Seattle Archives

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Bloodlines 2’s first patch prioritizes fashion over features, and I’m not sure how I feel about it

The first patch for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, referred to as the 'Halloween update', has been released, addressing various bugs and introducing new customization options. Players can now access eight new hairstyles, diverse makeup styles, and additional eye colors, including features like golden tears and skull-inspired face paint. The patch also fixes several title crashes and issues with non-playable characters and missing voiceovers. However, it does not include requested features such as a field of view (FOV) slider or the ability to skip Fabien's storyline in subsequent playthroughs.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’s biggest mistake is being called Bloodlines 2

The World of Darkness tabletop role-playing game introduces the concept of a 'true name,' which reflects the essence of an identity. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 may be misnamed, as it diverges from expectations set by its title. The game immerses players in the atmosphere of Vampire: The Masquerade, featuring enjoyable combat with elder vampire powers. However, it has formulaic elements that can make it forgettable, and nostalgic references to Bloodlines 1 may feel irrelevant or irritating. The game's development involved The Chinese Room's vision, while Paradox's decision to attach the Bloodlines name may have created unrealistic expectations. Players expecting a sequel to Bloodlines 1 may be disappointed, but when viewed as a standalone title, Bloodlines 2 is a commendable effort within the Vampire: The Masquerade universe.

AppWizard

October 25, 2025

If Bloodlines 2’s mixed reviews are putting you off, here’s where you can get a sweet launch discount

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines was released in 2004 and is known for its immersive atmosphere and compelling narrative, despite being plagued by bugs at launch. Bloodlines 2, while not a direct sequel, serves as a spiritual successor set in modern-day Seattle and has received mixed reviews, including a score of 5/10 from PCGamesN. Players assume the role of Phyre, a 400-year-old elder, navigating conflicts among factions in Seattle, with various clan options that offer distinct playstyles. Combat mechanics allow for unique abilities and character builds. Bloodlines 2 is currently available for a discounted price of .99 / £45.99 at Fanatical.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

After 21 years of waiting, Bloodlines 2’s Steam reviews are exactly what I expected

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has received a 'Mixed' rating on Steam, currently sitting at 56% positive feedback. The game suffers from poor optimization, a disjointed combat system, and a lackluster narrative, despite some strong character development, particularly with the Malkavian character, Fabien. Players feel the game does not adequately connect to its predecessor, with many stating it is "Bloodlines in name only." Performance issues, such as the inability to disable Motion Blur, have also been criticized. On launch day, the game peaked at over 27,000 players. Future patches and downloadable content may improve the experience.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

How to save in Vampire: The Masquerade

In Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, players can only save their progress through an auto-save system that activates at certain checkpoints, marked by Anarch Tags. Quitting the game does not trigger a save, and players are warned that exiting to the main menu will result in the loss of unsaved progress. The game has only one auto-save slot, which is overwritten when starting a new playthrough, though previous saves are preserved in a file starting from a checkpoint. Players can access a chapter select option by choosing 'Load Game' at the title screen, allowing them to start from completed quests, with a total of 22 unique saves available for those who have finished the game. Selecting a quest will overwrite the current auto-save.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

How to find romance in Vampire: The Masquerade

In Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, players can engage in "romantic feeding" with NPCs, but traditional romance is limited due to the nature of vampires in the game, who are primarily driven by their thirst for blood rather than affection. Players can embody Phyre and interact with characters like Safia, who reciprocates flirtation, but most interactions revolve around blood and serve practical purposes. To engage in romantic feeding, players must meet their chosen primogen, navigate dialogue options, flirt three times, and engage in another conversation. The game features several primogens available for flirtation: Fletcher (Ventrue), Mrs. Thorn (Tremere), Niko (Banu Haqim), Onda (Lasombra), Patience (Toreador), Silky (Brujah), and Safia (platonic). However, players cannot feed on their own clan's primogen, limiting romantic options. Only the connection with Safia is noted as genuinely rewarding within the storyline, while other interactions feel superficial.

Winsage

October 18, 2025

Microsoft’s big Windows AI bet | Mariners shake Seattle again | Samsung closes Xealth acquisition

LinkedIn uses essential and non-essential cookies to enhance user experience, ensure security, and analyze service performance. Essential cookies are necessary for core functionalities, while non-essential cookies help deliver personalized advertisements. Users can manage their cookie preferences by accepting or rejecting non-essential cookies and can modify their settings at any time.

AppWizard

October 18, 2025

Bloodlines 2 is a sequel in name alone, and it isn’t a good enough RPG to combat that disappointment

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has faced a troubled development process with multiple teams and a lengthy production timeline. It is described as a "spiritual successor" to the original game, but the connection feels weak. The game is set in Seattle, which lacks the vibrancy and depth of the original's Santa Monica. While there are well-designed environments, many areas feel generic and repetitive. Character design is praised, with a diverse cast, but supporting characters lack development and side quests are often mundane. The protagonist, Phyre, is seen as unremarkable, and the narrative becomes convoluted over time. The combat system is criticized for being problematic, with chaotic abilities and a lack of enjoyment. Each clan offers distinct playstyles, and the progression system resembles tabletop mechanics. Overall, Bloodlines 2 is viewed as a diminished version of its predecessor, failing to capture the essence and complexity that made the original memorable.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

The creator of this forgotten, Valve-funded FPS with Half-Life ties couldn’t “wait to get out of the room” with Gabe Newell

Gunman Chronicles, released in 2000 and built on the Half-Life engine, was published by Sierra Studios but has never been available on any official PC storefronts, including Steam. The project lead, Herbert Flower, revealed that the development team, composed of modders from various countries, faced financial constraints that led them to seek assistance from Valve. Valve invited the team to its Seattle headquarters, where they worked for about two and a half months and received a funding boost. Despite the collaboration, Flower's relationship with Gabe Newell was strained, and the team ultimately received only 11% of the game's earnings after Sierra's cut. The game's launch was described as "anticlimactic," and Flower speculated that disputes over rights following Sierra's merger with Vivendi might explain the game's absence from Steam. Despite solid sales, the game received mixed reviews, with some critics noting its similarities to Half-Life.

AppWizard

September 20, 2025

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is richly authentic, intriguingly written, dripping with brooding atmosphere, and… not very fun to play, unfortunately

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 features an immersive atmosphere set in a shadowy Seattle, capturing the essence of the original tabletop RPG. The game includes elements such as the Camarilla and the Masquerade as integral parts of its narrative. Players can choose between two characters: Phyre, an ancient vampire who awakens after a century, and Fabien, a disembodied vampire detective from the 1940s who resides in Phyre's mind.