REVIEW / Vampire: The Masquerade – New York Reckoning (PC)

I recently decided to plunge back into the realm of vampires in video games, something I haven’t done in ages. It’s hard not to be captivated by these alluring undead, who have found a place in everything from hilarious comedies like "What We Do in the Shadows" to the haunting classic, "Nosferatu," and even in open-world adventures like "V Rising." Polish indie studio Draw Distance has released their latest venture, "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York," and I’ve been quite curious to see what this addition brings to the iconic franchise.

In "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York," players are swept away to the chilly, bustling streets of modern-day New York City. This game, rooted in the world of the tabletop RPG Vampire: The Masquerade, was brand new to me, and I suspect my lack of prior familiarity might have colored my experience. The game immerses you in the world of the Kindred, vampires driven by politics and survival in an intense supernatural setting. As you step into the shoes of Kali, a member of the Ravnos clan known for her cunning and deceit, the mysteries of the narrative begin to unfold. I found Kali’s background intriguing and was eager to unravel her story.

The game predominantly functions as a visual novel with a robust yet occasionally cheesy narrative. However, my main gripe was an inability to connect with the characters. The text is densely packed, with long passages that caused my attention to wander while waiting for some dynamic interaction. The choices offered felt sparse and lacked significant impact on the storyline or character development. Honestly, this isn’t what I would call a video game in the traditional sense. As a narrative, it stands; as a game, I felt more like a passive observer, missing the engagement and immersion I typically seek in gaming experiences. While the story introduces numerous characters and their intricate relationships, I yearned for more context and background about their connections within the vampire world. I imagine longtime fans of the Masquerade lore might grasp this more naturally, but for me, the emotional investment wasn’t there.

Without traditional game mechanics, puzzles, or combat, "Reckoning of New York" leaves its vampiric Disciplines underutilized. Furthermore, the included Logbook feels redundant, offering merely a chronological list of chapter titles with no added depth. While some might argue that visual novels are a form of video gaming, I personally see them as a distinct medium. For me, interactive elements that shape gameplay are absent here.

What the game lacks in interactivity, it compensates for through its visual appeal. The art style strikes a chord with its dark, atmospheric tone, blending deep blues and purples with striking reds to evoke a sense of mystery—perfect for a vampire-centric world. Characters are strikingly illustrated, each with unique attire reflecting their distinct personalities. As scenes transition, the urban backdrop vividly captures New York’s dimly lit streets and its bright skyline, merging modern and gothic aesthetics flawlessly.

So, where do I stand with "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York?" It boasts a story rich in lore, likely to resonate with devoted fans of the Masquerade series. However, for newcomers like me, it failed to deliver a lasting impact. This review may lean towards the critical, but this chapter of the Masquerade simply isn’t for me. I don’t anticipate revisiting Kali’s New York City escapades anytime soon.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York

• Gameplay: 4/10
• Plot/Writing: 5/10
• Design/Visuals: 8/10
• Overall: 5.7/10

Pros

• Gorgeous art style
• Easy to navigate

Cons

• Predictable writing
• Lack of game mechanics, choices feel inconsequential