Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 and Other Upcoming Vampire PC Games
Vampire Games: A Bite-Sized Guide to the Best PC Titles
Do you love horror, fantasy, and role-playing games? Do you enjoy playing as or against creatures of the night that can suck blood, use magic, and transform into bats? If so, you might be a fan of vampire games, a genre that has been around for decades and has produced some of the most memorable and immersive titles on PC.
vampire pc games
Vampire games are video games that feature vampires as the main characters, enemies, or themes. They can belong to different genres, such as adventure, action, stealth, or simulation, but they usually share some common elements, such as a dark and Gothic atmosphere, a focus on story and character development, and a choice between embracing or resisting the vampiric nature.
Vampire games have a loyal and passionate fan base that appreciates their depth, variety, and challenge. Whether you want to explore a rich and complex world, fight against hordes of undead foes, or experience a compelling narrative with moral dilemmas and romance options, there is a vampire game for you.
In this article, we will take a look at the history of vampire games, their main features, and some of the best examples that you can play on PC today. Let's sink our teeth into it!
The History of Vampire Games
The first vampire games date back to the early days of computer gaming, when text-based adventures were the dominant form of interactive storytelling. One of the earliest examples is Vampyre Cross, released in 1981 for the Apple II. It was a simple game that involved exploring a castle and finding clues to defeat a vampire lord.
As graphics and sound improved, so did the quality and diversity of vampire games. In the late 80s and early 90s, several titles emerged that combined elements of horror, fantasy, and RPGs, such as Dracula Unleashed, Veil of Darkness, and BloodNet. These games introduced more complex gameplay mechanics, such as inventory management, dialogue options, and branching paths.
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The mid to late 90s saw the rise of 3D graphics and action-oriented gameplay, which gave birth to some of the most iconic and influential vampire games ever made. Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain, Blood, Nightmare Creatures, and Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption are some examples of games that used 3D technology to create immersive environments, dynamic combat systems, and cinematic cutscenes.
The 2000s brought more innovation and experimentation to the genre, with games that explored different aspects of vampirism, such as stealth, morality, politics, and romance. Some of the most notable titles from this era are Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, BloodRayne, Darkwatch, Vampyr, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard. These games offered more freedom and customization to the players, allowing them to shape their own vampiric destiny.
The Features of Vampire Games
What makes vampire games stand out from other types of video games? Here are some of the main features that define them:
A dark and Gothic atmosphere: Vampire games usually take place in settings that evoke a sense of mystery, danger, and beauty. They often draw inspiration from Gothic literature, architecture, art, and music. Some common locations are castles, mansions, cemeteries, catacombs, churches, nightclubs, and urban streets.
A focus on story and character development: Vampire games tend to have rich and complex narratives that explore themes such as identity, morality, love, betrayal, power, and redemption. They also feature memorable characters that have their own personalities, motiv ations, and goals. The player can often interact with them, influence their behavior, and form relationships with them.
A choice between embracing or resisting the vampiric nature: Vampire games usually present the player with a moral dilemma: to accept or reject their condition as a vampire. This choice can have significant consequences for the gameplay and the story, such as affecting the abilities, the appearance, the reputation, and the alignment of the character. The player can also decide how to feed on blood, whether by hunting, seducing, or sparing their victims.
The Best Vampire Games on PC
There are many vampire games available on PC, but some of them stand out for their quality, diversity, and popularity. Here are 10 of the best vampire games that you can play on your computer today:
Game
Genre
Release Date
Description
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Action RPG
2004
A cult classic that lets you create your own vampire character and explore a dark and gritty version of Los Angeles, where you can join one of several vampire clans, each with their own abilities, culture, and agenda. The game features a branching storyline, multiple endings, and a rich dialogue system.
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain
Action-adventure
1996
The first game in the Legacy of Kain series, which tells the story of Kain, a nobleman who is murdered and resurrected as a vampire. He seeks revenge on his killers and learns about his destiny as the balance guardian of the world of Nosgoth. The game combines action, puzzle-solving, and exploration.
BloodRayne
Action-horror
2002
A stylish and violent game that stars Rayne, a half-vampire agent who works for a secret organization that fights against supernatural threats. She uses her blades, guns, and vampiric powers to slaughter Nazis, mutants, and demons. The game has a cinematic presentation and a fast-paced combat system.
Vampyr
Action RPG
2018
A game that puts you in the role of Jonathan Reid, a doctor who becomes a vampire during the Spanish flu pandemic in London. He must balance his medical oath with his bloodlust, while investigating the cause of the plague and the secrets of the vampire society. The game features an open world, a dynamic combat system, and a morality system that affects the outcome of the story.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dawnguard
Action RPG
2012
An expansion pack for Skyrim, one of the most popular and acclaimed RPGs of all time. It adds a new questline that involves a war between vampires and vampire hunters. The player can join either side and gain new abilities, weapons, and locations. The expansion also introduces the option to become a powerful vampire lord.
Nightmare Creatures
Action-horror
1997
A game that takes place in 19th century London, where a mad scientist has unleashed an army of monsters created by an ancient evil force. The player can choose between two characters: Ignatius, a priest who uses melee weapons and magic; or Nadia, a fencer who uses firearms and agility. The game has a survival horror element, as the player has to manage their health and adrenaline levels.
Darkwatch
First-person shooter
2005
A game that mixes Western and horror genres, featuring a gunslinger named Jericho Cross who is bitten by a vampire and joins a secret organization that fights against evil. He can use various weapons, such as pistols, shotguns, and crossbows, as well as his vampiric abilities, such as enhanced vision, speed, and strength. The game has a morality system that affects the gameplay and the story.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Action-adventure
2010
A reboot of the classic Castlevania series, which follows the adventures of Gabriel Belmont, a member of the Brotherhood of Light who seeks to revive his deceased wife. He battles against the forces of darkness, including vampires, werewolves, and demons. The game has a cinematic presentation, a hack-and-sla