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

It has been a while since I’ve dipped my toes into a game featuring vampires, or anything with a hint of horror for that matter. Vampires have a certain allure, don’t they? These fascinating creatures have found their place in every nook of media, from side-splitting comedies like "What We Do in the Shadows" to spine-tingling horror classics like the remake of "Nosferatu," and even into vast open-world survival games such as "V Rising." Now, Polish indie game developer Draw Distance has stepped up with "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York," and I couldn’t resist the urge to see what this new addition to the franchise has in store.

Set against the iconic backdrop of New York City’s bustling winter streets, this latest installment in the Vampire: The Masquerade series—a well-known tabletop RPG—beckoned me into its chilling world. Now, I’ll be honest—I wasn’t all that familiar with the lore going into this, so I felt a bit like I missed the entry notes. But stepping into the shoes of Kali, a cunning member of the Ravnos clan, piqued my interest. Her reputation as a skilled con artist lured me in, and I was eager to see where the game would lead.

The narrative-heavy experience of "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York" delivers a robust story, albeit with a sprinkle of cheesiness here and there. But you know what really stuck out to me? I just didn’t feel that connection with the characters. This might be because of the dense blocks of text that made my mind wander, craving more lively interactions. The sparse choices offered seemed to barely ripple the surface of the story, leaving me longing for a deeper impact. Hard truth: despite its intriguing narrative, it feels less like a game and more like a visual novel where I was merely an observer, not a participant. With a cast of potentially intriguing characters introduced, I found myself yearning for more depth, backstory, and an understanding of their intertwining vampire world. Long-time fans of Vampire lore might connect more readily, but I didn’t find the emotional anchor I was hoping for.

And then there’s the aspect that stands out the most—literally everything you’d expect from a game: mechanics, puzzles, and challenges are missing. The vampiric Disciplines don’t really make a noticeable splash in gameplay. Now, about that Logbook—it’s kind of pointless. All it does is list the finished chapters with only their titles. For me, since visual novels straddle a line between novel and game, they might deserve a category of their own. This game failed to offer choices that enrich or matter, which left me wanting.

Despite its shortcomings in the gameplay department, "Reckoning of New York" dazzles with its visual flair. The art is nothing short of mesmerizing, with gorgeous splashes of dark blues and purples set against the striking red, evoking the perfect atmosphere for a vampire story. The characters themselves are brought to life in a semi-realistic style with unique clothing choices that scream individuality. The dynamic cityscapes—a fusion of the dark, modern, and gothic styles—change with each scene, offering a stunning visual tour of New York City.

Wrapping it up, "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York" has a narrative rich with story and settings that fans of the franchise might find enthralling. However, for a newcomer like me, the experience fell flat and failed to leave a lasting impression. It’s been a while since I’ve had such mixed feelings about a game, and I don’t see myself delving back into the vampire-infested streets of New York City with Kali anytime soon.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York Review

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

Quick Summary: Just Not Sinking My Fangs In

Pros:

• Stunning art style
• Easy to pick up and play

Cons:

• Cliché-ridden writing
• No engaging game mechanics; choices have little consequence