Preview EuroGamer previews Vampire: The Masquerade -- Bloodlines

[Spazmo]

Tags: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines

Those kooky brits at <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/">EuroGamer</a> have an interesting <a href="http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=52904">preview</a> of <a href="http://www.troikagames.com">Troika</a>'s upcoming <b>Vampire: The Masquerade -- Bloodlines</b>.
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>But visual immersion would count for nought were it not for the narrative, and Troika has also borrowed a long forgotten concept from the world of adventure games: the conversation tree. But unlike the rather basic system of merely asking questions or selecting a response, used for years in old LucasArts classics, Bloodlines incorporates RPG elements into the conversation. For example, your character may have excellent seduction skills, or be part of a specific clan that allows you to ask questions or offer responses otherwise unavailable to you, and these 'special' branches of the conversation will be shown in a different font to indicate this. It's simple, but opens up wonderfully non-linear gameplay possibilities that we hope Troika can deliver on. In this sense, Bloodlines' interaction and narrative makes it look like a subtle reinvention of the adventure genre - a logical progression that LucasArts should have seen years ago, but blundered into a commercial cul-de-sac instead.</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
That's a little bit too much gushing for even me, Troika fanboy extraordinaire. It also seems to assume gameplay elements first introduced years ago in games like <a href="http://www.interplay.com/fallout/index/htm">Fallout</a> are new and revolutionary, which is odd to me. Nonetheless, it's good to see Bloodlines will have that lovely special Troika touch to it.
<br>
<br>
Spotted at <a href="http://www.rpgdot.com">RPGDot</a>

 

[Volourn]

I'll stick with TOEE. Thanks.

 

[Psilon]

I happen to like my adventures and RPGs more or less distinct. Quest for Glory isn't bad, but I don't want The Longest Journey 2: Now We Mean "Longest" to exhibit stat-dependent dialogue options. LucasArts did the right thing. Except for EMI. That was a mistake.

 

[protobob]

Yeah it was a bit gushy.

I don't really care for the whole vampire setting, but I figure I'll give this game a while when it comes out.

First person perspective is a mixed bag. While it does provide immersion, combat tends to be too action oriented for an RPG.

For instance, It's hard to imagine first person turn based combat. I mean, it could be done...but still have a hard time imagining it.

 

[Psilon]

See Wizardry 8 for an example of first-person phase-based combat. It's not quite TB, but it's very close in terms of interface.

Hell, given that it's $20 you really have no reason to pass it up.

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

First person perspective is a mixed bag. While it does provide immersion, combat tends to be too action oriented for an RPG.

I think it usually depends on how much you can go around it with a first person view on games. Quake is a no-brainer; Deus Ex makes it so you have to kill only 3 people; Morrowind leaves it to your discretion. I don't know how VtM:B will handle it, but im sure its possible to include non-standard combat (non-standard, as in not needing to use weapons all the time).

For instance, It's hard to imagine first person turn based combat. I mean, it could be done...but still have a hard time imagining it.

Like Psilon hinted at, definetely check out Wizardry 8 (and older Wizardries, if you can).

 

[protobob]

Yeah, I have played Wizardry 8, so I have seen fps turn based. Silly me.

I didn't get very far in that game though...just not my cup of tea.

 

[Astromarine]

For example, your character may have excellent seduction skills, or be part of a specific clan that allows you to ask questions or offer responses otherwise unavailable to you, and these 'special' branches of the conversation will be shown in a different font to indicate this

Quick. Hide this from Skorpie

Astro, who likes stirring shit for kicks

 

[Psilon]

No, these aren't moron indicators. They're more like the "[Insight]" tags on occasional NWN conversations. As a result, it's perfectly OK to like these without running into trouble with moron indicators.