The Vampire games have been on my list for a while. But I don't know anything about them except people say "you must play!"

So, there's bloodlines and masquerade. Any others? Do I need to play them all to enjoy then? Just one? Is there anything else I should know?

Thanks!

Nope those are the only two, neither connect plot wise, only they use the same setting from the pen and paper game. It might be wise to read through the pen and paper rulebook if only to get a grasp on the setting, how to build characters, etc. But other than that they're stand alone.

Also want to add the pen and paper game isn't required either, but will get your feet in the door about understanding the setting and mechanics a bit more.

Thanks. I didn't even know these were a pnp rpg. I'll see what I can scrounge up on the net for rules. I know it was quite the adjustment going from dnd to the dark eye.

You don't really need any previous knowledge of the setting or the rules to enjoy the games. The rules used in these games are nowhere near as complicated as D&D and The Dark Eye. They're both action RPGs anyway. And you can play them independently of each other.

Redemption is mostly a dungeon crawler with mouse-controlled real-time combat (and a Pause key to issue orders that was later introduced with a patch, I think?), in which you click on opponents to kill them or use abilities. It can get a bit repetitive at times, but it's still worth playing. You play a fixed character and there aren't that many choices regarding the linear story, IIRC. A word of advice though: You can gain abilities by reading books, and your companions can, too, but if you want to be on the safe side, don't give these books to your companions. You can't know whether they'll always be by your side, and one battle is very difficult without a certain ability you'll find in one of these books.

Bloodlines is more action-oriented still, with WASD and mouse controls in close-up third person 3D view, combat is more like a brawler or shooter and depending on good player reactions in addition to character stats. You can create your own characters, male or female, with several vampire clans to choose from, and it may significantly impact the dialogue of the game (especially if you choose Malkavian). You also have a lot of freedom with regards to abilities, e.g. you can focus on stealth and diplomacy or technical knowledge and hacking instead of guns and swords, and you can deal with situations in many different ways. There are several different endings, too. I think the main criticism about the game though is that the balance gets off towards the ending and makes the last part hard for characters not skilled in fighting, so if you want to play it safe, invest enough points in fighting skills; you can still do a little sneaking and hacking on the side.

Yeah It's been around since I THINK the late 80's/early 90's somewhere in there. I have multiple versions of the PnP game, even a GURPS version of the game here beside me. But either way you can pick up and play either PC game with no problem. Knowing them before hand might be a bit of a smart move. Wandering around in public as a nosferatu would be a bad move. :P

I suppose, but won't you quickly learn that in-game, too? I guess it depends on how deeply you want to delve into it all. I completed both games without any prior knowledge, and I never felt lost or ran into any issues connected to the rulesystem and setting.

I could see where the masquerade, humanity, the nosferatu thing could confuse new players.

Anything could confuse new players. I'm telling you I was a new player, and it didn't confuse me. And I don't think Tallima is any easier to confuse than I am. :)

But sure, it can't hurt to be prepared if you're patient enough to read up on stuff outside of the game.

The World Of Darkness, the world in which the Vampire games are set was very rich and in depth. Not only did they do Vampires, but Werewolves, mages, wraiths, changeling (fairies, don't laugh real fairy tales and mythologies are pretty nasty) plus an assortment of other things. Then bound them all together into a coherent world.

That said there is not that much you'll gain from knowing the rules and background for the games. Other than a few off hand references, all important information such as Caine being the source of vampires, the upcoming ascension and Armageddon are all brought up and explained in game.

If you do want to learn about the game, go ahead though it really is the most detailed world I've ever read. I used to run a live action Vampire game back in the 90's for about 3 years.

Even though most people hated it for some reason, I absolutely loved Wraith: The oblivion.

Never got to run or play it, though I've got the main rules. Nice to know how they fitted into the world.

Used them a few times as NPC's.

Yeah I still have the book for Wraith at my parents house I think along with some other random rulebooks. Got vampire the dark ages, the GURPS VtM, VtM 2nd edition revised here at my house.

I've got quite a collection from the 90's
When I stacked all my roleplaying books cover to cover they came to my waist.

Yeah I have quite a bit also. But I've mostly gone digital for the most part now, as I need to save space. Got quite a few at my parents house still, only ones I can remember that they have there off the top of my head is the early 90's beginners box for classic/basic D&D boxed set (the tie in to the rules cyclopedia), and the Wraith rulebook, other than that can't remember what all I still have there.

I'm trying not to judge here, but are you saying you guys dressed up like vampires and ran around at night?