Blade II (PS2)

There is no doubt that Blade 2 is a stylish game. Your character moves with a confident swagger, even capturing Snipes' head rolling action during less stressful moments. Controls are fluid, reponding quickly on the most part.

There is a variety of weaponary to take full advantage of, including the deadly spinning glaive, shotguns, pistols, rapid fire pistols, silver stakes, silver knuckle dusters and UV grenades, not to mention the legendary blade sword itself. However, the sword can only be accessed when Blade has sufficiently filled his rage indicator (think Devil May Cry's devil trigger gauge), allowing him to become temporarly unstoppable. It's a shame, as it would have been nice to have had full access to the sword (though it may have made the game too easy).

One nice touch is that you have to choose which weapons you want to take on your next mission, introducing a slightly tactical edge, and all the weapons you pick can be seen strapped to Blade's back when the level starts.

One point of controversy among fans waiting for the game was the 360 degree combat system. Instead of enemies lining up to get slaughtered, vampires attack from all angles. Not to worry though, as Blade can attack in any direction. The left analogue stick moves Blade, while the right stick is used to attack in a certain direction. It may take a while to get used to, but it's worth it, adding a stylistic element similar to the Blade movies.

Graphics are certainly above average, but don't take full advantage of the PS2 (but still better than the first Blade on PS1!).The sound is quite asmospheric though, and if you turn off the lights (and are easily scared) the haunting music can draw you in.

Be warned, though. The game has a 15 certificate due to some cool finishing moves which can be quite graphic in places. Though If you are easily offended, you probably shouldn't be playing this anyway.

In summary, if you want a great game which involves killing legions of the undead, has a stylish control system, good graphics and sound, but you're name isn't Buffy, look no further than Blade 2.

As Blade, a man born with the abilities of the vampire since one bit his mother when she was in labour with him, gamers will stalk the dark corners of a grim city looking to wipe out all vampires. Since he is part vampire himself, what separates Blade from the other bloodsuckers is the fact that he does not possess their weaknesses such as a vampire's aversion to sunlight--hence he is also known as the "Daywalker."

While not following the plot of the second film, Blade finds himself looking into a rumor of a deal between the local organized crime family and a vampire coven. What interests Blade is the fact that the mob plans to offer a vial of unique blood to the vampire brood. So Blade starts out in a training level first and this is where the game goes downhill.

The controls, you will find out, aren't very well thought out. Blade can kick and punch thanks to the analog stick but the result is an awkward session of trying to move Blade so he can face the enemies he's fighting and then whipping the stick frantically. Combos are almost nonexistent in the game because Blade apparently can't stay focused on a particular enemy. The only time Blade can focus on a vampire is if he takes out his weapons such as the mach pistol or his trusty shotgun.

There are also moments when Blade's adrenalin level rises and he goes into his Blade's Rage mode. Sometimes the word SWORD will flash and you can take out the sword he has strapped to his back and gamers will witness a number of bloody sequences of Blade slicing limbs and heads off. Other times he takes out a stake and drives it into the top of a vampire's head or straight into their forehead.

Each level, unfortunately, doesn't change much and neither does the action. If it's in a parking lot structure or a vampire-infested nightclub called the Exploitika Club, all Blade does is take on enemy after enemy. The problem with this is not the dozens of enemies the game throws at you but the enemy AI that makes each vampire foolishly rush you or wait their turn to get turned into ash while you finish off a few vampires just in front of them.

The mission objectives don't offer many challenges while the secondary ones are essentially break this computer or destroy that motorcycle. The only benefits of completing secondary mission objectives is that the points earned for completing them unlocks new weapons or items that can be useful in the next level. Blade can unlock anything from his trusty shotgun to a near useless bladed weapon known as the Glaive (kind of like the neat spinning blade weapon in the movie Krull).

The graphics are not groundbreaking either, although portions of different levels do look good. The nightclub, for example, has flashing strobe lights and an interesting interior design. However, it's not really eye-catching enough to make gamers admire the scenery. The vampires do look rather plain, especially the ones in suits. Thankfully, at least, Blade looks good in his black outfit and leather trench coat.

Another letdown is the soundtrack that attempts to bring the techno aspect of the movie's superior techno-rap score, but it doesn't quite move a gamer the same way since it is just a rhythmic cycle of the same beats over and over again. The sound effects of Blade's fists striking an enemy and the screeching tires of a vehicle bearing down on him do sound good, though. And while the voice acting is well done--Blade and Whistler sound just like their movie counterparts--various phrases are repeated continuously.

It's highly disappointing to see such a good concept not quite make the impact it was intended to make and Blade II had the makings of a really spectacular vampire slaying game. With a poor design and too many faults, this isn't the game Blade will be better known for.