The TTRPG giant,World of Darkness, has spawned some truly unique IPs, such asWerewolf: The Apocalypse,Wraith: The Oblivion, and the more famousVampire: The Masquerade. These games have allowed tabletop players to assume the role of a supernatural creature lurking in the mundane world, finding themselves enmeshed in tales of personal horror and woe.
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Some of the titles have successfully migrated into the world of video games, producing visual novels, RPGs, and a menagerie of other genres to bring games to allWorld of Darknessfans. But which titles in this hallowed library are worthy of the IP that spawned them?
8Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption
The first attempt at aVampire: The MasqueradeRPG resulted inRedemption, an early2000s computer gamethat followed the story of French Crusader Christof, who is embraced into the Brujah clan. He struggles to come to terms with his new existence but finds comfort in Anezka, a nun who is pure of heart and loves Christof unconditionally. She falls into the clutches of an evil Tzimisce, leading Christof on a crusade through the ages.
Redemptionis an ambitious title that tells an enthralling plot of one vampire’s struggles through the nights and how desperate their fight to retain their humanity truly is. Though its mechanics are saddled by age, the story ofRedemptionis one worth checking out.
7Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife
In a universe where vampires, werewolves, and mages exist, it is no surprise that ghosts are real. The spirits of the restless dead linger after the body has expired and must complete any unfinished business before completely shuffling off the mortal coil. This TTRPG is ripe with horror, which games studio Fast Travel Games agreed with, resulting inWraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife.
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This VR-exclusive horror game tasks the player character with investigating the mysteries surrounding their death, but they are not the only undead wandering the world and must avoid the restless and evil specters haunting the Barclay mansion. It’s a terrifying enough experience, and the use of a VR headset only elevates the dread players will feel to new, spine-chilling heights. Its VR-exclusive status does prevent potential players from experiencing what it has to offer, but its release as a non-VR game could cause it to lose some of its appeal and scare factor.
6Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries of New York
A newly embraced fledgling flung to the wolves of a Camarilla city - it’s a typicalVTMstoryline and one that fans of the TTRPG have either seen or experienced firsthand themselves. But ifCoteries of New Yorkwas trying to emulate that tabletop game newbie feeling, they nailed it.
The player will be pigeonholed into choosing one of three new members of clan Ventrue, Toreador, or Brujah, three safeclans for new players. Players will then meet a whole slew of characters as they build bridges and form alliances to survive the hardships that come with being a vampire. The characters players meet are all interesting and distinct, truly feeling like real people sharing in the player’s hardships. But the overarching story isn’t nearly compelling enough, making it fall short of other visual novels. That said, for players who are even slightly interested in the lore ofVTM,Coteries of New Yorkoffers a fulfilling experience.
5Hunter: The Reckoning
Where there are supernatural monsters, there are hunters, who are explored and placed as the heroes inHunter: The Reckoning. Though human by nature, they are feared by vampires due to the weaponry, numbers, and the advancements of technology that aid them in their hunt. The first game in a trilogy ofHuntergames was released for Gamecube and Xbox and allowed players to see the other side of the war while giving them the chance to hunt what they would normally play as.
This hack-and-slash hunter game sees the wraiths of executed inmates unleashed onto the world. The player will face off against vampires, wraiths, and werewolves, using weaponry and even some magic to deal damage and heal themselves. With fun gameplay and even a multiplayer mode to bring friends into theWorld of Darkness,Hunter: the Reckoningwas an excellent entry into the franchise’s library, though, sadly, ithas not aged well.
4Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong
Swansongwas a much-anticipated entry intoVTM’sever-growing game library. Following the sudden radio silence ofBloodlines 2, the game’s trailer was like an oasis in the desert, promising an RPG experience of epic proportions. Set in White Wolf’s immersive world of vampires, many fans were eager to sink their teeth into Boston as Galeb, Emem, and Leysha, the three playable protagonists.
With dangers simmering in the Camarilla city of Boston, players take control of the three vampires as they launch into investigations to protect their sect and city. With a level-up system and disparate powers that feel satisfying to use, and each choice making an impact on the story,VTMfans definitely will find much to love here, if they can look past the bugs that have yet to be fixed.
3Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Heart of the Forest
Werewolf fans haven’t been forgotten, with them receiving the gameHeart of the Forest. Though it has yet to receive a serviceable RPG likeVTMhas, this visual novel is one of high quality, thanks to its fantastic writing and a plot that fans can really sink their fangs into. The beautiful artwork is just the icing on the cake, providing a feast for the eyes without the need for fancy animation.
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Heart of the Foresttakes place in Poland, following the story of Maia Boroditch, plagued by nightmares of wolves, blood, and a particular forest she feels an affinity for. She travels to see this forest herself, and there players will learn more about her family history and the secrets the forests hold. While holding true toWTAlore, the game doesn’t bog down those unfamiliar with terminology lacking explanation, making it friendly for casual fans as well.
2Vampire: The Masquerade - Shadows of New York
Following on from the success of otherWODvisual novels,Shadows of New Yorkreleased another chapter in the life, or rather unlife, of a new vampire who goes through the embrace during the game’s introduction.Shadows of New Yorkexplores vampire politics and the struggles a newly fledged would face, such as choosing whether to tell the person they love or cut them loose.
This visual novel spins a personal tale similar to how a TTRPG game ofVampirewould, following the tale of Julia Sowinski after she is embraced into clan Lasombra, the shadow masters that defected from the Sabbat to join the Camarilla. After awakening as a vampire in Camarilla territory, players will experience the challenges facing Julia and experiencea tale tinged with tragedy, intrigue, and mystery. The plot is certainly one players can lose themselves in and will be remembered long after the credits stop rolling.
1Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Bloodlineshas gone down in infamy as one of the best yet also worst RPGs of all time. Its release was shoddy at best, plagued by bugs as its development was plagued with troubles, but it became a labor of love by fans androse to become a famed cult classic. With the secondBloodlinesgame on the horizon, there is no better time than now to revisit this hallowed Western RPG or even give it a try for the first time ever.
The city of Angels finds itself torn between Camarilla and Anarch territory, with Ventrue Prince LaCroix claiming Praxis and assuming leadership. The player will take control of a newly embraced kindred given their choice of clan. They are spared from execution and then follow orders from the Prince who desperately seeks to own the Ankaran Sarcophagus, fixated on partaking in the powers within.Bloodlinesis certainly an unforgettable adventure and is a must-play not just for vampire fans, but gamers who can appreciate an in-depth RPG.
