I’ve got a library of games sitting in my Steam account, and Vampire: The Masquerade – Coteries of New York has been gathering digital dust for a while. It finally seemed like the perfect time to dive into this visual novel since I’ve recently been playing Vampire, the original tabletop RPG that this game draws inspiration from.
Let me tell you, I’m really glad I gave it a shot. Coteries of New York has been fantastic for sparking ideas for my campaign; it keeps the intricate world of the game alive in my mind. Now, Vampire is quite an involved tabletop RPG. It’s all about characters who are monsters struggling through a grim reality. The game’s universe is packed with proprietary lore and unique terms that take effort to master. You can, of course, dive into the rulebooks while queuing up some chilling tunes—I highly recommend Soma FM’s Dark Zone for those late-night Kindred dreams. But experiencing that same content in a more interactive format is incredibly helpful.
I’m also appreciating Coteries of New York for its choice of being a visual novel. Compared to some of the flashier Vampire releases, it’s a refreshing change from the more dynamic games I usually play. The format helps immerse my mind into its World of Darkness setting in a more subdued and gothic way, even though I can’t help but wish it had more RPG elements. Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Heart of the Forest, another game from the same universe, does a great job of mixing visual novel styles with traditional role-playing elements, and it would be great to see that here.
Despite my wish for more intricate gameplay mechanics, Coteries of New York excels at breathing life into the dark, ominous feel you expect from a World of Darkness game. In my playthrough, I’ve taken on the role of a Toreador named Lamar, who spends his nights exploring the city with a Malkavian friend, Hope. The writing is clever and true to form, especially in Hope’s storyline, and there are a host of other vampires from different clans waiting to be discovered. I’m looking forward to uncovering more story gems as I explore the shadowy corners of New York City. — Claire Jackson
