Blood Omen 2

"Disappointing"

Intro- This is a poor game that should have been much better. The game has a dark feel to it, but when you start playing you find that the controls aren't very good and it doesn't look as good it should. You run forward and accidentally hit a wall. You try to move past the wall by moving forward but can't. Only when you completely back up away from the wall can you continue along the path. This is just one of the things that makes this game aggravating and simply bad.

Gameplay- Not very good at all. Some things like running are hard to do, as described above. The controls are bad, usually only 2 buttons are used to attack. The grab function is almost useless, it's easier to just keep swinging your weapon and kill the enemy than to grab him by the throat, throw him ten feet, and watch him get back up.
The puzzle system is stupid, with mindless box puzzles and switches. Lots and lots of switches. That gate has no handle. But I see a switch. But it isn't glowing. I'll have to run upstairs and flick that switch which is glowing so I can run downstairs and flick the other now glowing switch so the gate opens and I can continue on my way. Pointless. Look, there's water over there. I had better be careful. There's a switch on the other side of the water. I think I can make the jump if I get close to the ledge. Whoops I fell in. Well I was smart and saved my game just before I jumped. What the heck!? The game put me a half hour away from where I was. These are the kind of stupid pointless things that make a game bad.

Combat- Hands down the most poorly done part of the game.
I'm gonna kill that knight. He blocks all my attacks. All try waiting a sec. Oh great his arm turned red and he did a move that knocked off half of my health. It turns out I can only hit him after he gas hit me at least once, or after I manage to dodge his super attack. Ok I'll be careful now. Whoa his arm's turning red and I'm in the middle of a combo attack. Well if I can just back up- nope he killed me. The combat system at times is completely unresponsive and very repetitive. Their is no efficient way to kill an enemy.

Graphics- Good at times.I just started the game and there's this female vampire talking to me. You know, she's quite possibly the most beautiful female I've ever seen. She's also very underdressed. I find that I can't seem to concentrate on what she's saying but only on her. When the conversation's over I don't know what the heck is going on.
Say I was driving a car through that place. Whoa! Look! It's a NOT attractive girl! Floor it!
Aside from the games distractingly gorgeous females, the graphics are disappointing. Kane's character isn't very detailed. His face looks just like it did in Blood Omen. You think 6 years later it would look a little better and more detailed. Not a chance. Vorador looks worse even.

Sound- Good. Kane's voice actor is great along with everybody else's. The only complaints I have hear are with Vorador's voice. It has changed from a harsh, intimidating tone too a wimpy old tone.

Accuracy- Vorador is dead. Kain witnesses his beheading in Blood Omen. It is never explained how he came back to life. Neither Kane nor Vorador himself brings it up. Also Kane personality has changed. He is no longer driven toward a certain goal. He simply follows the orders of the other vampires, kicking and screaming the whole way. Give me a break.
Story- Perhaps the only reason to play the game at all. The story is interesting and we all want to know what happened to kain after Blood Omen and before Soul Reaver.

Closing- You might like the game more than I do. You might be better at it than I am. Or you might not.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 06/28/02, Updated 06/28/02