While I’m not familiar with the world of comic books, Blade’s story was interesting enough to be made into two successful movies (and one not so good Playstation game) involving this mysterious vampire hunter who is on a mission to wipe out all vampires off the face of the earth. Blade is back and has his sword sharpened and ready to take on the army of the undead.

As Blade, a man born with the abilities of the vampire since one bit his mother when she was in labor with him, gamers will stalk the dark corners of a grim city looking to wipe out all vampires.  Since he is part vampire himself, what separates Blade from the other bloodsuckers is the fact that he does not possess their weaknesses such as a vampire’s aversion to sunlight--hence he is also known as the “Daywalker.”

While not following the plot of the second film, Blade finds himself looking into a rumor of a deal between the local organized crime family and a vampire coven.  What interests Blade is the fact that the mob plans to offer a vial of unique blood to the vampire brood.  So Blade starts out in a training level first and this is where the game goes downhill.

The controls, you will find out, aren’t very well thought out.  Blade can kick and punch thanks to the analog stick but the result is an awkward session of trying to move Blade so he can face the enemies he’s fighting and then whipping the stick frantically.  Combos are almost nonexistent in the game because Blade apparently can’t stay focused on a particular enemy.  The only time Blade can focus on a vampire is if he takes out his weapons such as the mach pistol or his trusty shotgun.

There are also moments when Blade’s adrenalin level rises and he goes into his Blade’s Rage mode.  Sometimes the word SWORD will flash and you can take out the sword he has strapped to his back and gamers will witness a number of bloody sequences of Blade slicing limbs and heads off.  Other times he takes out a stake and drives it into the top of a vampire’s head or straight into their forehead.

Each level, unfortunately, doesn’t change much and neither does the action.  If it’s in a parking lot structure or a vampire-infested nightclub called the Exploitika Club, all Blade does is take on enemy after enemy.  The problem with this is not the dozens of enemies the game throws at you but the enemy AI that makes each vampire foolishly rush you or wait their turn to get turned into ash while you finish off a few vampires just in front of them.

The mission objectives don’t offer many challenges while the secondary ones are essentially break this computer or destroy that motorcycle.  The only benefits of completing secondary mission objectives is that the points earned for completing them unlocks new weapons or items that can be useful in the next level.  Blade can unlock anything from his trusty shotgun to a near useless bladed weapon known as the Glaive (kind of like the neat spinning blade weapon in the movie Krull). 

The graphics are not groundbreaking either, although portions of different levels do look good.  The nightclub, for example, has flashing strobe lights and an interesting interior design.  However, it’s not really eye-catching enough to make gamers admire the scenery.  The vampires do look rather plain, especially the ones in suits.  Thankfully, at least, Blade looks good in his black outfit and leather trench coat.

Another letdown is the soundtrack that attempts to bring the techno aspect of the movie’s superior techno-rap score, but it doesn’t quite move a gamer the same way since it is just a rhythmic cycle of the same beats over and over again.  The sound effects of Blade’s fists striking an enemy and the screeching tires of a vehicle bearing down on him do sound good, though.  And while the voice acting is well done--Blade and Whistler sound just like their movie counterparts--various phrases are repeated continuously. 

It’s highly disappointing to see such a good concept not quite make the impact it was intended to make and Blade II had the makings of a really spectacular vampire slaying game.  With a poor design and too many faults, this isn’t the game Blade will be better known for.

Gameplay: 4.8
The controls are more complicated than it should have been since the main focus is action and an option to configure the default controls would have been a much-appreciated feature.  Blade’s fighting techniques allow him to send enemies flying with his mighty uppercuts or back kicks. Unfortunately, executing different kick and punch combos require gamers to toil with the analog stick.  Gamers are better off sticking to Blade’s weapons such as shotgun or his Glaive (which is so difficult to use that gamers will not be selecting it that often).

The game takes you through a number of levels with different objectives--including a secondary objective that just requires Blade to destroy things such as parked vehicles or a series of computer processors.  However, the game’s levels don’t really change all too dramatically enough to bring diversity to the game.

Graphics: 4.9
Sadly, this isn’t a very good-looking game either.  The environments are not well rendered, although gamers will find that there are individual areas within a level that actually do look good.  The offices of one building have vending machines, the soft green glow of computer monitors against the desk and windows that shatter beautifully if Blade were to accidentally punch or kick it.

The character models don’t look so spectacular either and despite the fact that Blade bears a striking resemblance to the actor himself, there are moments during the cut scenes when Blade‘s cheek or chin blends in with the rest of his body.  About the only good thing about the visuals is when Blade performs his finishing moves such as brutal impalements or the severing of limbs.   

Sound: 5.0
Depending on a gamer’s taste for techno music, the soundtrack tries to duplicate the film’s great techno-rap score that worked for the movie.  Here it hardly ever changes rhythm until an event cuts away from the action, then it’s back to the same beats.

As far as voice acting is concerned, Blade sounds just like Wesley Snipes in the movie . . . even down to the same growl!  The only problem is that Blade’s various remarks tend to be repeated way too much.  How many times must we hear the old Godfather line, “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer?”

Difficulty: Medium
The army of the undead might seem overwhelming and often times they do prove to be quite a challenge when they attack in groups.  However, the enemy AI is so poor that some of them blindly rush towards Blade while others wait in the distance--watching you kill their comrades.  There are also moments that can be so unfair, such as Blade’s inability to jump out of the way of a speeding car that is headed right for him.

Concept: 5.5
Who wouldn’t want to be that vampire slayer from the hit movies and comic books?  Blade not only knows how to use his fists and trigger finger, but he comes complete with a vampire’s strength that can send an enemy across a room with a carefully calculated punch.  Still, as neat as this sounds, the game does not throw anything new at the player.  While locations and missions change, the basic structure remains the same. 

Overall: 4.8
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. While some of Blade’s wonderful moves and weapons are intact, the controls, graphics and overall design will leave gamers rightly disillusioned.