Even though the may seem alike due to the similar themes, the gameplay is significantly different; I would even go as far as to say they're in different (sub)genres. So whether you consider it better or worse than Van Helsing actually depends on what kind of game you're looking for. Van Helsing is more of a traditional Diablo clone in which you just point and click at enemies with the mouse, while Victor Vran is an Action game that can be played with a gamepad and allows you to jump and dodge.

While both games, contrary to Diablo, have preset level design and loading screens between areas, the areas of Victor Vran really are levels, each with their own goals and achievements and personal high scores. It's much more game-y or arcade-y in that regard. Instead of running around in a huge world of connected areas, you have a hub and select levels on the map. In some way it reminded me more of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light than Diablo, even though there aren't any real puzzles in it and it's mostly hack and slash. But the structure is similar. Also, there aren't any really character classes in Victor Vran, characters have next to no stats and characters get better by equipment, not skill points or anything like that.

I thought both games are fun for a bit but neither is perfect, they both get a bit boring after a while. My fun lasted longer with Victor Vran though. Basically, I liked the first one or two areas in Van Helsing (~3 hours?), before getting bored, and absolutely loved the first half of Victor Vran (~15 hours?) before getting sick and tired of it. YMMV though. If you're looking for a true Diablo clone, you might hate Victor Vran. Personally I liked it precisely because it's different.