Van Helsing is an action game based the movie of the same name currently rampaging through the box office which, in turn, is loosely based on a Bram Stoker character (of Dracula bane fame).

In "extreme makeover" style, the formerly grizzled, categorically batty Van Helsing has taken to the slick, computer generated blockbuster effect quite nicely.

As a game, it mostly offers Devil May Cry-type systematic slaying of every classic villain you can think of (i.e, Wolfman, Frankenstein's monster and Dracula for starters) and other paranormal thugs and thugettes using a variety of cutting edge antique weaponry (projectile grappling hook, saw-blades, crossbow, etc).

Look's great in the super-sized gothic epic of its silver-screen counterpart kind of way, and plays well enough with loads of demon decimation.

Gameplay goodness is offset, however, by frequent camera angle befuddlement and, like the fantastic frivolity of the summer movie season, it's over all to soon.

All averaged out, it's an average gothic action game. Fortunately, average gothic action as modern day interactive escapism is awesome. It only needs to satisfy until the next bucket of popcorn or next weekend's game rental comes along. Which Van Helsing does.