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| Game: |
Van Helsing |
| Genre: |
Action |
| Developer: |
Saffire Studios |
| Publisher: |
Vivendi Universal |
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| Related Links: |
Coming Soon. |
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Van Helsing Preview: |
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We live in times where games become movies and movies become games, Van Helsing is the later of the two, yet another Hollywood blockbuster making the transition in to a computer game but does the game make use of the movie license or is it just another cash in?
Gabriel Van Helsing is a slayer of evil, an assassin battling the undead and mystical Creatures of the night. As Van Helsing players follow a dark and twisted story in a quest to rid earth of evil creatures such as Dr. Hyde, Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein all of whom Van Helsing seeks and aims to destroy.
Van Helsing the game follows closely to the plot of the movie although takes you further into the depths of the evil within and expanding on the story not shown in the film. Van Helsing is a 3rd person action/adventure players have available to them several weapons including both melee and ranged, weapons available include, dual Tojo Blades, Gatling Gun, duel pistols, a shotgun and even a Lightning gun to name but a few along with special finishing moves which you purchase from the armory available to you at the end of each level.
From the start you are faced with a near constant flow of action as you hack, slash and shoot your way through the depths of pure evil which you encounter and naturally become harder as you progress through the game, although a few puzzles are mixed in along the way the main focus of the game is simply pure Action, Action, Action and then just a little bit more action to keep you on your toes, seldom will the onslaught of your various foes you face cease.
Upgrading Van Helsing’s weapons, health, ammo and advanced move sets are vital and integral part of the game, carrying out the various available upgrades or abilities is simple enough, as you progress you will be awarded with various Glyphs & upgrades when you defeat enemies or smash various items such as creates or barrels.
Upgrades are carried out in the armory, you exchange collected glyphs for various items including increased ammo capabilities, life boosts (health), speed-bursts, weapon upgrades etc along with special finishing moves which Van Helsing can use at the touch of the black button. If you wish to make it through the depths of locations such as and including Castle Dracula or Castle Frankenstein the constant flow of various monsters that almost constantly appear you will need to collect and use you glyphs wisely.
The in game camera is fixed which on occasion is rather frustrating especially when the enemy is just off the screen making both defense and attack a little tricky although on the whole this does allow the developers to maintain the focus on the action and luscious scenery, the graphical detail is excellent and the likeness of Van Helsing to Hugh Jackman who plays the character in the movie is very good, One of the other slight negatives is the lack of freedom to explore throughout the dark and creepy world in which the game takes place, as Van you do unfortunately follow a rather scripted and linear path although again this does allow the developers to maintain the continual assault from your foes and action throughout.
Overall impressions from the preview version we had available are very good, this is much more than just a simple cash in on a Hollywood blockbuster, whether or not Van Helsing will offer enough to keep you going to the end is yet to be seen but from what we have seen there could well be, check back here soon for a full review when we will reveal all.
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