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

It’s been quite some time since I dove into a game revolving around vampires or any horror-themed content, for that matter. There’s something undeniably captivating about these creatures of the night. They’ve found their way into every nook of media, from the comedic charm of "What We Do in the Shadows," to the bone-chilling remakes like "Nosferatu," and even sprawling open-world titles such as "V Rising." Now, Draw Distance, a Polish indie game studio, has put forth "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York," their latest narrative spin on a cherished franchise. So, naturally, I was eager to see what this installment had up its sleeve.

In this game, players are whisked away to the bustling and icy winter streets of modern-day New York City. Though it’s rooted in the famous Vampire: The Masquerade series, originally a tabletop RPG, I must admit my prior experience with the franchise was quite limited. This left me feeling a bit out of the loop. The plot revolves around vampires, or Kindred, who face a treacherous world filled with political scheming and the constant need for survival amidst supernatural chaos. As you delve into the third installment of this series, you meet Kali, a member of the Ravnos clan, distinguished by her remarkable con artistry. Her skills piqued my curiosity, urging me to unravel the layers of this narrative.

As you embark on this journey, you’ll notice that "Reckoning of New York" is steeped in a strong visual novel tradition, boasting a solid narrative. Sure, the story may occasionally dip into cheesy or familiar territory, but that’s not its main issue. My primary concern was a lack of connection with the characters. The text is thoroughly dense, peppered with lengthy paragraphs that caused my mind to wander, yearning for more interactive engagement. Unfortunately, the choices presented are sparse and don’t significantly influence the story or characters. If I’m being completely forthright, this doesn’t register as a traditional video game. It’s an engaging story, absolutely, but my role felt like that of a passive observer rather than an active participant. While new characters and narratives unfurled, I found myself yearning for more depth—more insight into character histories and relationships within the vampire world. Perhaps those well-versed in the Kindred lore would feel at home, but I couldn’t quite find that emotional tether.

Adding to this is the absence of any hallmark gameplay elements such as puzzles, combat, or other interactive challenges, which makes trying to incorporate the characters’ vampiric Disciplines feel more like an afterthought. Then there’s the Logbook, a completely unnecessary feature that just lists completed chapters without any meaningful details. The expectation for visual novels to occupy the same space as video games is understandable, but I contend they merit their own distinct category. Here, any choices feel perfunctory rather than enriching the experience.

However, where "Reckoning of New York" truly shines is in its visuals. The art style is both moody and evocative, leaning into a palette of deep blues and purples contrasted with striking reds, perfectly setting the tone for a vampire tale. The game’s depiction of characters is impressive, with each rendered in a semi-realistic style that showcases their distinct personalities through expressive details and unique attire. The urban backdrop shifts seamlessly between scenes, creatively showcasing New York City’s grim, shadowed alleys and its radiant, gothic skylines.

So, where does this leave us with "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York"? While it undeniably immerses players in a richly woven world filled with engaging characters and narrative, it might not fully capture the hearts of newcomers to the Masquerade series like myself. This is likely the most critical I’ve been of a title in recent memory, but this outing just wasn’t meant for me. I find myself uninterested in further exploring the Big Apple through Kali’s eyes.

In terms of ratings:

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

Summary: It’s tough to fully sink your teeth into this one.

Pros:

• Enchanting art style
• Easy to pick up

Cons:

• Writing edges on clichés
• Lacks genuine gameplay mechanics, and choices seem inconsequential