Average-but-arresting games used to be the backbone of the industry. What price perfection?

The gaming industry has long been defined by its love of flawed-but-fascinating games. These titles, often with smaller development teams and lower budgets, have historically provided some of the most innovative and engaging experiences.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is a prime example of this trend. Despite receiving mixed reviews upon release, it's an enjoyably idiosyncratic and compelling game that embodies the spirit of its predecessors. The game's soft-focus, icy cold rendition of Seattle gives it a film noir feel, complete with streets lined with neon signs and lavish members' clubs.

While not every reviewer has been enamored with Bloodlines 2, many have praised its ability to evoke the sense of immersion found in older games. It's a reminder that sometimes, it's okay for a title not to be perfect – instead, it's about creating an experience that resonates with players.

In recent years, the mainstream gaming industry has become increasingly focused on high-budget, visually stunning experiences. However, this shift has resulted in a decline in the number of flawed-but-fascinating games being released. The success of titles like Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and South of Midnight offers hope that there's still room for innovative, genre-bending experiences in the industry.

These types of games were once the backbone of the gaming industry, with many notable titles emerging from smaller development teams and lower budgets. Mega Drive strategy sim Herzog Zwei, King's Field, and Shiny Entertainment's MDK are just a few examples of how flawed-but-fascinating games can have a lasting impact.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it's essential to recognize the value that these types of games bring to the table. By embracing imperfection and taking risks on innovative experiences, developers can create something truly special – rather than chasing perfection and risking creative stagnation.

I'm so down for more games like Bloodlines 2 ! Smaller dev teams & lower budgets can bring a freshness to the market that big-budget games often can't match . It's all about creating an experience that resonates with players, not just making something super polished . The gaming industry should be more open to taking risks & embracing imperfection . We need more games like Herzog Zwei, King's Field, and MDK – they're the reason we love gaming in the first place . Let's celebrate those flawed-but-fascinating games !

the gaming industry is just like politics - you gotta take some risks and have flaws to make it interesting . mainstream gaming is all about the benjamins and a polished finish, but where's the soul in that? we need more devs willing to put in the effort to create something truly unique and imperfect . think of vampire: the masquerade - bloodlines 2 as the indie candidate - it may not be perfect, but it's got heart and a whole lot of character . if we want to keep things fresh in gaming, we need more devs like that who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty .

I'm so hyped about Bloodlines 2 ! I mean, who needs perfect graphics when you can have a game that's all about atmosphere and storytelling? The fact that it didn't get universal acclaim just shows me that the devs took risks and did something unique. And let's be real, those old-school games like Herzog Zwei and King's Field are still classics to this day! I'm so glad we're seeing a resurgence of flawed-but-fascinating games – it's about time we stopped chasing perfection in gaming. Can't wait to see what other devs come out with next!

I'm loving how Bloodlines 2 is all about embracing its weirdness and not caring what others think . I mean, who needs perfect graphics when you've got a story that's as dark and gritty as Seattle in the 90s? It's like they took all the best bits from the old-school games and mashed them together with some fresh ideas – and it shows! The attention to detail on the streets, the clubs, everything... it's like stepping into a movie. I think this is what's missing from most games these days, just a dash of personality and flair. Give me more games that are unapologetically weird and wonderful

I just played Bloodlines 2 and I gotta say, it's like they took all the weird parts from the old games and mashed 'em together into this amazing cocktail of weirdness . The atmosphere is so immersive, it feels like you're actually walking around Seattle at night, dodging vampires and gangsters . And yeah, not every reviewer loved it, but that's what makes it so cool – it's like they took a bunch of different influences and just went with it . I mean, who needs perfect graphics or a super polished storyline when you can have something that's actually memorable?

I'm so over how super polished every game has to be now I mean, what's wrong with a little bit of grit and grime? Bloodlines 2 is like the real deal, it's not trying to be perfect, it's just being itself and that's what makes it so great The fact that it's got a weird film noir vibe going on, with those neon signs and members' clubs, is just genius It's like they're saying "screw the critics, we're gonna make something that resonates with us" and I am HERE. FOR. IT

idk about this gaming trend... on one hand its cool to see devs pushing boundaries & creating weird games that resonate with ppl... but on the other side its kinda worrying that we're losing out on those smaller, more experimental titles that might've had some real innovative ideas . i mean dont get me wrong, bloodlines 2 is a sick game and all but its not like its gonna change the world or anything ... i just hope devs dont forget about those tiny studios & their crazy ideas in the process of trying to make it big

OMG u no wot its like they're tryna make every game 2 perfect gr8? i mean wut's the fun in that? Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 might not b perfect but it's got character and u can def feel the vibe o the city. its like a dark film noir movie or sumthin. ppl can be too harsh wiv ther reviews but honestly, who needs perfection ?

I've been thinking a lot about this lately... what is it about flawed-but-fascinating games that speaks to us so deeply? Is it because they're not afraid to be imperfect, to take risks and push boundaries? Or is it something more profound? Maybe it's the fact that these games often require us to fill in the gaps, to imagine what could have been, which makes them feel all the more real. And it's interesting how we respond to perfectionism in games - do we feel let down when a game doesn't live up to our expectations, or are we drawn to its relatability? The gaming industry is at a crossroads, and I think this is an opportunity for us to rethink what makes a great experience. Can we find value in the imperfect, the unfinished?

Just played Bloodlines 2 and I'm loving the dark goth vibe It's like a Seattle noir film come to life! I think we're losing some of that weird quirky charm in modern games, you know? All polished and pretty but lacking that edge. But games like this one show us that imperfection can be cool too

I think its really cool how Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is like a breath of fresh air in the gaming world right now... it shows that you don't need to break the bank or have loads of resources to make something amazing. I mean, who needs perfect graphics when you can get lost in a game's atmosphere and story? The fact that its got that film noir feel to it is so immersive . Im all for devs taking risks and putting their own spin on games, even if they're not 100% polished. Its the imperfections that make them stand out, dont you think?

I think what's really missing from modern gaming is that human touch . Games like Bloodlines 2 remind us that it's okay to be a little rough around the edges and that sometimes, imperfection can actually make for a more engaging experience . With all the big-budget games focusing on high production values, it's refreshing to see some devs taking risks and embracing their quirks . It's like they say: "imperfectly made" doesn't have to mean "uninteresting". We need more of these kinds of games that push boundaries and challenge our expectations .

I mean, who needs polished 4K graphics when you've got a game that's still trying to figure out what it is? Bloodlines 2 may not be perfect, but its weirdness is kinda charming . It's refreshing to see some devs taking risks and putting out games that aren't try-hard blockbusters. And hey, if it's okay for Herzog Zwei to have a wonky gameplay mechanic or two , why can't modern games be a little more... imperfect?

Man, I love Bloodlines 2! It's like, you know when a game is flawed but still super fun to play? That's what makes it so great. The atmosphere in the game is straight out of a movie, all dark and gritty with those neon signs everywhere . And yeah, not everyone loved it at first, but I think that's part of its charm. It's like, okay, we know you're gonna have some problems, let's just enjoy the ride .

I feel like that's what's missing from a lot of games these days - the willingness to take risks and try something new. Everyone's always going for that super polished, visually stunning experience, but sometimes you need a little bit of grit and imperfection to make it interesting. I mean, Herzog Zwei was a game that was way ahead of its time, and MDK? Forget about it! Those games were the real deal .

Anyway, I'm all for more games like Bloodlines 2 coming out. It's a great reminder that you don't have to be perfect to be amazing, and sometimes the best experiences are the ones that make you feel a little bit uncomfortable .

I'm so glad I got to play Bloodlines 2 in my free time ! As a student, I feel like it's always about balancing the grades with other aspects of life, but this game is all about embracing imperfection and having fun with it . It's crazy how sometimes perfection can be overrated and lead to games that are just okay instead of truly amazing. The way they've recreated Seattle in the game is so immersive! I wish my history project was more like that

the gaming industry needs more flawed-but-fascinating games like Bloodlines 2 it's refreshing to play a game that's not trying too hard to be perfect and is just having fun with its weirdness

I'm so done with people fawnin over Bloodlines 2's "imperfections" . Like, if it was this flawed, it'd be a hot mess. I mean, who wants to play a game that's just gonna glitch out all the time or have ridiculous bugs? Give me a game that can pull off its weirdness without falling apart . And don't even get me started on how "film noir" it is - Seattle doesn't look anything like that to me . Still, I guess if you're into that sorta thing, Bloodlines 2 might be right up your alley . But as for the gaming industry's obsession with these "flawed-but-fascinating" games? Forget about it - I'm good with the fancy graphics and polished gameplay .

I think its pretty much a given that flaws = innovation . I mean, Bloodlines 2 might not be perfect, but its got this unique Seattle vibe that's super immersive, ya know? And let's be real, who needs all the fancy graphics when you can have a story and characters that really draw you in? Idk, I just think we're missing out on some amazing experiences by expecting everything to be polished from the get go . Those old-school games like Herzog Zwei were literally legends . The industry's always gonna need a mix of high-budget blockbusters and more underground gems that take risks, don't @ me

I've been playing Bloodlines 2 and man, it's like stepping into a dark, rainy night in Seattle. The game's got a weird charm to it - some people love it, others hate it, but that's what makes it interesting, right? It feels like the gaming industry is losing that rough-around-the-edges vibe that makes games truly memorable.

I'm all for innovation and taking risks, especially when it comes to indie devs. They're the ones pushing the boundaries of what's possible in games. But at the same time, I don't want to see all the big-budget games sucking the life out of each other. Can we have both - high-quality experiences and some crazy, flawed ones that just go wild? It's not about being perfect, it's about creating something real.

What do you guys think? Do you miss those weird, indie games that just... existed?