Platform: PC, PS2, XB

Genre: Action

Publisher: Majesco

Developer: Terminal Reality

ETA: October 2004

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BloodRayne 2

The sequel to Majesco’s cult classic BloodRayne promises to be a contender in the vast amount of possible great games scheduled for release in 2004.

Bloodrayne made a daring and bloody debut across all 3 major gaming platforms as well as the PC. Unfortunately there were more than a few flaws that distracted from the story and potential gameplay.

Bloodrayne 2 promises to correct these issues with new action-packed acrobatic moves which incorporate the use of various poles and rails to guarantee fast and furious gun and blade precision. Majesco has also wisely upgraded and remapped their melee combat engine to a more advanced combat mode allowing deeper and more precise fighting where more than 30 combos can be earned and added to your reference menu throughout the game. Sounds good so far but this package would not be complete without the addition of 12 fatality finishing moves at your disposal, finishing moves like “The Cleve” and “Stab and behead” allow you to end feeding sequences with grace and style.

Unlike the original Bloodrayne, Bloodrayne 2 uses motion-captured movements as well as a new soft body physics engine that offers more dynamic and realistic bloodbaths. The life-like movements of Bloodrayne 2 plus the revamped aura vision really improves the feeling of playing an integral role in the game. Bloodrayne’s harpoon has also received a vast upgrade allowing Bloodrayne to pull environmental objects down onto unsuspecting attackers as well as stab and throw aggressive attackers around like rag dolls. Filling the bloodlust meter this time around will activate both Blood Rage and Ghost Feed 

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modes for over the top attacks. The biggest upgrade for this installment in the Bloodrayne series is the new experience system which gives you the ability to upgrade weapons and abilities based on how you play the game, for example, creative killing is largely rewarded with bonuses.

Bloodrayne 2 uses Terminal Reality’s modified Infernal Engine which produces highly detailed environments with lifelike physics and a great use of real time shadows.  This helps bring the world of Bloodrayne alive as well as making it believable along with the addition of all new highly destructible and interactive environments. Most of which are set in a modern day city for the utmost real effects.

The first Bloodrayne was troubled with a few flaws that took vastly away from any potential the gameplay had to offer. Fortunately Bloodrayne 2 looks like it will make up for the few shortcomings of the original with an entirely revamped engine as well as an intriguing story line that has me truly waiting with anticipation for its release sometime this year (probably in time for the launch of the BloodRayne movie).

And here’s the official take on the project:

BloodRayne is a dhampir, born from the unnatural union of vampire and human. Blessed with the powers of a vampire but cursed with the unquenchable thirst for blood and a weakness to sunlight, Rayne is challenged with her most personal battle yet in BloodRayne 2.  

When we last saw BloodRayne in 1935, she joined forces with the shadowy Brimstone Society to destroy a supernatural Nazi bid for dominance. Her father, Kagan, an influential Nazi collaborator, was killed in an accident at the close of the War. Cheated of killing Kagan herself, Rayne has spent the last sixty years ferreting out and destroying his many offspring, her siblings.  They have banded together and formed the Cult of Kagan, pledging to carry on his legacy of creating a new era of vampire supremacy where humans are mere cattle for the bloodthirsty predators that hunt them. BloodRayne’s nefarious siblings have created “The Shroud,” a mysterious substance which, when released, renders the sun’s lethal rays harmless to vampires and twists nature into a nightmarish perversion. Now only BloodRayne stands between an unsuspecting humanity and a horrifying vampire dawn.

Features:

New acrobatic action on poles and rails offers variations for fast-paced blade and gun combat 

Advanced melee combat for deeper, more precise fighting with more than 30 combos. Do the combo you want, when you want to do it. After earning a combo, it’s added to a reference menu accessible on the Pause screen so skilled fighters can test out all of her available moves.

12 fatality finishing moves like “the cleave” and “stab and behead” let you end feeding sequences with a flair.

Motion-captured movements and new soft body physics system for more dynamic and realistic kills.

New devastating powers include Enhanced Blood Rage and Ghost Feed.

All new highly destructible, interactive environments set in a modern day city.

Revamped aura vision serves more integral role in game play.

New Experience System lets you upgrade weapons and abilities based on how you play the game; creative killing is rewarded with bonuses.

Harpoon has new functionality: BloodRayne can pull environmental objects down on attackers and use the harpoon to stab and throw enemies.

Remapped controls make melee combat easier and more accessible.

Fill the Bloodlust meter to activate Blood Rage for damaging over-the-top attacks Terminal Reality’s modified Infernal Engine produces highly detailed environments with lifelike physics and real time shadows.

- Sylvia Gallardo

(January 15, 2004)