A beacon of hope with a dark side
After years of chaos in development, several delays, and even a complete studio change, a date has finally been set: Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 will be released on October 21, 2025, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. A new trailer at Gamescom set hearts racing – the dark streets of Seattle, bloody battles and the return of iconic vampire mysticism bring back memories of the legendary predecessor.
But no sooner had the applause died down than a storm of indignation erupted. The reason for this is a decision by publisher Paradox: There will be three editions available at launch – Standard, Deluxe and Premium. Only those who purchase the most expensive version will be able to play two additional clans: the charismatic Toreador and the mysterious Lasombra. Fans are already talking about “cut content” and feel reminded of inglorious examples from the industry.
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“It’s like Diablo hid classes” – the community’s anger
The anger is mainly sparked by the symbolism. In the Vampire universe, clans are not just cosmetic gimmicks, but shape abilities, dialogue options, and entire play styles. “Imagine if Diablo had hidden two classes behind a paywall when it was released – the outcry would have been deafening,” reads one comment on the Steam forum. This is exactly the scenario many fans now fear.
The problem: even those who buy the standard version for €60 feel like they’re getting an incomplete game. The premium edition costs €90, and the additional DLC “Shadows and Silk” costs around €20 separately. For many, this is a break with the masquerade – not the one in the game, but the one between the publisher and the gaming community.
And yet the fascination remains. Despite the pricing policy, fans hope that Bloodlines 2 will be a worthy successor to the cult classic – a game that impresses with its decisions, atmosphere, and dark stories. Because one thing is clear: the night in Seattle could become legendary.