Bloodlines 2 is "a bit more action RPG," Paradox exec says. 'People who've seen it talk about the Dishonored game'

Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 was a big deal in 2019 and has been a big shitshow ever since. It's not inappropriate for a Bloodlines 2 sequel, as those of us who are honest will admit that the original was a remarkable shitshow in its own rights. But it is still irritating for those who have waited patiently for more than 20 years.

In August 2020, lead writer Brian Mitsoda was fired along with creative director Ka'ai Cluney by Hardsuit Labs. Senior narrative designer Cara Ellison left the project at some point after that. Then, it was probably postponed into 2021. Finally, it was definitely deferred indefinitely. At this time, Hardsuit was removed from the job and replaced by the Chinese Room. This studio is best known for Dear Esther and Everyone's Gone to Rapture.

Whew! It's quite a lot of work, eh! In an interview with GamesIndustry Mattias Lilja, Paradox's deputy CEO, acknowledged that switching studios in the middle of development was "a pretty drastic measure," and said that despite its many problems, the game is progressing well. Lilja admitted that he was a big World of Darkness fan. "When I play it, I can feel that I'm in that world. That's the experience we are going for."

Lilja explained that the Chinese Room had to "make it their own" in terms of the experience.

Lilja says that while it's inevitable to draw comparisons with the original Bloodlines, in terms of gameplay, "people have seen it and talk about Dishonored." "It's more of an action-RPG, but it's very steeped with the lore because you're a vamp in World of Darkness."

It's not the worst thing to do: Dishonored, which is only two steps away from being a Vampire Simulator, could be really compelling with its Chinese Room take on World of Darkness. Will it disappoint Bloodlines fans, who will be content with nothing less than a pure continuation of the mood that they experienced in 2004. Almost certainly. It's almost a certainty that this will happen, no matter what TCR or Paradox does. They might as well fly free and hope for best.

We will not know for a long time. Bloodlines 2 has been delayed again, this time in August. It is now expected to be released in the first half 2025. It sounds like Paradox will be taking one last shot at Bloodlines. Lilja told PC Gamer recently in a separate PC Gamer interview that "if Bloodlines 2 God willing is successful, Bloodlines 3 (will be] done [by] someone else."