Video Games
Latest ‘Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong’ Trailer Focuses on RPG Mechanics [Video]
It wasn’t even a week ago that developer Big Bad Wolf Studio released a gameplay overview trailer for their upcoming narrative RPG Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. Now the devs have debuted another trailer at the Future Games Show, this time focusing on Swansong‘s RPG mechanics.
The trailer goes over several aspects of the mechanics, starting with Skills. Skills allow you to do things such as pick a lock, intimidate an NPC, or make more efficient deductions based on hints. The higher is the mastery level of a Skill, the more possibilities players will have.
Skills are only one aspect of your abilities, however. Seeing as your character is a vampire, you also have vampiric powers, known as Disciplines, with each of the three possible characters you choose from having their own unique powers. Galeb, the elder of the 3 protagonists, can use Fortitude to withstand physical assaults and NPC Disciplines used against him. Emem, stylish queen of the night, uses Celebrity to reach inaccessible areas. Leysha, hyper-sensitive and followed by her daughter Halsey, can conceal her presence with Obfuscate… and with enough experience points spent, can even hide physical objects from prying eyes.
If players focus on one single playstyle, they will develop Talents, which are permanent bonuses. The more they use a Skill or a Discipline, the higher their chances of success will be. Finally, you have Traits, which are positive or negative effects influenced by the success or failure of your actions, or impacted by certain decisions.
Don’t think that it’ll all be a cakewalk for you. NPCs also have their own character sheets, with strengths and weaknesses. When players use Skills or Disciplines during interactions with them, the NPCs will defend with their stats. Inspired by the pen and paper experience, a die roll will decide success or failure in case of a tie.
Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong will be available on PC via the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on May 19, 2022.
Just as advertised, Wales Interactive’s follow-up to 2020’s Maid of Sker in Sker Ritual (check out Harrison’s review) has left Early Access today, and is now available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, with crossplay available for PC and Xbox users. Alongside all of the content from the PC Early Access version, the massive 1.0 update introduces new objectives, weapons, story content and more.
“We are super excited to bring Sker Ritual to players on console and PC.” said David Banner, CEO & Co-Founder at Wales Interactive. “Over the past two years, our core team of five has been working non-stop to implement community feedback from the PC Early Access, ensuring the 1.0/console launch is the complete package. We cannot wait to see the community response to Sker Ritual.”
In Sker Ritual, players will battle hordes of horrific enemies, alone or in up to four-player co-op, and attempt to survive the onslaught of Sker Island’s vicious Quiet Ones. Gun down masses of enemies, collect Celtic God powers, upgrade an arsenal of steampunk weapons and attempt to defeat the evil on Sker Island.
Sker Ritual features four unique locations to explore in the Cursed Lands of Lavernock, Ashes of Sker Hotel, Sewers of the Dead, and Deadly Lover’s Fortress. You’ll have numerous secrets to discover, optional objectives, and Easter Eggs which progress the story from Maid of Sker’s evil ending. Players will battle the Quiet Ones alone or with up to three additional players in online co-op, with the hordes scaling based on the player count.
Killing enemies offer a chance to drop powerful Miracles, each offering a choice of three upgradable powers. Bound to a Celtic God, each upgrade comes with a different rarity, core attributes and power. You’ll need it, as The Quiet Ones are back, and they’ve brought friends. Sker Island is crawling with new enemies and elites, each with their own abilities.
4 New Horror Movies Releasing This Week Including ‘Late Night with the Devil’ at Home
The ‘Scary Movie’ Spoof Franchise Is Getting a Reboot at Paramount!
‘Ready or Not’: Radio Silence Filmmakers Tease the “Absolute Banger” of a Sequel That’s Taking Shape
“We Built Every Creature” – ‘Alien: Romulus’ Goes Heavy on the Old School Practical Effects!
‘Sting’ Review – Throwback Creature Feature Entertains With an Impressive Practical Monster
