Van Helsing [Xbox]

Things that go bump in the night are a dime a dozen in Van Helsing, an interactive adaptation of the feature film produced by Vivendi Universal. Offered in tandem with the motion picture, this strangely enjoyable, yet oftentimes pedestrian action-adventure stars Hollywood regular Hugh Jackman as its eponymous -- and heavily armed -- hero. Visiting Transylvania in the guise of Bram Stoker's most renowned monster hunter, you and the Broadway regular literally paint the town red.

Sent on behalf of the church, which is none too pleased with local occult activity, the leading man slaughters supernatural adversaries with zealous abandon. While performing this righteous task, the amnesiac do-gooder also gains insight into his mysterious past.

Loosely following the movie's plot, the game adopts much of the script's macabre, yet tongue-in-cheek personality. Unfortunately, it also inherits its lame dialogue, cheesy one-liners, and cornball attitude, which don't work as well on the small screen. Then again, numerous cutscenes, dramatic viewing perspectives, and gravity-defying combat sequences do serve the experience well.

If nothing else, gamers can use the outing to become better acquainted with key personalities from the film. Boss battles include showdowns with Dr. Jekyll, Frankenstein's monster, and Dracula. Cameos from other notables like the Wolfman are in the cards as well. These encounters function as the centerpieces around plot development. Alas, the self-contained duels are of such disjointed difficulty -- some adversaries are pushovers, others a real pain in the rump -- that the overall experience is cheapened.

Starting in Paris and moving on towards Eastern Europe, you'll draw steadily closer towards confrontations with the above adversaries. But before reaching them, hordes of frothing enemies must first be dispatched. Predictably, the bulk of your time is spent putting down skeletons, gargoyles, demons, vampires, giant owls, and other perverse baddies. Occasional puzzles and platform scenarios requiring double-jumps and swinging across gaps and chandeliers using a portable grappling hook do break up the monotony. But Van Helsing still comes off as a less polished rendition of Devil May Cry.

The player's vast arsenal consists of tojo blades (handheld buzzsaws), crossbows, shotguns, and twin pistols. Progress farther into game, and additional goodies like the elephant gun, gatling gun, and rifle become available too. Armaments boast alternate fire modes, and each can be used in conjunction to produce devastating results. Cleave or blast through enough foes, and you'll gain finishing moves which can lay adversaries low with a single hit. A responsive control scheme provides for enjoyable massacres, though several dozen in any given sitting gets tiring.

During conflicts, glyphs -- used as currency throughout the quest -- spew forth from fallen adversaries and breakable scenery props. Collect the glowing, cross-like items, and you can spend them on additional life, ammunition, and powers (e.g., the ability to fire while dodging) between missions. The system is hardly revolutionary, but does serve its purpose.

Play is set atop bleak backdrops like abandoned churches and snow-choked villages, and the presentation comes off as accordingly grim. Blood flows freely, and aggressors are dispatched with a sadistic flair that rivals the slayings depicted in box office smash Blade II. The most humorous fatality we've seen yet: watching as one of Van Helsing's rivals is speared by his grappling gun and pulled off a belfry, screaming. Also boasting first-rate sound effects, authentic voice-overs from Jackman, and a reactive orchestral score, it's safe to say the title's no slouch in the audio-visual department.

Fixed camera angles are by far its greatest failing, however, obscuring players' view of pathways and enemies alike. Shadowed backdrops that hide important hotspots also introduce unnecessary difficulties. Repetitious run-ins with the same opponents, and the designers missed opportunity for characterization and storytelling, add to the list of flaws.

Warts aside, Van Helsing will go over well with film school dropouts and the summer movie crowd alike. Riveting duels, killer combination moves, and buckets of blood see the cinematic adaptation effectively mimic the flick that inspired it. Parents may be somewhat taken aback by the extreme violence, but youngsters undoubtedly won't mind. Much as this game's a waking nightmare in certain respects, it'll nonetheless have you shrieking with delight.