Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds

"Buffy pretty, but no substance.....XBOX"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is a nice looking game on the 'box. The graphics are right on, with few edges and great looking character models(especially Faith's and Willows's he..heheh....heh...). There is quite a bit of repetition in the enemy lineup. The Vampires that fly into frame either look like substitute high school teachers(notice the ties), biker gangs, or lumberjacks with pointy ears. The environments are highly detailed though you are rarely allowed the opportunity too look in every direction as the camera control and sometimes spotty collision can give you a freakin' headache. The game is relatively fun and fairly challenging(mostly because of the camera) because you seem to be at a disadvantageous angle everytime an enemy approaches.

Gameplay is a mixed bag, as there are nice combos in combat but a nightmarish item selection menu. They should have had a shortcut option much like Eternal Darkness on the 'cube, white button is medpack, black is stake, up on cross pad holy water etc. or something to that effect. Instead a clunky selection process ruins a nice array of weaponry and battle techniques, the weapon/item selection process is tedious and far from user friendly.....scroll, scroll, scroll, push up...thank god the stake has a shortcut assigned key(black button).

The puzzles are middling to fair, they amount to activating switches and pushing objects but they are fairly well done.

Music in this one is so-so, it stays true to the series with its theme music. The voice overs are good, the enemies speaking parts as they approach are especially entertaining. The sounds effects are O.K. and will creep you out at times, but isn't in a Resident Evils realm.

The plot follows the series somewhat, most of the main characters are rolled out at you. Xander is real slow and mercifully not used all that much, the Slayers and Willow are the best in my opinion.....they are fast and powerful.

The extras are DVD-esque(is that a word...?), with unlockable behind the scenes footage from the games development....outtakes etc...voice actors...talking about how the WB soon to be cancelled series is so wonderful to work on. There is also a photo gallery section which Buffy fans will really get a kick out of, guys try the zoom in feature!

Buffy suffers from a poor camera but it is a playable excursion. Definitely a rental as it can be beaten in the blockbuster 5 day rental period. If you buy it, buy it used! $49.99 is steep for this one.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 10/28/03