Diablo III stands as my favorite isometric dungeon crawler of all time. It had great graphics, superb death animations, and deep and complex progression and loot systems. It remains as playable today as it did when it was released, therefore, it remains in my game library forever. Why am I telling you this, I hear you ask? Well, the might of Diablo III has been contested. Everything it introduced and mastered has been pulled and tugged at by a game I almost overlooked, although I admittedly did so with its first outing. Something I deeply regret, but I will make it my ongoing task once I am satisfied that I have done everything I possibly can in this game. So, what is this game I know you’re dying to know? The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II.
Van Helsing is a now famous monster hunter who is highly praised for his actions from the first game (no spoilers). The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II takes off from the epilogue of that game with the son of Van Helsing, whom you in fact play as, trapped beneath a pile of rubble with his spectral companion after felling a mad scientist who threatened the fictitious city of Borgova. Shortly after your ghostly compadre releases you, you are confronted by a mysterious wraith who wants to help you as you are now an important figure in the resistance against a corrupt government who is desperate to seek out your lair. It’s all initially overwhelming at the start. With little to no sign of easing you into its plot, Van Helsing II comes into its own after the initial first hour.
I learned to love Van Helsing’s ghostly buddy with her humour, frequent sarcasm, and occasional pop culture references. Van Helsing himself was also brilliantly voiced with a tone that fit in nicely with the gothic/industrial aesthetic. Whilst not the heaven and hell overture that I fell in love with in Diablo III, it wasn’t long before I was finding myself enjoying this plotline.
The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II is similar to Diablo III in terms of gameplay. It takes form of the same isometric viewpoint of that game, but its progression system and skill trees wade much deeper. At the click of the left thumbstick, Van Helsing can switch between melee and ranged combat. Up-close, he can wield swords that, once he has leveled up which grants you upgrade points, can have certain magic abilities to use with them. He can standardly attack using a one-two combination, or he can unleash lightning or fire based attacks, just two of the many examples, which can also be further enhanced. These attacks use up precious Mana, but thankfully potions to replenish it are plentiful. Switching to ranged combat allows Van Helsing to equip his firearms which range from pistols to shotguns that let him attack from a safer distance. Although the combat is simplistic, it never felt stale.
Your companion is her own separate entity which can be programmed to act as you please. She can help dispatch enemies using her own weaponry and abilities, or she can stay in her spectral form so she can help buff up Van Helsing to take more damage or inflict more. She can also level up and has her own progression system. You can spend upgrade points to unlock more abilities for her ranging from better protection for her or Van Helsing to helping collect or find items. Careful though, she can also die in battle, so you are required to look after her. There isn’t any particular penalty from it though.
The loot system is almost identical to Diablo III. Items that are found are colour coded to display their rarity. They are everywhere. Coming from found chests, merchants, or fallen enemies, there is certainly no shortage. I had great fun finding and equipping the best weapons and armor. From hats, masks, gloves, or gauntlets to trinkets and trophies, there are tonnes to find.
In your lair, once you get past the mundane start, there are characters who reside there who can further enhance your experience. The armorer can break down or make armor and weapons, your very own merchant, and a table which allows you to manage your army are all available here. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II is undoubtedly huge. Even missions, which come in all forms such as finding items for people, destroying structures, or saving an injured soldier, are found everywhere. Traversing one of the many unique locations will cause you to come across NPCs in need of your aid. There is so much to do here, but you feel compelled to complete whatever is thrown at you to see what you may get in return. It’s an extremely rewarding experience.
Having played a healthy portion of the game, I feel I have much more to discover. And if I ever do get bored of the single player questing, the multiplayer modes are there to relieve it with standard PvP skirmishes. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II looks fantastic. The environments of Borgova and its surrounding areas are teeming with bad guys to ruin. During busier fights, a spectacle of brightly colored particles and magic effects litter the screen with little to no slow down.
Developer: NeocoreGames
Publisher: NeocoreGames
Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Release Date: 1st July 2016