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Blood Omen 2 has to be one of the finest action/adventure games on the PS2; from its absolutely gorgeous gothic environments, eerie soundtrack, in-depth and compelling storyline and the best voice acting ever in a video game.
Arguably, the advantage that BO2 has over the Soul Reaver games is its linear layout; i.e; starting at the beginning of a level and moving forward to the end; anywhere youre not supposed to go it wont let you, so you never get lost.
The puzzles are quite challenging, but never tedious and the combat is excellent fun. Having to constantly drink the blood of both the enemies and townsfolk to survive adds an interesting challenge to the game, in a similar fashion to Raziels Soul Devouring in the Soul Reaver games. You would probably be better to be at least aware of the storylines of the first two in the series (Blood Omen and Soul Reaver) but it isnt essential to understand the plot, it will just mean youll have to pay more attention! Thankfully the plot of Blood Omen 2 is like a childs storybook compared to the absurdly in-depth and complex storyline of the other games in the series.
Downsides? there really arent any major faults with this game; although the ending is a little abrupt when compared to the amount of storyline that you have follow throughout.
Reviewed by: Amazon Reviewer Rating:  Date Reviewed: 23Sep2008 | | | This is another game in the series of The Legacy of Kain.This was released after Blood Omen 1 and Soul Reaver 1(both on the psone) and then Soul Reaver 2.After this game, Blood Omen 2, comes the final installment of Defiance.
So how does this fare?
Well the graphics are nowhere near as good as the other ps2 offerings in this series - Soul Reaver 2 and Defiance both put this game to shame.The graphics can best be described as functional.When i originally bought this i was utterly disappointed by the graphics.
The sound is okay, but nowhere near as atmospheric as the other Legacy of Kain games.
The game plays very poorly in my view.The control of Kain, a supernatural creature i.e a vampire is dire.He plays like a character swamped in treacle at times - and to line him up for climbing a ladder is so frustrating that you feel the urge to switch the ps2 off!
Those are the bad points.The plus points are some of his combat moves and special abilities.Also, his blood draining moves are entertaining.Also good, is the plot - it fills in more of the gaps in the Legacy particularly with Janos, Vorador and Mobius.The puzzles are okay too, though they could be a bit tougher.
All in all this game is very average and the poorest entry into the Legacy of Kain series. BUT - if you are a fan of the series you are going to want to play this.Being a completist of the games i had to have this, and when i play through the entire series i do play this game.Though i do rush through it and am glad when it is over i have to admit.
If this is your first Legacy of Kain game - STOP - go back and play it from either Blood Omen 1 (very old now) or Soul Reaver 1, which are both psone games.You will then get the full plotline in order and see that this game is just a blip in the otherwise excellent series of games.Buy this cheaply and dont expect too much and you wont be disappointed.It is the weakest in the series by a long way, but dont let it put you off the others............Defiance is the last, and best game in the series by a mile, but you will want to play them in order to get the full history.
Reviewed by: Amazon Reviewer Rating:  Date Reviewed: 29Oct2006 | | | Blood Omen 2 is very different from its Soul Reaver cousins in many respects. This is a combat/story game. There may be a few basic puzzles, but nothing like the time-consuming running around pushing blocks and lighting torches found in Soul Reaver.
And yes, you do play as a vampire, and a fairly cool one at that. Rather than being mindless, blood thirsty monsters, or badly dressed Transalvanians with dodgy accents, the vampires here are aristocratic, powerful and English. You play as a young and possibly anaemic Kain, just awoken from a two century long slumber, to find himself in the oppressive, gothic-industrial city of Meridian, and you must have your revenge.
You will make your way through various different settings and a twisting, mature plot completely free from altruism, with high-quality voice acting and well-scripted dialogue. This game strikes a balance however, and youll find none of the lengthy and verbose cut-scenes that became a trademark of the Soul-Reaver games.
The graphics are not great. Nor are they that bad, but rather it is the sheer atmospheric qualities of this game that help bring it to life, and you really feel like youre in the medievel version of an Orwellian police state. The combat itself can feel repetative, as you really only have one combo, and the enemies only attack one at a time, but it is the wide variety of weapons (each with their own fatality), as well as a host of different supernatural powers and a very basic form of stealth kill, that help add variety and a little spice to the combat experience.
There are also many different enemies, from rival vampires and massive Seraphim knights on steroids, to lowly peasants and these large, bug-type things. Boss battles take the form of duels with other old vampires, and with each one vanquished, you gain a new ability to add to your aresnal, such a super long jumps, lightning fast attacks, telekenisis and mind-control.
The main problem I have with this game, as well as the series as a whole and various other vampire based games, is water. Water burns you like acid. Whilst this is more of a game device, couldnt you just have acid? Or lava? I mean seriously, what if it started raining? This has to be one of the Vampires best kept secrets, because all of your enemies are attacking with swords and axes, when they could just throw a bucket of water over you and be done with it!
The bottom line is, this is really quite a well-conceived game, and if youre a fan of the dark and supernatural, you will love it. If, like me, you just enjoy a good, mature plot and setting, as well as playing a powerful creature, then you will probably enjoy this game. If youre looking for a 3D platform experience or you prefer simple games with childish or non-existent plot lines, then, as a previous reviewer suggests, this game is not for you.
Reviewed by: Amazon Reviewer Rating: Date Reviewed: 07Aug2006 | | |
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