A game that will have you biting necks out of habit, even after you have stopped playing it.
I had the misfortune of playing the previous title, Vampires - Redemption. While I liked the series back then, this release is definitely something you want to have in your collection, while the previous title will serve a better purpose left at the shop.
Gameplay - 9
I could hardly wish for more. Very well done and very immersive. A noticeable amount of bugs make the game unstable at times and frustrating, but it can't ruin it.
The Official patches cleared most of the problems, and unofficial ones have done the rest. if you buy it now, and update it - you'll have a game that is exactly what it should have been in the firstplace - a complete masterpiece.
You're a vampire, and how cool is that? You get to walk around L.A. and complete various quests to drive the storyline. While a lot of the quests aren't optional, some are - giving you a true feeling of freedom. And the story will have you on the edge of the seat at times, really fun and enjoyable.
Different clans can offer completely different gaming experiences, so try them all out. From different dialogues to different style of play - there is much to fiddle around with.
With several different endings to pursue, you'll have tons of fun with this game.
Graphics - 10
We are talking about HL2 graphics here basically, and you know that this means top of the line. Beautiful characters, animations and overall visual quality. All you need is a powerful PC to back you up, and you have all the eyecandy you could ever want.
And if you aren't the one to ditch the game because of poor visuals, you can rest safely if you own an old computer. This game will run fine even on slow pc-s, as long as you are willing to cut the eyecandy and concentrate on the story and gameplay alone.
Sound - 10
I love it! Many games create their own soundtracks for originality and for the purpose of getting it just right for their game. But this game isn't afraid to give you some of the best rock/metal/gothic songs out there.
I was so pleasantly surprised to hear Lacuna Coil in the game, during one of the club sequences. Ofcourse the game has it's own soundtrack aswell, which is appropriately creepy and fits in well with the dark LA streets.
Sounds for action are great, and the voice acting is Superb. Hearing the lines from "Jack" for example just make your day. If you don't feel like you aren't talking to a real person, then you have really got to get out and socialize, cause the developers of this game certainly have done their homework on this one.
Value - 9
Plenty to keep you interested in this game, even after you have completed the game.
You have other clans to try out, other ways to develop your character and another go at trying to complete every quest with all conditions filled to get the max rewards. Some quests have hidden bonuses aswell, depending on the way to solve them - some are rather impossible to predict, but if you decide to take a different approach, you might get a pleasant surprise.
Tilt - 9
A great game, really, it is.
I played it when it came out, and again after some patches and once I had gotten a new rig. It was just as enjoyable the second time, if not more.
Try it out, if you're into roleplaying or just fps type games, this one will not leave you cold...
...undead maybe ;)