The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II

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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.

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The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II screenshot

+16

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,531 reviews

story224 positive mentions

stability96 negative mentions

Engaging storyline with witty dialogue and humor.
Dynamic combat system with a variety of skills and character customization options.
Improved graphics and atmosphere compared to the first game.

Numerous bugs and crashes, especially in multiplayer mode.
Short campaign length with a lack of replayability.
Unbalanced difficulty spikes that can lead to frustrating gameplay.

story
759 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
4%
The story of "The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II" continues directly from its predecessor, featuring a mix of engaging narrative elements, humor, and character development, though it has been noted to lack depth and direction at times. While some players appreciated the intriguing side quests and the incorporation of tower defense mechanics, others found the main storyline predictable and the overall execution disappointing, often feeling like a rehash of the first game. Despite its flaws, the game offers a fun experience for fans of action RPGs, with a blend of humor and pop culture references that enhance its charm.
- “One of the biggest improvements in Van Helsing II is the storytelling and character development.”
- “The storyline of the game is once again engaging and full of twists and turns.”
- “The story begins just where the previous game ended, after defeating Fulmigatti a huge explosion traps Van Helsing and his ghost companion Lady Katarina trapped in a destroyed building, a mysterious being known as Prisoner Seven helps them and offers his service for Borgovian resistance to fight against General Harker and his army.”
- “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
349 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
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 criticize the game for being short, repetitive, and occasionally buggy, with a final boss that fails to impress. Overall, it offers a familiar yet expanded gameplay experience for fans of the original, though it may not significantly innovate within the action RPG genre.
- “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.”
- “Gameplay is a bit clunky but you will get used to it; had some annoying pathing issues.”
- “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.”
- “The gameplay was the same thing with a new UI slapped over it.”
graphics
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
41%
5%
The graphics of "Van Helsing II" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning detail and atmospheric gothic art style, effectively immersing players in a richly designed world. While many reviews highlight the improvements over the first game, some critiques mention that character graphics lack variation and that certain visual elements could be enhanced. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals, though some players experienced technical issues that affected their enjoyment.
- “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.”
- “In terms of graphical and sound improvements, I see none.”
- “The game graphics seem outdated, like I'm playing a game from 2005.”
humor
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a blend of dark comedy, witty dialogue, and numerous pop-culture references that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the lively banter between characters, particularly the ghost companion Katarina, which adds both charm and humor to the narrative. While many find the humor engaging and entertaining, some critiques point to moments where it feels forced or overly reliant on clichés, leading to mixed reactions among players.
- “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.”
- “Extremely funny and interesting companion Katarina with her excellent voice acting really makes me want to give this game a 10/10.”
stability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
4%
92%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder the gameplay experience, particularly in co-op mode. While some players note improvements over previous versions, many still find the game too unstable to recommend, often suggesting it only be purchased at a steep discount. Overall, the game is described as "very buggy," with issues ranging from minor glitches to major performance problems that can disrupt progress.
- “The game was relatively bug free.”
- “No glitches, no bugs, no memory errors!”
- “+Runs great through Steam Play.”
- “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
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The music in the game has received a generally positive reception, with many praising the catchy soundtrack and memorable main theme that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some players found certain tracks repetitive or annoying, the majority appreciated the quality and variety of the musical score, noting it as a significant improvement over its predecessor. Special mentions were made for the main menu music and specific tracks that contributed to the game's emotional depth and intensity.
- “The music of the game was amazing and probably my favorite part.”
- “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, too.”
- “Musically, the game falls flat.”
- “It really took me out of the game and some of the texts didn't match up with the soundtrack.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
29%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive design, effectively blending gothic and steampunk themes across diverse environments like gloomy forests and eerie dungeons. Players appreciate the detailed visuals, excellent soundtrack, and quirky humor that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout in the action RPG genre. While some critiques mention a lack of originality compared to the first game, the atmospheric elements remain a significant highlight for many reviewers.
- “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
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
69%
7%
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many reviewers highlighting the well-designed skill trees, multiple difficulty settings, and varied character classes that encourage different playstyles. While some players feel the campaign is short and lacks dynamic maps, the potential for extensive replay value through additional scenarios, user-created content, and future DLC is noted. However, a few reviews express disappointment in the overall replayability, suggesting it may be limited to mastering character classes or playing cooperatively on higher difficulties.
- “The incredible adventures of Van Helsing II offers extensive replay value, with its multiple difficulty settings, varied character classes, and branching storylines.”
- “Solid ARPG with witty dialogue and the potential for hundreds of hours of replayability.”
- “I greatly enjoyed this game, and the extra scenarios they have after you've beaten veteran were a great idea to keep up 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 coop), it is still a decent game for any friend of RPG, top-down perspective games which lead you through dungeons and tell you an intriguing storyline.”
grinding
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
6%
83%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be both tedious and necessary, with some players feeling it is outdated and overly reliant on replaying content for achievements and max-level gear. While certain aspects, like improved gear drops and crafting systems, enhance the experience, many players express frustration with the repetitive nature of grinding and the design choices that contribute to it. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable single-player storytelling and character building, but the grinding elements may deter those seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The rest of the playtime comes from replaying the game Diablo style to level up to max (level 60), gaining 'glory' after max level, grinding for perfect items, etc. There are tons of ways to build your characters, especially with all the new stuff post level 30.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
50%
38%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including FPS drops, stuttering, and long load times, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users noted improved graphics and smoother performance on higher settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, especially for new players facing a significant midgame difficulty spike. Additionally, glitches and bugs were mentioned, though they were not universally deemed game-breaking.
- “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 regen, etc. while shopping.”
- “Graphics are good and the game runs smoothly on my 3-year-old laptop with medium settings.”
- “Optimization for PC is terrible.”
- “Game is not optimized, with severe FPS and stuttering issues.”
- “The poor optimization of the game for any computer kicked me hard, so I only got to play the prologue (like 5 minutes of gameplay).”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
Character development in "Van Helsing II" is highlighted as a significant improvement, with engaging storytelling and well-crafted characters. In contrast, "Diablo IV" is criticized for its lackluster narrative and generic, forgettable characters, despite its strong visual presentation. Overall, the reviews emphasize the importance of character depth in enhancing the gaming experience.
- “One of the biggest improvements in Van Helsing II is the storytelling and character development.”
- “The attention to detail in the environments, character designs, and special effects is commendable.”
- “The visuals are beautifully done, with great attention to detail in the environments and character designs.”
- “Diablo IV, on the other hand, felt lackluster in terms of story and character development, with generic and unmemorable characters.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players found the character development compelling enough to evoke strong feelings, leading to tears, others felt frustrated and dismissed the game's emotional impact entirely. Overall, character emotional development received a positive rating of 8/10 from those who connected with the narrative.
- “Character emotional development: 8/10”
- “I cried twice playing this game and I'm well over 40 years of age.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is widely criticized, with users feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, describing it as a "cash grab" with a lack of substance in the story. Many reviewers express disappointment in the rushed narrative that seems designed primarily to link previous installments rather than provide a meaningful experience.
- “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.”