In Vampire: The Masquerade, the fictional becomes real. Vampires (or Kindred, as they like to call one another) exist right here, right now, as they have for centuries – and as always, their nightly machinations influence the lives of everyday people in many subtle ways. Their society is divided into various bloodlines and so-called sects, the biggest being the authoritarian and inflexible Camarilla, and the notoriously chaotic and free-thinking Anarchs.
In Coteries of New York, you can choose your character from three broad archetypes (each representing a different clan with unique supernatural powers), before being thrust into the vampiric underbelly of the City That Never Sleeps, and all the intrigue and backstabbing it contains.
As a newly-fledged vampire, you discover that your fate is tied to that of Sophie Langley, an experienced member of the artistically-inclined Clan Toreador, as she takes you under her wing. From there, you will navigate a secret society of supernatural beings, learn to slake your ever-present hunger for blood through hunting, and struggle with the reality of becoming an undead monster in the sea of mortals that makes up one of the largest, busiest cities in the world.
During your adventures, you will encounter strange and unique Kindred, and perhaps even make a few friends… as well as your fair share of enemies. In the world of Vampire: The Masquerade, the hunter can easily become the hunted. Dangers include the forces of the so-called Second Inquisition, an alliance of secret government organisations determined to rid the world of vampires, as well as your undead rivals (those overt, and those in hiding).
Coteries of New York presents an attempt to match the quality of the best visual novel games, mixing a unique art style with an atmospheric soundtrack. The immersive writing makes you feel as if a game master from a pencil-and-paper role-playing game session is taking you along on a gripping journey. Depending on the character you choose, the beginning of your story and certain details throughout the game will differ – as will your available options for solving problems. You will be given a choice of side stories to pursue, in addition to the fast-paced main story. You will also need to take opportunities to feed, as ignoring your Hunger for too long can lead to terrible repercussions.
This franchise is being rejuvenated, and it is thrilling to be the forerunner (alongside such titles as Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2) of the first wave of interconnected stories that are set to expand this setting more than ever before.
If you are looking for a rich storytelling experience on Xbox One, and are interested in stories of personal horror and struggle in a dark, modern setting, you should definitely check out Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York.