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{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{short description|2004 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
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| composer = Steve Kutay<br />Tom Zehnder<br />[[Cris Velasco]]
| composer = Steve Kutay<br />Tom Zehnder<br />[[Cris Velasco]]
| platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|May 7, 2004<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |date=2004-02-04 |title=Van Helsing |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/04/van-helsing-8 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Van Helsing coming to Game Boy Advance |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/van-helsing-coming-to-game-boy-advance/1100-6092651/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>|EU|May 14, 2004}}
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|May 6, 2004|EU|May 14, 2004}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[hack and slash]]
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[hack and slash]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
}}


'''''Van Helsing''''' is an [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] video game for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[Game Boy Advance]], which is based on the 2004 action horror [[Van Helsing (film)|film of the same name]] by [[Stephen Sommers]].
'''''Van Helsing''''' is an [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] video game for the [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] and [[Game Boy Advance]], which is based on the 2004 action horror [[Van Helsing (film)|film of the same name]] by [[Stephen Sommers]]. [[Hugh Jackman]] and [[Richard Roxburgh]] reprise their roles from the film. The game is one of the few games on Playstation 2 that can run in 480p.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
Van Helsing's gameplay bears similarity to the ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' series by [[Capcom]]. Van Helsing begins the game wielding two handguns and his Tojo blades. He later acquires various other weapons, some of which are seen in the movie, such as the shotgun and the bow gun. Van Helsing can make use of both his firearms and his blades to dispatch enemies. The player also has the ability to use enhanced ammunition with Helsing's weapons once the ammo is found. Hitting the L1/LT trigger gives Van Helsing a blue-ish glow as he unloads his enhanced ammo. Van Helsing also can perform evasive rolls in four directions to avoid incoming attacks. Van Helsing also has a grappling hook that allows him to latch onto high ledges that are otherwise inaccessible. Van Helsing can make use of this grappling hook to start combos or to perform grappling jumps.
Van Helsing's gameplay bears similarity to the ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' series by [[Capcom]]. Van Helsing begins the game wielding two handguns and his Tojo blades. He later acquires various other weapons, some of which are seen in the movie, such as the shotgun and the bow gun. Van Helsing can make use of both his firearms and his blades to dispatch enemies. The player also has the ability to use enhanced ammunition with Helsing's weapons once the ammo is found. Hitting the L1/LT trigger gives Van Helsing a blue-ish glow as he unloads his enhanced ammo. Van Helsing also can perform evasive rolls in four directions to avoid incoming attacks. Van Helsing also has a grappling hook that allows him to latch onto high ledges that are otherwise inaccessible. Van Helsing can make use of this grappling hook to start combos or to perform grappling jumps.


The game also features a shop mechanic where players can purchase additional combat techniques and power-ups to increase health and other characteristics. Items in the shop can be purchased by using "orbs" that are collected from fallen enemies.
The game also features a shop mechanic where players can purchase additional combat techniques and power-ups to increase health and other characteristics. Items in the shop can be purchased by using "orbs" that are collected from fallen enemies.

The players can even collect the hat after having it knocked off by sustaining a hit from enemies and get points for retrieving the hat prior to completing a mission.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
'''Paris, France'''
{{more plot|date=April 2019}}

The year is 1887, Van Helsing is in [[Paris]] pursuing [[Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (character)|Dr. Jekyll]] after he had murdered several men, women, children, goats, and paultry. Prior to confrontation, Dr. Jekyll, using the attic of [[Notre-Dame de Paris]] as a lab and a hideout, drank a concoction to transform to Mr. Hyde, becoming bigger, stronger, faster and retaining his memory. Just prior to the ensuing conflict, Mr. Hyde teases Helsing as to him chasing his memories, conveying history between the two and to Helsing not knowing his past. Helsing battles with and ultimately defeats Mr. Hyde by throwing him out of the window of the church. He is assigned to pursue Dracula by the Holy Order, to track down a woman named Anna Velarious, as she can help, but is warned of the outnumbering dead. <!-- end of prologue -->

'''St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican'''

Van Helsing is tasked with tracking down and eliminating evil by the aforementioned Holy Order, headquartered in the Vatican. He is doing this in hopes of correcting forgotten sins and to regain memory. The Order has been protecting humankind "since time immemorial", as said by Cardinal Jinette, the one giving orders to Van Helsing. His next focus is in a town called Vaseria in Transylvania.

'''Vaseria, Transylvania'''

After arriving at the train station outside of Transylvania a ghost appears, almost as if asking to be followed. Outside the town of Transylvania he is accosted by skeletons come back to life. After clearing the town of once again living skeletons, Helsing goes to the fountain, where he discovers a large pale man is interwoven cloth robes. This large powerful man attacks the protagonist, but later escapes.<!-- end of mission 1 -->

'''Vaseria Villiage, Transylvania'''

Van Helsing is tasked to go to a place "most holy and divine", as called by Cardinal Jinette. Upon entering the church he discovers 4 women, three of which are of a unfriendly nature, one is revealed to be Anna Velarious. The three ladies are the Brides of Dracula, who address Van Helsing as if they know him well, leaving him confused as he has no recollection. After defeating one of the women, who turns out to be a vampire close to Dracula, a Bride of Dracula named Verona, Anna awakens. She was tracking down her missing brother who was bitten by a werewolf and since vanished. She guides Helsing to the library where Velkan was studying Dracula before his disappearance.<!-- end of mission 2 -->

'''Woods, Transylvania'''

Cardinal Jinette tasks Van Helsing with eliminating Igor, who has been torturing members of the Velarious family. Outside of the library where Velkan Velarious, brother to Anna, was studying Dracula the ghost from the train station appears again. While travelling to the old castle that Igor calls home, the ghost from prior showing appears again, but this time addressing Van Helsing as Gabriel and himself as Velarious, but is quickly dispersed from his ghostly presence by Igor himself, attempting to capture Helsing so his master can have revenge for murdering his bride. Igor evades capture as a werewolf shows itself perched on a rock nearby.<!-- end of mission 3 -->

Prince Velkan, Anna's brother was taken by [[Werewolf|lycanthropy]] months prior to the arrival of Van Helsing, Velkan now is at the will of Dracula and must be stopped. After defeating Velkan's wolf form he reverts back to his human form to inform Van Helsing of the true monster in this area, Dracula and transforms back to werewolf and escapes, Helsing chasing him.<!-- end of mission 4
-->

'''Castle Frankenstein, Transylvania'''

Van Helsing is on his way to Castle Frankenstein in pursuit of Velkan. In the depths of the castle Van Helsing discovers Draculas plan for producing numerous vampire offspring, but pushes on into the castle. At the top of one of the towers Dracula greets Van Helsing as an ancient friend, addressing him as Gabriel, as well as addressing Van Helsing's forgotten past, murdering Dracula and setting him on this path over 4 centuries ago. Dracula continues to tell how Van Helsing had betrayed him for love so long ago, as they used to be best friends in the Holy Order. During the fight Van Helsing is carried away by the children he encountered earlier by order of Dracula and dropped in to the caverns. ''The beginning of the encounter is exactly like the movie, Dracula walking on the roof and the wall''.<!-- end of mission 5
-->

In the caverns under Castle Frankenstein, Van Helsing discovers the robed man that was at the fountain in the town square he fought early after his arrival, who is in fact the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein. Dracula is using the method Dr. Frankenstein used to create the monster to give permanent life to his offspring, otherwise the cannot sustain and expire quickly after birth. They are discovered by the werewolf Velkan and Helsing pursues.<!-- end of mission 6 -->

Escaping from the caverns and tracking down the werewolf Velkan, Van Helsing emerges into a courtyard of the castle and fights Velkan in his werewolf form yet again. After presumably defeating Velkan by him falling down a ravine and climbing a tower, Van Helsing crosses the bridge as Anna is carried by a bride further into the castle. After venturing into the castle further chasing the bride, Van Helsing meets Dracula holding Anna hostage in exchange for the Frankenstein monster. Van Helsing declines and Dracula throws Anna into a teleporter and fights Van Helsing once more. During the fight Dracula is about to transform to his vampire form, but gets interrupted by the monster tossing large debris on Dracula.<!-- end of mission 7 -->

Castle Frankenstein cannot withstand the destructive power of Dracula and is falling apart quickly prompting Van Helsing to escape. After arriving at the main courtyard Anna greets Van Helsing with a horse drawn carriage with aim to flee the castle, they are chased by a Bride.<!-- end of mission 8 -->

'''Carriage Ride'''

Pursuing Van Helsing and Anna en route to Igor to acquire the Key to Castle Dracula on separate carriages, are the remaining two Brides who seek revenge. After attacking Helsing's carriage he abandons it off a cliff and the Brides follow it down a cliff to reveal it was only disguising a improvised vampire killing bomb, not the monster they were looking to acquire for their master Dracula. The bomb ends up killing Marishka, a second Bride of Dracula. Prior to ditching his carriage Helsing jumped to Anna's, but a fallen tree in the path forced them to abandon that carriage as well, Anna was grabbed by the remaining Bride, while Velkan has come back for Helsing. After defeating Velkan's werewolf form yet again he informs Helsing of the location of Igor. After sharing the information, Velkan makes one last attack on Helsing, biting him, giving him [[Werewolf|lycanthropy]], then dying.<!-- end of mission 9
-->

After pursuing Igor though the forest for the portal key to Castle Dracula and finally encountering him, Van Helsing is approached again by the ghost of Velarious, who addresses him as Gabriel without him having memory.<!-- end of mission 10 -->

'''Castle Dracula'''


Now in the realm of Dracula's Castle, in pursuit of answers to his past, retribution for past sins forgotten, Van Helsing delves deeper finding Anna bound to a cross. After freeing her she discovers him Van Helsing being bitten and her brother killed in defense. The reunion cut short by the roof collapsing on them, opening the floor below. After continuing deeper into the icy realm of Dracula's Castle, Van Helsing defeats the final Bride of Dracula, Aleera, with a silver stake through the heart. Prior to the battle she had been waiting 400 years for the moment to kill Helsing.<!-- end of mission 11 -->
After a battle which results in the death of [[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde|Mr. Hyde]] in [[Paris]], Van Helsing is sent by the Vatican to hunt down [[Count Dracula|Dracula]] in [[Transylvania]]. He was hired to protect Anna Valerious, a Romani.


At the top of the tower in Dracula's Castle Helsing finds the Frankenstein monster attached to a mechanism acting as a generator to give life to Dracula's offspring. After freeing him, Van Helsing descends the tower and Dracula is there waiting for him, calling Helsing Gabriel then transforming to his demon form. At the stroke of midnight, Van Helsing (Gabriel), transforms into a werewolf, striking fear into Dracula even in his demon form. After killing Dracula as a werewolf, Anna attempts to cure him but is stricken down and killed in the process. Reverting back to human form, Van Helsing blames himself for her death. He watches as her soul leaves.<!-- ending
{{clear}}
-->


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
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| EGM_PS2 = 6.5/10<ref name=EGM>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=180 |date=July 2004 |page=92}}</ref>
| EGM_PS2 = 6.5/10<ref name=EGM>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=180 |date=July 2004 |page=92}}</ref>
| EGM_XBOX = 6.5/10<ref name=EGM />
| EGM_XBOX = 6.5/10<ref name=EGM />
| EuroG_PS2 = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=May 28, 2004 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vanhelsing_ps2 |title=Van Helsing (PS2) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| EuroG_PS2 = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=May 28, 2004 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vanhelsing_ps2 |title=Van Helsing (PS2) |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194947/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_vanhelsing_ps2 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| Fam_PS2 = 29/40<ref name=Fam>{{cite magazine |title=Van Helsing (PS2) |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |volume=822 |date=September 17, 2004}}</ref>
| Fam_PS2 = 29/40<ref name=Fam>{{cite magazine |title=Van Helsing (PS2) |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |volume=822 |date=September 17, 2004}}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 7/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine |last=Mason |first=Lisa |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AF8AFB3C-4DDC-4084-A268-E886E01C3685.htm? |title=Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=135 |date=July 2004 |page=114 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323055751/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AF8AFB3C-4DDC-4084-A268-E886E01C3685.htm |archive-date=March 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016 }}</ref>
| GI_PS2 = 7/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine |last=Mason |first=Lisa |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AF8AFB3C-4DDC-4084-A268-E886E01C3685.htm? |title=Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |issue=135 |date=July 2004 |page=114 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323055751/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/AF8AFB3C-4DDC-4084-A268-E886E01C3685.htm |archive-date=March 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GI_XBOX = 7/10<ref name=GI />
| GI_XBOX = 7/10<ref name=GI />
| GameRev_PS2 = D+<ref name=GameRev>{{cite web |last=Dodson |first=Joe |date=June 2, 2004 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/van-helsing |title=Van Helsing Review (PS2, Xbox) |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GameRev_PS2 = D+<ref name=GameRev>{{cite web |last=Dodson |first=Joe |date=June 2, 2004 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/van-helsing |title=Van Helsing Review (PS2, Xbox) |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912224054/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/van-helsing |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameRev_XBOX = D+<ref name=GameRev />
| GameRev_XBOX = D+<ref name=GameRev />
| GSpot_GBA = 2.2/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Provo |first=Frank |date=May 20, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/van-helsing-review/1900-6098953/ |title=Van Helsing Review (GBA) |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpot_GBA = 2.2/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Provo |first=Frank |date=May 20, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/van-helsing-review/1900-6098953/ |title=Van Helsing Review (GBA) |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=February 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225070755/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/van-helsing-review/1900-6098953/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 6.9/10<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |date=May 18, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/van-helsing-review/1900-6098717/ |title=Van Helsing Review (PS2, Xbox) |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS2 = 6.9/10<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |date=May 18, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/van-helsing-review/1900-6098717/ |title=Van Helsing Review (PS2, Xbox) |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=June 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607145024/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/van-helsing-review/1900-6098717/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot_XBOX = 6.9/10<ref name=GSpot />
| GSpot_XBOX = 6.9/10<ref name=GSpot />
| GSpy_GBA = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |date=May 30, 2004 |url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/van-helsing/519147p1.html |title=GameSpy: Van Helsing (GBA) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108020501/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/van-helsing/519147p1.html |archive-date=January 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GSpy_GBA = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |date=May 30, 2004 |url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/van-helsing/519147p1.html |title=GameSpy: Van Helsing (GBA) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108020501/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/van-helsing/519147p1.html |archive-date=January 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
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| GameZone_PS2 = 7.7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bedigian |first=Louis |date=May 19, 2004 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/van_helsing_ps2_review |title=Van Helsing – PS2 – Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007085443/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23085.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone_PS2 = 7.7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bedigian |first=Louis |date=May 19, 2004 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/van_helsing_ps2_review |title=Van Helsing – PS2 – Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007085443/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23085.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone_XBOX = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web |author=The Bearer |date=May 25, 2004 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/van_helsing_xb_review |title=Van Helsing – XB – Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918035540/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23085.htm |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| GameZone_XBOX = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web |author=The Bearer |date=May 25, 2004 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/van_helsing_xb_review |title=Van Helsing – XB – Review |publisher=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918035540/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23085.htm |archive-date=September 18, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| IGN_GBA = 2.5/10<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |date=May 26, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/van-helsing-2 |title=Van Helsing (GBA) |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| IGN_GBA = 2.5/10<ref>{{cite web |author=IGN staff |date=May 26, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/van-helsing-2 |title=Van Helsing (GBA) |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002405/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/26/van-helsing-2 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN_PS2 = 6.5/10<ref name=IGN />
| IGN_PS2 = 6.5/10<ref name=IGN />
| IGN_XBOX = 6.5/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Ed |date=May 7, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/08/van-helsing-4 |title=Van Helsing (Xbox, PS2) |website=IGN |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| IGN_XBOX = 6.5/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Ed |date=May 7, 2004 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/08/van-helsing-4 |title=Van Helsing (Xbox, PS2) |website=IGN |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002402/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/08/van-helsing-4 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| NP_GBA = 2.4/5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Van Helsing |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |volume=182 |date=August 2004 |page=123}}</ref>
| NP_GBA = 2.4/5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Van Helsing |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |volume=182 |date=August 2004 |page=123}}</ref>
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nguyen |first=Thierry |url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1611166,00.asp |title=Van Helsing |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040621222851/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1611166,00.asp |archive-date=June 21, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Nguyen |first=Thierry |url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1611166,00.asp |title=Van Helsing |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |date=July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040621222851/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1611166,00.asp |archive-date=June 21, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
Line 67: Line 110:
| rev1_PS2 = 6/10<ref name=Maxim>{{cite magazine |last=Porter |first=Alex |date=May 6, 2004 |url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_7502.html |title=Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528025356/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_7502.html |archive-date=May 28, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| rev1_PS2 = 6/10<ref name=Maxim>{{cite magazine |last=Porter |first=Alex |date=May 6, 2004 |url=http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_7502.html |title=Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040528025356/http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews/review_games_7502.html |archive-date=May 28, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 23, 2016}}</ref>
| rev1_XBOX = 6/10<ref name=Maxim />
| rev1_XBOX = 6/10<ref name=Maxim />
| MC_GBA = 33/100<ref name=MCGBA>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/van-helsing |title=Van Helsing for Game Boy Advance Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 22, 2016}}</ref>
| MC_GBA = 33/100<ref name=MCGBA>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/van-helsing/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=Van Helsing for Game Boy Advance Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320223431/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/van-helsing |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 64/100<ref name=MCPS2>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/van-helsing |title=Van Helsing for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 22, 2016}}</ref>
| MC_PS2 = 64/100<ref name=MCPS2>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/van-helsing/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Van Helsing for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313015553/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/van-helsing |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 63/100<ref name=MCXB>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/van-helsing |title=Van Helsing for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 22, 2016}}</ref>
| MC_XBOX = 63/100<ref name=MCXB>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/van-helsing/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Van Helsing for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307162215/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/van-helsing |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
}}


The [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] versions received "mixed" reviews, while the [[Game Boy Advance]] version received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCGBA /><ref name=MCPS2 /><ref name=MCXB /> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the PS2 version a score of three sevens and one eight for a total of 29 out of 40.<ref name=Fam />
The [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] versions received "mixed" reviews, while the [[Game Boy Advance]] version received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCGBA /><ref name=MCPS2 /><ref name=MCXB /> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the PS2 version a score of three sevens and one eight for a total of 29 out of 40.<ref name=Fam />

Many critics state the game to be better than the film it is based on.

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== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{moby game|/van-helsing}}
* {{moby game|/van-helsing}}
*{{moby game|/van-helsing_|''Van Helsing'' (Game Boy Advance)}}
* {{moby game|/van-helsing_|''Van Helsing'' (Game Boy Advance)}}


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{{Dracula}}
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[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:2000s horror video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
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[[Category:Fiction set in 1888]]
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[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Cris Velasco]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Cris Velasco]]
[[Category:Video games set in castles]]
[[Category:Video games set in Paris]]
[[Category:Video games set in Paris]]
[[Category:Video games set in Transylvania]]
[[Category:Video games set in Transylvania]]
[[Category:Werewolves in games]]
[[Category:Vivendi Games games]]
[[Category:Werewolf games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Horror crossover video games]]
[[Category:Horror crossover video games]]


{{action-adventure-videogame-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:43, 29 April 2024

Van Helsing
Developer(s)Saffire
Publisher(s)Vivendi Universal Games[a]
Designer(s)Alan Tew
Programmer(s)Joel Barber
Artist(s)Walter Park
Composer(s)Steve Kutay
Tom Zehnder
Cris Velasco
Platform(s)Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
Genre(s)Action-adventure, hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player

Van Helsing is an action-adventure video game for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Game Boy Advance, which is based on the 2004 action horror film of the same name by Stephen Sommers. Hugh Jackman and Richard Roxburgh reprise their roles from the film. The game is one of the few games on Playstation 2 that can run in 480p.

Gameplay

[edit]

Van Helsing's gameplay bears similarity to the Devil May Cry series by Capcom. Van Helsing begins the game wielding two handguns and his Tojo blades. He later acquires various other weapons, some of which are seen in the movie, such as the shotgun and the bow gun. Van Helsing can make use of both his firearms and his blades to dispatch enemies. The player also has the ability to use enhanced ammunition with Helsing's weapons once the ammo is found. Hitting the L1/LT trigger gives Van Helsing a blue-ish glow as he unloads his enhanced ammo. Van Helsing also can perform evasive rolls in four directions to avoid incoming attacks. Van Helsing also has a grappling hook that allows him to latch onto high ledges that are otherwise inaccessible. Van Helsing can make use of this grappling hook to start combos or to perform grappling jumps.

The game also features a shop mechanic where players can purchase additional combat techniques and power-ups to increase health and other characteristics. Items in the shop can be purchased by using "orbs" that are collected from fallen enemies.

The players can even collect the hat after having it knocked off by sustaining a hit from enemies and get points for retrieving the hat prior to completing a mission.

Plot

[edit]

Paris, Frankreich

The year is 1887, Van Helsing is in Paris pursuing Dr. Jekyll after he had murdered several men, women, children, goats, and paultry. Prior to confrontation, Dr. Jekyll, using the attic of Notre-Dame de Paris as a lab and a hideout, drank a concoction to transform to Mr. Hyde, becoming bigger, stronger, faster and retaining his memory. Just prior to the ensuing conflict, Mr. Hyde teases Helsing as to him chasing his memories, conveying history between the two and to Helsing not knowing his past. Helsing battles with and ultimately defeats Mr. Hyde by throwing him out of the window of the church. He is assigned to pursue Dracula by the Holy Order, to track down a woman named Anna Velarious, as she can help, but is warned of the outnumbering dead.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican

Van Helsing is tasked with tracking down and eliminating evil by the aforementioned Holy Order, headquartered in the Vatican. He is doing this in hopes of correcting forgotten sins and to regain memory. The Order has been protecting humankind "since time immemorial", as said by Cardinal Jinette, the one giving orders to Van Helsing. His next focus is in a town called Vaseria in Transylvania.

Vaseria, Transylvania

After arriving at the train station outside of Transylvania a ghost appears, almost as if asking to be followed. Outside the town of Transylvania he is accosted by skeletons come back to life. After clearing the town of once again living skeletons, Helsing goes to the fountain, where he discovers a large pale man is interwoven cloth robes. This large powerful man attacks the protagonist, but later escapes.

Vaseria Villiage, Transylvania

Van Helsing is tasked to go to a place "most holy and divine", as called by Cardinal Jinette. Upon entering the church he discovers 4 women, three of which are of a unfriendly nature, one is revealed to be Anna Velarious. The three ladies are the Brides of Dracula, who address Van Helsing as if they know him well, leaving him confused as he has no recollection. After defeating one of the women, who turns out to be a vampire close to Dracula, a Bride of Dracula named Verona, Anna awakens. She was tracking down her missing brother who was bitten by a werewolf and since vanished. She guides Helsing to the library where Velkan was studying Dracula before his disappearance.

Woods, Transylvania

Cardinal Jinette tasks Van Helsing with eliminating Igor, who has been torturing members of the Velarious family. Outside of the library where Velkan Velarious, brother to Anna, was studying Dracula the ghost from the train station appears again. While travelling to the old castle that Igor calls home, the ghost from prior showing appears again, but this time addressing Van Helsing as Gabriel and himself as Velarious, but is quickly dispersed from his ghostly presence by Igor himself, attempting to capture Helsing so his master can have revenge for murdering his bride. Igor evades capture as a werewolf shows itself perched on a rock nearby.

Prince Velkan, Anna's brother was taken by lycanthropy months prior to the arrival of Van Helsing, Velkan now is at the will of Dracula and must be stopped. After defeating Velkan's wolf form he reverts back to his human form to inform Van Helsing of the true monster in this area, Dracula and transforms back to werewolf and escapes, Helsing chasing him.

Castle Frankenstein, Transylvania

Van Helsing is on his way to Castle Frankenstein in pursuit of Velkan. In the depths of the castle Van Helsing discovers Draculas plan for producing numerous vampire offspring, but pushes on into the castle. At the top of one of the towers Dracula greets Van Helsing as an ancient friend, addressing him as Gabriel, as well as addressing Van Helsing's forgotten past, murdering Dracula and setting him on this path over 4 centuries ago. Dracula continues to tell how Van Helsing had betrayed him for love so long ago, as they used to be best friends in the Holy Order. During the fight Van Helsing is carried away by the children he encountered earlier by order of Dracula and dropped in to the caverns. The beginning of the encounter is exactly like the movie, Dracula walking on the roof and the wall.

In the caverns under Castle Frankenstein, Van Helsing discovers the robed man that was at the fountain in the town square he fought early after his arrival, who is in fact the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein. Dracula is using the method Dr. Frankenstein used to create the monster to give permanent life to his offspring, otherwise the cannot sustain and expire quickly after birth. They are discovered by the werewolf Velkan and Helsing pursues.

Escaping from the caverns and tracking down the werewolf Velkan, Van Helsing emerges into a courtyard of the castle and fights Velkan in his werewolf form yet again. After presumably defeating Velkan by him falling down a ravine and climbing a tower, Van Helsing crosses the bridge as Anna is carried by a bride further into the castle. After venturing into the castle further chasing the bride, Van Helsing meets Dracula holding Anna hostage in exchange for the Frankenstein monster. Van Helsing declines and Dracula throws Anna into a teleporter and fights Van Helsing once more. During the fight Dracula is about to transform to his vampire form, but gets interrupted by the monster tossing large debris on Dracula.

Castle Frankenstein cannot withstand the destructive power of Dracula and is falling apart quickly prompting Van Helsing to escape. After arriving at the main courtyard Anna greets Van Helsing with a horse drawn carriage with aim to flee the castle, they are chased by a Bride.

Carriage Ride

Pursuing Van Helsing and Anna en route to Igor to acquire the Key to Castle Dracula on separate carriages, are the remaining two Brides who seek revenge. After attacking Helsing's carriage he abandons it off a cliff and the Brides follow it down a cliff to reveal it was only disguising a improvised vampire killing bomb, not the monster they were looking to acquire for their master Dracula. The bomb ends up killing Marishka, a second Bride of Dracula. Prior to ditching his carriage Helsing jumped to Anna's, but a fallen tree in the path forced them to abandon that carriage as well, Anna was grabbed by the remaining Bride, while Velkan has come back for Helsing. After defeating Velkan's werewolf form yet again he informs Helsing of the location of Igor. After sharing the information, Velkan makes one last attack on Helsing, biting him, giving him lycanthropy, then dying.

After pursuing Igor though the forest for the portal key to Castle Dracula and finally encountering him, Van Helsing is approached again by the ghost of Velarious, who addresses him as Gabriel without him having memory.

Castle Dracula

Now in the realm of Dracula's Castle, in pursuit of answers to his past, retribution for past sins forgotten, Van Helsing delves deeper finding Anna bound to a cross. After freeing her she discovers him Van Helsing being bitten and her brother killed in defense. The reunion cut short by the roof collapsing on them, opening the floor below. After continuing deeper into the icy realm of Dracula's Castle, Van Helsing defeats the final Bride of Dracula, Aleera, with a silver stake through the heart. Prior to the battle she had been waiting 400 years for the moment to kill Helsing.

At the top of the tower in Dracula's Castle Helsing finds the Frankenstein monster attached to a mechanism acting as a generator to give life to Dracula's offspring. After freeing him, Van Helsing descends the tower and Dracula is there waiting for him, calling Helsing Gabriel then transforming to his demon form. At the stroke of midnight, Van Helsing (Gabriel), transforms into a werewolf, striking fear into Dracula even in his demon form. After killing Dracula as a werewolf, Anna attempts to cure him but is stricken down and killed in the process. Reverting back to human form, Van Helsing blames himself for her death. He watches as her soul leaves.

Reception

[edit]

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received "mixed" reviews, while the Game Boy Advance version received "unfavorable" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[23][24][25] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PS2 version a score of three sevens and one eight for a total of 29 out of 40.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Released in PAL regions under the Sierra Entertainment brand name.
  1. ^ Perry, Douglass C. (February 4, 2004). "Van Helsing". IGN. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "Van Helsing coming to Game Boy Advance". GameSpot. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ Edge staff (July 2004). "Van Helsing (Xbox)". Edge. No. 138. p. 108.
  4. ^ a b EGM staff (July 2004). "Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 180. p. 92.
  5. ^ Fahey, Rob (May 28, 2004). "Van Helsing (PS2)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Van Helsing (PS2)". Famitsu. Vol. 822. September 17, 2004.
  7. ^ a b Mason, Lisa (July 2004). "Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 135. p. 114. Archived from the original on March 23, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Dodson, Joe (June 2, 2004). "Van Helsing Review (PS2, Xbox)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Provo, Frank (May 20, 2004). "Van Helsing Review (GBA)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Kasavin, Greg (May 18, 2004). "Van Helsing Review (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 7, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  11. ^ Klepek, Patrick (May 30, 2004). "GameSpy: Van Helsing (GBA)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on January 8, 2006. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  12. ^ Steinberg, Steve (May 26, 2004). "GameSpy: Van Helsing (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 30, 2005. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  13. ^ Steinberg, Steve (May 26, 2004). "GameSpy: Van Helsing (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 23, 2005. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  14. ^ Tha Wiz (June 8, 2004). "Van Helsing – GBA – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  15. ^ Bedigian, Louis (May 19, 2004). "Van Helsing – PS2 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  16. ^ The Bearer (May 25, 2004). "Van Helsing – XB – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  17. ^ IGN staff (May 26, 2004). "Van Helsing (GBA)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  18. ^ a b Lewis, Ed (May 7, 2004). "Van Helsing (Xbox, PS2)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  19. ^ "Van Helsing". Nintendo Power. Vol. 182. August 2004. p. 123.
  20. ^ Nguyen, Thierry (July 2004). "Van Helsing". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 21, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  21. ^ "Van Helsing". Official Xbox Magazine. August 2004. p. 78.
  22. ^ a b Porter, Alex (May 6, 2004). "Van Helsing (PS2, Xbox)". Maxim. Archived from the original on May 28, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Van Helsing for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Van Helsing for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  25. ^ a b "Van Helsing for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
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