I had completely forgotten how wonderful this game is. The graphics are really well done, the cut scenes are beautiful, the puzzles are interesting, varied (some very tough - for me, anyway) and for the most part make sense, and if I didn't know better, I'd say that the protagonist was Sherlock Holmes with an accent. I take that back. Van Helsing is a better detective than Holmes, not to mention invariably polite and concerned about people. (Except, of course, when he's watching a villain burn.) He even has a sense of humor, though it's sometimes anachronistic, as when he says (deadpan - he's always deadpan) that he's looking for a girl who was with a lion, a tin man and a little dog named... or assures Mustafa that his cousin will never have to tapdance again. <g> Frogwares created a great character here in their interpretation of Van Helsing and an outstanding game. Their best, IMO.

I think someone on the board said that she laughed herself sick at one of the objects the good doctor managed to stuff in his pants - no kidding! - and the evil priests in the Abbey would have done Ed Wood proud they were so ridiculous, but for the most part the story was really immersive and it didn't bother me that it was linear. It moved right along and I really enjoyed how completely it trashed the romantic image of Dracula. He may be cuter than Van Helsing but he's vicious, bloodthirsty, totally amoral and nobody in her right mind would be anxious to offer her neck to that guy. If they do make a sequel with Dracula as the protagonist, I'm going to be rooting for his nemesis and hoping there's an alternative ending in which Dracula gets his comeuppance.

After slogging through The Longest Journey, in my opinion an unforgivably long, boring, disjointed mixture of sci fi and the Brothers Grimm, Dracula: Origin was a pleasure to experience again and it's definitely on my list of favorites.

Gil

Thanks Traveler, I loved the game!

Ana

Good grief! Them's strong words!

I agree with your other comments - I loved the puzzles and the humour. It's a game that puts a big, daft, happy grin on my face every time I play it.

"Good grief! Them's strong words!"

Mea culpa! I should have said Frogware's version of Holmes, Rushes. <g> I am a huge fan of Jeremy Brett's Holmes; he really did Conan Doyle proud.

Gil

I'm a Jeremy Brett nut also, traveler. His Holmes was the finest ever portrayed on TV or film, imho. And pigs' bristles! - if that ain't the truth.

I just finished Drac 3 and got hooked on the genre. I just started "Origin" and see it is different, more a Syberia / Longest Journey type of game. However, it is beautiful and I am finding it to be a great adventure.

I have to jump in here and say that in my opinion the best Sherlock Holmes has to be Basil Rathbone.

I'm glad you are enjoying it, My

I just finished Dracula Origins, it was great! It took me a long time. I don't play everyday for hours so it took me weeks to finish. I am so glad I stayed with it.. Hope I can find another game just as good.

My, if you're as new to the old games as I am and haven't played it, RUN over to GOG.com and get Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers. This is one fantastic game! The graphics may be dated but it's a humdinger of a story and the voice acting is top notch.

Now if I can just get Gabriel out of this mess alive.... He's told me more than once that he really doesn't want to be dead. <g>

Gil.

I agree mybluesinew! Basil Rathbone is my favorite. I did see a couple of episodes with Jeremy Brett and want to watch more of him. I hated the new release with Robert Downey Jr.

A new SH series started on BBC1 last night, with Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes. He's fantastic.

Thanks Rushes! I didn't realize that they are starting a new SH series on BBC. I will have to check the schedule to see when it is on in my area.

Hi traveler

I too enjoyed Dracula Origin but I enjoyed Dracula 3 more

However, to say ....
"Van Helsing is a better detective than Holmes "

????

Nearly choked on my coffee at that one. Phew !!

Anyway, as we're listing favourite portrayals ; Basil Rathbone is still mine, with Jeremy Brett a very close second

But I too watched the first of the new series on TV last night, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and he was just superb, so I might start to waver

Cheers.

Mad

Mad,

I couldn't find the new SH series listed on my local PBS stations. I then noticed that you and Rushes are both in the UK. Maybe the series isn't available here, yet? Hope it will be because I would like to see it.

I liked Dracula Origin but haven't played Dracula 3 so I will have to look into it.

I found the atmosphere of Dracula 3 to be more "menacing" - which I felt suited the story !!

I don't know when you might get BBC 1 programmes gatsbygirl, or even if you can, but if you do, I'd certainly recommend this one

Mad,

I checked into it and remember why I didn't play Dracula 3. It is supposed to be heavy on puzzles (don't like puzzles) and it is played in the first person. First person games (with a few exceptions) make me very dizzy.

As far as the new SH series goes, I think that I might have BBC America with my cable system. I only wanted Turner Classic Movies and had to pay extra to get it and also got a bunch of other stations that I didn't want with it. If I can get the new SH series on it, it might be worth it.

The new SH series is only 3 film-length episodes. I wish there were more. The DVD of the series is coming out here in the UK in mid-September. There's a trailer for the series on YouTube if you want a sneaky peek. The BBC website is also showing the first episode online, but it's likely unviewable outside the UK.

Apologies for taking this thread off-topic from Dracula Origin.

Hi gatsbygirl

Yes, there were plenty of puzzles in Dracula 3, especially nearer the end.

And if you don't much enjoy 1st Person games, anyway, I can understand it wouldn't be one for you.

Still, they are both very enjoyable games

Cheers.

Mad

"First person games (with a few exceptions) make me very dizzy."

That's the reason I so disliked SH Nemesis, gatsbygirl, but I'm playing Dracula 3 now and haven't had any problem with it. I get where I want to go without reeling around and haven't once bumped my nose into a door. It's pretty smooth.

The puzzles? Well, yeah, there are plenty of those! So far, so good though once I got past that danged blue light pentagram with a saved game. Still, although I'm enjoying it, at this point I still prefer Dracula: Origins.

Gil.

Traveler -- just in case you didn't see it, the recent remastered version of SH Nemesis allows you to play in third person if you like.

Traveler,

I can only play the SH games in the re-mastered editions because of the motion sickness I got from the others. That aspect has scared me away from some of the 1st person games,including Dracula 3. The 360 panning/spinning made me very nauseous. I can play the ND games, Barrow Hill and a few others, so there have been some exceptions. Maybe I should re-think Dracula 3 and give it a try. However, I am terrible with puzzles so, I don't know...

gatsbygirl,

I think that most of us are terrible at some puzzles. The minute I see one of those "repeat the sequence ten times" things in a casual game, for instance, I want to scream. The worst, of course, is the dreaded slider and I could kiss any game developer that allows you to skip that! (Thank you Cranberry for making it possible in Black Mirror II!)

My hat is really off to those like MaGtRo and Rushes who seem to be able to wrestle any game to the ground!

Truthfully, Dracula 3 has some tough puzzles and I have resorted to a walkthrough on a couple since my patience seems to be running thin these days - or my brain is giving out - take your pick. So, while I'm enjoying this one and I do want to see what happens, I'd probably suggest that you play what you are fairly sure you'll like and save this one for a dry spell. <g>

Anyway, though it never bothered me, one of the main criticisms of Dracula: Origin appears to be that Dracula himself makes an appearance way late in the game. Well, I think I'm about 3/4 of the way through Drac. 3 and I haven't seem him yet if he's a big attraction for you and a reason to play this one.

Gil.

thanks traveler!

I really liked Dracula Origin but think that I will hold off on Dracula 3.