Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 writer Paradox is now providing PlayStation Store pre-order refunds as it makes “large modifications” after a backlash to its resolution to lock clans behind DLC.
The furore started with the affirmation that Bloodlines 2 would function 4 clans: Brujah; Tremere; Banu Haqim; and Ventrue. Whereas this choice supplies 4 completely different beginning choices for a way you construct your protagonist, it’s a extra restricted providing in contrast to the cult traditional authentic Bloodlines, which featured seven clans.
Developer The Chinese language Room added an additional two clans to Bloodlines 2 (Lasombra and Toreador), however these have been solely obtainable as a part of the Shadows and Silk add-on pack, which prices $21.99 as DLC, or included as a part of the $89.99 Premium Version. The normal version prices $59.99.
This DLC is out there 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. As you’d anticipate, followers have been fast to specific their dissatisfaction.
At gamescom 2025, a consultant for writer Paradox advised IGN the choice was a “enterprise” knowledgeable alternative, prompting additional outcry. Then, final month, a put up on Discord from Paradox instructed a big change can be coming forward of launch, and now the writer has gone one step additional by issuing PlayStation Store pre-order refunds.
“Hello,” a post on social media on the official Bloodlines 2 account began. “We’re making changes and can share the small print on Sept 17. Huge modifications take time, and we wish to do that proper.
“PS Store pre-orders shall be refunded on Sept 8. You’ll give you the chance to pre-order once more earlier than launch on Oct 21.
“Thanks in your endurance; we’ll share extra quickly!”
Followers at the moment are questioning whether or not Paradox will embrace Lasombra and Toreador by default and never as DLC at base recreation worth. Actually, the sentiment on-line is that’s the expectation.
“Truthfully nothing in need of totally together with them at base recreation worth will flip me round on this,” (*2*) in response to the announcement. “In any other case I am skipping.”
“The solely method to salvage this and regain belief with the group is to promote the bottom recreation as-is with all clans obtainable and fairly promote DLC with new facet tales and cosmetics on the facet or simply add the cosmetics/facet tales as half of a better tier eg deluxe version/premium version, as that will not mess with the primary story/narrative and so forth,” said another.
Some expressed thanks for the response to the backlash. “I am very excited and hopeful to see what you got here up with for the 2 clans locked behind DLC challenge,” said one fan. “I might like to thanks for listening to group suggestions and dealing to repair the difficulty. I am positive refunding retailer pre-orders was not a straightforward resolution.”
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has suffered a troublesome improvement and plenty of high-profile delays, however it’s a essential launch for Paradox. The writer shall be eager to give it the perfect probability doable to succeed, and backtracking on its DLC plans would be the solely viable possibility at this stage. When you wait to discover out, take a look at IGN’s Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 hands-on preview.
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Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You’ll be able to attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.