Review Bloodlines reviewed at Computer and Video Games

[baelstren]

When I first started in my apartment and turned on the TV only to hear about port authorities finding the abandoned ship Elizabeth Dane, I was like "Sweeeet. Someone at Troika is a Carpenter fan."

There's also a Cthulhu reference on the TV, as there are reports of a "gelatinous, tentacled creature resembling an octopus" (paraphrase) washing up on the beach. Good stuff.

 

[baelstren]

Like I said, quoting the article, most things in the tele are absed around what the PC is doing. I'm pointing out it shohld be a lot more extra than that. Still, the concept is very nice and I can't wait to see it in action. Just sayin' that the PC while the focus of the game shouldn't neccessarily the focus of the game world espicially in the beginning when you are unknown totally.

Shut up and buy the game. You know you want to. :twisted:

 

[Shevek]

Not quite, but close. Only a Troika fanboy would say it's the M0ST AW3S0M P3RFCT RPG EVAR!

I wouldnt say Bloodlines is my favorite rpg but, thus far, its ranking pretty high. It has alot of what I look for in a good crpg. If someone told me it was their fave, I wouldnt necessarily assume they were a Troika fanboy. If someone says, "wow, I think Bloodlines is an awesome rpg; it may be my fave," what is wrong with that? I dont get why someone would be surprised at people thinking Bloodlines is awesome when it is.

 

[Kortalh]

I am absolutely loving the game thusfar. Nearly perfect, RPG-wise. And the part with the ghost is an instant favorite.

But, there are some downsides...

I've noticed that a lot of your responses have very little impact on the conversation. If you pay close attention, you'll notice that (while very well done) many of the NPC dialogs are generic - designed to cater to whatever you may have chosen.

I was also disappointed in that the game does feel quite linear... for example, near the beginning a sidequest arises which appears to be an alternate way to reach your objectives. But after completing it you discover that your only option is to go the main route after all. There's another situation a bit later where you report the wrongdoing of someone else. I was extremely disappointed that you were forced to report it, as (based on discussions with an opposing faction) I find it hard to believe my character would have done so.

And finally, the forced combat missions. There are a fair number of missions that give you the option to do them the way you want (and I love them for it), but there are often missions where you have no choice but to fight - and fight a lot. These are storyline missions, and there are no opportunities to opt out of them. And, to make matters worse, I had invested my experience almost entirely in non-combat skills.

But Bloodlines is still an incredibly great RPG, and well worth it's money. These complaints are water droplets in a bathtub of praise, if you'll pardon the cliche. :wink:

 

[EEVIAC]

There's also a Cthulhu reference on the TV, as there are reports of a "gelatinous, tentacled creature resembling an octopus" (paraphrase) washing up on the beach. Good stuff.

I think that's the Tzimisce antediluvian. Its pretty much just a big tentacled mass of Vicissitude.

 

[Volourn]

"Shut up and buy the game."

Eh. This has been decided months agao so stop trying to "convince" me.


"I dont get why someone would be surprised at people thinking Bloodlines is awesome when it is."

That's not the problem. The problem is whenc ertain people attack everyone who may even hint at BL having something negative. Heck, some people attacked a review because they dare to rate the game 4/5.

R00fles!

 

[Briosafreak]

New review at GameZone
http://www.rpgdot.com/index.php#34134

9/10

 

[Majnun]

Another refererence/tribute/easter eggish type thing is the sequence in the Hollywood Cemetary. The caretaker who sits around all day shooting zombies is named Romero. In case I'm the only zombie movie nut here George Romero is the guy who made Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead & Day of the Dead (the originals, not the remakes). He also made an excellent "vampire" movie called Martin that is a totally different take on the whole vampire thing. Rent it if you like vampire movies and haven't seen it.

The game does have many choke-points (like how BG would only open up certain areas after you did a certain quest, etc) so in reality it IS fairly linear. But it does not "feel" linear when playing it. I have always had a few quests going at the same time that I could chose between (until I get them all done except that one essential one that triggers the next area openning up). It's definitely not as free-form as Fallout...but it's linearity doesn't detract from the game/story for me. In fact it's probably neccessary to be able to tell a coherent story.

There are several forced combat missions. And I agree that that sucks. I was hoping to be able to do every quest without resorting to combat...either by sneaking or using diplomacy/coercion of some sort. But playing as a Tremere putting heavy points into Thaumaturgy & Domination disciplines I haven't found a combat I had trouble with yet. But that's kinda not the point...it would have been nice to be able to avoid all combat somehow other than just skipping those quests (and some of them are main story quests so can't be skipped). Also the combat does suck a bit...but I'm getting used to it and I think if you put heavy points into physical attributes & combat related abilities it might be better. I tend to only use disciplines and feeding to take care of business and that way is actually kind of fun.

It's not perfect for sure. It has some bugs (er I mean glitches) but so far nothing game stopping for sure. Some graphics & sound glitches are what's most noticable. And one quest that I uh managed to complete without ever starting in the first place. That was a bit odd.

I haven't finished the game...just recently arrived in Hollywood in fact, so I think probably half-way through if that. But if the rest of the game is as good as what I've played it'll end up as my 3rd favorite RPG evar. Fallout & Planescape:Torment being #1 & #2. And it might even bump PS:T down to 3rd. This is the first RPG in a while to completely pull me into it like a good book can do. Hell, it made me completely quit playing Half-Life 2 for 2 days while I just played Bloodlines. Oops, did I mention a twitchy non-rpg game?

It's a fine game...I think gamespot scored it a bit low. High 80's or very low 90's would be more accurate IMO so the C&VG review is about right.

 

[Volourn]

"The game does have many choke-points (like how BG would only open up certain areas after you did a certain quest, etc) so in reality it IS fairly linear. But it does not "feel" linear when playing it. I have always had a few quests going at the same time that I could chose between (until I get them all done except that one essential one that triggers the next area openning up). It's definitely not as free-form as Fallout...but it's linearity doesn't detract from the game/story for me. In fact it's probably neccessary to be able to tell a coherent story."

Yeah. Whether peole like it or not; it sounds at least in this way, it's more BIo in style. As in you got freedom to a certain dgree but not complete freedom say ala FO. That's a good compromise in a game whose story is the focus.


"It's not perfect for sure. It has some bugs (er I mean glitches) but so far nothing game stopping for sure. Some graphics & sound glitches are what's most noticable. And one quest that I uh managed to complete without ever starting in the first place. That was a bit odd.

I haven't finished the game...just recently arrived in Hollywood in fact, so I think probably half-way through if that. But if the rest of the game is as good as what I've played it'll end up as my 3rd favorite RPG evar. Fallout & Planescape:Torment being #1 & #2. And it might even bump PS:T down to 3rd. This is the first RPG in a while to completely pull me into it like a good book can do."

This is a fair opinion. Good for you.


I have a question for everyone who is not a fanboy (you know who you are so don't deny it); but how are the NPCs. I mean persoanlity, background, and depth wise? This has always been one of the sore spots for Troika games 9even FO to a limited degree). Not many people have discussed the characters in Bl not even when praising its awesome role-playing. So.. Answer.

"It's a fine game...I think gamespot scored it a bit low. High 80's or very low 90's would be more accurate IMO so the C&VG review is about right."

Eh. To me; it's not the number that really matters but the meat of the review. Most rveiews - no matter the actual score - of BL agree that the game has great atmoshere, offers lots of choices, and a solid story but its combat isn't exactly great and it has some bugs. At least that's what i get out of them which is good enough for me.

Enjoy. :D

 

[Trash]

I have a question for everyone who is not a fanboy (you know who you are so don't deny it); but how are the NPCs. I mean persoanlity, background, and depth wise? This has always been one of the sore spots for Troika games 9even FO to a limited degree). Not many people have discussed the characters in Bl not even when praising its awesome role-playing. So.. Answer.

Personallity differs. Generally the voice acting is very good. Some characters are certainly memorable (for instance, there are some twin sisters that have a certain 2 faced side I really dig) Most of the important characters are very well fleshed out, and even a lot of the minor npc's have a certain flair about them. Grumpy old diner cassiere, fat dumb security guard, drunk homeless guy, lots of them are fun/interesting to watch. Though there certainly are some fodder npc's walking around. Mostly the whores, some people in combat area's and certain shop owners. Heck, I dig talking my way through the game.

And some uncalled shit;

About all the fuzz in the combat department. Melee and hand to hand combat is cool, trust me, in a GTA; VC way. You throw people in walls, kick them down, jump at their throats, beat them so hard they go flying. To me it's very entertaining and gory. Gun combat I really didn't try that hard. At first guns seemed a bit underpowered, but now that I've gone a bit further in the game they get more interesting. The feel of firing a pistol, machinegun or shotgun is very cool, good sounds, nice kickback and all. I'll try out a more combat oriented character later on. In some area's walking around with a shotgun just feels like the right thing. Maybe I've seen too much zombie movies though. (hint heh heh)

I can't help but loving the way some area's look after a fight breaks out. Broken windows, charred remains, bullet holes and blood on the walls, exploded tv's. Fuck...it feels very very satisfying to be left standing with all that destruction going on.

Quests are cool. Most seem to have different ways to get through, or combinations of ways to get through. I showed my housemate some things that he never even saw, and he experienced some stuff my char never got. All because of clan, gender and char style. Seems very cool so far in all of the sub-quests. Even the area's you have to do seem to have plenty of ways to get through. (1st one and 2nd one all have multiple paths and outcomes...though the final goal stays the same)

It's a great game, it has it's flaws but for the first time in 2 years I've been losing sleep because I played a game for too long. Seems there is a lot of replay value and plenty of shit to discover allong the way. Fuck, I actually would urge people into buying it. Pirate whore that I usually may be.

 

[Spazmo]

I haven't finished the game...just recently arrived in Hollywood in fact, so I think probably half-way through if that. But if the rest of the game is as good as what I've played it'll end up as my 3rd favorite RPG evar. Fallout & Planescape:Torment being #1 & #2.

This is about right on the money. It's not quite as good as Fallout, but it's up there.

 

[Sarkile]

There's also a Cthulhu reference on the TV, as there are reports of a "gelatinous, tentacled creature resembling an octopus" (paraphrase) washing up on the beach. Good stuff.

I think that's the Tzimisce antediluvian. Its pretty much just a big tentacled mass of Vicissitude.

But I think he's supposed to be in New York's sewers still.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

In some area's walking around with a shotgun just feels like the right thing. Maybe I've seen too much zombie movies though. (hint heh heh).

Would you be referring to the last stage of a certain quest in downtown given to you by a certain anarch? I shotgunned and knifed my way happily through that area. It was so much fun. I just imagined my seductress babe saying "Come get some."

 

[EEVIAC]

I think that's the Tzimisce antediluvian. Its pretty much just a big tentacled mass of Vicissitude.

But I think he's supposed to be in New York's sewers still.

Yep, my mistake. I forgot that Bloodlines isn't set in New York.

 

[suibhne]

One of my favorite Easter eggs is the political billboard ad above the streets of LA, showing a whitebread politician posing with the flag and a bunch of puppies. The tagline goes something like "Robert Thorne: Not a murderous child pornographer."

 

[Shevek]

One of my favorite Easter eggs is the political billboard ad above the streets of LA, showing a whitebread politician posing with the flag and a bunch of puppies. The tagline goes something like "Robert Thorne: Not a murderous child pornographer."

That is a radio ad too.

 

[dojoteef]

**Slight Spoiler if you want to find out the dialog lines for youself in game**

Even better than that is when you meet Venus, you can confess your sins to her. Well, one of the "sins" I confessed was that "I voted Repbulican once." :D And I was a conservative ass Ventrue when I said it too!

 

[Sol Invictus]

Here's a tip: If you want to play a game where the character isn't in the central role, Bloodlines isn't the game for you. Nor is any single player game. You'd be better off with an MMORPG where a thousand jackanapes complete their quests and do absolutely nothing to affect the world. In a world of heroes, nobody is a hero.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Oh yeah another tip: If you plan to make references to Downtown, Hollywood and especially Chinatown, I suggest pasting a nice big SPOILER warning and making that text of yours really, really small so nobody can read it unless they really want to. I hate having to press the PGDN key everytime I see any of those words.

 

[dipdipdip]

**Slight Spoiler if you want to find out the dialog lines for youself in game**

Even better than that is when you meet Venus, you can confess your sins to her. Well, one of the "sins" I confessed was that "I voted Repbulican once." :D And I was a conservative ass Ventrue when I said it too!

There's also a Bush barb in there when talking to Venus.

 

[suibhne]

This game frequently has me laughing my ass off. The billboards and the magazines on the racks in various stores are laugh-out-loud funny, and much of the Californiacentric dialogue is a riot (characters like Trip, the convenience store guy, and David Hatter). The news broadcast about violent videogames was downright rich. Despite the overall darkness of tone, I haven't played a game this wickedly funny in quite awhile.

New fave billboard: "Troika Games: PLAY. OBEY."