The highly anticipated sequel to the cult-classic RPG, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines, has been in development hell for years. Now, under the guidance of The Chinese Room and published by Paradox Interactive, Bloodlines 2 is finally set to release on October 21, 2025. But what fans were promised was a game that strayed from its predecessor's identity.

Originally announced in 2019 under Hardsuit Labs, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 was pitched as a true RPG sequel to the 2004 cult classic. It was first expected to launch in 2020, but quickly slipped through multiple delays before being pushed back indefinitely.

In 2020, the project was rocked by the sudden firing of lead writer Brian Mitsoda and creative director Ka’ai Cluney. By 2021, publisher Paradox pulled the game from Hardsuit Labs entirely, leaving many fans to believe it had been shelved. It wasn’t until 2023 that Paradox revealed that The Chinese Room, best known for Dear Esther and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, had taken over development.

Ahead of launch, fans have already compiled a list of mechanics missing from the sequel that were key to the original. One of the most noticeable changes is the absence of character creation. In Bloodlines 2004, you could create a custom vampire with full stat allocation, clan choice, and backstory options. Now, you play as Phyre, a fixed elder vampire with a predetermined backstory.

While fans can still pick their clan, pronouns, and outfits, for many, it feels like a step back from the original. The Chinese Room has said this change is intentional, as they want an “authored protagonist” to support a tighter narrative, with player expression coming in the form of dialogue choices.

Another notable absence is traditional weapons, hacking, and lock-picking. In Bloodlines 2004, players carried guns, melee weapons, and blood packs, but now these are things any mortal can do. Instead, Phyre never wields them directly, using telekinesis to manipulate objects in the environment.

Instead of traditional combat mechanics, Phyre uses vampiric abilities to overcome obstacles and defeat enemies. Lockpicking and hacking minigames are gone, with traversal now handled through supernatural powers. The original's stat-heavy system has also been replaced by regaining and expanding Disciplines.

Dialogue choices have changed too. Persuasion, intimidation, and seduction checks are gone, replaced by tone-based choices. Outcomes are now shaped more by clan, relationships, or reputation. Core RPG features like an inventory and quest log have also been removed, making the game feel less like a direct sequel and more like a reboot with a different design philosophy.

The Humanity and Frenzy systems have also been stripped away, with morality stats completely absent. For many fans, this was a major part of what made Bloodlines 2004 so engaging. Where the original was a stat-heavy RPG, The Chinese Room appears to be building an action-narrative experience instead.

Paradox has confirmed that two clans, Lasombra and Toreador, will not be included in the base game at launch. Instead, they are part of the Shadows & Silk DLC, bundled with the $90 Premium Edition or sold separately. This decision has sparked heavy backlash from fans, who feel it's a slap in the face.

Whether Bloodlines 2 manages to satisfy long-time fans hungry for a true sequel or instead finds success by bringing in a new audience remains to be seen. With its release set for October 21, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, GOG, and Epic, it won’t be long before players can judge for themselves.

The future of Bloodlines 2 hangs in the balance, but one thing is certain: fans are eager to see if this sequel can live up to its predecessor's reputation. As an avid gamer and community builder, I'll be keeping a close eye on how this game unfolds.