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Instead, Swansong plays more like a detective adventure game with the RPG elements focused on building a character’s personality traits. Thanks to these hybrid mechanics, Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong’s take on the World of Darkness franchise is unique. However, there are still many games that share similar mechanics and experiences. With that in mind, this list focuses on games that share similar gameplay features as well as some vampire-based titles for fans to enjoy.
7 The Council
Released: 2018 Developer: Big Bad Wolf Platform: PC, PS4, and Xbox One
If one loves the mechanics and narratively-driven experience of Vampire: The Masquerade then they should check out the developer Big Bad Wolf’s previous work, The Council. It includes similar complex RPG mechanics to Swansong and also shares similar themes and character designs.
Players can build their character by putting points into certain personality traits and skills. These skills like diplomacy or detective can reveal very different interactions with the other characters. It’s these same mechanics that have evolved into Swansong.
6 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Released: 2004 Developer: Troika Games Platform: PC
The original game in the Vampire: The Masquerade series is Bloodlines, an action RPG for the PC. The gameplay is significantly different from Swansong, as it employs more RPG mechanics. It became a cult hit with fans of the tabletop RPG despite its technical issues and set the tone for the LA set RPG. It was left to fans to modify and fix the game and is thankfully in a much better state today. However, a modern-day remaster of this title would make sense given the push the franchise has on modern consoles.
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Just like Swansong, it’s set in the modern-day only this story focuses on a recently turned vampire as they rise through the ranks of the vampire underworld and its many factions. Those looking to explore more of what The World of Darkness universe has to offer should start with the original Bloodlines. Unfortunately, the sequel Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 has been hit with several delays, and a release date is yet to be announced.
5 Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Released: 1997 Developer: Konami Platform: Android, iOS, PS1, PSP, PS4, Sega Saturn, and Xbox 360
Fans that simply want to explore another rich and deep universe that is centered around vampires should invest their time in the Castlevania series. The gameplay is vastly different but the RPG mechanics and story that the series employs have spawned a sub-genre of their own lovingly referred to as Metroidvania.
The most critically acclaimed game in the series is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which is readily available on most platforms. The game features a compelling narrative full of twists and surprises for the player to invest in.
4 Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow
Released: 2010 Developer: MercurySteam and Kojima Productions Platform: PC, PS3 and Xbox 360
Expanding the Castlevania series further was the 3D action-adventure game Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. Despite being critically acclaimed it’s often overlooked as a Castlevania title as it shares more in common with the God of War and Devil May Cry series.
The production values are fantastic, it features a great soundtrack, top-notch visuals, and a compelling narrative. This narrative is backed up by a great voice cast provided by the actors Robert Carlyle, Patrick Stewart, and Natasha McElhone. It still retains some of the Metroidvania mechanics but the focus is more on action and narrative.
3 The Wolf Among Us
Released: 2013 Developer: Telltale Games Platform: iOS, OS X, PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, and Xbox One
Even though Vampire: The Masquerade - Swanswong is an RPG it’s fundamentally a narratively-driven supernatural detective game. That’s why Telltale’s The Wolf Among Us is an easy recommendation.
It’s a graphic adventure game set in the Fables universe and centers on the protagonist Bigby Wolf, a private investigator and a werewolf. It’s a dark world where the fairytale characters and communities have integrated into the real world. Wolf is investigating a serial killer on the loose in Fabletown, New York. Like Swansong, it features branching dialogue choices and a narrative that changes according to the decisions the player makes.
2 Blood Omen: Legacy Of Kain
Released: 1996 Developer: Silicon Knights Platform: PC and PS1
A top-down action-adventure RPG, Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain is considered by many fans to be the best in the series. It plays very differently from the platforming 3D adventure games Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.
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This game begins with Kain in his early days as a vampire as he hunts down the Circle of Nine. It features several mechanics where Kain has to ensure that his blood is replenished by feeding on his enemies. The story is well-told with great voice acting and narration. It’s one of the earlier games that allows players to feel like they are in the shoes of a vampire and it remains one of the best.
1 Vampyr
Released: 2018 Developer: Dontnod Entertainment Platform: PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One
In recent years, developers Dontnod Entertainment have become better known for their work on the Life is Strange series. In many ways, Swansong shares quite a few gameplay mechanics with that series. However, their action RPG Vampyr is a much better fit.
Incorporating many elements from graphic adventure games, there’s a heavy emphasis on dialogue-based role playing too. Like Swansong, the choices the player makes affect the NPCs around London and can change the outcome of the story. Moreover, the game leans heavily into vampire lore, and how the character moves and behaves in the world.
Vampyr: The Masquerade - Swansong is available now for the PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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