Buffy the Vampire Slayer

"Welcome to the SlayGround."

Introduction:
Well, when I first walked into the store to buy this game I was really looking forward to playing it. I had been monitoring this games activity since it was first announced for the Dreamcast in 1999. Also, I had the gaming industries bad reputation for creating games based on movies or TV shows. And vice versa. (ie: Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, Sonic the Hedgehog TV Series...*shudder*)
Well, when I got home and popped this baby in I was NOT dissapointed. Here is why.

Graphics: 10/10
The graphics in this game are just amazing. Buffy looks like Buffy, Willow looks just like Willow and so on. When you stake vampires it looks like they took the animation directly from the show and just stuck it in the game. Its that good. Also, the textures in this game are quite superior to most XBOX Games I have seen. Well, that's all I have to say about graphics.

Controls: 9/10
The controls are very very responsive. When a vampire approaches they had better watch out, because any combination of buttons that you press can tear them a new one easily. The camera is controlled well by the right analog stick, so you never get stuck. Performing Buffys special attacks is a breeze. There is also a very helpful lock-on button (the R trigger) that you hold to target one vamp (or demon) out of them all to beat down first.

Sound: 9/10
Wow...like WOW! The voice acting in this game rivals that of titles like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X. Barring Sarah Michelle Gellar, all of the characters in game are played by the original TV show characters which they represent. Even though Buffys voice isn't the original, the girl who does it performs EXTREMELY well, and can be easily mistaken for Sarah Michelle. The weapon sounds, the vampire sounds, the falling sounds are all up to par. The music is eerie and fits the mood, however is few and far between. Which is why I give this a 9.

Gameplay: 10/10
Ever wanted to be a slayer? Here is your chance. Buffy is one bad-ass chick and you get to control her. Shes got super strength like the show, and you pummel your opponents with over 70 combinations of devestating attacks. Not to mention, you can literally throw a vamp across the room with ease. There are weapons abound, huge axes, pool cues, garden tools...anything to stake or decapitate your foes. Buffys always got some smart-ass comment to make when she fights or after a fight, just like in the show. Some are very witty, and they actually don't repeat as much as one would think. This game is just amazing to play, the physics and the fighting engine are top notch. I don't know how The Collective did it, but they could give tips to most other creators of action/adventure/fighting games. Buffys outfit changes daily, so she is never dirty. The amount of fighting moves that she can pull off boggles the mind. The game takes place in the middle of season 3, with the master returning but before the mayor incident. This is the kind of game that you wouldn't mind playing the same level over and over again just to kick some serious vamp ass. In addition, there is a secret arena mode with 4 different arenas in which you fight MANY enemies, including bosses. And as if this weren't enough, through this arena mode you can play with up to 4 players, taking control of bosses, dark buffy and other demons. You can even play 4 players in the actual game, after you access the arena mode. This games replay value is through the roof!!

Overall:
BUY this game, you will NOT regret it. It's just an amazing gaming experience. You will see why this game was rated the ''Best XBOX Game that no one played.'' NOW GO PLAY IT!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/19/03, Updated 01/19/03