VAN Helsing is based on the new movie currently showing at cinemas all around the country. As Van Helsing, gamers are brought face-to-face with the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Rather than opting for a survival horror approach like Resident Evil or Silent Hill, Van Helsing is your typical fast-paced, action-packed horror much like Bloodrayne.

Graphics are well presented, although it would be better for attacks to be a little bloodier and gruesome, considering the game is meant to be depicting some of the most notorious fiends of the horror world.

Sound is also up to standard with an enjoyable cinematic introduction complemented with period classical music to set the scene. Although there are multiple stages to battle through, Van Helsing is not particularly lengthy and action is largely repetitive.

Admittedly there are bonus challenges to keep gamers occupied that little bit longer and the novelty to see Van Helsing lose his hat, but, aside from this, there is little to isolate Van Helsing from every other mediocre horror game.

Van Helsing is not an atrocious game for it is enjoyable while it lasts. Unfortunately it offers little to the genre that hasn't been seen before.

Michael Wilson

PLAYERS: 1

AGE RATING: 16+

GENRE: Action/horror

FORMAT: PS2/XB

GRAPHICS: 16/20

SOUND: 14/20

GAMEPLAY: 15/25

LIFESPAN: 15/25

ORIGINALITY: 4/10

OVERALL: 64%

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