The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II

Van Helsing Brings it again in this Incredible Adventure

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In "The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II", players continue the role of the famous monster-hunter, Van Helsing, joined by his ghostly companion Lady Katarina. Set in a gothic metropolis plagued by chaos and a new enemy seeking revenge, players can choose from three classes and utilize their Lair as a hideout to upgrade their arsenal. The game promises a thrilling sequel with more sinister foes and dangerous landscapes.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 764 reviews

story112 positive mentions

stability48 negative mentions

Engaging storyline with witty dialogue and humor, filled with pop culture references.
Dynamic combat system with a variety of skills and character customization options.
Improved graphics and atmosphere compared to the first game, creating an immersive experience.

Numerous bugs and crashes, especially in multiplayer mode, making the game frustrating to play.
Short campaign length with a lack of replayability and unbalanced difficulty spikes.
Some gameplay mechanics, like the tower defense and commander missions, feel shallow and poorly implemented.

story
379 mentions
30 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in "The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II" continues directly from its predecessor, offering a mix of engaging narrative elements, humor, and character development, though many players feel it lacks depth and can be predictable. While some appreciate the added complexity of side quests and mini-games, others criticize the linearity and bugs that hinder progression, leading to a sense of frustration. Overall, the game is seen as a fun continuation of the series, but it may not satisfy those seeking a robust and innovative storyline.
- “The storyline is great, the soundtrack is perfect for the mood, the voice acting is superb, the graphics are rich with detail, and the gothic art is simply astonishing.”
- “The story picks right off after Fulmigati's death from VH1. It has a good story and after playing this game, I feel like I have to buy the others.”
- “Great game, good banter between Helsing and Katarina, continues the story from the first one and you get to keep your character from the previous one.”
- “The second game feels like a rehash of the first; the story is completely lacking and the dialogue is not engaging, doesn't pull you in at all, you feel nothing for the characters.”
- “In summary, there was barely any substance to the story; it felt like a cash grab stretch of rushed storytelling to connect the first and third games.”
- “The story was a letdown, circling on the same issues and adding features like 'dungeon defending' doesn't make it any better.”
gameplay
173 mentions
27 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II" is generally praised for its fluidity, dynamic combat mechanics, and the introduction of new skills and game modes, such as tower defense and cooperative multiplayer, which enhance the overall experience. While many players appreciate the engaging mechanics and character synergy, some note issues with bugs, a lack of depth in certain areas, and a somewhat short campaign. Overall, the game retains a familiar feel to its predecessor while offering enough new content to keep players entertained.
- “Teaming up to tackle tough bosses or dungeons is a blast, and the synergy between characters enhances the gameplay.”
- “The combat mechanics have been refined, and the addition of new skills and abilities adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay of the incredible adventures of Van Helsing II is nothing short of thrilling.”
- “The biggest negative, however, that really detracted from the overall gameplay is that the developers added an obscene amount of ranged units that ruin the combat of the game entirely after the first 'dungeon' area.”
- “Gameplay is a bit clunky but you will get used to it; had some annoying pathing issues.”
- “The gameplay is probably the worst of any ARPG I've ever played; this includes Diablo 3.”
graphics
99 mentions
54 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Van Helsing II" are widely praised for their stunning detail and atmospheric gothic art style, which effectively immerses players in a richly designed world. While many reviews highlight the improvements over the first game, some players note that character graphics lack variation and that certain technical issues can detract from the experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, contributing to its engaging gameplay and storytelling.
- “The visuals are beautifully done, with great attention to detail in the environments and character designs.”
- “The graphics are technically solid, with varied color palettes that provide atmosphere as Van Helsing explores underground caverns, snowy forests, and laboratories full of disgusting experiments.”
- “The storyline is great, the soundtrack is perfect for the mood, the voice acting is superb, the graphics are rich with detail, and the gothic art is simply astonishing.”
- “8: poor character graphics: apart from the weapons, the character graphics have virtually no change depending on the items equipped, which is disappointing.”
- “Graphics are exactly the same, and the scenery is almost entirely boring dead-tech metal, lacking the colorful forested areas from the original.”
- “9) the game graphics seem outdated, like I'm playing a game from 2005.”
humor
62 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy, witty dialogue, and numerous pop-culture references, which many players find engaging and entertaining. The banter between characters, particularly between Van Helsing and his ghost companion Katarina, adds a lively and humorous dynamic, although some players feel that the humor can be hit-or-miss, with certain jokes coming off as overly obvious or bland. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor into its narrative and gameplay, making it a fun experience for those who appreciate a lighthearted approach amidst the action.
- “The blend of gothic horror and humor makes for an incredibly engaging experience.”
- “The writing is sharp and witty, with a perfect blend of humor and seriousness.”
- “The banter between Van Helsing and his ghost sidekick is very entertaining... the many pop-culture references found throughout the game are funny... you will not be disappointed with this game.”
stability
52 mentions
6 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder the gameplay experience, especially in co-op mode. While some players note improvements over previous versions, many still find the game frustratingly unstable, with issues like freezing, quest-breaking glitches, and unreliable multiplayer connections. Overall, the consensus is that the game is too buggy for a full recommendation, with many suggesting waiting for substantial discounts before purchasing.
- “Runs great through Steam Play.”
- “The game was relatively bug-free.”
- “No glitches, no bugs, no memory errors!”
- “Only recommended at the 90% discount, because as amusing and good-looking as it is, it's a scammy, buggy piece of software.”
- “Game is too incredibly buggy and broken for me to recommend this mess to anyone.”
- “Horrible glitches, constant freezes, wow is this game terribly flawed.”
music
35 mentions
57 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the catchy soundtrack and its ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While some found certain tracks repetitive or annoying, the overall consensus highlights a well-composed score that complements the game's atmosphere and action. Special mentions were made for the main menu music and standout tracks, contributing to a memorable auditory experience that many players enjoyed.
- “As for the music, they finally have a good recognizable main theme that sounds pretty nice.”
- “The catchy soundtrack and melancholic flair make this a very special ride.”
- “The excellent soundtrack returns, plus around the same amount of new music again, joined by surprisingly good voice acting and an array of viscerally satisfying sound effects layered on top of an ambience that combine to give the game a wonderful sense of atmosphere.”
- “Music in the first area got on my nerves very quickly.”
- “In the last mission, two pieces of music are being played at the same time.”
- “Musically, the game falls flat.”
atmosphere
26 mentions
65 % positive mentions
23 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive design, effectively blending gothic and steampunk themes. Players appreciate the distinct environments, from gloomy forests to eerie dungeons, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and quirky humor. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the enjoyment of the gameplay experience.
- “The dark, moody atmosphere perfectly embodies the gothic theme.”
- “Each location, from gloomy forests to eerie dungeons, looks distinct and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “Two main reasons, which are what really set Van Helsing apart from all the other games of its genre: the amazing atmosphere of its world, a charismatic mix of steampunk and gothic fantasy you cannot find anywhere else; and secondly, the quirky humor, filled with references to other famous brands.”
- “The atmosphere and environment was well done though, so at least they got that going for them.”
- “The graphics are technically solid, with varied color palettes that provide atmosphere as Van Helsing explores underground caverns, snowy forests, and laboratories full of disgusting experiments.”
- “Just as in the previous game, the plot is filled with steampunk atmosphere, Slavic folklore, humor, and references, and they all really work great, but the final part may disappoint for a bit.”
replayability
21 mentions
24 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed reception regarding replayability. Many players appreciate the well-designed skill trees, multiple difficulty settings, and varied character classes, which contribute to a high replay value, while others feel that the campaign's length and limited scenarios diminish its replay potential. The presence of a modding community and additional content also enhances replayability for some, but opinions vary significantly, with a few users citing minimal replay value.
- “The incredible adventures of Van Helsing II offers extensive replay value, with its multiple difficulty settings, varied character classes, and branching storylines.”
- “Additionally, the extensive modding community further enhances the game's replayability, offering countless user-created content and modifications.”
- “Solid ARPG with witty dialogue and the potential for hundreds of hours of replayability.”
- “0 replayability.”
- “Lastly, I don't think this game has much replayability value.”
- “While there still are no dynamic maps and the replay value is basically zero (if not on a higher difficulty with a friend in co-op), it is still a decent game for any fan of RPGs, top-down perspective games which lead you through dungeons and tell you an intriguing storyline.”
grinding
18 mentions
11 % positive mentions
6 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and reminiscent of outdated mechanics, while others appreciate the depth and variety it offers for character building and item crafting. Although grinding for gear and experience is not mandatory, many players feel that replaying the game to maximize character potential can become repetitive. Overall, the game provides options for both those who enjoy grinding and those who prefer a more narrative-driven experience.
- “There is no grinding for gear, or experience, or stats.”
- “It wouldn't be so bad to waste skill points like this, but like I said - no grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It feels a bit dated for a 2014 title and the achievements are tedious.”
- “There is an extended 'scenario mode' but by the time it unlocks, you'll be basically max level anyway, so unless you feel like grinding for the best possible loot, it's worthless.”
optimization
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including severe FPS drops, stuttering, and long load times, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users noted improvements in graphics and performance at higher settings, others experienced frustrating lag and glitches that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the optimization appears inconsistent, with some players managing smooth gameplay while others struggle with stability and design flaws.
- “But when you set the screen to the highest settings, you will find that the game has improved performance in terms of game details and special effects; even the buildings and views become more beautiful!”
- “All the panels that open are clearly optimized and always show just the right information, with very few exceptions. It's impossible to get the details on critical hit chance, mana regeneration, etc., while shopping.”
- “- Graphics are good, and the game runs smoothly on my 3-year-old laptop with medium settings.”
- “But the game is not optimized for starting from scratch; there is an insane difficulty spike in midgame, where you're constantly underlevelled and battling high level mobs.”
- “Optimization for PC is terrible.”
- “Game is not optimized, with severe FPS and stuttering issues.”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Character development in "Van Helsing II" is praised for its significant improvements in storytelling and character depth, enhancing the overall experience. In contrast, "Diablo IV" is criticized for its lackluster narrative and generic characters, despite having strong visuals and character designs.
- “One of the biggest improvements in Van Helsing II is the storytelling and character development.”
- “The visuals are beautifully done, with great attention to detail in the environments and character designs.”
- “The attention to detail in the environments, character designs, and special effects is commendable.”
- “Diablo IV, on the other hand, felt lackluster in terms of story and character development, with generic and unmemorable characters.”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviews on the emotional aspect of the game are mixed; while some players found the character development compelling enough to evoke strong feelings, leading to tears, others felt frustrated and dissatisfied with the overall emotional experience.
- “Character emotional development: 8/10”
- “I cried twice playing this game and I'm well over 40 years of age.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as a cash grab, with players feeling that the story lacks substance and is merely a rushed attempt to link the first and third installments.
- “It just feels like a cash grab.”
- “In summary, there was barely any substance to the story; it felt like a cash grab stretch of rushed storytelling to connect the first and third games.”