Review of Vampire: The Masquerade – New York Reckoning (PC)

It’s been some time since I last dabbled in a video game featuring vampires or anything remotely horror-themed. There’s just something captivating about these undead creatures. They’re everywhere in media, from hilarious flicks like What We Do in the Shadows to spine-chilling classics like Nosferatu and even in open-world survival titles like V Rising. Enter Draw Distance, the Polish indie studio releasing Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York—I decided to dive in and see what this latest addition to the well-loved franchise had to offer.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York whisks players away to the bustling, frigid streets of contemporary New York City during winter. Inspired by the Vampire: The Masquerade tabletop RPG, I realized my unfamiliarity with the series might leave me a bit at sea. The game’s Kindred, a group of politically driven vampires, navigate survival in a brutal supernatural underworld. This third chapter introduces players to Kali, a cunning member of the Ravnos clan—one of thirteen in this universe. Her background as a con artist piqued my curiosity, making me eager to see where this narrative journey would lead.

Visually, the game leans heavily into the visual novel genre, with a narrative I found occasionally cheesy and filled with clichés. The sticking point for me, however, was the difficulty in forming any connection with the characters. Reading through long, dense paragraphs seemed more like an uphill task as I waited for engaging interactions. Choices offered felt sparse and unimpactful, making little difference to character and plot development. Truth be told, this is more of an interactive story than a traditional video game. Despite the potential of a rich narrative and fresh characters, the absence of gameplay made me feel removed and unengaged. Perhaps seasoned players familiar with Kindred lore might find something here, but I struggled to immerse myself emotionally.

Functionally, the game lacks traditional mechanisms such as puzzles, combat, or notable challenges. The vampiric Disciplines of the characters seem tagged on rather than integral. As for the Logbook, it offers just a list of completed chapters—nothing more. While visual novels occupy a nebulous place in the gaming world, I tend to think they deserve their own classification. In games where choices truly impact the journey, Reckoning of New York falls short, with meaningful choice feeling more like an afterthought.

What the game lacks in mechanics, it partially makes up for with its stunning visuals. A moody and atmospheric art style uses deep blues and purples clashing with vibrant reds, perfectly crafting a mysterious vampiric world. Characters are beautifully detailed in a semi-realistic style, with expressive features and unique attire that convey their distinct personas. The constantly changing urban backdrop enhances the experience, incorporating both modern and gothic flavors in its depiction of New York’s dim streets and vivid skyline.

To wrap things up, what’s my take on Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York? For ardent fans of the Masquerade series, there’s a rich vein of story and lore here that might be worth exploring. But for someone like myself, who hasn’t ventured into this franchise before, it misses the mark in providing an engaging or memorable adventure. This is probably the sharpest critique I’ve given in a while, but alas, this title simply didn’t resonate with me. I’ll be leaving further exploration of Kali’s New York to others.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York

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

Summary: Not enough to sink my teeth into
Pros:

• Stunningly crafted art style
• Simplicity in play

Cons:
– Clichéd storytelling
– Lack of game mechanics and inconsequential choices