Info about Vampire: The Masquerade - Reckoning of New York:

Official game description:
Dive into the streets of New York City in 2024, where the delicate balance of power hangs by a thread. Navigate the treacherous waters of vampiric politics as you contend with the ever-shifting landscape between the Camarilla and Anarchs. In a city where every move could mean the difference between unlife and final death, will you carve out your own destiny amidst the chaos or will your ambition spell your doom?  
**Vampire: The Masquerade - Reckoning of New York** invites you to immerse yourself in the third installment of this gripping visual novel series, set against the backdrop of a modern-day metropolis teeming with supernatural intrigue. Embrace the darkness as a Kindred, a vampire thrust into a world of danger and betrayal where survival is paramount.  
*   Play with new gameplay mechanics as you harness the powers of Disciplines to overcome challenges or evade the relentless pursuit of hunters hot on your trail. But beware the insatiable Hunger that gnaws at your very being, threatening to unleash the Beast within.  
*   Embark on a journey of discovery and deception from two distinct perspectives, each offering unique insights into the clandestine world of the Big Apple's nights.  
*   As the saga of the New York Kindred draws to a close, prepare to experience the thrilling conclusion to this gripping tale in the heart of this concrete jungle.

Release date: Sep 10, 2024

Categories: Visual Novel, Choice-based Narrative, Single-player Story, Multiple Endings, Supernatural, Political & Espionage Systems, Dark Fantasy


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game is not worth its current full price of $19.99. Multiple reviewers explicitly state that it should only be purchased at a significant discount, with one calling full price a 'rip-off' and another deeming it the worst entry in the trilogy. The community suggests that the game is acceptable only when bought on sale, implying that a fair base price should be substantially lower—likely in the $5–$10 range, where typical Steam sale discounts (50–75% off) would make the purchase justifiable.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 6.5h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The quotes provide explicit playtime estimates. '6.5 hours' and '5 hour game' refer to a single playthrough, supporting storyCompletion around 6.5 hours. '10 hour long visual novel' suggests the total experience, likely including both character routes, supporting gameCompletion around 10 hours. The '20-30 minutes of new context' quote confirms that the second playthrough adds little unique content but still requires replaying the same story, reinforcing the total duration estimate. No evidence exists for sessionLength or endgame content, so those remain null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is experienced as a slow, repetitive, exposition-heavy slog at first, but players who push through to the later chapters report it improves, so the fun tends to click only near the end rather than from the start.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Reaching the later chapters toward the ending
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Dense early exposition and slow pacing; Decisions that feel like they don't change the story; Repetitive scenes replayed across both protagonists; Content locked behind a second playthrough; Pretentious or clumsy writing style; Underdeveloped and repetitive side arcs
  - Unlock drivers: Engaging overarching mysteries that pull the player forward; Consistent pacing within each night/chapter; Reaching the ending where the story improves; Glossary, journal, and character index easing comprehension; Dynamic artworks and immersive audio smoothing the experience
  - Conditions: If you can tolerate the dense early exposition; For players new to the lore, early sections feel overwhelming; If you replay the game to unlock additional content; If you play in your native language, immersion improves; If you care about the overarching mysteries; If you keep playing past the first couple of hours
- Player Archetypes:
  - Disappointed Series Veteran (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To close out the trilogy and see the full story despite a drop in quality.
    - Playstyle: Plays both character routes for completion, but criticizes lack of agency and art downgrade.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - World of Darkness Lore Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe and explore new clans and lore.
    - Playstyle: Reads all text, appreciates world-building and atmosphere, may use in-game glossary to understand lore.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2; Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York
  - Completionist Achievement Hunter (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To achieve 100% completion and experience all story content.
    - Playstyle: Methodically plays both characters and uses guides or multiple runs to find all achievements and scenes.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Characters are colorful and fun (weight 0.14): Beyond Kali, the overall cast is seen as colourful, distinctive, and intriguing, with fun dynamics and well-developed arcs. This includes the relationship between Kali and Pádraic, which is highlighted as a strong point.
- Art and graphics praised (weight 0.12): Multiple reviews highlight the game's appealing artwork and graphics, noting that they look good and remain impressive. This positive visual feedback spans both broad and specific mentions of art quality.
- Music and sound design positive (weight 0.12): The game's music and sound design receive consistent praise, with reviewers enjoying the soundtrack and audio elements. This contributes to the overall immersive and atmospheric experience.
- Story continues franchise continuity (weight 0.12): The narrative weaves elements from previous games and continues the story effectively, expanding on established characters and lore. This continuity is appreciated by fans of the series.
- Overall game quality is solid (weight 0.09): General sentiment indicates the game is pretty good, okay, or good overall, reflecting a positive but moderate assessment. It provides fun and an immersive experience for players.
- Returning characters like Julia appreciated (weight 0.07): The return of characters such as Julia is seen as a great addition, and seeing old characters from new perspectives is appreciated. This enhances the connection to the wider franchise.
- Pádraic's story interesting (weight 0.07): Pádraic's perspective is found to be quite interesting and enjoyable, complementing Kali's arc. This dual viewpoint enriches the overall narrative.
- Interesting and engaging story (weight 0.06): Reviewers describe the story as interesting and great, indicating strong engagement with the plot. The narrative is a major highlight for many players.
- Atmospheric World of Darkness representation (weight 0.05): The game successfully captures the atmospheric essence of the World of Darkness, providing an enthralling visual novel experience. This immersive setting is a key positive aspect.
- Hunger and threat mechanics enjoyed (weight 0.05): The hunger and threat gameplay mechanics are liked and considered fun to interact with, adding strategic elements. These mechanics enhance the game's challenge and immersion.
- Ravnos clan refreshing to play (weight 0.04): Playing as a Ravnos character is described as refreshing and pleasant, offering a new perspective within the series. This clan choice adds novelty to the gameplay experience.
- Customizable disciplines for Kali (weight 0.04): The ability to customize Kali's disciplines is viewed positively, giving players control over abilities. This feature adds depth and personalization to character development.
- Decent story with average excitement (weight 0.04): Some reviewers note the story is decent but not the most exciting, indicating a moderate level of engagement. This suggests the narrative works but may lack high-stakes drama.
- Writing adequate but not outstanding (weight 0.04): Some reviews describe the writing as adequate or okay, suggesting it is serviceable but not exceptional. This indicates a mixed but not negative view of the script quality.

Common complaints:
- Art style feels AI-generated (weight 0.31): Players frequently describe the new art style as uncanny, pseudo-realistic, and resembling generic AI-generated slop, with artifacts and a soulless polish. This appears across multiple clusters, indicating a strong negative reaction to the visual overhaul.
- Lack of meaningful choices (weight 0.29): Players report that choices have little to no impact on the story, with the game being highly linear and on rails. This is a recurring theme across many clusters, highlighting a core gameplay flaw.
- Worse than previous games (weight 0.22): Many players feel the game is a significant downgrade from earlier installments in the series, citing weaker story, production quality, and overall enjoyment. This sentiment appears in several clusters, indicating a broad disappointment among fans.
- Uninteresting main plot (weight 0.15): The core storyline is deemed boring, uninteresting, and lacking engagement, failing to hook players compared to previous titles. This is a common criticism that compounds other narrative issues.
- Kali is insufferable (weight 0.14): The character Kali is widely criticized as annoying, unlikeable, and lacking depth, with dialogue that frustrates players. This is a persistent complaint across a dedicated cluster, suggesting a major character design failure.
- Game feels rushed (weight 0.13): The game is perceived as rushed and cut down, with a short length and a sense that developers ran out of time or resources. This contributes to a feeling of incompleteness.
- Story is linear (weight 0.12): The narrative is described as extremely linear with no branching endings, making decisions feel inconsequential. This is often linked to the lack of meaningful choices and contributes to a sense of railroading.
- Soundtrack is downgrade (weight 0.11): The music is considered weaker and less memorable than in previous titles, with some specifically noting it is inferior to 'Shadows'. This detracts from the overall atmosphere.
- Lacks atmosphere and writing (weight 0.1): Compared to earlier installments, the game has weaker atmosphere and writing quality, failing to capture the same engaging tone. This is a notable regression for long-time fans.
- Low interactivity (weight 0.09): The game offers little action or role-playing freedom, feeling more like a passive experience with minimal interactivity. This is tied to the linearity and lack of choices.
- Plot ends abruptly (weight 0.08): The conclusion is criticized for being abrupt, inconclusive, and lacking coherence, with story motivation breaking down in the final act. This leaves players unsatisfied and confused about the narrative's direction.
- Second playthrough repetitive (weight 0.08): Playing as the second character results in nearly identical story beats, with only minor dialogue changes, forcing players to replay similar content. This reduces replay value and adds frustration.
- Unresolved plot threads (weight 0.06): Several storylines are built up but never fully resolved, leaving the game feeling unsatisfying and incomplete. This is a common narrative complaint that adds to frustration.

Gameplay feedback:
- Visual novel format dominant (weight 0.44): The game is consistently described as a visual novel, with text-heavy presentation, button-press progression, and dialogue choices. This format is the core of the game's experience, emphasizing narrative over traditional gameplay.
- Two protagonists with sequential unlock (weight 0.28): The game features two playable characters, with the second protagonist's campaign unlocking after completing the first. Their stories are intertwined, offering a second perspective on the same events.
- Hunger and hunter mechanics (weight 0.2): The game includes Hunger and Hunter Threat mechanics that players must monitor. High hunter presence can disrupt feeding opportunities, and the hunter scale can be disabled at the start for a more narrative-focused experience.
- New discipline mechanics introduced (weight 0.07): The game introduces new Discipline mechanics compared to previous titles, adding fresh gameplay elements. This includes a system where hunger points can be allocated into disciplines.
- World of Darkness setting (weight 0.06): The game is set within the World of Darkness universe, specifically tied to Vampire: The Masquerade. This setting informs the narrative and character design.
- Barebones gameplay mechanics (weight 0.04): Beyond the narrative focus, the gameplay mechanics are described as thin or barebones. This reinforces the game's identity as a story-first experience with minimal interactive systems.
- Multiple endings available (weight 0.04): The game offers three main endings, with two specifically tied to the Padraic character's storyline. This provides some replay value despite the linear main path.
- Features Ravnos and Malkavian clans (weight 0.04): The game involves the Ravnos clan and features a character who is secretly a Malkavian, adding depth to the World of Darkness lore within the narrative.
- Part of a game series (weight 0.04): The game is identified as part of a series by the same studio, allowing it to build on established lore and mechanics from previous installments.

Performance notes:
- Auto-minimizes on first launch (weight 0.03): The game automatically minimizes and cannot remain open long enough to load a save, forcing a manual restart, which severely hampers initial access.
- Occasional bugs and frame drops (weight 0.02): Users report sporadic bugs and frame rate dips, suggesting minor performance issues that could affect gameplay stability.
- Audio works on Linux (weight 0.02): Confirming that audio functions properly on Linux and SteamOS platforms, indicating positive platform support.

Recommendations:
- Prior trilogy knowledge needed (weight 0.21): A significant number of reviewers advise playing the previous two games in the trilogy before this one. The game is best appreciated by those who have followed the existing story and characters.
- Wait for steep discount (weight 0.2): The majority of feedback suggests waiting for a significant sale before purchasing. Many recommend discounts of 50% or more, and some even suggest waiting for 75% off.
- VtM fans should play (weight 0.19): Many reviews recommend this game specifically for fans of the Vampire: The Masquerade franchise and World of Darkness lore. It is considered a must-play for dedicated fans of the setting.
- Not recommended overall (weight 0.16): A significant portion of feedback strongly advises against buying the game. These reviewers describe it as not worth the time or money, with some even suggesting to save money entirely.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.14): Several reviewers explicitly state that the game is not worth its full price. They advise buying only on sale or skipping it altogether unless you are a superfan.
- Skip for non-fans (weight 0.12): Reviewers suggest that individuals not deeply invested in the VtM universe or the specific trilogy should skip this game. It holds little appeal for newcomers or those not attached to the lore.
- Sale makes it worthwhile (weight 0.11): Many reviewers acknowledge that, despite flaws, the game is worth experiencing when purchased at a discount. It is considered a good value on sale for fans of the genre.
- Lacks meaningful choices (weight 0.1): A common criticism is that the game does not provide meaningful choices or agency. Reviewers note that it is not suitable for players seeking dynamic RPG mechanics or self-expression.
- Better alternatives exist (weight 0.09): Some reviewers suggest other VtM visual novels or games as better starting points or overall experiences. They mention titles like Shadows of New York, Night Road, or Parliament of Knives as preferable.
- Disappointing for veterans (weight 0.08): Several reviewers found the game disappointing compared to previous entries in the trilogy. Even those who liked the earlier games felt this one was weaker or less engaging.
- Narrative-driven visual novel (weight 0.07): The game is best approached as a visual novel or interactive story rather than a traditional RPG. Several reviewers recommend reading it like a novel and enjoying the story and atmosphere.
- Complete the trilogy (weight 0.06): For players invested in the New York trilogy, the game is worth playing to finish the story and see returning characters. It provides closure and additional scenes if both stories are played.
- Not for action seekers (weight 0.04): The game is not recommended for players looking for dynamic action or fast-paced gameplay. It requires patience and a focus on narrative rather than combat or action elements.
- Play order suggested (weight 0.04): Some reviewers recommend a specific play order, such as playing Shadows of New York before Coteries of New York, or suggesting that newcomers start with Shadows. This helps with narrative flow.
- English proficiency required (weight 0.02): One reviewer pointed out that the game requires a good understanding of English to follow the story. Those without sufficient English proficiency may struggle to enjoy the narrative.
- Side content unnecessary (weight 0.02): One reviewer noted that side content is not worth spending time on, suggesting that players focus on the main story. This may indicate pacing or content quality issues.
- Future sequel desired (weight 0.02): One reviewer expressed a desire for a sequel, indicating that despite issues, they enjoyed the experience and want more content in this universe.

Other player notes:
- Part of New York trilogy (weight 0.29): The game is clearly recognized as the third and final installment in the New York trilogy, set in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe. Many reviews mention its position as the concluding chapter of the series.
- Weakest entry in trilogy (weight 0.22): Reviewers frequently compare this game to Coteries of New York and Shadows of New York, describing it as the weakest or most disappointing entry in the trilogy. This appears across multiple clusters, indicating a consistent critical consensus.
- Set in World of Darkness (weight 0.14): The game is explicitly tied to the World of Darkness setting and the Vampire: The Masquerade franchise, which is a significant part of its identity and appeal for fans.
- Compared to previous titles (weight 0.13): Reviewers often compare the game's mechanics, story, and writing to the prior games in the series, frequently noting a decline in quality. The comparisons are a central theme in feedback.
- Playtime varies widely (weight 0.06): Reported playtimes range from about 5 hours to 8-10 hours, suggesting inconsistent pacing or content depth. This could affect perceived value for money.
- Art style changed (weight 0.05): The art style differs from previous games in the series, which may contribute to the AI-generation suspicions and could affect player immersion. This change is noted by several reviewers.
- More book than game (weight 0.04): The game is described as a kinetic novel or very close to a book, indicating minimal interactive gameplay. This may appeal to some but disappoint others expecting more player agency.
- Limited language support (weight 0.04): The game lacks localization for some languages, including Brazilian Portuguese and Russian, which restricts accessibility for non-English speakers and may reduce its audience.
- Connects to previous games (weight 0.04): The story continues directly from events in Coteries and Shadows, tying together the trilogy's narrative. This is important for players who have followed the series.
- Developed by Draw Distance (weight 0.04): The developer is consistently identified as Draw Distance, which is a key fact for players evaluating the game's pedigree and expected quality.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.33): This game is widely considered a major downgrade from previous entries in the trilogy, with players citing worse writing, unappealing AI-generated art, and a weaker soundtrack. The lack of meaningful choices and linear, short plot left many feeling the game lacked the depth and quality of its predecessors.
- Frustration (weight 0.14): Players are frustrated by the lack of player agency, with the numerous dialogue choices having no real impact on the story's outcome. This is compounded by repetitive storylines between the two playable characters, technical issues, and a narrative that feels both predictable and incoherent.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players found enjoyment in the exploration of the rarely-featured Ravnos clan and the engaging atmosphere of the World of Darkness setting. The story, character interactions, and dual-perspective structure were praised, along with the improved presentation in art and music for some reviewers.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction stems from the game providing a well-paced story that serves as a fitting conclusion to the New York trilogy. Reviewers appreciated the interesting dual point-of-view structure, the development of the main characters, and the writing that weaves tension into the narrative effectively.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game for finally allowing them to play as a Ravnos character and for its deep exploration of the vampire world's lore. The gothic atmosphere, the decision to avoid a cliché romance, and the improved text presentation and art style are also noted as positive aspects.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): The primary source of annoyance is the main protagonist, Kali, whose personality is perceived as rude, annoying, and shallow by many players. This is exacerbated by her repetitive dialogue and her tendency to pick on her partner, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): Boredom arises from the game's linear nature, where clicking through the same scenes in the second playthrough feels like a chore. A lack of meaningful choices, combined with a repetitive soundtrack and a protagonist that feels unengaging, led many to find the experience bland and tedious.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): The second playthrough was a major source of confusion, raising more questions than it answered and failing to clarify character fates. The main plot was criticized as being all over the place, and the drastic changes to character art made them difficult to recognize.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement is generated from the game being described as a dense, atmospheric thriller that draws the player in. The anticipation of playing the second character, Padraic, to uncover more of the story's mysteries created a palpable sense of tension and eagerness.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players are anticipating future content, specifically the Brazilian Portuguese translation that was missing from the game. There is also a strong desire to experience the conclusion of the New York trilogy and to obtain the official soundtrack release.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is maintained by the unique dual-protagonist structure, which allows the player to see the story from multiple perspectives and uncover surprises. The distinct and polarizing characters also kept players engaged and wondering about the game's world and events.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): This emotion stems from the game failing to meet the high standards set by previous titles in the franchise. The predictable story, reliance on old tropes, lack of meaningful choices, and an unsatisfying conclusion left players feeling that the game did not live up to its potential.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for future clarification of the game's retconned ending and a potential expansion of the lore it introduced. Players are also hoping for a translation into Castellano to make the game more accessible.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed at the game's plot, which is described as an admirable attempt and the soundtrack, which is considered potentially the best in the trilogy. For some, the game represents a masterpiece in its genre with significant improvements over previous installments.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Technical issues like bugs and frame rate dips contributed to this frustration, but the main causes were the lack of impact from choices and playing a character detached from the main narrative. The protagonist's reckless actions and the game invalidating previous choices also fueled this emotion.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness comes from the final game of the trilogy not being considered worth the investment, especially after the high quality of the previous titles. Players feel a sense of loss seeing the game fail to live up to its legacy.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Players are curious about the game's development direction, questioning whether it is an RPG or an interactive book. They also wonder about the behind-the-scenes changes that altered the game's style and mechanics.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement was derived from the game's black humor within various situations. A specific source of humor was comparing Julia's new character face to a real-world figure, Carlos Ghosn.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players are impressed by the plot's brilliance in hindsight, acknowledging how the story's structure and reveals pay off. The writing's diverse vocabulary, descriptive language, and figurative expressions also earned high praise.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction is rooted in the unsatisfying gameplay, which is characterized by surface-level role-playing with no real depth. The ending is described as anticlimactic, leading some to feel the game was a waste of time.}