A Look at Vampire the Masquerade – Bloodlines Part 23

After yet another long hiatus, we now return to the adventures of Mark Flavian in my look at Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines. Last time, Mark was about to infiltrate the Sabbat hideout in order to annihilate them.

Last time, Mark was left standing in front of a window-cleaner's elevator. Now Mark actually uses it.

Here is a loading screen factoid on the Sabbat.

The lift takes Mark to the upper area of the abandoned hotel. For now, there seems to be no one present.

This door, opposite from where Mark entered, leads to the next area.

Before proceeding, some exploration is to be done.

Most of the upper hallways do not have anything but the lower hallway though... Hmm...

And it's a trap. Damn you, Admiral Ackbar! Where were you?!

Oh well, that is what Obfuscate is for.

Now to grab this Desert Eagle and hang on... something is beneath it.

This is what Mark found. It provides a free boost to Wits. Nice.

Due to grabbing the items, the enemies are now coming out of the woodworks.

Including gunmen.

Good thing Mark bought that Steyr AUG.

Plus since some of the enemies are humans, Mark can always fill up.

Now to proceed.

Now this is part of the actual interior of the hotel.

Most of the level is a shooting gallery. Which I hold as a point against the game.

Essentially, this is the point of the game where combat becomes the only means to resolving situations. Firefights and close combat  along with minimal conversations and rare stealth opportunities become common place, which is a problem for players used to the latter two approaches. As a result, a combat build becomes recommended towards the later parts of the game.

I do need to point out that I dislike the Hallowbrook Hotel level. It is just non-stop fighting that goes on and on to the point of monotony.

So most of the pictures here will be featuring kills by Mark.

At least he is still sporting the Mad Hatter look.

Throughout parts of this level, there are these men standing around with their eyes gouged out. These poor unfortunate souls are the Sabbat's cattle whose only purpose here are to act as living blood packs.

So miserable are their existence that draining them dry does not cause Mark to lose Humanity. After all, killing them is probably doing them a huge favor.

More fighting.

More fighting.

The way onwards is through this hole in the floor.

And this one too.

More fighting.

Padding.

Padding.

Padding.

Padding.

Padding.

Oh, these guys. They are quite dangerous as they deal aggravated damage. As Mark is being constantly attacked, being unable to regenerate can be risky.

More fighting.

And another hole.

This one leads to a wide open space.

Where three vampire women are standing behind barricades. They have Glocks and will teleport away after taking enough damage.

Hurt them enough and you will be able to inflict Final Death onto them.

These guys can be annoying as they are currently hitting Mark with a debuff via his aura.

This graphical glitch is a result of the door not being smashed properly which seems to have caused it to return to its frame.

After more fighting, unlocking this door reveals another member of the human cattle inside.

More fighting.

Cattle.

Now, an elevator shaft.

Leading to a wider room.

Now this room is significant. Not to Mark though since he freed Heather. For those of you that did not, this is what happens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljMymThq8FA

Even if you do not support LaCroix, these monsters do deserve to be wiped out.

Here is a reception area.

With this unique vampire.

The blue fire is real enough to hurt Mark and that fire ring in front of the vampire is a shield of sorts.

Moving to the side of the shield renders it useless though. So the AUG ought to be enough.

Upon getting rid of him, one of the thugs smashes open a door.

In fact, progressing through this level necessitates someone smashing through a wall or door. If not, Mark will be stuck on the upper areas.

More fighting.

More sucking.

And stairs. Interesting.

Said stairs leads to this door. That allows for a level transition. Cool.

And now for a Sabbat factoid.

This is the lobby and it looks like the Sabbat has been redecorating.

The only way forward is this door.

Opening it reveals... Oh dear...

This hotel is not going to get a good review on Tripadvisor...

Dropping into the pit draws out Andrei. Remember him?

So it seems that Mark's bloodline has become stronger somehow. Interesting...

The strengthening however only convinces Andrei that Mark is a puppet of something. Probably an Antedilluvian.

But what guarantee is there that destroying the sarcophagus does not release whatever lives inside it?

Someone will be purified alright.

Purification through fire, that is.

Full disclosure: I burst out laughing when this happened. I forgot how powerful the flamethrower was until that moment.

In the earlier picture, the reader will see that Mark has picked up a unique blade. This blade is one of the best melee weapons in the game due to the fact that, as pointed out in the text, it inflicts aggravated damage.

With the Sabbat wiped out and the Tal'Mahe'Ra Blade claimed, Mark goes to leave by walking out the door once it opens.

Doing so takes us outside and right into Ming-Xiao. At this point, Mark is obviously sick of Ming Xiao and is naturally suspicious.

Right... and Mark happens to be the son of Abel.

Ah... so LaCroix did work with the Kuei-jin!

Looks like the plan has not succeeded one bit. Especially since one of those lesser factions camped out in the vicinity of LaCroix's penthouse.

Excuses, Ming. Lousy excuses.

That so? She is not wrong there though.

Ah... that makes sense. Grout was Malkavian so his insight would have picked up on LaCroix's plans.

And now for a big reveal.

Ming Xiao is a shape-shifter.

That is why Nines was acting so odd when he left Grout's house. It was not Nines at all.

This particular ability is a result of her Dharma. Kuei-jin have their own set of skills gained from adhering to their Dharmas. The curious reader can look them up: http://whitewolf.wikia.com/wiki/Dharma

So, LaCroix and Ming Xiao were trying to get rid of the Anarchs. Too bad nothing much actually went down.

This is why LaCroix was so insistent of being sure that Mark saw Nines. That way, he can claim that his witness was someone who definitely saw someone but was not extensively part of the politics.

Looks like Ming Xiao took the key to the sarcophagus.

Them's fighting words, Ming Xiao. When Mark meets you again, it will involve a flamethrower and you at the business of that flamethrower.

Hope that flashy teleport does not break the Masquerade too much.

Now to report back to LaCroix. I wonder how he will take the news.

Before that though... CHUNK!!! YOU'RE ALIVE!!!

Thank goodness for food poisoning.

Now, Mark will head up.

Beckett is gone now though.

Now to speak to LaCroix.

Cool. At least, he give Mark cash for a job well done.

Now to reveal that Mark knows about the key to the sarcophagus.

But before going on, Mark confronts LaCroix on the alliance between himself and Ming Xiao.

Right... those claims seem flimsy.

I doubt that Mark will be able to pick up on LaCroix's lies so we will proceed with the rest of the conversation.

By 'revealing' that Ming Xiao is the murderer Grout, LaCroix declares an end to the blood hunt against Nines. At least, we are getting somewhere. 

Now Mark is asked to recruit the Anarchs to help the Camarilla scare off the Kuei-jin.

Like that will ever work. Also, it seems LaCroix knows that Mark has been working along with the Anarchs.

Now to get the details.

Now to proceed.

By selling junk.

And checking e-mails.

Walking to The Last Round draws Beckett to Mark.

Looks like even Beckett is telling Mark to not open the sarcophagus.

If he is this scared, something must be up.

Looks like things may go wrong if the sarcophagus is ever opened.

Now, Beckett does not dismiss Gehenna here. He does wish Mark will before going off.

Now the lone wolf has left us, the only person that Mark can trust is the man on the couch.

Hopefully, Mercurio's still on Mark's side after all this. 

With that out of the way, Mark reaches the bar. Surprisingly, Jack is not present.

Now to give Damsel the 'good' news.

Of course, she gets pissed off at LaCroix.

Either ways, Mark is entertained. Either by watching a bloodthirsty brawl or hearing vitriol.

If you do that, can Mark watch?

At least, Damsel practices the "enemy of my enemy is my friend" way of life. So she will acquiesce to the deal with the Camarilla.

Okay, now that we know where Nines is, it is time...

To stock up on cash.

Onwards! ...To Santa Monica.

Mercurio now sells shotguns that fire incendiary rounds. Useful against vampires but expensive though..

Now onward to Griffith Park. A park that did nothing wrong.

Now at the entrance to the park, we end this look at Vampire the Masquerade - Bloodlines. Next time, Mark will find Nines and attempt to survive the coming events.