REVIEW: Vampire DarkStalkers Collection

Title: Vampire: DarkStalkers Collection
Format: PlayStation 2
Published: Capcom
Developed: Capcom
Players: 1-2
Genre: Fighting











Capcom are best known for their 2d-fighting games in the 90s. One of their titles was "Street Fighter II". However, after the sucess of "Super Street Fighter II Turbo", they made a new fighting series. The game: "DarkStalkers"! Or "Vampire" as those in Japan calls it! And now are the monsters fighting in this retro-collection on the PS2 that goes throug this bizzare monster-fighter since 1994 to 1997. This collection includes these games:

• Vampire (US/EU: DarkStalkers), 1994
• Vampire Hunter (US/EU: Night Warriors), 1995
• Vampire Savior (US/EU: DarkStalkers- Jedah's Damnation), 1997
• Vampire Hunter 2, 1997
• Vampire Savior 2, 1997-98

There are also "Arrange"-versions of the 3 last mentioned games in this collection with some extras that wasn't on the original arcade verisons.

The game-select screen

THE STORY
Since there are 5 different DarkStalkers-games, their stories are based on the character you play as. Among them are Morrigan, Demitri, Felicia, Lei-Lei (named "Hsien-Ko" in US and the European regions), Donovan, Bishamon, Lilith, Bulleta (aka "Baby Bonnie Hood" right here), Jedah and several other DarkStalkers to choose from.

THE GAMEPLAY
The first two in the "Vampire"-series are just like the "Street Fighter"-games. But from "Vampire Savior" and onward, the system is changed. This isn't a regular round match. When you have drained an opponents lifebar, it's counted as "Down!". After that, depending on how much health you got, the odds might be in yours or the opponents favor. And every time you hit, the lifebar of the opponent will drop fast, unless he/she strikes back and make a small recover.
During completing a game with that character will also unlock an artwork. Since I've played most of the DarkStalkers-games (even the one on PSP), I've seen them most of them before. But some artworks are kinda new to me. Like sketches of how the characters could might have been looked like during the production of the games. And some events might unlock the "Arranged" versions of "Vampire Savior", "Vampire Hunter 2" and "Vampire Savior 2". These arranged variations of the games lets you play as all of the rosters with moves based on game 3 to 5. And a secret character never revealed in the original verisons, named "Dee".

Jedah vs. Dee

ABOUT THIS "DEE":
Dee is a crossover of Demitri and Donovan. However, this character has a story. In the end of "Vampire Hunter", Donovan becomes more darker variant of himself, consuming into the darkness! (sounds more like Ryu becoming Evil Ryu) It's just like a "What-if"-storyline, but the character itself is pretty awsome. I'm not gonna reveal how his ending are. The only thing I can say is you get to see an older Anita at the end (Anita is the little girl that follows Donovan)

"Vampire"

THE GRAPHIC
This game has the filter mode on. But when you're having it off, it really doesn't look so good while playing VDC on the TV. With filer on, it's get a little better. There's also a hell-a-lot of flashing light, so those who have a little problem with that might want to close their eyes. Especially if you're sitting in the dark. (Which is less likely unless you're playing Resident Evil 4 or Silent Hill)

THE SOUND
Like the original games, the "Q-Sound" is there like usual. While some musics are good, some are not so good.

THE CONTROL
It's like all fighting games if you play with a DualShock2. You'll get sore thumbs. But enough about that. The controls in the game it a little bit hard to control. The buttons are a little awkward, but those can be changed to you likings. I'll probably update this when I get the arcade sticks one day.

"Vampire Hunter"

THE MISSING
This retro-collection plays out like "Street Fighter Zero - Fighters Generations". (aka "Street Fighter Alpha Anthology") I've played SFAA, and when I played this game, I noticed something that might could have give me a good time. The Pallete Editor in SFAA. That wasn't include in this game. Let me explain about this: You could change the original pallete to your imagination. That was the only thing I missed about this game. But everything else is okay.

"Vampire Savior", "Vampire Hunter 2" and "Vampire Savior 2"

THE CONCLUSION
This arcade perfection of one of Capcom's greatest fighting games is a great buy if you either like fighting games or are a DarkStalkers-fan. The catch? It's a Japan-only game, meaning it wil never see the daylight in US or EU unless it's imported one. So I'm glad I bought this one. Since I'll rather like the DarkStalkers-games as much I like the Street Fighter-games.

Gameplay: 8/10
Grapics: 7/10
Sound: 6/10
Controll: 6/10
FINAL SCORE: 8/10

Screenshots by ign.com