NeverKnowsBest did a good video on this game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWuokRjedOA
I also thought this review by GmanLives was fair and insightful:
I have tried that game. It wasn’t good. Dropped it after an hour or so. But it really looked fixable: addition of guns would make things at least not laughably pathetic. Motivation of the main personage is weak too.
For me personally, VTMB looks unfixable.
Main issues:
- Lack of roleplay mechanics (this is a key dealbreaker)
- There seems to be no way to impact the story (critical for an RPG IMO)
- Console UI/UX; no text, no in-depth skill system
- Linear missions, action only missions
- Side missions have widely been reported as being shit-tier
- Writing is reported as being much weaker. In the original, there a lot of original, unique characters that captulized on the “vampires in every day, modern life” setting
- No third person view
- Dull conversation system (“Character X is unhappy with your response”)
- Some elements of the visuals (facial animations) seem worse than the original VTMB from 20+ years ago
I wish the original VTMB engine was updated and it was used for a real sequel in a novel setting. I am Ukrainian, so I am biased, but something like being set in Kyiv in 2010 would be way more unique. I would also love a setting in places like Montenegro, Nepal, Uruguay or Nigeria.
The original VTMB ran on the Source engine. Valve’s keeping that up to date, too bad it wasn’t used for the sequel here.
Troika used a pre-release version of the source release. I would imagine it would be difficult to update since it’s stuck on an old “branch” from 20+ years ago.
And even if you can update it, I am assuming Paradox would not want an new OG-based VTMB game because it would potentially undermine attempts at making shitty sequels in the future.
