This game gets a bad rap compared to DK1 and it is a very different game but, it is still an enjoyable game and is definitely worth playing if you liked DK1. You lose a lot of the freedom that DK1 had and you're often being funneled though unbreakable walls but the monster management is more involved and you feel like you have more interesting choices to make. The game also features real missions with stated objectives which gives it a bit more variety than DK1. For someone who has never played the Dungeon Keeper series, I'd probably suggest playing this first as it is definitely more user friendly. For anyone who has played DK1 I'd say, give it a chance and keep an open mind. Just don't expect more of the same.
The game has a fantastic atmosphere. You really do feel like an evil dungeon keeper, in total control of a horde of evil (But lovably hilarious) monsters. The Dungeon Keeper campaign plays nicely and sets you up with mini objectives which are somewhat guided by the map layout and available buildings, traps, and monsters. It can become a bit of a slog on the later levels however and you will find yourself frustrated by your monsters' (imps in particular) stupid behaviour that you have no way to control. This ramps up massively for the Deeper Dungeons and these levels are a real grind. Still worth playing if only because it's never really been replicated since.
Blood Omen has a wonderful story, well written and delivered dialogue that has a very poetic feel to it, and a fantastic cast of characters. It's a compelling story where very few people stand out as truly good or evil. On story alone, this game would be a 5 star classic. Unfortunately there are some gameplay issues that can make things frustrating. Hit detection can be very wonky at times; there is way too much menuing if you want to capitalise on the strengths of the various armours, weapons, spells, and items; It can be easy at times to miss 1 line of dialogue and totally lose track of where to go next. That being said, this is still a very enjoyable adventure and Nosgoth is a beautifully realised world to explore.
