Thus far, I don't have the experience of some of the other reviewers here in that I've only played this first Van Helsing extravaganza and not yet to completion. I am very well versed in the world of Diablo likes, and in that regard, TIAOVH is an outstanding competitor in many fantastic regards. If we compare it to recent games, Path of Exile, Torchlight I & II, and even Diablo III, Van Helsing has an atmosphere that still feels intriguing and unique. The integration of mythological beasts, legends, lore, and things we recognize that might just be a little bit different makes the game have a spice that the others don't seem to carry. I have yet to encounter an enemy and thought, "Oh, just like that one from Diablo II." Van Helsing also does something that I have yet to see in any other games of this genre. With your wonderful ethereal partner Katarina, you're able to customize her to either support Van Helsing in his demon slaying role, or have her become a force to be reckoned with on her own. While the helpers in Diablo III have a couple skills you can interchange, and the pets in Torchlight I & II can be given fish to augment their abilities by shape-shifting, this is the first time I've encountered a game that gives you fleshed out skill trees that give you such varieties for styles of game play. If we look at Van Helsing (the game) on its own, it is a beautiful game graphically, the classes give enough variety between weapons and skills to keep things interesting, and there's tons of hidden side quests that you'll miss if you're not paying attention. Perfect for people who love to make sure there isn't a single wisp of fog of war on your mini-map. No, it doesn't have the wider variety of classes that other games have, but I don't see that as a bad thing. It gives focus, a cleaner and more satisfying end product without feeling like something was just tacked on at last minute. tl;dr The game is really really good. Buy it.
