Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice

NOV 21th, 2023

Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice Review Blog

Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice: A Promising VR Foray into the Dark

"Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice" materializes in the VR scene with a Metacritic score of 71 out of 100, denoting a mixed reception from the critics.

1. A Vision of Venice and Storytelling:

    - The game is applauded for its beautifully realized take on Venice, nearing greatness in its atmospheric depiction. The story, set in the World of Darkness universe, unfolds a compelling narrative about tracking down a stolen relic, which is engaging throughout and reflects a no-compromise approach on storytelling by Fast Travel Games.

2. Gameplay Dynamics and RPG Elements:

    - "Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice" is an RPG at heart with a stealthy core. It offers various approaches to missions, with a focus on stealth and skill development over direct combat. The game introduces unique abilities like the 'Cauldron of Blood' and integrates a blood mechanic, pivotal to the stealth system. However, some reviewers found the moment-to-moment gameplay repetitive, noting that environmental puzzles and combat can be enjoyable if the difficulty is adjusted appropriately.

3. Technical Execution and VR Integration:

    - Despite the game’s intuitive control layout and the generally immersive VR experience, there are reports of technical messiness and occasional confusing level design that can detract from the overall experience. Issues such as repetitive gameplay loops and potentially frustrating navigation mar an otherwise smooth VR integration.

4. Potential Marred by Technical Flaws:

    - "Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice" should have been one of the standout PS VR2 games, but it's somewhat tarnished by a collection of bugs. There's a consensus that while the game offers a strong narrative and a visually impressive world, these technical issues need to be addressed for it to reach its full potential.

5. Aesthetic Choices:

    - The game's visual prowess is evident, especially with the Unreal engine powering its environments. However, the non-player characters (NPCs) are noted to be more stylized and lower in detail, which contrasts with the otherwise high-quality visuals of the game settings.

In sum, "Vampire: The Masquerade - Justice" is a VR title that shines in narrative and visual design but is hampered by technical issues and repetitive gameplay. It’s recommended for fans of the World of Darkness and those looking for a full VR experience with a deep story. The Metacritic score reflects the game's position as a solid, though not groundbreaking, entry into the VR landscape, with room for refinement to meet the high expectations of its established fanbase.