Let’s face it: most video games based on TV shows or movies blatantly suck. They’re either severely weak in the story department, lacking in gameplay, or fail to capture the spirit of the show or film. But while most of these have gone down in flames, one wildly popular series managed to make the leap from the TV screen to the console rather well. Buffy The Vampire Slayer managed to traverse these traps with a good plot, solid gameplay and a ton of humor. In fact, the only major downside that some people found with it was that the game, which had labored under development for more than three years, was only released on the Xbox. Obviously, the popularity of this title demanded a sequel, but what a difference a year makes. First, and perhaps most significant, Buffy’s adventures have come to an end. The television show signed off with a final, cataclysmic battle for the survival of the world. This could easily send off warning alarms with the most diehard fan. On top of that, developers of the follow up changed hands from The Collective to Eurocom just as publishers moved from Electronic Arts to Vivendi Universal. However, followers of the show should take heart (no pun intended), because the latest chapter in Miss Summer’s life, Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds, picks up the mantle of the first game admirably. For Buffy-philes, the plot of Chaos Bleeds is meant to be a “lost episode” set in the fifth season, somewhere between Episode 17 and 18. If you were a faithful watcher of the show, you might recognize this part of the season as one of the roughest moments for the Slayer’s life. Chaos Bleeds capitalizes on part of the numerous trials in Buffy’s life, bringing back a threat from past villains The First and Ethan Rayne. Similar to Q from Star Trek’s Next Generation series, Rayne and The First have entered a contest of dark magical skill, with the Slayer and the Scooby gang as their pawns. Unfortunately for Buffy and her friends, this takes their somewhat normal (by Buffy standards) surroundings of Sunnydale and turns it upside down. Unlike the first title, Chaos Bleeds is a much larger, much more involved title. No longer are players restricted to Buffy throughout the entire game. While character switches are completely scripted throughout each stage, gamers will have the ability to play as Buffy or other members of the Scooby Gang. As supporting fighters in the dimensional struggle, Xander, Spike, Willow, Faith, or Sid the Dummy step up to the Slayer’s side. What’s more, each character will play differently based upon their skills, abilities and personality, just like on the show. For example, Faith and Buffy, as Slayers, demonstrate exceptional hand-to-hand combat abilities, while Xander doesn’t. Xander does, however, typically stumble across weaponry that he uses to great effect, often retrieving these arms for other characters to use. While this may seem a bit limiting, this format actually augments the 60% action/40% puzzle solving formula of the plot. Speaking of the weapon system, the entire weapon system has been reworked to match the onscreen action. First, players have access to a “quick stake” button for immediate “dusting” of vamps that get too close for comfort. Completely eliminating the need to scroll through the inventory for this essential weapon, the “quick stake” will often be an equalizer in a 5 on 1 battle. Second, Chaos Bleeds takes into account almost every item’s durability, meaning that every environmental object is a potential weapon against the walking dead. For example, if a pitchfork is used enough times, it quickly snaps to a broken stick before getting completely chopped into kindling and turning into a stake that can be used against enemies. Third, advanced players need not worry about the blatant button mashing that can turn them off. While there were only around 50 or 60 moves available to the Slayer in the first game, Chaos Bleeds has almost four times that number, allowing new players to jump in and start playing while experienced players worked on their combat timing. Aside from the gameplay, there are tons of additional extras to be found within the disc. Numerous interviews and other goodies are going to be packed onto the disc, along with a healthy multiplayer feature that should allow for tons of replay. Stocking over twenty unlockable characters, as well as other fighters from the single player missions should ensure plenty of diversity amongst friends that seek to take each other on in Survival, Slayer Challenge, Domination, or (for you Anya supporters) Bunny Catcher. With a reworked graphics engine, Chaos Bleeds is looking awesome, squeezing every bit of power out of the PS2 and shining on the Xbox and Gamecube. Game characters look exactly like their real-life counterparts but what’s more, most of the cast provided their voices to their digital avatars, so hearing Anthony Stewart Head chastise you as Giles or James Marsters growl as Spike is going to seem ripped from the show. Unfortunately, both Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan didn’t lend their voice to the game, but their impersonators do a great job of capturing their spoken nuances. Fans of action games will definitely want to check out this game when Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds sinks its teeth into consoles later this month. Check back here for a full review! Questions or comments about the upcoming release of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds for the next-generation consoles? Talk to us! [ E-Mail Jeff 'Linkphreak' Haynes ] [ Comment in our Forums ]

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