Customer Reviews

Dracula - The Last Sanctuary

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4 star:		(1)
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Basically, Dracula: The Last Sanctuary is a sequel to another game which is a sequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula novel. The Last Sanctuary basically picks up right after (well, about a year after) the events of Dracula: The Resurrection. If you played the first game and liked it, then you really need to pick up this one since the ending is much more satisfying (and to avoid spoilers for both games, that's all I'm going to say on that!). Both games are pretty similar, but this one has a few changes - some good, some bad. So, without further ado, onto the review!

Graphics (score 6/10): The graphics are largely the same as the first game. The in-game environments are quite pretty and look good for a PS1 title. They're a bit fuzzy (as is to be expected for the time), but they are still rather pleasant because it reminds me a bit of an impressionist painting. You can even swing the camera in any direction - even up! The only noticeable graphical flaw I spotted was in the cemetary - there appears to be wierd grid lines in the sky. This is rather strange since there are plenty of other locations that feature an open sky that do not have this problem. My only other complaint about the environmental graphics is that there are plenty of locations that are so dark that navigation is difficult. Now, onto the infamous CGI cutscenes. Are they any better than the first game's? Well, no. But they aren't any worse either. They still have the excellent level of detail in the character models--and they still have the weird jerky unnatural motions (although it's a bit better than the original's). Seriously, every motion is exagerrated. When people talk, they wave their arms around like they're Jedis and everyone's facial expressions and mouth movements look strange and off. However, like I said before, the actual level of detail in the cutscenes is quite good (for PS1), and you get used to their funny movements after awhile. In fact, it ceased to bother me and I got a good laugh out of some scenes.

Music (score 7/10): Just like the first game, this game barely has any music in it (if this were an RPG, I'd complain more about this). What little music the game has isn't too bad, but it's pretty forgettable. Instead, you get constant sound effects for each location (howling wind outside, creaking floorboards, dripping water, etc.). I really liked the first game's use of sound effects, but for some reason, I feel like they are slightly less creepy here. Don't know quite why, it just doesn't feel quite as good here. Maybe because this game is set mostly in the daytime? Anyway, the voice acting is quite good (too bad the laughable CGI might distract you from this). Unfortunately, there are still no subtitles, so that sucks for the hearing impaired or people who have to play with the volume turned down (you know, to avoid disturbing family members or some such).

Characters (score 8/10): The characters are a bit better handled in this game vs. the first game. There are more character interactions and the game does a better job of making you actually care about the characters. I became particularly attached to Dr. Seward. There are also some rather touching scenes with characters who die (I'm not naming any names here!). You even get to see more of Dracula himself. My only real complaint is that Dracula's motivations for kidnapping Mina are not really explored too well. Why does he like her so much more than any other random pretty woman? That's never explained. Oh, on a side note, to those who are fans of old-school variety vampires (the kind that are ugly and scary), those are the kind you've got here. Genuinely monstrous goodness!

Story (score 8/10): The story is just as good as the original game's storyline, except now it's longer! Hooray! Anyway, I have no idea anymore how far away this sequel has moved from the original Bram Stoker novel (it's been SEVERAL years since I read the thing), but I was entertained, and that's what matters! This game picks up right where the original left off and offers a satisfying conclusion to the events, so I'm pleased. On a side note, to all the history majors out there: this game is set around 1898-1900 (somewhere around there), and I have no idea whether the technology featured in the game is period accurate or not. It seemed pretty good to me, but that's because I don't remember my history lessons at all. So, anyway, history buffs might have fun keeping an eye on that.

Gameplay (score 5/10): This is a bit of a catch-all category for me. Just like the first game, there's some frustration to be had here. First of all, this is a point and click game, and every time you click on something, there's a load time. This can drive you a little nuts if you are not a patient person. Also, there are some quirks to movement in that sometimes you have to be in just the right area to move to the next part you want to go to (for example, say I want to go up the stairs. I can't just click on the stairs-first I have to cross all the way back to the other side of the room, then click on the stairs). Another problem that seems to be worse here than in the original is that sometimes objects you need to pick up are really hard to see, like their hidden in pitch black areas and are barely visible (if at all). Also, some of the puzzles are incredibly obscure and difficult (yep, I had to pull out a guide for some of these). To make matter worse, they added a new feature that ups the challenge, but I actually think it detracts from the game. They added certain sections where there is a timer bar that appears, and if you don't solve the puzzle fast enough, you'll die (for example, a monster busts through the window and you have to figure out how to kill him before the timer runs out). For a game in this genre, and a game that controls as slowly and awkwardly as this game does, a timer bar was a bad idea. I generally hate timers in any genre of game, but it really doesn't work here (I died several times in the underwater section of the sewers because I couldn't find the exact right spot where the icon would let me surface for air). Thankfully, the sections featuring the timer are not too plentiful.

Overall (score 7/10): NOTE this score is not an average; it's my subjective overall score. Well, this is a decent follow-up to the first game, and it's got that genuine "Bram Stoker" feel to it. Plus, just like the first game, it cost me less than $5. If they ever remake this (and the first game) for the Nintendo DS and hammer out its gameplay problems, it would be an excellent point-and-click game rather than just a decent one. So, to sum it all up, if you are a fan of the Bram Stoker novel and are looking for some old-school vampire point-and-click goodness (wow, that's a mouthful!), then you should definitely pick this game up, along with the first one in the series.