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[Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines] Sequel incoming! (Q1 2020)

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Posts

  • FencingsaxFencingsax It is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understanding GNU Terry PratchettRegistered User regular
    Me, when Bloodlines originally came out: “Fuck the Camarilla they’re not my dad they can’t tell me what to do”

    Me, a year before Bloodlines 2 comes out: “Given how awful a lot of these vampires are about keeping the Masquerade the Cam actually would serve a purpose if the power structure wasn’t so corrupt, it needs to be reformed probably and then I’d be down for that”

    Call me a pessimist if you like, but I think the odds of the Camarilla reforming into something that isn't run by and for ancient monsters with no interests outside of their own self-interest are rather low.

    At the end of the day, they are people.

  • BasilBasil Registered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Fencingsax wrote: »
    Me, when Bloodlines originally came out: “Fuck the Camarilla they’re not my dad they can’t tell me what to do”

    Me, a year before Bloodlines 2 comes out: “Given how awful a lot of these vampires are about keeping the Masquerade the Cam actually would serve a purpose if the power structure wasn’t so corrupt, it needs to be reformed probably and then I’d be down for that”

    Call me a pessimist if you like, but I think the odds of the Camarilla reforming into something that isn't run by and for ancient monsters with no interests outside of their own self-interest are rather low.

    At the end of the day, they are people.

    Oh, you. Monsters aren't people. God already sorted them out.

    Basil on
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  • MegamaniacoMegamaniaco Madrid, Spain (again!)Registered User regular
    I wonder if any of the stuff revealed in the Gehenna book is going to be canon/used in future games in any way. Some pretty cool/disturbing/crazy shit was revealed in that book.

    Steam ID: Megamaniaco // LoL summoner: Corcorigan (NA), Megamaniaco (EUW) // Hearthstone: Megamaniaco.2120

    Please don't go. The drones need you. They look up to you.
  • OctoberRavenOctoberRaven Plays fighting games for the story Skyeline Hotel Apartment 4ARegistered User regular
    Call me a pessimist if you like, but I think the odds of the Camarilla reforming into something that isn't run by and for ancient monsters with no interests outside of their own self-interest are rather low.

    To be fair though, according to the lore pretty much everyone is being controlled by ancient monsters with no interests outside of their own self-interest, except maybe Caine.

    Currently Most Hype For: VTMB2, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Alan Wake 2 (Wake Harder)Currently Playin: Guilty Gear XX AC+R, Gat Out Of Hell
  • KayKay What we need... Is a little bit of PANIC.Registered User regular
    The music in the Bloodlines menus is HELLA nostalgia inducing.

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  • EspantaPajaroEspantaPajaro Registered User regular
    Goumindong wrote: »
    First one doesn't look modern enough to be toreador. Could be Tremere (it looks a LOT like the Tremere Chantry in Bloodlines 1) with the "more obvious tremere" being Giovanni(which could also be the first picture) or assamite.

    Fuck I forgot about the Giovannis . I remember havi a lot of fun at their party while on Gary’s mission.

  • NecoNeco Worthless Garbage Registered User regular
    Kay wrote: »
    The music in the Bloodlines menus is HELLA nostalgia inducing.

    The whole soundtrack is like that for me, I especially enjoy the music in he downtown hub

    KetBraLanlaornWhiteZinfandel
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    I wonder if any of the stuff revealed in the Gehenna book is going to be canon/used in future games in any way. Some pretty cool/disturbing/crazy shit was revealed in that book.

    Highly unlikely, retcon city.

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  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    The Gehenna novel was always of dubious canonicity. The Gehenna sourcebook was always a list of “it could be this”. Both are mostly ignored.

    Dyvim TvarKetBraMoridin889
  • OctoberRavenOctoberRaven Plays fighting games for the story Skyeline Hotel Apartment 4ARegistered User regular
    I personally like the idea that Gehenna was actually a metaphor for the rise of YouTube which would break the Masquerade wide open.

    Currently Most Hype For: VTMB2, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Alan Wake 2 (Wake Harder)Currently Playin: Guilty Gear XX AC+R, Gat Out Of Hell
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  • KayKay What we need... Is a little bit of PANIC.Registered User regular
    Okay. This is driving me crazy, but I remember a sad, wistful acoustic guitar thing in Bloodlines and I've not come across it so far.

    And no, it's not the Hollywood theme, but it's similar in style. Maybe it was just something that I experienced around the same time I played Bloodlines the first time around.

    ew9y0DD.png
    3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
  • Jeep-EepJeep-Eep Registered User regular
    edited March 2019
    I personally like the idea that Gehenna was actually a metaphor for the rise of YouTube which would break the Masquerade wide open.

    It's already proving apocalyptic elsewhere.

    It would be unironically hilarious if some pizzagator types crashed an Elysium.

    Jeep-Eep on
    I would rather be accused of intransigence than tolerating genocide for the sake of everyone getting along. - @Metzger Meister
  • OctoberRavenOctoberRaven Plays fighting games for the story Skyeline Hotel Apartment 4ARegistered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Kay wrote: »
    Okay. This is driving me crazy, but I remember a sad, wistful acoustic guitar thing in Bloodlines and I've not come across it so far.

    And no, it's not the Hollywood theme, but it's similar in style. Maybe it was just something that I experienced around the same time I played Bloodlines the first time around.

    The one that kinda sounds like the opening to Under The Bridge right?

    I think that was an OST tune. Used in the pier when you're not close to the radio.

    OctoberRaven on
    Currently Most Hype For: VTMB2, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Alan Wake 2 (Wake Harder)Currently Playin: Guilty Gear XX AC+R, Gat Out Of Hell
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    Kay wrote: »
    Okay. This is driving me crazy, but I remember a sad, wistful acoustic guitar thing in Bloodlines and I've not come across it so far.

    And no, it's not the Hollywood theme, but it's similar in style. Maybe it was just something that I experienced around the same time I played Bloodlines the first time around.

    https://youtu.be/e186qBIY_B0 ?

    y3H3Fa4.png
  • NoxyNoxy Registered User regular
  • surrealitychecksurrealitycheck lonely, but not unloved dreaming of faulty keys and latchesRegistered User regular
    edited March 2019
    i would love it if they tossed in some collide songs as a shout out to the posters all over vtmb

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    also if they kept some of that early 2000s edgy vibe in the music more generally, i loved the gentle cod goth absurdity of it

    surrealitycheck on
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  • FencingsaxFencingsax It is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understanding GNU Terry PratchettRegistered User regular
    Do we know if it's 15 years later? Or is it a period piece?

  • XantomasXantomas Registered User regular
    Gonna need another Lacuna Coil song in there. Thanks!

    Sir CarcassCorsinisurrealitycheckIgpx407cj iwakuraKetBraLokarnBurnagejdarksunMoridin889Dyvim TvarKoopahTroopahElldrendrunkenpandaren
  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    Xantomas wrote: »
    Gonna need another Lacuna Coil song in there. Thanks!

    I also really like that Darling Violetta song that is in the concert at the downtown hotel.

    XantomasTychoCelchuuujdarksunDyvim Tvardrunkenpandaren
  • XantomasXantomas Registered User regular
    Xantomas wrote: »
    Gonna need another Lacuna Coil song in there. Thanks!

    I also really like that Darling Violetta song that is in the concert at the downtown hotel.

    Yes! Me too! I remember that!

    Sir Carcass
  • surrealitychecksurrealitycheck lonely, but not unloved dreaming of faulty keys and latchesRegistered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Xantomas wrote: »
    Gonna need another Lacuna Coil song in there. Thanks!

    only songs from albums with art that has a vampy woman wearing some kind of corset allowed

    7eos8s1u4rpw.png

    now THIS is album art

    birthday massacre would work thinking about it, exactly the right vibe

    also does anybody know if the choice of darling violetta was an explicit shout out to angel or just the right vibe?

    surrealitycheck on
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  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    Fencingsax wrote: »
    Do we know if it's 15 years later? Or is it a period piece?

    V5 is contemporary so I imagine this will be too.

  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    Tube wrote: »
    Fencingsax wrote: »
    Do we know if it's 15 years later? Or is it a period piece?

    V5 is contemporary so I imagine this will be too.

    I think they said it's literally 15 years after Bloodlines 1, but that's a drop in the hat for them.

    y3H3Fa4.png
  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    I finished my four millionth run through of Bloodlines, as a tremere this time. I wanted to try using some of the alternate persuades that I never use. Seduction is actually pretty neat! It passes a lot of checks and being able to use bars as an easy blood source makes the game feel appreciably different. The highest check seems to be 8, for a particular lady in Chinatown, so I’d say going with a maximum of six is a good balance.

    I was going to do an intimidate run, but it looks like most of the intimidate checks are actually broken.

  • OctoberRavenOctoberRaven Plays fighting games for the story Skyeline Hotel Apartment 4ARegistered User regular
    Even for Chinatown, there's two potential blood dolls, the other whom I call Yeah Guy. I think he's much lower, maybe four.

    Currently Most Hype For: VTMB2, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Alan Wake 2 (Wake Harder)Currently Playin: Guilty Gear XX AC+R, Gat Out Of Hell
  • Ninja Snarl PNinja Snarl P My helmet is my burden. Ninja Snarl: Gone, but not forgotten.Registered User regular
    Dammit, I don't have time to reinstall this.

    Obviously I'm going to, I just don't have time!

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    Tube wrote: »
    The lead writer had previously written articles about how much she loved Bloodlines, but that were also clear-eyed about the problems it had with being extremely focused on the male gaze etc. It sounds like she's basically perfect for the job.

    A bit behind, so apologies if this has been asked and answered, but did you have any links for those? I’d love to read them.

  • VeagleVeagle Registered User regular
    Elvenshae wrote: »
    Tube wrote: »
    The lead writer had previously written articles about how much she loved Bloodlines, but that were also clear-eyed about the problems it had with being extremely focused on the male gaze etc. It sounds like she's basically perfect for the job.

    A bit behind, so apologies if this has been asked and answered, but did you have any links for those? I’d love to read them.

    This two part series was the easiest to find.

    https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/06/20/s-exe-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-part-1/

    https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/24/vampire-masquerade-sex-e/

    There are probably more, but trying to find old articles on gaming sites is always a nightmare. Especially now that searching her name and the game's name are just going to get a million results about the new one.

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  • GoumindongGoumindong Registered User regular
    Tube wrote: »
    My other big Bloodlines tip for having fun: do a firearms build! The first gun is so bad that people assume that firearms suck (also Jack tells you they do, but he's wrong). Firearms builds are both more effective and more fun than melee builds and I do them pretty much every time now. Toreador Firearms with Celerity and Auspex is very, very good fun and Auspex itself is a really powerful combat ability if you use firearms, giving you 6 extra stat points at a bargain price.

    Its not just the first gun. A lot of the guns are really bad and there isn't really any rhyme or reason why some guns are hilariously amazing and some guns are terrible. If you're upgrading your guns on a "there is a new gun its probably worth using" path then you're going to be seriously disappointed.

    The first pistol you get isnt even that bad. It kills mooks in a few hits and if you have decent firearms you can still hit the head with it at medium to close range.

    The second gun you get, the pump action shotgun is a huge upgrade though and while it falls off later its loads better than the next two guns (the Glock equivalent and the Mini-Uzi equivalent). The glock is almost as bad as the .32 and the mini-uzi is worse.

    But then you get the regular sized uzi equivalent and its... the best gun in the game. Twice the damage as the assault rifle (which you don't get for forever) and the ammo is super cheap. Not quite as much immediate punch as the auto-shotgun but... the ammo is a lot cheaper and it does more overall damage, even against vampires.

    The final two pistols are very good and properly allocated in time relative to quality(even if you might want to keep the revolver around).

    And then there is "Jamie Sue", which, if you weren't playing around with specifically you would probably never know does 10x damage when zoomed in. So if you have 10 firearms you can more or less remove any non-boss enemy in the game in a single hit.

    Main problem for guns is ammo in the warrens. You don't have enough money or anything else to be shooting the fast buggers and if you don't realize they're not that hard to melee even when you're weak you're going to dump a lot of money into them.

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  • KayKay What we need... Is a little bit of PANIC.Registered User regular
    @OctoberRaven That sounds promising, I had it linked to the beach and the thinbloods in my mind, but after listening to the Hollywood Theme a few times and being sure that's not it, now all I can remember is the Hollywood Theme. I'll go check out the pier.

    @cj iwakura It's not that one, but I'm pretty sure it's a Rik Schaffer original guitar-noodle.

    ew9y0DD.png
    3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
  • NecoNeco Worthless Garbage Registered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Kay wrote: »
    OctoberRaven That sounds promising, I had it linked to the beach and the thinbloods in my mind, but after listening to the Hollywood Theme a few times and being sure that's not it, now all I can remember is the Hollywood Theme. I'll go check out the pier.

    iwakura" It's not that one, but I'm pretty sure it's a Rik Schaffer original guitar-noodle.

    The nosferatu hideout maybe?

    https://youtu.be/00reXe8Zwpc

    Neco on
  • KayKay What we need... Is a little bit of PANIC.Registered User regular
    That's the closest one yet! Though it does sound more like a remix of the Hollywood theme in part.

    The one I'm thinking of is JUST guitar, no percussion, but now every time I try to remember it I just get the Hollywood theme, which I know isn't what I was thinking of.

    Anyhow, checking off my Vampire To Do List:

    1) Intimidate the crap out of a ghoul that refused to sell me blood after I put paid to his exploitation scheme.
    2) Beat the crap out of a Cathayan purely because I have Blood Buff and A KNOIFE.
    3) Trap some poor sucker in a dance circle that he cannot escape from because the second I started dancing, a bunch of other people immediately joined in and wouldn't let him leave.

    unlwooiaat1p.png

    ew9y0DD.png
    3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
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  • AlphaRomeroAlphaRomero Registered User regular
    I've never preordered a digital game before, can I get my money back if nearer the time the reviews say it is sadly anticlimactic?

  • OctoberRavenOctoberRaven Plays fighting games for the story Skyeline Hotel Apartment 4ARegistered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Goumindong wrote: »
    Tube wrote: »
    My other big Bloodlines tip for having fun: do a firearms build! The first gun is so bad that people assume that firearms suck (also Jack tells you they do, but he's wrong). Firearms builds are both more effective and more fun than melee builds and I do them pretty much every time now. Toreador Firearms with Celerity and Auspex is very, very good fun and Auspex itself is a really powerful combat ability if you use firearms, giving you 6 extra stat points at a bargain price.

    Its not just the first gun. A lot of the guns are really bad and there isn't really any rhyme or reason why some guns are hilariously amazing and some guns are terrible. If you're upgrading your guns on a "there is a new gun its probably worth using" path then you're going to be seriously disappointed.

    The first pistol you get isnt even that bad. It kills mooks in a few hits and if you have decent firearms you can still hit the head with it at medium to close range.

    The second gun you get, the pump action shotgun is a huge upgrade though and while it falls off later its loads better than the next two guns (the Glock equivalent and the Mini-Uzi equivalent). The glock is almost as bad as the .32 and the mini-uzi is worse.

    But then you get the regular sized uzi equivalent and its... the best gun in the game. Twice the damage as the assault rifle (which you don't get for forever) and the ammo is super cheap. Not quite as much immediate punch as the auto-shotgun but... the ammo is a lot cheaper and it does more overall damage, even against vampires.

    The final two pistols are very good and properly allocated in time relative to quality(even if you might want to keep the revolver around).

    And then there is "Jamie Sue", which, if you weren't playing around with specifically you would probably never know does 10x damage when zoomed in. So if you have 10 firearms you can more or less remove any non-boss enemy in the game in a single hit.

    Main problem for guns is ammo in the warrens. You don't have enough money or anything else to be shooting the fast buggers and if you don't realize they're not that hard to melee even when you're weak you're going to dump a lot of money into them.

    TBH if you're doing a firearms build your best bet is to use a clan who has Celerity to do it with. Just don't combine Celerity with the flamethrower or you're gonna run into your own fireballs, and if you run through your own fireballs you're gonna have a bad time.

    OctoberRaven on
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  • joshofalltradesjoshofalltrades Class Traitor Smoke-filled roomRegistered User regular
    Toreador is a good class to do firearms with

  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    Toreador is The Best Combat Class if you do firearms. Get Celerity 5, Auspex 4 (because getting Perception and Wits to 3 is cheaper than buying Auspex 5) and Firearms 5. Enjoy.

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  • BionicPenguinBionicPenguin Registered User regular
    Which clan is best for melee? Celerity seems like it would be the best discipline for that, too.

  • joshofalltradesjoshofalltrades Class Traitor Smoke-filled roomRegistered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Ventrue is weirdly good at melee. They get fortitude and presence, two of the best melee disciplines in the game.

    joshofalltrades on
    WhiteZinfandel
  • GoumindongGoumindong Registered User regular
    edited March 2019
    Which clan is best for melee? Celerity seems like it would be the best discipline for that, too.

    Brujah is 100% the best. They have Potence and Celerity and Presence which are, in reverse order, the best melee abilities in the game. Presence is like Potence and Fortitude at the same time. And if stuns enemies too. So you have an easy feed at the end. Celerity makes you fast and potence makes you stronk.

    After that its Gangrel or Toreador. Toreador has presence and celerity which is better than presence and fortitude of Ventrue. Gangrel has protean which gives you the best melee weapon in the game. Super fists(fists are already super good but gangrel fists at 4 or 5 protean are like woah)
    Tube wrote: »
    Toreador is The Best Combat Class if you do firearms. Get Celerity 5, Auspex 4 (because getting Perception and Wits to 3 is cheaper than buying Auspex 5) and Firearms 5. Enjoy.

    Firearms stacks to 13 and does increase your damage and accuracy. (I teated this last night*). There is no reason not to top perception if you have the xp.

    *specifically at 13 your moving accuracy no longer decreases for any weapon. Additionally you do a decent bit more damage (enough to one shot the mooks in the garage with the revolver when it takes 2 without 13 firearms)

    Edit: in case youre wondering presence should also increase firearms damage because wits -> defense -> reduces damage. Even though its not direct soak. It should reduce the times you dont get full damage.

    Edit: so if you were wondering just how good Toreadors were then there is your answer. Best at guns, second best at melee, also best at social (can use full presence in dialogue, whatever that means)

    Goumindong on
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  • TubeTube Registered User admin
    Full Presence In Dialogue is a fan patch thing. I'm pretty sure a lot of the discrepancies between your experience and mine are fan patch changes.

This discussion has been closed.