Vampire : The Masquerade - Redemption

The game maker Activision has published this little gem of a game.  "Vampire : The Masquerade - Redemption".  First off... What the hell is up with that name?  Can it be any longer?  Or lame?   Okay, enough of the name.  (I HATE THAT NAME) 

Now this game is impressive.  It's story driven, and while railed, has 3 different possible endings.  The game looks good.  The graphics are not cutting edge or anything, just very well done.  Good atmosphere.   The sound effects are again very good, but nothing special.  So what makes it impressive?  Well, it's really the overall package.  All features and elements are put together really well.   The characters are interesting and conceived very well.  That is important for a roll playing, adventure game. 

You play the roll of Christoff, a Knight of the Crusades.  You get "Embraced" by the leader of a one of the clans of The Kindred.  If you are up on all of the Vampire lore, you will find everything familiar.  Now that your a Vampire, you get caught up in the little civil war between the clans.  Lots of quests fit together to tell an interesting story.

Someone explain this to me... about Vampire lore... Now, the original Dracula, written by Bram Stoker explains that Vampires CAN walk about during the day.  They have reduced powers and are much weakened... but are not harmed by sunlight.  Yet all the modern Vampire lore have them burning when touched by sunlight.  What is up with that?  Where the hell did that come from?

The interface is a simple point and click deal just like Diablo, while the game is a hack and slash 3rd Person perspective.  It's appealing, simple, and fun.  Now, as a roll playing game - it's rather weak.  The options for character development are just shallow.  Your equipment and weapon selections are just lame.  You have a small handfull of swords and maces.  In the last two areas you can have a revolver, pistol, shotgun and rifle... no really interesting options there.  You can get a grenade launcher or a flame thrower or a rocket launcher too.  But these weapons are a good way of getting your party TOASTED.  I like a wide variety of weapons.  I want a BUNCH of swords.  Like Diablo, you can get a bunch of rare and unique items.  You can get items that are blessed or cursed... tons more options.  This game feels like you only have 1/3 the options if that many.  And most of them suck.  Way too many dagger options.    Armor options are just as shallow. 

The spells are mostly lame and you find that you really only use a couple out of all of them... and there are a lot.  You will have to try all of them out to see which ones you like that fit the way you play.  I found that I only used 2 through 90% of the game and one more near the end.

Still, overall the game is fun and has some depth to the story line.  It's not perfect, but it's worth the retail price.  I picked it up for only $14USD.  I rate it a 7 out of 10.  If you have not played it... it's at least worth looking at.