REVIEW / Vampire: The Masquerade – New York Reckoning (PC)

I hadn’t ventured into a vampire-themed game or even dabbled with anything from the horror genre in ages. There’s just something inherently intriguing about the undead, isn’t there? They’ve staked their claim across all kinds of media, from the hilarious antics in "What We Do in the Shadows" to gripping horror remakes like "Nosferatu" and even survival games such as "V Rising." Enter Draw Distance, a Polish indie studio, which has added another layer to the Vampire: The Masquerade universe with their release, Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York. Curious to find out what’s in store, I dove into this latest chapter of the iconic series.

Setting foot in Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York instantly sweeps you away to the bustling, frosty streets of contemporary New York City. Now, I must confess, my knowledge of the Vampire: The Masquerade series was more than a little rusty, so diving into the franchise’s deep lore left me feeling a tad out of my depth. For the uninitiated, this series delves into the lives and intricacies of vampires, or Kindred, as they navigate political machinations and the relentless struggle to survive in a supernatural world. In this third installment, players are introduced to Kali of the Ravnos clan—one of the thirteen intriguing families that inhabit this universe. Her finesse as a con artist immediately piqued my interest, leaving me eager to see where this adventure would lead.

Diving deeper into the game, it’s clear that Reckoning of New York leans heavily into the visual novel genre. The narrative is rich and robust, though it can occasionally slip into cliché territory. However, my primary gripe was a disheartening disconnect with the characters. The text—often a sea of lengthy paragraphs—felt overwhelming, and my mind would wander without engaging interactions to hold it. Sadly, the few decisions presented seemed inconsequential, doing little to sway the direction of the storyline or character development. To put it plainly, this didn’t feel like a typical video game. It was more akin to watching a story unfold, leaving me distanced rather than immersed. While eagerly trying to connect with new characters, I longed for more depth—more backstory and relationship dynamics within the vampire world. Although seasoned players of the Masquerade might appreciate the Kindred lore, I struggled to find myself emotionally tethered to the narrative.

As far as gameplay goes, Reckoning of New York offers nary a hint of it. No puzzles to crack, no combat to engage in, and very few challenges present themselves. Even the unique vampiric abilities—considered Disciplines—felt like a late addition. The Logbook, which sticks out like a sore thumb, merely lists completed chapters without providing any enticing details. There’s an ongoing debate on whether visual novels qualify as video games, and while they offer a unique experience, I feel they could benefit from standing as a category of their own. Choices should matter in games, yet here, they added little value.

Reckoning of New York doesn’t completely whiff, though. Its visuals are breathtaking. The art style casts a dark, atmospheric spell with its use of deep blues and purples, sharply contrasted by vibrant reds—perfectly capturing the game’s vampiric essence. Each character is artfully presented in a semi-realistic style, with expressive features and distinctive outfits that highlight their varied personalities. The backdrop of urban New York transitions seamlessly from scene to scene, capturing both its luminous skylines and shadowy, gothic corners.

In summing up my experience with Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York, I’d say it delivers a story steeped in rich lore that will likely appeal to die-hard fans of the franchise. For newcomers like myself, however, it might miss the mark, falling short of a memorable experience. It’s arguably the harshest I’ve been in critiquing a game for a while, but this one didn’t quite resonate with me. I don’t see myself returning to explore Kali’s NYC anytime soon.

Ultimately, here’s the lowdown on Vampire: The Masquerade – Reckoning of New York:

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

Not enough to sink my teeth into

Pros:

• Stunningly beautiful art style
• Accessible and easy to play

Cons:

• Clichéd writing
• Lacks meaningful game mechanics and choices

While the graphics enchant, the narrative and interactive elements left much to be desired.