Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines $10 Amazon.com, clawing its way out of the grave

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001NJHH8/ref=nosim/cheapassgam08-20

All things considered, I'd rather have the Steam version if only for the ease of Steam, but for you luddites, find some filler and get your disc copies.

Sorry about the ending on Nov 5th thing, I only c/ped what Steam themselves said.

Original Steam deal post follows

A good deal it would seem for this RPG. I have yet to play it, though.

EDIT: Mini review after spending 8+ hours straight playing it:

TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Also, this game is like Dark Messiah in that it got a lot of bad rap for bugs I just don't see in my playing. I've seen one buggy interaction, one crash (Likely my anti-virus's fault), and one map-stuck glitch. That's pretty much it.
 
No choice but to buy this at this price. I sold off my retail copy since people are paying a lot for it on ebay.


if anyone else buys it, don't forget to get the unofficial patches.
 
[quote name='Burchamj']wasnt this supposedly buggy?[/quote]
Very, but there is an official patch or two as well as extremely good fan patches.
This game is fantastic and if you were at all considering it, there is no reason not to purchase it anymore.
 
Vamp: Bloodlines is an excellent RPG/action game.

Though, I'd hate dealing w/ STEAM for a SP-based game. Good thing I have it on CD, before it was put on STEAM.
 
Yeah, this game was $19.99 on Amazon.com a few days ago but has since been removed (had it in my cart, hesitated, waited until the next day and it "wasn't available by that seller [Amazon.com] anymore).

But now I can get it for $9.95? Sold. Downloading now. ^_^

btw shouldn't this version of the game already include all the official patches? Anyone who already has the game recommend any unofficial ones?
 
Anyone know the minimum specs to run this reasonably? I guess I could look them up, but my computer is old as shit, so I need the "practical" numbers (what it'll really run on, given enough futzing with settings) as opposed to the official ones.
 
[quote name='trq']Anyone know the minimum specs to run this reasonably? I guess I could look them up, but my computer is old as shit, so I need the "practical" numbers (what it'll really run on, given enough futzing with settings) as opposed to the official ones.[/QUOTE]

From the readme:

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

3D hardware accelerator card required - 100% DirectX(R) 9.0c-compatible 64MB video card and drivers
1.2 GHz Athlon(tm) or 1.2 GHz Pentium(R) III processor or higher
384MB of RAM (512MB of RAM recommended)
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 98/ME/2000/XP
Quad-Speed CD-ROM drive (600 K/sec sustained transfer rate) and drivers
3.3 GB of uncompressed hard disk space for game files and saved games (plus 1.4 GB for Windows(R) swap file)
100% DirectX(R) 9.0-compatible 16-bit sound card and drivers
100% Windows(R) 98/ME/2000/XP-compatible mouse, keyboard, and drivers
DirectX(R) 9.0c (Included)

Supported Chipsets for 98/ME/2000/XP

All ATI(R) Radeon(R) Chipsets
All NVIDIA(R) GeForce(tm) Chipsets
Matrox(R) Parhelia(tm) Chipset
 
Man, I still can't decide if this game is worth it or not, lol. How long is it?

I'm just not sure if I'd really like it or not... It would be a good game to get for Halloween though, heh.
 
Thanks OP, been meaning to get this and for $10 it's a no-brainer.


Anyone got a good site for the fan-made patches?
 
One of my favorite games ever. A rather buggy game, certainly, but 100% worth it in the end. I encourage anyone who is considering this deal to pounce on it.
 
Excellent game, especially for 10 bucks.

There are 2 unofficial patches.

The first "unofficial" patch series was started by Dan Upright and then continued by Werner "Wesp5" Spahl, and members of the Planet Vampire community. This patch not only contains quest, text, sound, and level based fixes; it also restores content not present in the 1.2 version but hidden within the installed game files. These include two additional character sequences, four occult items, one quest item, one discipline, one weapon, several new character and object models, many new dialogues, lots of new sounds, and rudimentary multiplayer support. Gameplay has also been changed in parts of the game for consistency reasons. A "basic" version, which contains most of the restored content but less gameplay changes, is included with the regular "Unofficial" Patch. The latest release is version 4.2,[3] released on September 19, 2007.

http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/vtmb/download_6179064.html

An alternate line of patches, the "True Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Patch" series, was started by Acrimonious and Tessera on the adult-only Tessmage.com forums with assistance by several forum members. It was intended to be a "true" patch to the official 1.2 version, only fixing bugs found in the original game or the official 1.2 patch, and is without any of the gameplay changes found in the Unofficial Patch or the "basic" version of the Unofficial Patch. The latest, and possibly final, release of this "True" patch was version 5.04AT, released October 1, 2007, and can be found at Gamespot [1] and several other gaming sites.

I'm not providing a link to their homepage, cause it has teh porno models.

I'm going with the Unofficial Patch version, instead of the True. Restored stuff ftw.

Also, go into the config.cfg file and set histories to true. They let you modify your character a bit more, but might crash the game.
 
Okay, fine. You guys convinced me to get it.... just bought it on Steam.

And the last thing I need right now is another game, haha.
 
Not a bad deal if you can't find the retail versions (I got one for $5 a year or so back). Not a fan of using Steam for singleplayer games, but the user-made patches apparantly work with the Steam version, so that's useful.

I also have a question: who actually makes money off of the Steam release? Troika closed down years ago, so the people that made the game aren't even receiving compensation for any new sales. I'm guessing this was done by Activision, which is pretty dastardly of them considering they refused to even fund the development of the patch.
 
This is a great price for a great game. The Haunted Hotel level has an incredible atmosphere and, IMO, is one of the greatest levels of any PC-RPG in recent memory. If you pass up this game, you are doing yourself a dis-service.

Review

R.I.P. Troika Games
 
Edited my review into the OP.

Spoiler for anyone yet to clear the warehouse explosion mission.
The big reveal with Jeanette/Therese was almost as awesome as the haunted house.
 
[quote name='PenguinMaster']It's also $10 for a downloadable version at Gamestop.com.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product_id=D001322

I'm not sure if it's any better or worse to download from Gamestop than Steam though.[/QUOTE]

Steam would be better. It's less restrictive than other download services (reinstall as much as you want). The only limitations are you need an internet connection to install it, and the service needs to be around-but since it's the biggest download service in existence, it's the least likely to go away any time soon.

I remember being really interested in this a few years back. Guess I'll get it...
 
[quote name='RollingSkull']Edited my review into the OP.

Spoiler for anyone yet to clear the warehouse explosion mission.
The big reveal with Jeanette/Therese was almost as awesome as the haunted house.
[/quote]

QFT!
 
[quote name='RollingSkull']Edited my review into the OP.

Spoiler for anyone yet to clear the warehouse explosion mission.
The big reveal with Jeanette/Therese was almost as awesome as the haunted house.
[/QUOTE]

That moments was one of the most screwed-up and best twists in gaming.
 
here's the latest "true" patch:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/vtmb/download.html?sid=6180181

it's compatible with the Steam version. you have to start your character from scratch to use it, I guess. Here's a rundown from the creator:
http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=914819&topic=38812847


also, if, for whatever reason, you decide to download the patch straight from Tessmage's site-- IT'S VERY NWS. The patch is in the middle of a whole bunch of nude character model patches for Oblivion, VTMB, HL2, and KOTOR. :roll:
 
this is a very good game, but the actual gameplay itself, kind of sucked, the story and atmosphere was great though. It came out the same time Half-Life 2 did, and uses the same engine. If the patch works with Steam I would jump on it if I didn't already have the game.

I got stuck in the game at the mafia hideout level where you have to sneak in the big mansion at the top of the hill. Haven't touched it in months, since then.
 
[quote name='blah29']this is a very good game, but the actual gameplay itself, kind of sucked, the story and atmosphere was great though. It came out the same time Half-Life 2 did, and uses the same engine. If the patch works with Steam I would jump on it if I didn't already have the game.

I got stuck in the game at the mafia hideout level where you have to sneak in the big mansion at the top of the hill. Haven't touched it in months, since then.[/QUOTE]
- I would beg to disagree on the "gameplay sucks" (IMHO) with the new patches and post-ultra-(Troika standard)-buggy release it's become a truly excellent game.

- Steam does apparently come with all the official patches (up to 1.2) and works with the unofficial patches.
 
[quote name='drock']- I would beg to disagree on the "gameplay sucks" (IMHO) with the new patches and post-ultra-(Troika standard)-buggy release it's become a truly excellent game.

- Steam does apparently come with all the official patches (up to 1.2) and works with the unofficial patches.[/QUOTE]


It does work w/ the unofficial patches. I'm using the Unofficial Patch (The one with restored content and gameplay changes), and it's running fine.
 
ive got this game and really wanted to play it, but i remember having like half the screen cut off by a black bar, so naturally i didnt play. maybe i will try to install it again soon. Funny the OP mentioned Dark Messiah, i just started playing that and think its pretty fun, so ill have to try vampires again after it.
 
What do the unofficial patches change? Anybody got a full changelog?

Bah, doesn't matter. I'm too far in to take it from the top.
 
[quote name='RollingSkull']What do the unofficial patches change? Anybody got a full changelog?

Bah, doesn't matter. I'm too far in to take it from the top.[/QUOTE]


just read up about this--

the "unofficial patch" 4.2 -- fixes game bugs and brings up some stuff hidden the game's files to "complete" the game.

the one I just posted -- "True" 5.04 - only fixes game bugs.


From scanning some forums, the Unofficial patch is generally better as the "True" patch just kinda bites off of it and doesn't work in the extra content. but both are solid.
 
Oh well, I just loaded the "True" patch, too late to change now.

Maybe if I do another run I'll try the 4.2 patch for the extra content, but honestly since reading up about the game it sounds like there's more than enough content as is if you tryout different characters.

Somewhere I read this could be a 100+ hour game if you do everything!
 
I can echo what others have already said, this game rocks despite its problems. It has been so long since I beat it I am thinking about playing it again this winter when the gaming rush dies down. I have heard really good things about the unofficial patches so that makes me anxious to play thru it again. Great game.
 
[quote name='PipTheFair']Very, but there is an official patch or two as well as extremely good fan patches.[/QUOTE]

I wondered how those fan patches interact with Steam. Is it even possible to get them to work, or will Steam sense some file sizes aren't right and freak out?
 
Personally, from putting an unhealthy amount of time into this game, youd be stupid not to buy it at 50 bucks. Not buying it at 10 is downright criminal. THIS is what Deus Ex 2 should have been
 
This is good, but I'm pretty sure I got a hard copy for $5. Kind of lame to have a downloadable version for $10. If you can't find it any other way, then don't hesitate to buy it. Honestly, it's a pretty good game.
 
[quote name='opportunity777']This is good, but I'm pretty sure I got a hard copy for $5. Kind of lame to have a downloadable version for $10. If you can't find it any other way, then don't hesitate to buy it. Honestly, it's a pretty good game.[/QUOTE]
It's 'cause like a large number of RPGs for some reason they sell for a while, then go out of print and go retardedly expensive used because RPGs age better than most other games so people continue to want to buy them years down the road. Arcanum (Another Troika RPG) sells for like $40 used on Amazon. Knights of the Old Republic, even though it's relatively new and presumably was sold in large numbers sells for $18 used. Wizardry 8 sells for $60 used.

Really irritates the piss out of me that almost any time I get a wild hair to pick up an RPG a missed from even a few years back it's selling for prices that large. Generally have to try to find people elsewhere selling 'em for less stupidly high amounts if you wanna play oldies without resorting to piracy.
 
[quote name='Skexis']I wondered how those fan patches interact with Steam. Is it even possible to get them to work, or will Steam sense some file sizes aren't right and freak out?[/QUOTE]


Just played a couple hours and it works fine.



This game is soooo much better on my current PC. Tried playing it on my laptop a couple years ago and couldn't get a decent framerate.

Forgot this game has some of the best writing and voice acting ever (in a game.) This is coming from someone who hates pretty much all writing and VA in every game :lol:
 
I started playing the game, and if I had to summarize it with one word it would be fucking AWESOME.

Okay, that's two words. But you get my point.

The game is still buggy, even with the patch, but once you learn the nuances it's easier to avoid the hangups. I love this game!
 
Um >< Sorry, but I'm a newb at using Steam.. and I have no idea how to access it so I can buy this :3

Also wondering; how big is the game? Anyone have any approximate figure on how long it'd take to DL with a DSL connection? ^^;
 
[quote name='Apossum']Just played a couple hours and it works fine.



This game is soooo much better on my current PC. Tried playing it on my laptop a couple years ago and couldn't get a decent framerate.

Forgot this game has some of the best writing and voice acting ever (in a game.) This is coming from someone who hates pretty much all writing and VA in every game :lol:[/QUOTE]

QFT. The writing and dialogue makes this a truly "mature" game. There's a lot of swearing, but it doesn't feel like it's jammed in there just to be edgy and cool, it's casual and natural.

And the voice acting is indeed great, almost everyone is someone who does VA for a living (you even have John DiMaggio of Futurama, as well as Phil LaMarr as every black guy)
 
[quote name='sailorchrono']Um >< Sorry, but I'm a newb at using Steam.. and I have no idea how to access it so I can buy this :3

Also wondering; how big is the game? Anyone have any approximate figure on how long it'd take to DL with a DSL connection? ^^;[/QUOTE]
go to www.steampowered.com
download the steam client
???
profit!


its a decent size game, but the steam servers are usually fast, probably about an hour im guessing
 
Bought it last night because of this thread. I've heard so much about this game and it's excellent single player, that I couldn't let it pass me by for $10. One of the things that finally sold me on getting it now rather than later was someone mentioning earlier that Bloodlines was "what DX: IW should have been". Any comparisons to Deus Ex instantly have my attention. Thanks CAG.
 
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