Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

 PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1057 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 947 out of 1057
  2. Mixed: 61 out of 1057
  3. Negative: 49 out of 1057
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  1. K-Van
    Mar 10, 2005
    9
    Yes, this game has bugs. That's what patches are for. I waited to play VTMB until one was available. Glad I did! I haven't had this much fun playing a RPG since KOTOR. Bottom line: If you like games like Morrowind, KOTOR, and Deus Ex, and you have a PC that can handle the load, then run out and buy this game immediately.
  2. JeffS.
    Feb 16, 2005
    7
    What happened? The first half of the game is pretty good, but then it just starts to get repetitious. The situations and characters are great, as well as the overall storyline. The game feels more like an adventure than a nuts and bolts CRPG, which is actually refreshing. This is a classic Troika Game, where the underlying systems are in place but someone forgot to polish and account for What happened? The first half of the game is pretty good, but then it just starts to get repetitious. The situations and characters are great, as well as the overall storyline. The game feels more like an adventure than a nuts and bolts CRPG, which is actually refreshing. This is a classic Troika Game, where the underlying systems are in place but someone forgot to polish and account for the fun factor in big sections of the game. Very buggy but as a developer I forgive you knowing some EP ass or marketing joyboy or publisher bigwig dropped the ball and under-[planned/staffed/bid] your project. From a DTBWWYG standpoint, it kicks ass though.… Expand
  3. EstherN.
    Jan 26, 2005
    7
    Like the reviews point out, the game is undermined by its buggy, incomplete feel. It does curtiously provide you with enough time to put on a pot of coffee while it loads, and reloads. I would be more interesting in replaying it if the game seemed to promise more variety the second-time through, but all I'd really be doing is switching vampires. Good time, overall.
  4. CatherineP.
    Jan 10, 2005
    2
    This is the kind of game that seems very impressive the first few times playing. but after a few hours its many faults begin to show. i believe this is the reason for the high ratings its been getting. the bugs make the game too fustrating to be enjoyable.
  5. GabrielC.
    Jan 10, 2005
    3
    Like Troika games previous efforts, this game doesn't feel finished. there were many times when i needed to search the forums for work arounds to problems, which prevented me from advancing in the game. in fact, this game is so buggy that a 'fan created' patch was released to fix some of the bugs. an official patch is now avaliable but in my opinion its too little too late.
  6. K
    Jan 6, 2005
    9
    A very atmospheric RPG which, sadly, has an unfinished feel to it.
  7. BenH.
    Jan 3, 2005
    10
    WTF... this puts halflife 2 to shame. Wow halflifes a shootem up mono aS! this is a shootem up rpg with a thick storyline.. some of the missiosn are jsut plane creepy!. The haunted house one i had goose bumps and my hair was standing up all down my back (no i dont have a hairy back but you know what i mean) Well done whoever made this game. Halflife 2 gets the thumbs up for makin the WTF... this puts halflife 2 to shame. Wow halflifes a shootem up mono aS! this is a shootem up rpg with a thick storyline.. some of the missiosn are jsut plane creepy!. The haunted house one i had goose bumps and my hair was standing up all down my back (no i dont have a hairy back but you know what i mean) Well done whoever made this game. Halflife 2 gets the thumbs up for makin the engine but in terms of a gameplay this game smokes it completely what a rad game. Only disturbing thing is too much play gives you vampire dreams and you do feel a bit weird when you wake up and you fell like you've been suckin on someones neck half the night :o. Anyway back to more about this game. Its storyline is awesome, has real attitude and some great humoour. You can choose from different clans and some of the more powerful ones have their drawbacks for example the royal bloodline of vampires can't suck bum blood or Priostitue blood.. its jsut no healthy for the and they start to throw up. Id say whatever type of vampire you think you are theres one for you there. Best game i played in a long time.… Expand
  8. JohnJR.
    Dec 31, 2004
    10
    The Best rpg/fps hybrid i have ever played. Bearing in mind im playing a fully patched version as this game has a lot of problems with bugs unpatched. But if you have played games like Bioforge, The Nomad Soul, System Shock 2, Deus Ex and want something that re-captures the magic and the atmosphere of those classics then this is the game for you. In a pc game atmosphere and story IS The Best rpg/fps hybrid i have ever played. Bearing in mind im playing a fully patched version as this game has a lot of problems with bugs unpatched. But if you have played games like Bioforge, The Nomad Soul, System Shock 2, Deus Ex and want something that re-captures the magic and the atmosphere of those classics then this is the game for you. In a pc game atmosphere and story IS everything. The story and dialogue and characters in this game are unbelievable. Best dialogue in a pc game for a long time. Finally a successful marriage between the instant gratificatino and appeal of an FPS and the deep gameplay of an RPG. You will need a relatively up to date pc to run it in all its glory though. But trust me this is like the offspring of a mating between Fallout and Halflife 2 Please Troika let there be a sequel (or add-ons even).… Expand
  9. TomV.
    Nov 27, 2004
    10
    The artistry is there. It really is, and the art is what's missing from bad games, not the technology. I know everyone mentions it, but the hotel mission is as beautifully conceived and executed as anything in Half-Life 2. You'd be cheating yourself not to buy this.
  10. BobS.
    Nov 27, 2004
    10
    This game is not a techno-fighter nor was it designed to be. If it runs smooth on your system it's incredible and well worth your time. Engrossing and deep with many sidequests and character development.
  11. J.J.
    Nov 26, 2004
    10
    Thanks cap g that worked great. Props to troika this game was so well designed.
  12. JohnS.
    Nov 24, 2004
    9
    I?ll agree with previous comments made about bloodlines gameplay, and add that more than any other cRPG (even KotOR) the character choices you make really do influence how you interact with NPCs. If you let your humanity slip, you?ll approach the world as an immoral monster. High seduction? You?ll find good looks can get you farther. While some have described the combat as ?clunky? I I?ll agree with previous comments made about bloodlines gameplay, and add that more than any other cRPG (even KotOR) the character choices you make really do influence how you interact with NPCs. If you let your humanity slip, you?ll approach the world as an immoral monster. High seduction? You?ll find good looks can get you farther. While some have described the combat as ?clunky? I haven?t found it so at all. It does depend heavily on your stats, so if you don?t put points into combat related attributes and talents, expect to have your butt handed to you on a regular basis. My only complaint is the lack of clothing/character model options. If you could change your look a bit more, it would be a totally immersive game. I?ve had no major graphics glitches, and I?m running an athlon xp 2600, 1 gb of ram, radeon 9600 128mb graphics. Hardcore VtM fans will note some significant departures from the pen and paper system, but I?ve found most of these compromises helped the flow of the game, and contributed to the overall experience. Each clan is represented well, though the character quiz heuristic is horribly broken. But if you know what clan you want to play, that doesn?t really matter. In any case, this is one of the most intense RPG experiences I?ve ever had. Spooky as hell. Very dark, but infused with Troika?s offbeat humor that gives the game some singularly hysterical moments. This is as close as you?ll ever get to feeling what it?s really like to enter the World of Darkness. Here?s hoping they make expansions and sequels ad infinitum. … Expand
  13. CapitalG.
    Nov 22, 2004
    8
    To James A: If the slowness you are experiencing in combat is in the form of not being able to make the character do what you want (not responding to keys at times) then it's an issue with the Source Engine, many people experience this issue with both CS:S and VtM (same engine) and it can easilly be fixed by setting priority of the vampire.exe to low in the taskmanager. To James A: If the slowness you are experiencing in combat is in the form of not being able to make the character do what you want (not responding to keys at times) then it's an issue with the Source Engine, many people experience this issue with both CS:S and VtM (same engine) and it can easilly be fixed by setting priority of the vampire.exe to low in the taskmanager. (CTRL-ALT-DEL) as for the game, I like it :)… Expand
  14. AlbertD
    Nov 18, 2004
    10
    This game is awesome. Every RPG lover's wet dream! I don't remember last time i've played a game with such an in-depth and unique story. Great dialog, wonderful atmoshpere, cool Vampire powers. This game rocks!
  15. Jhickman
    Nov 18, 2004
    9
    In response to James A: I am running this on a laptop, with 2.8 P4, 1 Gig of ram and an ATI 9600 and have the resolution set to 1600x1200 and haven't had it run slow at all - no choppiness, nothing.... The game is very well done overall. Melee feels "arcade" like, which is a bit of a disappointment. The Disciplines (spells) are all well thought out and have some interesting graphics. In response to James A: I am running this on a laptop, with 2.8 P4, 1 Gig of ram and an ATI 9600 and have the resolution set to 1600x1200 and haven't had it run slow at all - no choppiness, nothing.... The game is very well done overall. Melee feels "arcade" like, which is a bit of a disappointment. The Disciplines (spells) are all well thought out and have some interesting graphics. I am using firearms and have a moderate skill and finding it works fine - aiming might be linked to performance of your computer? Although guns rarely do even 1/2 the damage melee attacks do. The story is wonderful - not since Deus Ex have I seen this much attention to detail and intelligence in dialogue! Graphics are overall well-done with only Half-Life 2 outpacing it. The emphasis is definitely on the RPG side of this game, NOT the shooter side - so don't buy this if you want an intense action game. DO buy it if you want an immersive RPG with overall stunning visuals, excellent plot, and deep character development. The combat is average to below average - but, for me, it hasn't detracted much from the overall game.… Expand
  16. JamesA.
    Nov 17, 2004
    5
    I'm not sure if the people listed above are playing the same game as I am. Not only does the game run slow on my machine (P4 3ghz, 2 gig of ram, 6800GT) but combat is absolutely awful. Melee feels totally thrown together and never flows very well. Guns, so far, seem worthless since I can't seem to hit someone about 3 feet in front of me. My firearms skill is still pretty low, so I'm not sure if the people listed above are playing the same game as I am. Not only does the game run slow on my machine (P4 3ghz, 2 gig of ram, 6800GT) but combat is absolutely awful. Melee feels totally thrown together and never flows very well. Guns, so far, seem worthless since I can't seem to hit someone about 3 feet in front of me. My firearms skill is still pretty low, so hopefully my bullets will find their mark as I progress. For a game based on the Source engine, I was expecting something a little closer to HL2 in the graphics department. Outdoor environments look nice, but most indoor stuff looks low res and horribly textured. NPCs are a mixed bag as well. While I have run into a few very nice models, most are hideously constructed, with nasty textures. I am quite enjoying the RPG aspects of the game. Most of the dialouge is well written and acted (if not cheesy and cliche' in parts), but once again, combat rears it's ugly head and pulls me out of the World of Darkness and into the world of frustration. … Expand
  17. JerushaK.
    Nov 17, 2004
    10
    WHOA! I had no idea this game was coming out, all the HL2 hype nearly buried it. This is the most involving and beautiful game I've ever played, and it's hard to pull myself away from it long enough even to write this!
  18. JondarO.
    Nov 16, 2004
    10
    To my own surprise, I'm hooked on this over HL2. Wonderful integration of RPG systems and action combat, gritty mature storyline, and a completely immersive world. I didn't know about this game until a week ago- but I hope this the first of a series! Valve we need more games like Bloodlines!
  19. BobH.
    Nov 16, 2004
    10
    Best game I've ever played. hands down. I wish more game companies cared as much as Troika does. Bravo, guys...
  20. S
    Nov 16, 2004
    10
    This game is amazing. Best RPG I have ever played. The graphics are amazing, the story is amazing, the gameplay is amazing. You play as a vampire, and you really feel a part of the world. The vampire skills are very cool. This game is one of the first games where I actually feel like a part of a living breathing world. I would even say this game is better than Half Life 2 which is the This game is amazing. Best RPG I have ever played. The graphics are amazing, the story is amazing, the gameplay is amazing. You play as a vampire, and you really feel a part of the world. The vampire skills are very cool. This game is one of the first games where I actually feel like a part of a living breathing world. I would even say this game is better than Half Life 2 which is the engine Vampire uses. … Expand
  21. MikeG.
    Nov 16, 2004
    10
    A masterpiece from the makers of Fallout. Truly awesome.
  22. Brent
    Nov 16, 2004
    10
    This game rocks. Great gameplay, fluid storyline, and sweet graphics. Game even runs well, on my lower end system...the best RPG I have ever played. I give it the "Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing" quote YOU"RE WINNER!
  23. Marshall
    Nov 15, 2004
    10
    Wow...I've been playing this for a few hours and this is definitely the must-have RPG of the year. Based on the HL2 Source engine, it's environs are rich and detailed. Characters are lively and move flawlessly, and the story is awesome. Get HL2, and get this game. Both are shaping up to be great games.
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Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best PC Game of 2004
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004
6
#6 Most Shared PC Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 61 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 61
  3. Negative: 0 out of 61
  1. 3DAvenue
    85
    If you were disappointed with the recent FPS titles and their somewhat lackluster plot and linear storylines, then you will probably find Bloodlines to be a refreshing change, however on the other hand, a few technical and design issues let it down.
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  2. Xequted
    88
    A game that has one of the strongest single-player campaigns to ever appear in an RPG and it possesses a world so lush that you will literally want to sink your teeth into it.
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  3. Eurogamer
    70
    Easy to sum up: Game isn't finished.
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