Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds

I've completed this video game over 6 times. I simply can't seem to get bored by playing it. As for Kronocide's description of the game, he/she was not entirely correct. Yes, the camera for the game is difficult sometimes. However, if you're decent at the game, you will learn how to use the camera to your advantage. For example, you will learn that by pressing down on a combination of buttons, will lock the camera on a target or, if you're really good, you can lock the camera on multiple targets.

The story-line: great. While the dialogue is crappy, it really does follow the same quirky outline that the TV series follows. Buffy still throws out those intelligent puns before she dusts the vamps. The plot is awesome. I particularly liked that in the first level, Giles makes a reference to Wesley.

The graphics: nothing bad to say about them. In fact, the first time I played the game, I thought that I was watching a never-before aired episode of Buffy.

The weapons: C'mon, who doesn't want to unleash the fury on a vamp by whacking him upside the head with a shovel. Crossbows are nice also. However, my personal advice is that when using a crossbow, try to be at a very far distance. Particularly, I like to take advantage of the Hell-fire soakers or the Holy Water soakers.

The characters: The creators of this game knew exactly what audience they were creating for. All of the characters are generated very closely to scale with their real-life counterparts. One of the great things about this game is that it features the voices of Nick Brandon, Amber Benson, James Marsters, and Tony Head. Unfortunately, SMG didn't do the voice of Buffy Summers in this game nor in the 2002 VG release of the self-titled, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Thankfully, Giselle Loren sounds almost exactly like SMG and delivers the quirky dialogue with pure excellence.

The extras: after you've completed the game, you have the chance to explore the Extras menu. Here, if you've scored a Slayer rating on all of the levels, you will have the opportunity to see the voice overs of Tony (Giles), Nick (Xander), Amber (Tara), James (Spike), and Robin (Ethan Rayne). Also, you will be able to see bonus interviews with all of the actors/actresses just listed, plus a bonus interview with Joss Whedon. And, if you're a comic fan, there is a bonus Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic in the Extras menu that helps lead the into the video game.

My conclusion: This game is excellent. Whether or not you agree with my views or with Kronocide's, that's your choice. However, I firmly believe that all of those who are interested in the game should play it before they discredit it. And, Kronocide, I strongly urge YOU to finish the game or at least get better at it before you criticize it.

I have only played 1½ level of this game, but already have enough points for a brief review. Since it's pretty far from sure I'll finish it, may as well submit my opinion now. This game is in many ways very 1997. I'll simply bullet the reasons for not buying it below.

* Severe camera problems. I'm really not a camera wuss. I had no problems with the camera in Silent Hill, nor in GTA3. This however, is ridiculous. You will not see the monster you're fighting 30% of the time, but simply lunge forward in the hope there something there. The maps are too small for the camera to turn around most of the time, and there is no 1st person view mode.

* Control problems. The controls are unresponsive. This game tries to be a beat'em up, but has the controls of an adventure game. Turning towards your monster is difficult even when you see them. Since you keep dropping your weapon, you need to pick it up, but this is for some reason a hard task for the girl that can backflip over a pickup truck. You'll also find yourself pressing the push or kick button like a madman at times, and Buffy's just standing there. Not good when you're facing 3 foes at once.

* Old Skool story engine. What can I say? The series (which I worship) was known for its strong story telling. But Chaos Bleeds uses a very archaic story engine. So far the game is: fetch random object; fit object in random place; open door; fight a group of baddies, rinse and repeat. The random objects are a piece of a broken sun dial, a fuse, and so on. There is just not a trace of a story behind these acts and objects, they're just there without explanation. Even if there are bigger plot objectives in the game (and I don't know if there are), the gameplay suffers from the rudimentary and nonsensical in-level objectives. The series is also known for its humor and witty repartee. Someone should explain to the game developers that witty comments are not funny the 15th time you hear them. The game engine gives you a random Buffy comment when you open a door, pick up an object, etc. They get old REAL quick.

* Can't save in levels. This is insane, and makes me think of games from the mid-90's. It's actually not possible to save in a level, although they are quite big. You play 75% of a level but need a break from the "beat baddies while finding nonsensical item #3 to open next door" action. Since there are "continuation points" throughout the levels, you assume that the next time you play you will start at the last continuation point you passed. Well... FOOLED YOU! You will restart at the beginning of the level.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has a background made for an adventure game, a lá the Silent Hill series. (God, those games were good!) But Chaos Bleeds is a beat'em up with poor controls. The graphics though are perfectly adequate, as are sound effects and music.

It's fun to hear some of the original cast, although Buffy is poorly casted by a woman sounding like she's 30+. Hearing talented Nicholas Brendon deliver the lame, "witty" comments in the game does break my heart at times. Tony Head is of course perfect as the in-game tutorial voice.

This game is a hack job and lacks the soul of the TV series and of games such as Silent Hill and Spider-Man. Maybe there's a gypsy witch somewhere around here who can help with that.

I guess I'll give it another shot, but if Buffy says "You're dead. No, really" one more time after I kill a vamp, I'm going to watch Angel.

I absolutely love this game! It's great to play with just enough challenge. The walkthroughs online help as well.

Also, when I'm stressed, it's really fun to just kill vampires! It releases a lot of tension.

I would say the last level is my least favorite. You have to run around in a gazillion circles which makes it more stressful and slightly less enjoyable.

The best levels on the game (for killing vampires) are: Level 1: The Magic Box Level 5: Downtown Sunnydale

and if you're up for having a big-bad challenge at the end... Level 10: Sunnydale Mall (GREAT FOR USING MAGIC) Level 11: Sunnydale Zoo

Basically, if you're a Buffy fan you'll love it and if you're not, you'll still love it. Just remember to check out the walkthroughs online on Gamespot. They make things a lot less confusing.

The graphics in the game, as far as I can tell, are great! The vampires basically dust in the action they're currently in. I once killed one as it was kicking me and it dusted beginning in that position! It's very realistic. Also, when throwing vampires/other demons or when you're being throw, you can smash into things and break them (if they're wood) or shake them (if they're a lamp).

The sound effects in the game were also great. Everything sounded different whether its falling into a chair, staking a vampire, punching them, or hitting them with a shovel.

Some of the voice overs in the game for Buffy's character can get very repetitive! Beware that by the time you're done with this game, you'll have memorized her "puns". Willow's as well. I feel that because SMG and AH were unable to do voice recordings, the actresses who did theirs did less. Everyone else had a nice selection of responses and hearing NB and JM on the game was really great.

Overall, I love the game and will continue to love it! Take my advice, this is a game you want.

While the game is fun, it can also be damn hard. I looked up Walkthrough Guides on the net loads of times. But overall the game doesn't dissapoint. While the characters can seem abit wooden, you've got all the locations from the TV Show, like The Magic Box and Sunnydale High. And of course the clever, sarcastic humour. The only thing I was dissapointed about, was you can't play Story mode as a multiplayer game. Multiplayer mode itself, is pretty restrictive. But there are some cool characters. Unfortunately you can't play as Anyanka, who judging by the High School level, would rock. Now all I want to do is play the original XBox version of Buffy.

I have been a fan of "Buffy" for a long time. I had always wanted there to be a game, then there was. The bad part is, i don't have an XBox, i have a PS2. I was very sad and had hoped for a while for a Buffy game to come out for PS2. Then it did. I absolutely love this game. I got it 2 days ago and i'm already on level 10. Don't get me wrong, this game isn't that easy. Each level takes about an hour to beat. I have become addicted. Once i beat story mode, I will spend my time trying to unlock all the secret characters for multiplayer mode. Speaking of multiplayer mode, this is where the game really shines. Nothing is better than beating the crap out of your friends in an all out brawl. I highly recommend this game to anyone, especially "Buffy" fans. It's out for all systems, check it out! 10/10