In fact, it's not difficult to figure out that all these issues derive from the fact that the game was developed for more than a gaming console simultaneously. It's not easy to develop a multi-platform game that plays well on all the systems, especially when these systems are the Xbox and the Playstation 2, two platforms that are based on very different internal architectures. That's why, in an ideal world, it's always better to focus on a system, and then eventually port the game to the other.

Meridian is a gothic city that anyhow, in certain zones, where the Glyph energy is used in abundance, looks like an industrial town of the XIX century. The Glyph energy is used by humans to activate machines, illuminate the streets of Meridian and also to control the still existing vampires, which are unable to pass through zones powered by the Glyph Technology. When Kain activates a switch, you see the energy flowing from the switch to the object. It looks good, and in the same way, the lighting effects on the environments are really well done. The textures are of good quality, even if they are not too varied. Interaction with the environments is limited to the use of switches and a few machines; Kain can't destroy glasses, doors, or barrels. Particle effects are nothing to wonder about; the glow around the weapons and the volumetric fog look good, but fire is away from looking as lively as in Soul Reaver 2. Details in the environments, like old newspapers moved by the wind in the streets enrich the atmosphere of the game.

Character design is excellent. I really enjoyed the style used to create the vampires and also the secondary characters of the game. The polygonal models lack the details of the ones in Soul Reaver 2, but they still are pretty good. Besides, they are all finely animated. The body's movements are smooth, and the facial animations look very convincing.

Actually, the graphic engine of Blood Omen can render beautiful visuals and complex structures, but again, it's cursed by terrible, constant slowdowns, which ruin all the other efforts. And no, that's not a limit of the hardware. There are so many better-looking games for Ps2, free of slowdowns issues. Just to remain in the gothic atmosphere, take as examples Soul Reaver 2, Devil May Cry, the incredible ICO, and also the recent Shadow Man: 2econd Coming.

Gorgeous sounds represent the best feature of the game. Just like Soul Reaver 2, Blood Omen 2 delivers many of the best voice acting pieces you can find in a videogame. Simon Templeman is back to impersonate Kain, and his expressive, beautiful voice fits the character perfectly. The same can be said of all the other main characters in the game. Each vampire has his own particular tone, and it always sounds great. It's really rare to play games with this quality in the spoken dialogues, but Eidos has become one of the leading companies in this department.

Music is excellent. It's made of sinister orchestrated themes that occasionally resemble the tribal rhythms heard in Soul Reaver 2. The music becomes more dramatic during fights and battles, and creates a constant solid background for the whole adventure.

Sound effects are cured till to slightest details, from the sound of the flies flying around a streetlamp to the water flowing in the sewers. Every place has its own environmental sounds, and the sound of Kain's steps fluidly changes accordingly to the surface he is walking on. Excellent.

You'll need about 15 hours to complete the game. That's not bad considering the game into its genre, but Soul Reaver 2 is definitely a longer adventure. The technical limitations of Blood Omen 2 then, could prevent great part of the players from playing it more than once.