VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE – COTERIES OF NEW YORK
VN fans, fancy a nibble?
We thought we were in it neck deep already – and then there was the Malkavian’s cam show. She insists it’s an ‘art installation’ but judging from the chat’s reaction, it’s very much something else. But then the curtain drops and things are revealed to be far from black-and-white.
If you’re already familiar with the World Of Darkness tabletop games, you’ll know the supernatural creatures within it exist in a morally grey state. As one of three fledgling vampires in the Big Apple, simply surviving will take you out of your usual moral comfort zone right. After a few nights under the tutelage of a mysterious benefactor, you’re left to make allies and enemies on your own.
Unfolding along the same lines as a visual novel, characters and surroundings are lushly realised through digital paintings1 and razor-sharp writing. Choices feel impactful in the moment, though as you play you’ll twig that after a certain point it’s difficult to screw up too badly. 2
The team have made the most of what was clearly a small budget and the engrossing dialogue obscures the confines of this smaller project for the most part.
For the uninitiated, this is a worthwhile introduction to the Masquerade, though be prepared to make full use of the in-game dictionary. The World Of Darkness is a tumultuous place, to say the least, and if you’re already familiar, then you’ll know whether Coteries Of
New York’s edgy tone is right up your dark alley or worth a welllit detour instead. Jess Kinghorn