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

It’s been a while since I dove into a vampire-themed or horror video game. There’s an undeniably captivating allure to vampires, those timeless characters of lore. They’ve permeated all facets of pop culture, from the comedic brilliance of "What We Do in the Shadows" to eerie classics like "Nosferatu," and even into open-world adventures like "V Rising." Enter "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York," a release by the Polish indie studio Draw Distance, which offers the latest chapter in this cherished franchise. Curious about what this game brings to the table, I took the plunge to see for myself.

"Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York" whisks players to the bustling, frostbitten maze of modern-day New York City. Though the game is set in the "Vampire: The Masquerade" universe, a tabletop RPG realm that I wasn’t very familiar with, it didn’t take long for me to catch up. Here, vampires—referred to as Kindred—navigate a politically charged and supernatural world, driven by the will to survive. The third installment in the series spotlights Kali, a member of the Ravnos clan known for her cunning as a con artist. Her intriguing skills and background formed the perfect launchpad for my adventure.

Now, it’s worth mentioning, "Reckoning of New York" leans heavily toward a visual novel format, with storytelling at its core. There’s a fair share of cheese and tropes throughout the narrative, but that’s not what bothered me. What did, however, was the lack of a connection to any of the characters. The text is often overwhelming, with endless paragraphs that left me drifting as I yearned for more engaging interactions. Choices are scant and seemingly inconsequential to the development of the story or the characters. Let’s be honest here—this experience felt less like playing a video game and more like passively reading a novella. I found myself distanced, watching from the sidelines rather than immersed in the story’s unfolding layers.

The absence of active gameplay elements—mechanics, puzzles, combat, or vampiric power puzzle-solving—made the game feel static. Strangely enough, the Logbook turned out to be rather redundant, offering only a bland list of completed chapter titles. Despite being labeled a "visual novel," it almost feels unjust, considering that other games in this genre often enrich their stories with meaningful choices. Here, choices seemed shoehorned in, lacking the depth to make them truly significant.

On the visual side of things, "Reckoning of New York" impresses. The artwork is atmospheric, painting a moody world with hues of deep blues and purples contrasted by vibrant reds, all perfectly setting the tone for this vampiric saga. Character designs are meticulously crafted, each person depicted in a semi-realistic style with distinct features and attire that effectively portray their personalities. The shifting urban backdrop enhances the setting further, capturing a modern and gothic aesthetic that’s a perfect fit.

Wrapping up my thoughts on "Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York," the game offers a storyline rich with lore and characters that fans of the series might appreciate. However, for newcomers like myself, it feels lacking, failing to deliver a truly memorable journey. This review might be among my harsher ones, but I can’t see myself returning to explore New York through Kali’s eyes again. While it was an intriguing dive into the world of "Vampire: The Masquerade," it seems I’ll bow out here.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York Review

Gameplay: 4/10
Plot / Writing: 5/10
Design / Visuals: 8/10
Overall Score: 5.7/10

Not enough to sink my teeth into

Pros:

• Beautifully rendered art style
• Easy to play

Cons:
– Clichéd writing
– Zero game mechanics and choices do not matter