Blade II

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
49

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 11 out of 21
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. TotalGames.net
    65
    ”Ooh, are we having fun yet?” When Blade mutters these words as you run though the thousandth dim-witted vampire it can be hard not to see the irony – even the game is getting tired.
  2. Electric Playground
    60
    I think they shot themselves in the foot when they made the sword something you have to power-up to--that should be something you have continual access to.
  3. Game Informer
    60
    It's much better than a game that totally sucked, which games it just another average, and unremarkable, third-person action title. [Nov 2002, p.127]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Play Magazine
    60
    Blade II's got enough meat flyin', head choppin', body-disintegrating action to fill any daywalker's dance card along with some cool beats and beautiful interiors. [Nov 2002, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Media and Games Online Network
    55
    The control scheme is fresh and unique, even though it isn’t implemented the way in which it probably was meant to be.
  7. GameSpy
    53
    Hardcore and casual gamers alike, however, will tire of it very quickly.
  8. Armchair Empire
    50
    Suffers from poor controls, insufferable repetition, and a decided lack of fun.
  9. GamePro
    50
    Even taking the gameplay at face value, there are still flaws like horrendous enemy A.I. and a severely limited set of offensive and defensive moves.
  10. Yahoo!
    50
    What there is, generally, is okay - fun, visceral combat, easy controls, reasonable graphics. It just needs more moves, more weapons, more variety... just more in general.
  11. Adrenaline Vault
    50
    A textbook movie-to-game cash-in. Everything in it is halfheartedly done; the graphics and sound are canned and formulaic, as is the gameplay.
  12. IGN
    49
    Clunky, methodical, and definitely on the boring side, Mucky Foot's latest creation should have spent a little more time in the dark before coming into the sunlight.
  13. GameZone
    48
    You would think that they could make a fun game out of a fun movie, but Blade II does not come close to touching the wild action and appealing story that made the film such a delight to watch.
  14. GameSpot
    48
    Poor AI, dull design, and lackluster presentation all add up to make Blade II a game that you should definitely skip.
  15. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    Horrendous artificial intelligence makes the hordes of enemies act more like automatons on the fritz than menacing bloodsuckers. [13 Sept 2002, p.159]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Gaming Age
    42
    The animation is equally as weak, and this is especially noticeable when you see Blade's rigid front and back flips. The XBox does a noticeably better job than the PS2 though.
  17. PSX Nation
    40
    Mindless action/adventure fare of the wrong and ill-conceived variety.
  18. G4 TV
    40
    Enemies in Blade II display some of the worst AI to date. They tend to attack only when you get close to them. There are no variations in enemy attacks.
  19. Maxim Online
    40
    Die-hard fans (all three of you) will be glad to know that the game religiously follows the flick; there’s no plot, plenty of bad acting, and loads of cheesy CGI zombies for you to Ginsu to bits.
  20. GamerWeb Sony
    40
    The promising foundation is very nearly forgotten due to a rickety structure atop it. Regardless of whether or not you’ve watched the movies, chances are, you’ll be disappointed with this one.
  21. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    40
    If there's one thing I've learned from Blade II, it's this: Vampires love monotony. [Nov 2002, p.183]
    All this publication's reviews
  22. Gamer's Pulse
    30
    No soul, no panache, no cool. The extremely repetitive gameplay and poor controls, along with mediocre graphics and a sub-par plot make this title a strong candidate for the bargain bin (or maybe even the round file).

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
79
#79 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 5 out of 20
  1. aspentitan
    Oct 21, 2020
    6
    This game had decent ideas but executes them just so so. The first issue is the camera is overly sensitive and without any options to adjustThis game had decent ideas but executes them just so so. The first issue is the camera is overly sensitive and without any options to adjust it made the game frustrating right from the start. Second, the controller layout seemed to be its own setup. This in its own is not a problem as if you play long enough you get used to the button mapping but I do not feel they are laid out as best they could be. Next is auto aim inaccuracy. Rather than aim on your own merits the gameplay involves an auto assist which does not really work all that well. Not sure if this was not adjusted fully to make the gameplay more challenging but I found it quite distracting to enjoying the game with some fluidity. Next up in controls is the beat em up combos, the game insists you fight with rhythm but really have you ever heard such a thing in a button mashing beat em up? I didn't notice any way to aim for a punch or a kick and the combat just seemed there and nothing else really. Some of the stuff I liked about the game was the obvious protagonist character strength shining thru to save the day and as you play you unlock a lot of new toys and gadgets to help with your own immersive gameplay style. This game would be a good choice for a ground up remaster. It has great ideas and atmosphere, it just failed hard in execution in my opinion. Moving this to a higher powered system with next generation development programmers would surely make this game great.… Full Review »
  2. BBoondocks
    Feb 24, 2013
    10
    Great game! The weapons are violent and powerful, the story and the voice acting is excellent and even though the hand-to-hand combat couldGreat game! The weapons are violent and powerful, the story and the voice acting is excellent and even though the hand-to-hand combat could have more moves, I truly appreciate that the designers were brave enough to create something new and unqiue with this 360-degree fighting system. Taking on multiple enemies at once is fluid once you master the controls, so no wonder that later games like Rise To Honor and Death By Degrees used this very same idea as well. I never understood the bad reviews, if you're a fan of Blade or the Blade movies in my opinions it's a must buy. Smashing, slashing and shooting vampires has never been this much fun before.… Full Review »
  3. ZemZ.
    Sep 25, 2007
    8
    This game shows what licensed games can be, sure it's aged but i just got it & it shows me what licenced games used to be. & what they This game shows what licensed games can be, sure it's aged but i just got it & it shows me what licenced games used to be. & what they should be a geat game a bargain bin bounty. enjoy.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »