REVIEW: Vampire: The Masquerade – New York Reckoning (PC)

It had been ages since I delved into a game featuring vampires or anything remotely horror-related. There’s an undeniable charm in these undead creatures, whether they appear in hilarious takes like What We Do in the Shadows, classic horror like Nosferatu, or adventurous open-world games like V Rising. Now, stepping into the spotlight is Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York, developed by the indie Polish studio Draw Distance. Curiosity piqued, I decided to explore what this fresh installment in the esteemed franchise had in store.

The game whisks players away to the vibrant yet chilly winter streets of modern-day New York City. It’s rooted in the world of the Vampire: The Masquerade series, originally a tabletop RPG. Admittedly, I wasn’t familiar with this universe, which might have affected my overall experience. The story plunges into the intriguing lives of vampires, or Kindred, who are constantly scheming to survive in their brutal supernatural world. Here, we follow Kali, a member of the Ravnos clan—one of the thirteen unique clans in this rich setting—renowned for her expertise in deception. Her background and capabilities intrigued me, and I was eager to see how her story would unfold.

At its core, Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York is a visual novel with a narrative that, while somewhat conventional at times, sets up quite an engaging atmosphere. However, I struggled to connect with the characters. The text often felt overwhelming, swamping me with long paragraphs that made my attention drift, yearning for moments of interactive dynamism. The choices presented feel sparse and hold little sway over the story’s progression or character development. Quite frankly, it felt less like a video game and more like a pure visual story—a trait that somewhat hindered my engagement. As new characters emerged, I craved a deeper understanding of their histories and interrelations in the vampire community. This lack of depth made it difficult for me to become emotionally invested, though longtime fans of the lore may navigate this more comfortably.

With no intricate game mechanics, puzzles, or combat to speak of, the integration of various vampiric Disciplines felt largely neglected. The so-called "Logbook" doesn’t add much either, showcasing nothing of note beyond a bland list of completed chapters. While visual novels might masquerade as video games, I personally feel they belong in a category of their own. Unlike titles where choices drive meaningful outcomes, the decisions here feel somewhat tacked on, lacking any real impact.

Despite these shortcomings, the game does excel visually. The art direction is a standout, creating a moody atmosphere with its rich palette of blues, purples, and striking reds—perfectly capturing the essence of a vampiric setting. Characters noticeably exhibit distinct, expressive features and attire that reflect their personalities, while the mutable urban landscapes capture the duality of contemporary and gothic influences.

To wrap it up, how did I feel about Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York? Fans of the series may appreciate the depth of lore and character richness. However, as someone not deeply entrenched in the Masquerade universe, I found the experience somewhat lacking, failing to leave a lasting impression. This might be the most critique-heavy I’ve been in a while, but ultimately, this game didn’t quite hit the mark for me. So, I’ll be leaving New York City’s dark underworld behind for now and moving on to other adventures.

Review Summary

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York

• Gameplay: 4/10
• Plot / Writing: 5/10
• Design / Visuals: 8/10

Overall Score: 5.7/10

Pros:

• Gorgeously detailed art style
• Simple to pick up and play

Cons:

• Writing feels clichéd
• Lacks meaningful gameplay mechanics and impactful choices