Vampire: The Masquerade – Redemption
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| Vampire: The Masquerade – Redemption | |
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| Developer(s) | Nihilistic Software |
| Publisher(s) | Activision |
| Engine | Nod Engine |
| Release date(s) | June 7, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: M (Mature) USK: 12+ ELSPA: 15+ OFLC: M15+ |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Macintosh |
| Media | CD-ROM |
| System requirements | 233 MHz CPU, 64 MB RAM, 8 MB video card RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 7.0, 800 MB available hard disk space, Windows 95 |
| Input | Keyboard, Mouse |
Vampire: The Masquerade – Redemption is a PC RPG released on June 7, 2000 by Activision. The game follows the adventures of a French crusader, Christof Romuald, through Prague and Vienna in the old world to London and New York City in the new.
In the game’s storyline, the protagonist Christof falls in love with a nun who tends his wounds after he falls in battle. Christof, not fully recovered, ventures into the Bonn Silver Mines (near Prague) to kill Azhra, a twisted Tzimitse vampire. His glorious return to Prauge doesn't go unnoticed by the local vampire leaders and soon he is embraced (turned into a vampire) by Ecaterina, leader of the Brujah clan, as to boost the ranks of vampires in preparation for a brewing battle between vampire clans. Having been made one of the undead, the passionate crusader has to realize that he deviated from his religious mission long ago; and being only a mundane soldier, he was an easy prey to the vampires. His rebellious nature, however, urges him to find a way to redeem his soul, perhaps by regaining his mortal state... But before long, in a move designed to torment Christof (in retaliation for dispatching Azhra), the nun is kidnapped and turned into a ghoul. This changes Christof's part in the course of events, since he is now being wracked with guilt as he feels his affection towards Anezka led her down a path of sin, and swears to face the vampires who took her and restore her life as well. In his quest, as being a powerful vampire, he must learn to conquer his dark side and gain experience for his new powers (vampiric disciplines=spells) to fight against a world of darkness that unfolds before him, as he learns more about this new world he is now a part of, while struggling to maintain his humanity and the faith he once had as a holy knight. Christof eventually finds the vampires responsible only to find the pure woman of God that he fell in love with is now a twisted, violated creature of the night who shuns him as an emotional weakling. In a climactic battle he is buried under tonnes of rubble, only to awaken centuries later in the modern world, uncovered by an archæological dig, and faced by a whole new series of challenge – including as a fearsome new enemy whose actions may well doom the entire world. The game sports 3 different possible outcome, depending on certain choices in the game which affected Christof’s humanity level either negatively or positively.
The game is based on the pen-and-paper game Vampire: The Masquerade. The game’s graphics were highly advanced for its time, including then-novel effects such as multiple shadows rendered dynamically from in-game light sources. Vampire: The Masquerade – Redemption also includes an interesting multiplayer game mode, where one player takes the role of the storyteller. The game itself is divided in two parts, a medieval and a modern setting which play differently. Although generally hailed as a good and enjoyable game by most critics, its reception was tainted by a few lingering design flaws which were rectified by a series of patches, but not before reviews were released which incorporated the bugs into their rating of the game.
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[edit] Awards
- E3 1999 Game Critics Awards: Best RPG
[edit] See also
[edit] Cast of player characters
Besides the famous Christof Romuald who also appears in White Wolf's Brujah clan novel you will be meet the following characters along the way:
Wilhem Striker - a Brujah of the 10th Generation, possibly a Childe of Ecaterina the Wise and her servant, a rather unusual Brujah, recognised by his calmness despite his action oriented nature. He rejoins Christof in his adventures in New York. During the time of Christof's torpor from the Dark Ages to modern days Ecaterina and the Promethias have eventually joined the Sabbat, a Vampire sect that views mortals as simple cattle. Despite his allegiance determined by the relations of the Promethians with the Ventrue, Wilhem appears to have managed to withhold a good part of his humanity. He also teaches Christof the Basics of being a Cainite during his first missions. To be noted about Wilhem that besides his standard Brujah disciplines of Potence, Presence and Celerity he also has knowledge of Protean, a discipline characteristic to the Gangrel Clan.
Serena - Serena is a rather interesting character and is the Childe of Garinol of Clan Cappadocian. Like all of her clan she has a near corpse appearance, yet it is obvious that even if pale she retains her natural beauty. Serena is a Scholar first and foremost and not really adept at combat, acting as a support character to the others using her supernatural senses, reselience and the powers over the Dead to aid the party. Like all Cappadocians she has their three basic disciplines, Auspex (supernatural senses), Fortitude (resilience) and Mortis (the power that grants her control over the dead). She will be able to raise killed enemies, summon Spirits, rather useful abilities adding an additional group member. Also she acts as an advisor to Christof and is probably the one understanding best the pain in his heart.
Eric - a giant Gangrel who is imprisoned at Ardan's Chantry and being prepared to be turned into a gargoyle. He is rescued by Christof's coterie just before the final stage of transformation. He joins the group as to repay this "life boon". Eric, as most Gangrels, is physically stronger than vampires of other clans and possesses the knowledge of animalism (shapeshifting into a wolf, drawing out and quell the beast). A rather moody but absolutely honorable and reliable character, he will fight alongside Christof until he meets his truly tragic destiny in Vienna.
