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Vampire: The Masquerade Redemption

Vampire: The Masquerade Redemption

List Price: $19.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I haven't finished the game yet, but I've loved it thus far.
Review: Vampire is a really good game, thankfully, considering I had to go buy a new graphics card to play it. This is one of a few gripes I have about this game. The graphics card choices are really picky, so make sure you have what it requires before buying the game. Secondly, the inability to save whenever and wherever you want is really aggravating. To progress through an entire level and die at the end, and then have to start over, is really annoying. A trick that I've found is to use a Scroll of Walk the Abyss, which returns you to your haven, where you can save your game. The combat is strange in that a lot of hits don't register. Maybe I'm doing something wrong; the best tactic I've found so far is to just hold the mouse down over the enemy and just keep on swinging until it falls. Most of the spells (Disciplines) don't do very much. Except for these flaws, this is a great game. The story line is good, and the graphics are amazing. The ambient effects, like water dripping and screams, resonate. This is a very haunting game, and I think it is well deserving of a purchase. It is a little like Diablo in that you must enter labyrinths and fight enemies of increasing difficulties. However, I hated Diablo and I love this game. Go figure. I can't comment on the multiplayer, since I haven't tried it yet because it would probably fry my 56k connection, but the premise of the multiplayer sounds cool. I like this game, and I think it gets you involved in its world, which is a definite plus. Any game that immerses you and hooks you is a good one. Buy this game.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Currently, my favorite PC game of all time.
Review: I know there are people who gripe about the AI and the pathfinding. I also know that there are those who bitch and moan about the save feature. True, a feature in which you may save anywhere would have been nice, but Nihilistic chose NOT to do that for technical reasons(i do not know whether to believe that or accept it as an excuse). And plus, whenever you walk into a new area, the game saves it for you. But I digress. In short, Vampire is an absolute masterpiece. The sound is absolutely astounding(consisting of "real" orchestrated tracks and VERY well-done voice overs(Goth Chick Serena makes little noises when she's sucking blood! Hehe! I'm such a perv! ), The interface is simple and easy to use, the graphics are among the best I've seen for ANY RPG, and the story is enthralling and immersive. I've read countless reviews stating that this is a terribly flawed game filled with bugs, ect. ect. Which leads to believe that there are many, many people of whom many do not like this style of gaming(which very well could be the case), or, Blizzard has each of these people in their pockets(which also very well could be the case). But please, if you don't like the game, simply don't play it. Because I guarantee you that no one who enjoys playing will give the slightest crap whether you like it or not. I'd be too enthralled in the game to care(and also because everyone has their own opinions). A patch is in the works to correct all of the "mistakes" as well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Its an excellent game!
Review: This game totally touched me!Of all games Ive played it must be the second which did that to me, after final fantasy VII.It has an amazing storyline.I couldnt stop playing it!Just get it,get this game if you are crazy about vampires and games!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Don't believe what you read! It's not true!
Review: Ok, here's the scoop. The graphics are amazing, the gameplay, while it does get repetative, is saved by the graphics, music, and overall ambiance created by the NOD gaming engine.

Dynamic shadowing and lighting, varying opponents.... this game has it all.

And as for that "you can only save at certain points" bull, if you look on the web there is an official patch that fixes this problem!

I was not a fan of the WoD series, in fact i had never even heard of it. I bought the game and was instantly pulled in.

Yes it takes a LOT of space to install (i did the full 1.2 gig install) but if you've got the system for it, BUY THIS GAME! If you like gothic stuff, like vampires, want to be able to do action AND rpg? this is it!

It's best point is that it's not all dumb blind killing like quake (which i also love!), and it's not all over-geeky RPG, but it's a perfect mix of both.

As for the faulty AI in which yer allies don't attack people? Try setting the party stance to "OFFENSE" and watch em "loose thy wrath"... NO, the AI isn't perfect, but if it was then the programmers wouldn't be doing games, they'd be doing some serious nasa stuff or something, eh?

Bottom line, if you take the time and INVESTIGATE things, you'll find most of the rumors and reported problems are either not true or solvable problems.

If you've got the time and computing power for it, this game is for you!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Fangs for the memories...
Review: Well, I've only played the game for the first few levels of single player, and toyed around with multi-player just a little bit. So here's how I see it.

Pros:

1. Graphics and sound are incredible.

2. The game "feeling" closely resembles the pen and paper version

3. It's a good combo of RPG and hack -n- slash

4. You don't need a "super" computer to play

5. No real "bugs" so far (game crashes, lock ups, etc. after playing for two days)

Cons:

1. Player and AI (party members) movement can be a hassle, because the have a tendency to run into walls and such if you don't guide them through multiple obstacles.

2. Not being able to look up towards the ceiling can be a pain (sorry, I'm use to Half-Life and Ultima views)

3. Not being able to truly create a character (single-player) takes away from the RPG feel of the game.

4. The plot is linear, pulling you you toward the pre-set story line without having to use your noggin to figure anthing out.

5. The "Save Game" sucks, only allowing you to save in certain areas (your haven) or using the Auto-Save when you enter new levels.

6. Monster AI just sits there until you get in range before they attack. Using the 'ole bait -n- hook, you can lure one monster at a time to your waiting party members.

Despite the Cons outweighing the Pros, I still give the game at least a 3. As a true RPG, it's lacking. But as general hack -n- slash, it's awesome.

My advice: If you're looking for an RPG, and have played anything from the White Wolf collection, avoid the game. If you're looking for a fun game, with great graphics and sound, and a nice spooky feel to it, grab it quick.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great little action/rpg game
Review: This game has its terrific moments but is also mired by a few setbacks that keep it from 5 stars.

The graphics, storyline, cut scenes, weapons, armor, spells, and characters that join your party are all wonderful. Even 3 years after its release these all hold up to todays games.
And the manual is terrific. It is chock full of drawings, storys, and other little extras that many manuals dont have.

However, the pathfinding will make you pull your hair out. In tight passages you will have to control and position each of your party members. Another short coming is the unbalanced difficulty. You might be plowing through a dungeon effortlessly only to be walloped by the boss in 2 hits.

All in all this game can be bought for pocket change now and will definitely give you your moneys worth.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: They're in your World now.
Review: Thanks to Nihilistic and Activision, PC gamers can finally play the game that has mesmerized tabletop RPG fans for years. Those who have a thirst for creative freedom will want to sink their teeth in to Vampire

While Vampire's presentation is as good as it gets for an RPG, it's a little clunky for the intense action Vampire tries to provide. Highly detailed characters spout purple prose in the one-player story, while point-and-click controls don't work that well with the clingy camera, making retreat and precision attacks nearly imossile. Plus, the one-player game seems under-designed; You may waste hours on an implied quest just to learn later on that you could've won earlier by simply hitting the bad guy with a stick. That's disappointing in a game based on an RPG system that emphasizes social role-playing ovr constant combat. Redemption's innovative multiplayer mode, however, easily sets the standard for all future RPG's. Vampire's Storyteller mode allow you to create your own stories and play as game master while three friends roam your world. Powerful editing tools enable you to create entire cities and script your own events, while an enthusiastic online community exists to support your fledgling chronicles.

Because there are better hack-n-slash games on the market (from Diablo II to Darkstone), Vamire's frail one player game offers little reason for purchase. Still, its multiplayer mode saves Vampire from eternal extinction. If you're a budding storyteller and want to create custom worlds, then you should seek Redemption.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Vampire the Maquerade?
Review: Well, I am a follower of Vampire stories, I have **cough** played Vampire the Masquerade a little bit (there is nothing like being at the Army base in Taszar Hungary to bring you to new frontiers)... I think the game system is accurate to the Vampire the Maquerade role playing game. From aquiring blood points, to soaking sun damage. Alright I am ahead of myself. Here are what I see as the pro's:

1) The game is easy to play. The controls are fairly intuitive and it does look like Diablo a bit with the combat sequences.

2) The graphics are... in a word... Astounding. From the reflections in rooms, to the people milling about in the town. This is about as close as you can get to strolling the streets in old Vienna.

3) The bad guys are really bad guys, and the story is based in love and forbidden passion. The music is very moody and actually gave me the creeps once or twice. I think Activision has outdone themselves. As for the save, you can now download a patch from Activison's web site that allows you to save at will.

4) I have heard **cough** that there are an extensive number of cheat codes available if you just want to read the story and see the ending, all of them can be turned on and off again... so I hear.. if you just need a spot of help getting past a boss character. All you need... They say... is to add -console to the command line of the shortcut that starts the game...

Downsides:

1) Video is a little laggy, even on my Diamond Viper 2... 2) The AI is retarded. Point blank. 3) I thought that the bosses were disproportionately difficult compared to the regular bad guys.

I think this game is really pretty and the pros far outway the cons.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Beatiful but bad AI, unbalanced gameplay, & lousy saves
Review: I am a huge fan of vampire fiction in any form and also enjoy a good RPG. So I was ecstatic when I heard about Vampire being translated from the pen-and-paper sources to the computer. And Vampire is an amazing looking game that I really wanted to like. Unfortunately some bad design choices and poor features prevented it from happening.

I'll start with the good points. The graphics are stunningly amazing. The animation of the characters is fluid and weapons are superbly done. The lighting greatly enhances the dark and sinister atmosphere. I kept going in many places because I wanted to see what area I would visit next. The camera control is also very smooth and easy to manipulate with the mouse. The gameplay is actually fun for the first bit of the game while you are adventuring by yourself and with one other party member. The source material and the manual add a lot to this game. Wandering around towns and seeing people milling about made it feel alive. And it was always oh so fun to feed upon someone to refill your blood level.

The RPG system is also great. There are several positive and detrimenatl traits for the characters. A certain level of blood must be maintained to use the disciplines (spells/skills) and to keep your character from succombing to frenzy. Experience points can be distributed among such traits as strength, dexterity, intelligence, willpower and several others. Very nicely done indeed.

Here is where I have to get in to the demerits of this game. First off, the voice acting is not very good; but it's not the worst I've heard either. And the sequences of dialogue are long and boring. The characters simply stand in place and wave their hands about. NPC interaction is left to a few choices which really have little baring on the outcome of the game. Nothing as rich and detailed as Planescape: Torment.

The combat, while fun and reminiscent of Diablo, only keeps its spark for the first part of the game. Most of it consists of clicking on an enemy and waiting until you've hit them enough times for them to die. A big flaw that becomes noticable during the first few levels is that the enemies wait until you are in range before they attack. They will simply stand idle as you slaughter others in the same room! As the game progresses you will gain party members, and will bemoan similarly incompetant AI. I equipped one with a bow and laughed in disbelief as he continuously fired in to a wall when he should have moved a couple steps to the side before doing so. Also, you can control the other members of your party in combat, but the main character will stop fighting while you are doing so! Aaahhhh! Add to this that you can go through entire areas and clean up with little to no problem, but then come across certain areas that will be nigh impossible to pass. Both enemies and your fellow party members will get hung up on walls, doors and other obstacles in the room.

And here we come to the worst sin of the game, the save system. Saving is automatically handled when you transition between levels are areas. The only other way to save is to be in your haven or safe area. One can get there by using the Walk the Abyss discipline (aka spell/skill). But it takes a while before you have one of these in a given area. So we are left hacking our way back through areas and levels already completed. I found myself abusing the autosave feature by running back and forth between levels to save. But what if more than one person is playing the game as is the case on my computer? It's pretty much tough luck. This is a computer game, not a console. The game should have been balanced so that players could save anywhere at anytime.

The multiplayer sounds enticing with the ability for one person to take control of the NPCs and monsters. But if the gameplay is similar to the single-player then I can't see it being much better.

With great graphics, a rich source material and so much potential. It makes me sad to not be able to like this game. This takes me back to Revenant, another game with a lot of potential but came up flacid. Maybe the patches will fix the problems, I certainly hope so. But much has to be done for the AI to make this game worthy.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Almost a great game
Review: Vampire really was almost a great game. Unfortunately, Activision killed it. Their support was almost non-existent, and ended far too soon. The game was released with some fairly serious and obnoxious 3d engine problems that cause characters to become irrevocably stuck in walls while the bad guys hammer away at you. As well, the AI that controls your allies is horrible. I cannot count the number of times my allies: blew me away with rocket launchers, fried me with flame throwers, or wated all of their ammo firing into a wall (yes, firing into a wall). What is sad and really aggrivates me is that this could have been such a cool game. If Activision had provided the level of continued support I have seen for games like Dungeon Keeper, or Diablo II, then I would still be playing Vampire. However, Activision just sort of hohummed it, and did not do a good job. The plot for the single player game is excellent, and the idea/implementation of the multi-player game is truly revolutionary. After this title, I don't think that I will ever buy another Activision title. It just makes me so angry that they ruined what could have been a very strong entry in the computerized RPG market. It also ticks me off that I played it for so long and finally had to just give up due to the frustration of dealing with thier poor AI and 3D engine. I give the game three stars due to the great vision from which it was obviously begot.


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