The resolution to lock two of Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2’s six clans behind a DLC add-on pack is a “enterprise” knowledgeable alternative, writer Paradox has stated.
Bloodlines 2’s clans have been boiling the blood of followers for a short while now. It began with the reveal that the sport would function 4 clans: Brujah; Tremere; Banu Haqim; and Ventrue. Whereas this choice supplies 4 totally different beginning choices for a way you construct your protagonist, it’s a extra restricted providing in comparison with the cult traditional unique Bloodlines, which featured seven clans.
Reacting to fan suggestions, developer The Chinese language Room has added an additional two clans to Bloodlines 2 (Lasombra and Toreador), however these are solely accessible as half of the Shadows and Silk add-on pack, which prices $21.99 as DLC, or is included as half of the $89.99 Premium Version. The customary version prices $59.99.
This DLC is obtainable from day one, which has created the impression that the “full” roster has been carved up, with solely these paying additional getting the whole launch expertise. Some followers are actually feeling like a vampire caught within the daylight, particularly as a result of Toreador was a clan accessible within the unique Bloodlines and is taken into account pretty important to Vampire: The Masquerade mythology.
At Gamescom 2025, IGN was capable of ask writer Paradox why Lasombra and Toreador are solely accessible as half of the add-on pack. We have been advised that further content material is “fairly typical” for video games, however that including fan-requested content material comes at a price.
“What the group has performed right here is make these two clans accessible on day one, whereas nonetheless understanding that the unique expertise goes to be with the primary 4,” stated a Paradox consultant. “You hear fan suggestions and you are like, ‘Okay, that they need these two clans. It is extremely wanted.’
“On the finish of the day, business-wise, sport growth takes time,” they continued. “And [the two clans] is further content material that does get created. So as an alternative of making it ‘day 30’ content material, making it day one permits it to be accessible for these gamers who’ve been asking for these two clans your entire time. And like I stated, it is enterprise. That simply occurs the way in which that it does, however it supplies that entry on day one reasonably than them having to attend.”
Because the consultant talked about, these further clans have been “extremely wanted.” However their inclusion required an “an terrible lot of time testing, listening, going via feedback,” defined Ian Thomas, narrative director at The Chinese language Room.
“We’ve got spent a lot time during the last couple of years extending the discharge date by going, ‘Yeah, we should always actually add some stuff about this’ and fattening out the sport and deepening the story as a result of of this type of factor,” Thomas stated.
“Because of individuals going, ‘Oh yeah, we actually like that. Are we going to get that?’ In some instances we have gone, ‘No, artistically it does not make sense to try this.’ And in some instances we’ve gone, ‘You already know what, that will be very nice. Paradox, can we’ve somewhat bit extra time and we’ll put that factor in?’ And Paradox have stated, ‘We expect it would be good too, have one other few weeks.’”
These weeks, plus many others, have contributed to Bloodlines 2’s later-than-originally-anticipated October 21, 2025 launch date. And whereas we’ve waited a really very long time for this sequel to a cult traditional, it does now include these six clans… at a value. As we talked about earlier, not every fan is satisfied with the way in which these character-defining clans are being locked behind DLC.
Whereas there’s some controversy round this resolution, we’ve been capable of play a number of quests and have come away from Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 feeling optimistic. It’s dripping with ambiance and has some good approaches to vampire skills and the way in which an undead blood-drinker navigates a contemporary metropolis.
Matt Purslow is IGN’s Govt Editor of Options.