The book itself is rather straightforward in its design and execution of Vampire in a Victorian setting. It is a sparse read, even if laced with provocative enough detail to encourage your own research forthwith. Still, for anyone with an interest in the Victorian age as a setting for Vampire, this is an excellent primer, especially with those with little time or inclination to engage in personal research. It is comprehensive, thorough, and provides a snapshot of the Kindred in an age past.

When one stops considering its merits, a few flaws become obvious. The art, for one matter, is rather bland and even vague in places- witness one Guy Davis. His work summarily detracts from the piece, and the task of realizing the Dark Victorian age is thus thrust upon the remainder of the artistic staff. Otherwise, the art is excellent, if monotone (yet not entirely inappropriate, given the material and setting). The tone of the narrative is also somewhat pedantic in places (particularly, the in-character dialogue), demonstrating the 'gother-than-thou' attitude prevalent among the subculture.

Congratulations, White Wolf, on another just-above-mediocre product. Were you to invest a little more time into writing a guide to literary and artistic achievement, instead of pandering to Azrael Abyss and his ilk, this would truly be a sourcebook 'for the ages.' A true classic has been tainted by commercialism, a sad testament to the American method of publication.


Finally WW gets it right!   June 11, 2003
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

WW has for many years provided historical settings for its games. Namely, Dark Ages for vampire and other games, this setting takes vampire to its roots in the gothic genre. Of all the historical settings, the gothic era provides the most for the avid roleplaying enthusiast. This is not a setting for power gamers, rather it is a finely developed melieu for sophisticated storytelling and characterization. Of all the WW supplements (this book requires you to have the Vampire: the masquerade core rulebook), victorian age vampire will delight those players that can appreciate the gothic era and its influence on the vampire as metaphor.