Dracula: Origin
Preview
He rises again to attempt to raise his love from the dead
by Deis
previewed on PC
Alucard Fo Erised Eht (cont.)
However, when he learns of the existence of the aforementioned manuscript - after years of torment as one of the damned undead, forced to roam the earth for all eternity - he gains a new goal in (the after)life. Still obsessed after all these years, his only ambition is as follows; to return the soul of his lost love from hell - and to place it in the body of Mina Harker, a woman with a startling resemblance to his (uniquely Gothic) one that got away.
The One Name They All Fear
Throughout the game you play as Van Helsing, feared vampire hunter (you know, the one portrayed by Hugh Jackman in the film of the same name). A strong, sober, spiritual scientist, he is cast opposite Dracula’s flamboyant villain as the hero of the piece. Your sole goal is to prevent Dracula attaining the manuscript, and therefore save Mina Harker from his deathly desires - a task that will take you over several countries - including Egypt, Austria and Transylvania - in a classic point and click adventure. Van Helsing is also required to destroy Dracula, and release from damnation the souls of those he has taken.
The graphics are a mixture of 2d animated characters and 3d backgrounds, and look absolutely luscious so far. The towering Gothic manors and darkly brooding landscapes are spookily elegant, and contain numerous innovative and interesting little touches. Environments vary from elegant London townhouses to country barns on stormy nights; from sunny streets to creepy basements, at times reminiscent of atmospheres in the Fatal Frame (Project Zero) series.
It is reported that there are over forty unique characters to interact with throughout the adventure, as well as over one hundred and fifty items, which must be used alone or in combination to battle the terror of Transylvania. While many of these characters are recognisable from the original novel, several are newly invented for the game.
In Summary
The game is due to be released by Focus Home Interactive next month, and following Frogwares' excellent treatment of H.P. Lovecraft and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it is with high hopes that this reviewer awaits Dracula: Origin. The game shows great promise, with its breathtaking graphics and an intense and ingenious plot - definitely something to look forward to.
