Are games split with day-one DLC the new nightmare?
Just a few months ago, there were riots in the digital streets about Borderlands 4 and The Outer Worlds 2 being $80. Somehow, miraculously, those prices were rolled back to $70.
Now, Bloodlines 2 is here to flip the script. Like Dracula, Paradox is humbly presenting the game as a $60, less than Borderlands even, but lean in and see it’s true form and you’ll gasp. The original game shipped with seven “clans”, but Bloodlines 2‘s base game will have four unless you pay $90 for all six and “the full experience” (Their words, not mine).
What Sweet Lie Is Paradox Selling?
Delayed and double-defeated, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has been a game that many have given up hope on. Even months out from release it’s dubious whether it’ll impress. The publisher themselves have been tempering expectations with statements like
Previewers like Eurogamer have level-headedly have said Bloodlines 2 “Struggles to convince”1.
The Explanation, Such as It Is
So is Paradox using the day-one DLC as a cash grab? A way to milk the whales before the sunlight hits and the game starts to burn? The current developer, The Chinese Room, said to Rock Paper Shotgun that the DLC clans were among late additions requested by ‘the clients, or paradox’; That they were told to ‘fatten’ the game up a bit, and that these are day-one DLCs because they were “additional work” and that the other option was delaying the game further.
It’s an answer so odd it’s almost believable. Is pre-release work somehow “additional work”? Maybe, after bailing out this twice-sunk ship of a game, the devs have been running around like headless chickens trying to revive it. Does that excuse overcharging for base-game content? Project design director Jey Hicks also said that “It’s not all, like, just fluff that we’re chucking in, it’s all got that same quality there.” Let’s hope that’s the truth.
So Are The Day-One DLC Even Worth All This Fuss?
As you can see, the first DLC, Santa Monica Memories, is added the Deluxe Edition, and it’s the standard cosmetic fluff. Decor for your hideout, a portrait of a fan-favourite from the original, you know, the usual Deluxe goodie-pack. The clans on the other hand? The DLC people actually want? It’s another tier above. $90. They’re not making it easy for you, and the DLC includes a new clan and a fan-favourite (Lasombras & Toreadors).
Each clan includes new dialogue options, powers, and ways to play. They’re basically classes and backgrounds rolled into one, and a game like this? An Action-RPG that’s been called Dishonoured-like? That’s important, especially if you want to be the seductive, shadow-in-the-night style vampire, as that’s what the “clan of divas”, the Toreadors are all about.
Will Other Games Use Day-One DLC As A Price Ramp Too?
It’s a painful thought: imagine if you bought Borderlands 4 but could only unlock one Vault Hunter with the base game. League of Legends has done it and made billions, so with publishers trying (and failing) to ramp up prices, this could be their trick, but let’s hope not.
FAQ: Bloodlines 2’s $90 Price Debate
What is Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2?
You’re looking at a narrative-driven role-playing game set in the World of Darkness, developed by The Chinese Room and published by Paradox Interactive. It’s the sequel to the 2004 cult title Bloodlines.
Why are people saying it really costs $90?
If you buy the $60 standard edition, you get four clans. Two others—Toreador and Lasombra—require the $20 Shadows & Silk DLC or the $90 premium edition.
Which clans do you get without paying extra?
You can choose from Brujah, Tremere, Banu Haqim, and Ventrue in the base game. To play Toreador or Lasombra, you’ll have to purchase the add-on or premium edition.
Why aren’t those two clans included from the start?
The developers say they built these clans later in production, responding to feedback, and decided to release them immediately as downloadable content so you wouldn’t have to wait.
How was the original Bloodlines different?
In 2004, you had seven clans available at launch with no additional cost. This sequel ships with fewer by default, reflecting a different production process and schedule.
How are other players reacting?
Many say splitting clans off feels like charging extra for something central to the game. Others see it as the kind of pricing structure you’ve come to expect from big releases.
Does buying the DLC change how you play?
Yes. Each clan has its own abilities, dialogue, and story paths, so choosing Toreador or Lasombra will shape your experience rather than simply changing how your character looks.