It's been 21 years since the first Bloodlines released, so getting Bloodlines 2 at all feels like a gift. Bloodlines 2 has some things in common with off-putting classics like Pathologic and Gothic. Its world is strange, mature, and challenging, as difficult to navigate socially as the sewers beneath the rotting city. In White Wolf's universe, a sacred covenant known as the Masquerade binds vampires to silence, keeping them hidden and safe from humans. Seducing a Prince in the local dive bar? That's as risky as a werewolf scrap any day. Bloodlines 2 has a lot to live up to in both concept and delivery.
Thankfully, the new pre-order trailer for Bloodlines 2 has revealed some content worth celebrating. A vampire can be anything from a motorcycle-riding anarchist to a dignified museum curator who dabbles in necromancy on the side. Choosing a Clan is one of the most impactful parts of character creation, since it helps determine not only your powers but also your social status, allies, and enemies. Four Clans were already confirmed in Bloodlines 2. The pre-order trailer has revealed two more, exclusively available as part of the Premium Edition: Lasombra and Toreador.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 trailer reveals new clans:
Bloodlines 2 is a neo-noir murder mystery in which players will swap between two characters: Malkavian detective Fabien and elder vampire Phyre. In the World of Darkness, madness consumes every Malkavian, so Fabien should make for a fascinating protagonist. Adding Lasombra and Toreador to the mix (albeit gated off as premium content) should add plenty of strategic options. Ideally, aligning oneself with some of WoD's craftiest Kindred should have storytelling consequences as well, but that remains to be seen. The two Premium Edition Clans will be joining the four featured in the base game: Brujah, Tremere, Banu Haqim, and Ventrue.
Living up to a cult classic video game isn't easy. It was the weird, genre-defying content that made the original a thing of beauty, after all. Even in the hands of masters, that kind of thing is hard to replicate. That said, The Chinese Room and Paradox Interactive have more than earned a chance to prove themselves. There's a case to solve and Kindred to burn in Seattle. We'll see what gets dragged into the daylight when Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 releases for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 on October 21.