The game has been stuck in development hell for more than a decade, yes. I agree that Masquerade does not hold up, yet it still consistently makes best RPG/game lists. I think it's just nostalgia that keeps it alive in the gaming culture. It was janky even when it came out and the story is like a YA novel; modern modding has made it more playable but it's not worth revisiting imo... unless you're a moody teen who doesn't want to consume any of the more modern moody teen slop.