Blood Omen 2

 Xbox
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
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  1. GamePro
    90
    One of the messiest, darkest, and most amoral titles to come along in some time. If that doesn’t bother you, you’re in for a treat.
  2. Yahoo!
    90
    The game does really offer some great gaming moments, addictive hard-to-put down levels and some great boss fights.
  3. Official Xbox Magazine
    85
    Blood Omen 2's world is so realistically brought to life that you'll be checking your fingernails for grit after climbing Kain up the sides of rocky walls. [Apr 2002, p.63]
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  5. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    85
    An enjoyable game that's always challenging but never frustrating. [June 2002, p.118]
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  6. Game Informer
    83
    While this story is rather cheesy, the subtleties Crystal Dynamics used to take this posterboy of evil, and put him in a protagonist role, is fascinating. [May 2002, p.86]
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  7. Gaming Age
    83
    The visuals aren't as flashy as some more recently released titles for the console, but the cool storyline and gameplay more than make up for it.
  8. GameShark
    82
    The game has a remarkably easy to use control setup, and the addition of a training mode right at the outset is a blessing for those new to the series.
  9. TeamXbox
    82
    The graphics in Blood Omen 2 are nothing short of spectacular even for Xbox standards.
  10. Play Magazine
    80
    The overall look of the game is quite astounding. [May 2002, p.49]
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  11. IGN
    77
    While the story is as rich and engaging as ever, it seems like the Blood Omen 2 negates some of its fun and interesting innovations by slowing down the pace of things to make sure we appreciate how fun and innovative it is.
  12. GameSpot
    76
    Completely linear and will take you 15 to 20 hours to finish...The story has at least a couple of fine twists, and Kain is as memorable of a main character as they come.
  13. Xbox Exclusive
    74
    It's not a triple-A, system seller, but it's a solid game none the less. If you enjoy story-driven games, gothic settings, or vampire bad asses, you'll enjoy BO2.
  14. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    Definitely not for the squeamish, but if you're looking for a cold, ruthless, and literally bloodthirsty antihero to keep you occupied for 15-20 hours, Kain definitely fits the bill. [Summer 2002, p.86]
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  15. GameZone
    70
    An intriguing storyline helps carry Blood Omen 2 past the fangs of graphical flaws.
  16. TotalGames.net
    70
    So while this may not offer the same level of ingenuity as the original Blood Omen, it’s certainly more varied than the Soul Reaver games.
  17. Media and Games Online Network
    70
    The presentation and story can’t hide the flaws. Aside from boss battles, the combat system is weak and needs some serious tuning for future games.
  18. GamerWeb Xbox
    70
    Yet another game that could have been great but suffers from unimaginative development and bland mechanics.
  19. Armchair Empire
    68
    It’s got a great story and a well-defined protagonist, the graphics and sound provide a suitable sense of place, but the problem with the “lock” during combat and the funnel quality will more than likely turn some people off.
  20. netjak
    62
    Once the "coolness" fades after the third hour, you will wish you would have rented this and not purchased it.
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  21. All Game Guide
    60
    Less demanding players will be more tolerant of the game's repetitive nature, while others will yearn for something juicier to sink their teeth into.
  22. XenGamers
    58
    The gameplay just can’t measure up to the excellent graphics. Each of the huge levels become tedious due to no-brainer puzzles and a poor combat system.
  23. G4 TV
    40
    The story could easily have been told in a third of the time, leaving room for more substantial narrative and perhaps even more inventive level and game design.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best Xbox Game of 2002
81
#81 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002
30
#30 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. DrakeD.
    Aug 9, 2005
    8
    Love lok series gory, fun, but can get boring really easy puzzles deserves a 8.
  2. MichaelC.
    Oct 16, 2003
    8
    I definitely enjoyed this game. I'm a big fan of the running storyline and how it ties in with the other games in the series. Graphics I definitely enjoyed this game. I'm a big fan of the running storyline and how it ties in with the other games in the series. Graphics and sound are above average. The action isn't real in-depth, but is still a lot of fun. My only major complaint is the amount of running back and forth and flipping levers; it makes the game much longer and doesn't involve as much thinking as one would think. They should've cut most of this out and added more fighting elements. Luckily, this is just what they said would be fixed for the next in the series- Legacy of Kain: Defiance!!… Full Review »
  3. Ladrin
    Jan 18, 2003
    7
    Blood Omen 2 is definitely pleasing to the eye with a storyline that will keep you intrigued and entertained as long as you are familiar with Blood Omen 2 is definitely pleasing to the eye with a storyline that will keep you intrigued and entertained as long as you are familiar with the background story of the last game and maybe Soulreaver. If you don?t mind over-the-should third-person, this game starts out great. Good action, weapons and blood drinking until toward the end where all that?s new is abilities that are only really needed against bosses or used in case scenes that would have been better off in a cinematic.… Full Review »
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