Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 from Paradox finally has a release date with October 21, but it gets expensive if you want all the content.
Paradox games have become a bit of a meme on the level of DLC included, but with Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 they're pushing it further. There's three different editions of the game, the one with all of the actual content at release is a surprising £74.99. That's because, for some reason, they've separated two clans into a DLC which they've put into the "Premium Edition".

Direct Link
More about it from the press release:
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 players will experience the game's narrative through two alternating playable characters: Elder vampire Phyre and Malkavian detective Fabien. After centuries of torpor, a deep state of vampiric slumber, Phyre awakens in modern-day Seattle with a mysterious mark that has locked away their Elder abilities and Fabien’s voice echoing in their head. As Phyre, players meet the city’s ruling Kindred vampires, each with their own motivations, and uncover Seattle’s dark secrets while reclaiming their lost vampiric powers.
Between nights, as Phyre rests, dreams and voices from Fabien's past take hold. Emerging as Fabien, players enter a neo-noir 1920s Seattle and use his Malkavian abilities to unravel the mystery behind his murder. Solving the case proves challenging, as Fabien's fractured perception of reality, a trait of his Malkavian blood, makes it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is the successor to the cult-classic Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004). Bloodlines 2 plunges players into Seattle's dark underbelly, where vampires struggle for survival and supremacy. Players meet compelling characters, navigate complex political relationships, stalk the city streets for prey, and engage in intense combat while balancing their thirst for mortal blood.
The base game includes four clans, each with its own distinct playstyles, outfits, and Disciplines: the rebellious Brujah, blood sorcery masters Tremere, justice-driven Banu Haqim, and the persuasive Ventrue. Players must remain mindful of their surroundings or risk breaking the Masquerade – the absolute law of secrecy that keeps vampire society hidden from humanity.
Flop, dead game, RIP, move on.
Hope it sells very poorly.
I've waited this long for a sequel, I can wait another year or two. Plus, by that time, it should be fully patched and word-of-mouth will let me have a better idea of what to expect following the long and troubled development cycle.
Early buzz is starting in media on a demo making the rounds. It's a catastrophe, apparently.
I like the visual style but I wonder how many RPG elements were cut. Looks more like Vampyr from DontNod than a sequel to Vampire The Masquerade.
Last edited by Brokatt on 20 Aug 2025 at 2:33 pm UTC
It's shaping up to be an entertaining launch.
Last edited by such on 20 Aug 2025 at 3:57 pm UTC
It's shaping up to be an entertaining launch.Well at least it's going to provide entertainment one way or another.
This new one ? Not really the sequel "we" want. Stupid price and DLC policy.
Will probably pass.