64
MONSTER
Based on the cult role-playing world and developed by specialists in the genre, Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong is a narrative RPG in which your every choice determines the fate of the three main characters and of the Boston Camarilla.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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74
Praise for Swansong's intricate, lore-rich narrative and branching choices clashes with criticism of its bloated pacing, confusing exposition, and underdeveloped characters, leaving it a divisive, fan-pleasing but inaccessible experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
55%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
37%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Praise for Swansong's intricate, lore-rich narrative and branching choices clashes with criticism of its bloated pacing, confusing exposition, and underdeveloped characters, leaving it a divisive, fan-pleasing but inaccessible experience.
Gameplay Mechanics
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66
A narrative RPG that dazzles with immersive storytelling, branching choices, and rich lore but falters due to clunky mechanics, technical hiccups, and a lack of action, dividing fans between its ambitious vision and flawed execution.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
66
Positive Reviews (80-100)
24%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
63%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
13%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
A narrative RPG that dazzles with immersive storytelling, branching choices, and rich lore but falters due to clunky mechanics, technical hiccups, and a lack of action, dividing fans between its ambitious vision and flawed execution.
Graphics and Visual Design
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59
Swansong’s gothic visuals dazzle with lush environments and detailed design, but stiff animations and uncanny valley flaws undermine immersion, creating a polarizing mix of artistic ambition and technical missteps.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
59
Positive Reviews (80-100)
9%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
72%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
19%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Swansong’s gothic visuals dazzle with lush environments and detailed design, but stiff animations and uncanny valley flaws undermine immersion, creating a polarizing mix of artistic ambition and technical missteps.
Music and Sound Design
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64
Praise for Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong’s haunting, genre-blending soundtrack and immersive sound design clashes with scathing critiques of its stilted, robotic voice acting and uneven dialogue, creating a jarring divide between audio brilliance and performative failure.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
64
Positive Reviews (80-100)
26%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
16%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Praise for Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong’s haunting, genre-blending soundtrack and immersive sound design clashes with scathing critiques of its stilted, robotic voice acting and uneven dialogue, creating a jarring divide between audio brilliance and performative failure.
Voice Acting
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61
Critics praise Swansong’s voice acting for emotional depth and strong protagonists but criticize clunky dialogue, uneven NPC performances, and jarring animations, creating a mixed reception.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
61
Positive Reviews (80-100)
21%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
53%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
26%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Critics praise Swansong’s voice acting for emotional depth and strong protagonists but criticize clunky dialogue, uneven NPC performances, and jarring animations, creating a mixed reception.
Technical Performance
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48
"Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong" stumbles under a mountain of technical flaws across PS5 and Xbox Series X, with only fleeting positives like PS5’s stable 60fps overshadowed by bugs, glitches, and broken mechanics that derail immersion—its narrative ambition crumbles beneath its own shoddy execution.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
48
Positive Reviews (80-100)
0%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
45%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
55%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
"Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong" stumbles under a mountain of technical flaws across PS5 and Xbox Series X, with only fleeting positives like PS5’s stable 60fps overshadowed by bugs, glitches, and broken mechanics that derail immersion—its narrative ambition crumbles beneath its own shoddy execution.
Replay Value
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70
Game shines with branching narratives and multiple endings, offering strong replay value, but unclear objectives and tedious mechanics hinder broader appeal.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
70
Positive Reviews (80-100)
38%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
50%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
13%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Game shines with branching narratives and multiple endings, offering strong replay value, but unclear objectives and tedious mechanics hinder broader appeal.
Overall Verdict
64
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
64
Positive Reviews (80-100)
20%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
72%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Praise for Swansong's immersive, lore-rich narrative and moral complexity contrasts with criticism of its stiff gameplay, linear design, and technical flaws, making it a flawed but rewarding experience for World of Darkness devotees, though its accessibility and polish leave much to be desired.
64
MONSTER
Reviews
115 reviews found90
Impulsegamer
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Swansong is an intriguing addition to the Vampire mythology and the new characters are interesting enough to make playing with them and learning their stories an engaging experience.
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89
GAMES.CH
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is recommended for fans of the franchise and those new to the World of Darkness. It is described as a good vampire adventure that combines classic adventure elements with RPG mechanics.
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80
App Trigger
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is a fun and immersive experience despite some graphical issues
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80
Worth Playing
May 19, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong is an engaging game that focuses on the non-combat elements of the tabletop game. Glitches and unimpressive presentation detract from the experience, but it is recommended for those interested in politics and investigation.
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80
JeuxActu
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite some technical issues and the absence of French voice acting, Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong is a game worth playing. It captures the atmosphere of the tabletop role-playing game, offers rich gameplay mechanics, and provides multiple choices and consequences.
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80
GameSpew
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong is a dark and intriguing game with a strong narrative and macabre visuals, despite some rough graphics
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80
Digitally Downloaded
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong is a good attempt at capturing the essence of the pen-and-paper game, but falls short in delivering the shocking and counter-cultural tone expected from the franchise. The game's focus on storytelling and character interaction is commendable, but the poor delivery and lack of visceral impact detract from the overall experience.
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80
PlayStation Universe
May 20, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite some technical issues and uneven voice acting, Swansong is a fulfilling detective adventure that appeals to fans of the World of Darkness and offers a unique experience.
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75
Jeuxvideo.com
May 18, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong is a captivating game with a consistent universe and a pleasing narrative. The addition of RPG mechanics to the dialogue choices system makes it refreshing. However, the game's progression is linear, and there is an abundance of characters.
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75
ZTGD
Jun 17, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Vampire: The Masquerade - Swansong is a great introduction to the lore of the Vampire: The Masquerade world. Despite issues with facial animations, the game offers a journey through a world of darkness, intrigue, murder, and decisions that shape the narrative. It is an enjoyable experience.