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Vampire makes full use of its adult rating, not just in terms of blood and violence, or the odd naked lady (and there are a few) but in story line too. It doesnt patronize you at all, with some of the plots even bordering on controversial, such as one set of quests based around the production of snuff movies. I must say though, that these do provide some of the most unique and rewarding moments, sticking true to the core aim to create a believable underworld. Sadly, however there are criticisms to be made of this underworld (If I dare). I cannot understand what it is with RPGs and real-time combat (I am thinking of equally suspect combat in Deus Ex: Invisible War here), but they seem to be unable to pull it off. I may get a stake through my heart for saying this, but Vampire is just as bad in this area, combat is unfulfilling, and fire-fights a crime that can get frustrating.
Weapons ability is meant to become more proficient as you level up, so you become stronger/more accurate. However, it is so appalling, particularly in the early stages, that you can off load whole clips of ammo from a machine gun and they will hit every part of a room except your enemy. In fact, you would probably have more luck if you turned around, and shot at the opposite wall! To add to this, if one stray shot does actually happen to hit your enemy in the forehead do they drop dead no! Now, I know this is an RPG, and all the rest of it, so stats have to be taken into consideration, but this does kind of cut through the whole idea of believability.
Pwned!
Melée combat is better, and more fulfilling, partly because Vampires are more susceptible to a blade than bullets and this tended to be the mode I used unless I absolutely couldnt. However, it does seem a little bit too Hacknslash rather than there being any element of skill to it. This may sound bizarre, but in terms of RPGs, I actually found the turn taking combat of Knights of the Old Republic, with its beautifully choreographed battles more satisfying and rewarding.
There is one redemption in battle though. And that is the supremely well conceived Vampire powers. These are really imaginative and are great fun to use. I mean, who wouldnt relish the opportunity to create Mass suicide or make some ignorant foes blood boil and pop! While this may sound like a pretty major criticism, there were actually very few places it destroyed my faith in the game. This is because the world is so well created in general, with such attention to detail (take a few minutes to listen to the hilarious radio shows, or go and have a dance in one of the Nightclubs), and the story development and overall atmosphere so compelling that you overlook this just to find out what happens next.
'A little Blood anyone?'
