Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York

 PC
Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York Image
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Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

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  • Summary: You're a nobody. An outcast in your own vampiric sect. A political prisoner of no particular value. An immigrant who never found her roots in a city of immigrants. A chainsmoker whose favorite pastime is staring blankly at the streets through the windows of a fast food joint at 4AM. TheYou're a nobody. An outcast in your own vampiric sect. A political prisoner of no particular value. An immigrant who never found her roots in a city of immigrants. A chainsmoker whose favorite pastime is staring blankly at the streets through the windows of a fast food joint at 4AM. The sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach tells you that you're doomed, and distorted voices from the shadows seem to agree. The curse of your clan makes interacting with everyday technology difficult. Dissociation is your natural state.

    But when New York's Anarch leader meets a gruesome end, out of all the bloodsuckers in the metropolis, you're the one picked to investigate. Make no mistake: this is obviously a trap, yet another move in the horrible game of Jyhad, the eternal struggle for power between warring vampire generations. But you're Lasombra, and if there's one thing you know, it's this: if the Ventrue Prince and her followers underestimate you, they're going to deeply regret it.

    Vampire: The Masquerade Shadows of New York is a visual novel set in the rich universe of Vampire: The Masquerade. It acts as a stand-alone expansion and a companion piece to our previous title, Coteries of New York. While Coteries was a general introduction to the world depicted in the 5th Edition of the hit tabletop role-playing game, Shadows presents a more personal and unique tale.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 16, 2020
    90
    Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York was an introduction to the World of Darkness, whereas Shadows of New York is a specific story with a predefined protagonist, that would allow the writers to really show their craft. And show their craft they did! I was falling asleep playing Coteries, but Shadows held me in its grip for 10 hours straight and finally convinced me that being a vampire is awesome. [11/2020, p.40]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. KeenGamer
    Sep 14, 2020
    75
    Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York managed to build a compelling and catchy story, but is lacking some core gameplay element, even by visual novel standards. However, while having few negative points, the title works just as well as a standalone one despite an obvious lack of player choices and the evidence of the main intrigue. The narrative is riding on a highly relatable protagonist and a few other vivid characters, which keep your attention from start to finish. While as a visual novel the game is not perfect, it works just fine for newcomers or anyone who wants to immerse themselves in The World of Darkness universe.
  3. RPG Site
    Sep 16, 2020
    70
    Vampire: the Masquerade - Shadows of New York is a good game to spend an evening with. On those Sundays where you have all day to relax or those randomly dreary days when any kind of chore feels like too much. That’s when this game will feel just right. Getting both endings doesn’t take long, so it’s easy to play and move on. The main word that comes to mind is: simple. Some parts are good, others tiring. It works as a way to get into some of the worldbuilding involved with Vampire the Masquerade games, but as a standalone visual novel I don’t think it will appeal to the masses.
  4. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 8, 2020
    70
    The New York vampire story continues. Less choice in characters but a more solid experience with a single vampire clan. It would be interesting to see if this continues further.
  5. GameSpot
    Sep 15, 2020
    60
    Don't go into Shadows of New York expecting a choose-your-own-adventure mystery, no matter how much it looks like one. This is a casual dip into another world, a game with big ideas that it doesn't quite follow through on pursuing, but which remains moderately compelling thanks to some strong writing, interesting characters, and gorgeous art. It's far from the definitive Vampire: The Masquerade experience, but it's worth spending at least one long, dark night with.
  6. GameMAG
    Sep 22, 2020
    50
    Shadows of New York is an unremarkable story that tries to hold your attention with relevant themes, but ultimately fails into abyss of triteness and weak presentation. If you crave some good vampire story, just read an Anne Rice novel, instead of wasting your time with this game.
  7. Shacknews
    Sep 23, 2020
    40
    Unless you’re a mad fan of Vampire: The Masquerade, and need to absorb every piece of literature about the universe, this will be a disappointing experience. While the artwork is rich and the music moody, the writing – the game’s backbone and its entire selling point – is weak. Even fans will likely find this a shallow read where decisions rarely feel like they have any significant weight. Give this one a miss.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 5 out of 11
  1. vampiric
    Sep 14, 2020
    10
    I really enjoyed the game, as VTM: Coteries of Ney York before that. Shadows are much better written have amazing story and deep mainI really enjoyed the game, as VTM: Coteries of Ney York before that. Shadows are much better written have amazing story and deep main character also very deep in VtM canon. Great game to get while waiting for Bloodlines 2.… Expand
  2. garygreen
    Oct 25, 2020
    10
    the best game in the dark universer world,with the best art and the great gameplay and ost
  4. Stonkey
    Sep 16, 2020
    9
    I don't normally go for visual novels but this is set in the vtm universe. I have to say though that I did thoroughly enjoy the writing, artsI don't normally go for visual novels but this is set in the vtm universe. I have to say though that I did thoroughly enjoy the writing, arts were gorgeous and I can recommendthis with full honesty.… Expand
  5. AR_2218
    Sep 24, 2020
    7
    Its a good game, on par with coteries of new york,in my opinion. However like the first I didnt like the ending too much. Could have been a 8
  6. Leofair
    Mar 6, 2021
    3
    Sound and style are quite nice. But the writing is awful. A lot of dialogue sounds unatural and "written". Authors are usually trained toSound and style are quite nice. But the writing is awful. A lot of dialogue sounds unatural and "written". Authors are usually trained to read their dialogue aloud for checking it for how it sounds and feels, Also the protagonist' view of the world seems passive aggressive - this would be okay in a novel, but there is a lack of balance andwillingness to grow up in Julia, that makes it not very easy to identify with her.… Expand
  7. Piruz
    May 11, 2022
    2
    Good FF, bad game. Better than CONY, more arts. Author of the text seems like human with brains. Still, i would prefer comic or book withGood FF, bad game. Better than CONY, more arts. Author of the text seems like human with brains. Still, i would prefer comic or book with illustrations, it would be much better exp… Expand
  8. Moromete
    Sep 25, 2020
    0
    Shadows of New York delivers on the atmosphere and some of the characters and has a good premise for the overall narrative. Unfortunately theShadows of New York delivers on the atmosphere and some of the characters and has a good premise for the overall narrative. Unfortunately the ending(s) feel railroaded and there's no major evolution that arises from all the schemes and plots. There's also very little game here, even less than in cotteries, and the introspection of that game is downplayed.… Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

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