A Look at Vampire the Masquerade – Bloodlines Part 11

And now we return to the Classic World of Darkness for my look into Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines. In the previous part, Mark attempted to retrieve the Ankaran Sarcophagus from a museum, failed and had to handle matters involving Heather along with some minor bits. Now, Mark is in Hollywood, ready to meet the Baron of Hollywood, Isaac Abrams.

Before Mark does that, he goes to check out this 24 hour shop. Too bad vampires in this setting cannot taste anything other than blood or that burger may be appealing to Mark.

Inside the refrigerator, Mark finds that someone left money in here. How careless... Fun titbit in the Clan Quest mod, taking this money clip triggers an event here.

This here is Slater. I do not recall him actually telling Mark his name so I will leave his name here for the convenience of the reader.

According to the wiki, this dialogue option only appears for Malkavians which makes sense since all Mark can do is speak like a loon.

Depending what does he consider to be serial killing because Mark has killed various thugs before.

Ebola Cereal... Odd choice of name but it is eye-catching at least.

Banned from Vesuvius. Slater must have done something real naughty to be kicked out of a club in this setting.

The special? Is it some kind of set meal with a mix-tape included?

Free weapon, eh? Now that is what I'd call a special. Mark does notice how out of place the offer is.

Side gig... Odd but this is the World of Darkness so I can let it slide.

"But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?" Dirty Harry quote aside, this gun is pretty good around this part of the game with decent damage and accuracy for an alternative to the shotgun. Plus the alternate fire mode is pretty awesome to use.

Slater also sells a sledgehammer and a new set of clothing, Light Leather. The reader can tell that the outfit is odd for a civilian to be wearing.

One pesky bit here is that the goon from before will constantly remind the player to see Isaac every time they transition back into Hollywood. He even takes his time to run towards the player to initiate conversation.

So to shut him up, Mark makes his way to Isaac. Here is the Light Leather outfit on display and note that it has a negative effect on Dexterity.

Before visiting Isaac, there is the matter that LaCroix wanted handled. Namely a food critic who is judging LaCroix's rivals in the restaurant business. LaCroix wants to make sure that his rivals get trashed and for cash along with experience points, how could Mark refuse?

Plus the critic is a prima donna so it would be fun to mess with him.

While I am getting some rings or wings, should I take that thumb and shove it up your ass?

Tommy may be a prima donna but he has some authority so it would be best to figure out how to convince him to give this place a bad review.

Visions of maggots should do the trick. I love being a Malkavian.

There we go. Now Mark has successfully ruined the reputation of this restaurant and destroyed Tommy's credibility when his review turns out to be false. Mark certainly goes the extra mile in tasks like this...

Here is a map to the Hollywood hub. Since I have played this game so often, I know these places like the back of my hand.

This is helped by many of the buildings in Hollywood actually having distinctive appearances. Like this setting's version of the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Across from the theatre is the alley leading directly to Isaac's office.

Here is a loading screen that explains what Antediluvians are.

This is Isaac Abrams, Anarch Baron of Hollywood.

Unlike the Anarchs of Downtown, Isaac has structure.

Sensible.

Since he is the one with information that Mark needs, such an exchange is sensible as well.

Looks like Isaac is in need of a movie. Must be something illegal if it caused the seller to be paranoid.

Time for be a courier. Which reminds me that I have to finish that playthrough of New Vegas I have not finished yet.

Kafka and Josef K... I see what you did there...

Looks like questions are for later.

And Mark is here to stay! I wonder if he will get along with the locals...

Looks like someone in Hollywood does know Mark. Before he became a vampire...

Looks like Mark had a family and a life before all this. A family that seems to miss him and a life of his own. This part is a good reminder to the player that for all of the perks Mark got for being a vampire, he left something valuable behind and that he never chose this undead life. Now, he may never return to that nor can he ever leave this undead life. It makes the player think and I still enjoy this bit even after seeing it again.

After a while of playing this, I usually let Samantha make the call. Letting my player character's family and friends know that they are out there even if they may never return home again is worth the hit to my Masquerade score and it does not leave Samantha disappointed on not finding her friend again. The Malkavians have a unique option to convince Samantha available to convince her to not call anyone though.

Make her believe she is speaking to her pet turtle. This part is rather humorous for a heavy moment of the game.

Truth be told, I always imagined that life as a pet turtle was like being a walking tank that only eats lettuce. I did have some terrapins as a kid after all.

While Shelly does not get to hug Samantha, he can let her down gently.

What I do like about the second option is how lucid Mark sounds like. As though the player can choose to make Mark sound sincere in wanting to meet up with Samantha again. Though she would probably see Mark as Shelly again rather than Mark Flavian.

Now back to something a little more light-hearted. The clues regarding the Southland Slasher seems to lead to the Luckee Star Motel in Hollywood and look at that sign, reader. That is clearly the Luckee Star Motel.

With only one door that can be unlocked with a keycard, it is safe to presume that this is where Mark should be investigating.

Looks like Mark is in the right place. With bodies being tossed around and all.

Here Mark and the player catches their glimpse of the Southland Slasher.

This time, the Slasher may have left a calling card behind. Rookie mistake, Slasher.

Looks like the trail ends at Santa Monica.

Before Mark moves on, it would be best to level up Dexterity.

Here is Ground 0 (Zero with a slash running through it). It is an internet cafe.

Filled with people. As far as I am concerned, this looks authentic.

There is also a skill book in here that... Oh.

Time to level up Intelligence.

Oh...

Computers! This winds up giving Mark the maximum number of points for the Computer skill.

Looks like someone has been using this computer for something inappropriate...

As an aside, the background writing for these parts do paint the picture of a living sleazy world so reading these bits are rather fun. Along with listening to the Deb of Night.

Here is the computer Mark is looking for. I wonder if the user had to go through a trial of sorts.

The first email details the drop-off point. Behind a place called the Fast Buck.

Two common insults in any Counter-Strike games.

Well, finding the Fast Buck is rather simple.

This must be the messenger. He seems jumpy so he fits the paranoid description a little.

I take that back. He fits the description perfectly.

What could be so bad about the tape anyways? Is it some form of porn?

Oh... That first option is rather descriptive.

Is this tape like the tape from the Ring? If so, I am not sure if Mark can take on Sadako. Perhaps Kayako can render some assistance...

So it is Sadako? I'd better start passing the tape around...

The messenger does not have the tape. It lies with one Ginger Swan. Also not shown here is the messenger being killed by... something...

Time to report back to Isaac.

Well, he is dead so he will always have an ironclad excuse.

So Ginger Swan is a star. Time to search Hollywood Hills then.

Or rather, the graveyard of Hollywood...

Before Mark begins grave-digging, it is time to check in with LaCroix on the whole restaurant critic business. By the way, this is the Santa Monica Haven for you curious readers.

Looks like he was satisfied.

As for the graveyard, it lies through this hole.

See?

Spooky is one word I'd use to describe this place.

Plus there appears to be zombies around. Who are you anyways?

Romero and zombies, eh? If that reference flies over your heads, reader, I recommend watching more zombie flicks.

Looks like Romero is not kidding about the zombies.

That sounds like a comfortable niche. Lodgings, vampire blood and the opportunity to use firearms on zombies.

I do not know if the game does explain why the zombies started rising up recently.

I think Romero and Tallahassee would get along swimmingly.

A weapon's expert? I wonder if he has any pointers for Mark.

Here it comes... A request.

Defend the gates of the cemetery from zombies. Sounds simple enough...

It's not that simple. Warning to readers wanting to play this game: This side-quest Romero is about to give Mark is quite difficult. The two gates to defend are rather far apart, there are a lot of zombies on the loose, and all the zombies have to do is destroy one gate to cause the player to fail the quest. All this quest nets is a unique firearm that is not worth the effort in my opinion.

Thankfully there is an alternative. The only reward lacking in the alternative is the aforesaid unique firearm.

Looks like Romero needs some company. This sounds simple enough.

Stacked. That should not be too hard to find in this game.

Here is where Swan can be located.

Malkavian insight at work here.

Okay, it is not Sadako's tape. We will be safe for now.

Well here is a courtesan of the night and she seems stacked.

It is tough to introduce people sometimes.

Plus it is not helped that Malkavians like Mark cannot speak straight.

Good thing for Persuasion. Oh, she technically is half-right. Mark is a psycho after all.

Here she is next to the hole in the wall.

And here she is after a level transition. Nice to see that this mechanism works fine at least.

The first nets the player money while the second levels up a stat. It is rather obvious what I would choose.

Sound advice on handling firearms.

Go for the gold, Romero.

Time to get Mark's Subterfuge up.

How presumptuous, Isaac! And here I thought we were getting along.

Apology accepted.

Now to watch the tape. If it starts with a well, I'm shutting off this computer.

Okay, no well. Just a woman being chased by something... Oh...

Here is a close-up of those pursuers.

Here they are from the front. Also, is that bed made out of flesh?

Poor girl...

DMP... I wonder what else do they make.

Well, those creatures were rather odd-looking and there was not as much blood in a house like that.

Oh... that is concerning.

I guess that is standard protocol for Nosferatu.

Nowadays though it is possible to make creatures like that in most professional FX houses. Then again, this game was in 2001 and in universe, the creatures probably looked too real.

Smut. Time to find the local smut peddler.

But now for questions!

Note that Isaac is Toreador which explains his loathing of the Nosferatu. The two are direct opposites of each other.

Regarding Isaac's own Hollywood background.

Readers familiar with films should recognise some of the names he mentions here. Also, I will admit that there is a nice touch with the real life reference to Bogart there.

Regarding a certain Ash Rivers.

Uh oh... the downward spiral of celebrities...

The spiral that reaches its final conclusion... Except in this setting, there are vampires.

I wonder if he ever reported this Embrace to the Camarilla.

A celebrity out of the limelight and stuck in a less glamorous position. Plus being a vampire negates any chance of appearing on daytime television.

Every action has its consequences. This one is no different. So where is this Ash Rivers anyways?

That makes two of us, Isaac.

Ooh, will this involve Goliath? As an aside, why has Gargoyles not been used in Kingdom Hearts?

I guess the Gargoyle has Demona's temperament. As for the location, the words "Asian theater" are indicative to say the least.

Ah... a side goal; convince the gargoyle to side with Isaac. If not, kill the Gargoyle.

Funny thing, Mark picked up a book on Thaumaturgical Creatures in the Tremere Chantry that spoke of Gargoyles long before this quest even started. As a result, the game notes this in the quest log. Kudos on the foresight there. Before Mark pursues this lead however...

It is time to go clubbing. Ugh... At least Mark knows that Ash Rivers is in the Asp Hole so there is someone to talk to in there. This seems like a good place to stop this instalment of my look at Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines. Join Mark next time as he set forth to finish off the various side-quests in this hub before proceeding on since he has covered quite a bit of the main questline.