BloodRayne 2

The graphics are noticeably better, the gameplay is expanded upon, and it's twice as bloody as the first game. [Holiday 2004, p.67]

Basically a game that is split between repetitive combat and annoying pole swinging sections.

For a lot of players, the excellent graphics and high levels of violence and sex appeal will be more than enough to keep Bloodrayne 2 spinning. It's really a shame that the A.I. is so daft, and even with all the acrobatics, the very linear levels don't truly captivate.

As great as it is to be sliding down a banister firing off both guns before holding out your blades to slice into two anyone unlucky enough to be standing near the bottom as you pass, the sloppy controls and quirks in the design do prevent BR2 from being anything more than a reasonably-decent third-person action-slasher.

Despite Rayne's new abilities, you're still doing pretty much the same thing as before-slashing up wimpy guys, defeating bosses, and then doing it all over again after the next save point. (Even worse, the old camera problems are still there-you'll get blindsided by enemies all the time simply because you had no advance warning of their presence.)

There are still some nagging flaws, like questionable AI and the poor soundtrack, but you'll still get your money's worth out of this bloodsucker.

If you liked the original, or love games like Prince of Persia or Ninja Gaiden then it is definitely worth a look at.

Sex and violence are the stars, but clever, well-delivered dialogue carries an entertaining vampire apocalypse plot well above current game standards. [Holiday 2004, p.106]