Vivendi is quite keen on its movie blockbuster/comic book adaptations. First came The Hulk, now there's some beastie bashing based on the Hugh Jackman/Kate Beckinsale film of the same name. Inspired by the mythical exploits of a 19th-century vampire hunter, the game follows Van Helsing as he traipses across Transylvania in search of Dracula, the Wolfman, and other assorted nasties that conspire against his employer, the Church.

Being a hyperactive hero, Van doesn't hang around. So, after a stylishly lit cutscene, it's straight into tearing chunks out of Dr Jekyll's Hyde, giving players the chance to fully get to grips with our hunter's combat, which is a brutally simple mix of melee attacks and impressive Gothic gunplay. Then hi ho, it's off to darkest Transylvania we go, where a village besieged by evil entities seeks the slayer's help.

Gameplay involves players working through the ancient streets, cemeteries, castles, a few more streets and some more cemeteries. The scenery may be on the repetitive side, but the waves of varying enemies, including skeletons, gargoyles, ghosts and goblin-esque servants, keep coming thick and fast, so the action never lets up.

As well as supernatural abilities and strength, Van counts on an impressive arsenal to aid his holy war including twin revolvers, pump-action shotguns, electricity cannons and a cool crossbow. Ammo is limitless too, so there's no need to scrimp on the silver bullets during your demonic destruction. Our hallowed hero also packs some fun saw blades and kitana swords as melee weapons. As with most adventure titles, collecting objects is a key feature, as fallen enemies release both health and power-up orbs, the latter of which can be used to buy upgrades.

Although the environments may be invisibly walled imitations of each other, Van Helsing offers plenty of replayability, as players gradually discover more powerful weapons throughout the course of the game. These can be used to revisit completed areas and unlock bonuses. Several enjoyable secret time challenges are also available, accessed through finding scattered Easter egg keys and matching them to the corresponding statue. All of Van's weapons have an alternate ammunition mode that's more effective against certain enemies (silver bullets for werewolves, explosive-tipped crossbow bolts for gargoyles), and this adds strategy and replayability to the missions.

It doesn't break any nefarious new ground, but Van Helsing isn't a bad movie tie-in. Like its lead character, the game looks a bit rough around the edges, and the automated camera sometimes becomes an issue, often getting confused during hectic, life-draining fights. It's not the longest game in the world either, but Van Helsing should keep fans entertained until vampire-vanquishing fever wears off.

1. Captures the film
2. Cool weapons
3. Easily accessible controls and combat

1. Looks rough!
2. Camera sometimes has a life of its own
3. Very linear levels

Power
Not the sharpest or best-looking graphics around, but the hectic pace never slows.

Style
Atmospheric clone of the film, with the likenesses and voices of the two stars and dark environments.

Immersion
The action starts immediately, and continuous auto save means you can come and go as you please.

Lifespan
Not a huge game, but the harder difficulty settings are tough. Plenty of playability on each level, too.

Summary
A run-of-the-mill, yet reasonably enjoyable adventure. It accompanies the film well and sates the bloodlust for a while.