There’s nothing quite like booting up a new game, diving into its world, and immediately heading to the settings to disable motion blur. For someone like me, who frequently battles headaches, that visual effect can turn an exciting adventure into a dizzying nightmare. While it aims to enhance the sense of speed, for many, it just blurs the lines between enjoyment and discomfort. Unfortunately, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 launched without this crucial option, making my high-octane Toreador runs a real headache-inducing challenge. It’s an omission that has frustrated countless players over the past 24 hours, and while developer The Chinese Room has offered a temporary solution, a permanent fix is still pending.
World of Darkness community developer Debbie Ella recently acknowledged these “issues” in a Discord post. Bloodlines 2’s initial reception on Steam has been decidedly “mixed,” with performance complaints topping the list of player grievances. Beyond technical hiccups, a significant number of players are disappointed by the game’s limited in-game settings, particularly the absence of a manual save feature (a personal frustration during my attempts to re-tackle the Underground segment) and, of course, the ever-present motion blur. This was especially noticeable during my Bloodlines 2 review, as I shifted from the methodical Blood Sorcery of a Tremere to the frantic melee combat of a Toreador.
In-game gameplay footage showing action sequences.
The good news is that The Chinese Room has provided a workaround for the motion blur problem: simply “try turning post-processing to low.” Ella also mentioned that the community is eager for an FOV slider, the option to remove UI elements, and more facial hair customization for characters. Players can report major bugs or suggest further changes using a new bug report form provided by the developers.
Ella concluded her message with gratitude: “Once again, thank you for being part of this journey. Your passion, feedback, and patience mean the world to us, and we’re committed to continuing to improve Bloodlines 2. The story of Seattle’s Kindred is only just beginning.”
An image depicting a Discord post, confirming various upcoming fixes and community requested features for Bloodlines 2.
Despite some initial rough edges, getting the game’s performance up to scratch is paramount. I appreciate The Chinese Room’s swift response, though a part of me wishes these fundamental options had been available from day one. Nevertheless, these upcoming improvements promise a much smoother experience in my nocturnal Seattle adventures, which is truly music to my ears as I delve deeper into my Lasombra playthrough.
If you’re preparing to explore the dark alleys of Seattle, we have comprehensive guides available to help you choose from the various Bloodlines 2 clans or navigate through all the Bloodlines 2 missions. And for those ready to confront The Gardener, don’t miss our guide on solving the Bloodlines 2 Fingerless Hand puzzle.
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