The Chinese Room studio has released a new development diary for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, showcasing exciting gameplay footage. This diary focuses on the mechanics of vampire hunting and maintaining the Masquerade.
In the Vampire: The Masquerade universe, vampires must uphold the Masquerade – the secret pact to conceal their existence from humanity. Bloodlines 2 incorporates this crucial element through a Masquerade meter, visually representing the player's actions and their impact on secrecy.
Breaching the Masquerade triggers a three-level warning system displayed on the in-game eye icon:
- Green: A minor infraction; discreet evasion is sufficient.
- Yellow: Multiple violations, such as feeding or aggressive power use, have occurred. Players must manage witnesses or avoid attracting police attention.
- Red: The Masquerade is shattered, and the police are in pursuit. Immediate escape and concealment are vital, as the Camarilla will intervene once the meter fills completely.
Players can mitigate their "infamy" by employing various tactics: making witnesses forget their observations or, as a last resort, eliminating them. If the police are involved, the safest course is to hide and wait for the situation to de-escalate.
The developers emphasize that the risk of exposure will escalate throughout the game, demanding swift and decisive action from players to maintain the Masquerade.
