The Chinese Room recently shared an exciting development update on Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, providing a deep dive into the vampire hunters known as the Information Awareness Bureau (IAB). Operating on a shadow budget without official government backing, the IAB hunts vampires, referred to as "Hollow Ones," under the guise of "training exercises" and "counter-terrorism efforts."
Leading the charge in Seattle is Agent Baker, a disciplined pragmatist known as "The Hen" among her loyal followers. Her mission is to permanently eliminate vampires, and she does so with meticulous research into strange occurrences and historical data to uncover the secrets of the hidden vampire society. Her unwavering authority and strategic approach make her a formidable adversary.
The IAB hunters are highly coordinated, with robust external and internal security measures guarding their base. Confronting them solo is a daunting task, as they work in teams, use spotlights for surveillance, and maintain constant communication through portable radios. In combat, they wield thermic batons that ignore defensive tactics and deploy phosphorous grenades to flush enemies from cover. Their sniper crossbows shoot explosive bolts that can cause catastrophic damage if not swiftly removed.
Despite their prowess, the hunters have vulnerabilities. Physically weaker than ghouls and vampires, they can be outmaneuvered with specific skills. For instance, players can use the Fire ability to catch grenades or bolts mid-flight and hurl them back. Additionally, members of the Ventru clan can possess an enemy and turn them against their own team, adding a strategic layer to encounters with the IAB.
Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is set to launch in the first half of 2025, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This eagerly anticipated release promises thrilling gameplay and rich narrative depth, with the IAB adding a compelling layer of challenge and intrigue to the vampire world.
