that goes bump in the night.
Experience immersive, visceral combat that rewards various playstyles and approaches based on your choice of vampire clan. Will you engage in close combat with supernatural strength, attack from a distance with blood sorcery, or silently thin the herd like the apex predator you are? Your clan choice will support these playstyles and more.
A World of Darkness
Enter the World of Darkness and rise through vampire society or rail against it. Experience Seattle – a city full of alluring, dangerous characters and factions, not to mention the mortals at stake in the clash of powers beyond their knowing. In this sequel to the cult classic, your choices, plots, and schemes will determine the balance of power and what becomes of the city and its people.
Vampire: The Masquerade® – Bloodlines 2 – Deluxe Edition – Preorder
Paradox Interactive
You are the Nomad — an elder vampire awakening from a century-long slumber, new to the modern nights. Trapped in your Blood is a stranger’s voice. This mysterious entity, a vampire detective known as Fabien, will be your guide to 21st-century Seattle. In sections of the game, you will explore the city through his eyes as you revisit a cold case from a hundred years ago that threatens undead and mortal society.
Hunt your way through a modern-night Seattle on the brink of an open supernatural war in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, where visceral vampire action meets a neo-noir murder mystery. Navigate the vampire Court of Seattle and its dark underbelly in this action RPG, realized by the BAFTA award-winning studio The Chinese Room.
Santa Monica Memories
Deluxe Edition includes Santa Monica Memories, which lets you relive the nostalgia of the original Bloodlines. To decorate your haven, this cosmetic pack features iconic items, including a Stop Sign, Ankaran Sarcophagus, and Voerman Portrait. Additionally, with Santa Monica Memories, your haven will be adorned with a clan LED sign each time you complete the game as a new clan.
You are the Monster
Blood sustains you and empowers your vampiric Disciplines. You’ll stalk and feed on the city’s population at night. Use your supernatural powers or raw persuasion on unsuspecting mortals to lure them into dark alleys and slake your Hunger. However, be cautious about breaking the Masquerade: revealing your true nature risks reprisals, starting with law enforcement and escalating from there. Remember, you are not the only creature that goes bump in the night.
Experience immersive, visceral combat that rewards various playstyles and approaches based on your choice of vampire clan. Will you engage in close combat with supernatural strength, attack from a distance with blood sorcery, or silently thin the herd like the apex predator you are? Your clan choice will support these playstyles and more.
A World of Darkness
Enter the World of Darkness and rise through vampire society or rail against it. Experience Seattle – a city full of alluring, dangerous characters and factions, not to mention the mortals at stake in the clash of powers beyond their knowing. In this sequel to the cult classic, your choices, plots, and schemes will determine the balance of power and what becomes of the city and its people.
Vampire: The Masquerade® – Bloodlines 2 – Preorder
Paradox Interactive
You are the Nomad — an elder vampire awakening from a century-long slumber, new to the modern nights. Trapped in your Blood is a stranger’s voice. This mysterious entity, a vampire detective known as Fabien, will be your guide to 21st-century Seattle. In sections of the game, you will explore the city through his eyes as you revisit a cold case from a hundred years ago that threatens undead and mortal society.
Hunt your way through a modern-night Seattle on the brink of an open supernatural war in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, where visceral vampire action meets a neo-noir murder mystery. Navigate the vampire Court of Seattle and its dark underbelly in this action RPG, realized by the BAFTA award-winning studio The Chinese Room.
You are the Monster
Blood sustains you and empowers your vampiric Disciplines. You’ll stalk and feed on the city’s population at night. Use your supernatural powers or raw persuasion on unsuspecting mortals to lure them into dark alleys and slake your Hunger. However, be cautious about breaking the Masquerade: revealing your true nature risks reprisals, starting with law enforcement and escalating from there. Remember, you are not the only creature that goes bump in the night.
Experience immersive, visceral combat that rewards various playstyles and approaches based on your choice of vampire clan. Will you engage in close combat with supernatural strength, attack from a distance with blood sorcery, or silently thin the herd like the apex predator you are? Your clan choice will support these playstyles and more.
A World of Darkness
Enter the World of Darkness and rise through vampire society or rail against it. Experience Seattle – a city full of alluring, dangerous characters and factions, not to mention the mortals at stake in the clash of powers beyond their knowing. In this sequel to the cult classic, your choices, plots, and schemes will determine the balance of power and what becomes of the city and its people.
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