The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III, developed and published by NeocoreGames, serves as the concluding chapter of the gothic-steampunk action RPG trilogy that began as a creative homage to classic monster-hunting tales. Set in the grim yet fantastical world of Borgovia, the game once again follows the stoic but witty hunter Van Helsing and his ghostly companion, Lady Katarina, as they confront the lingering chaos unleashed by previous battles. The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of a devastating civil war, where dark science, corruption, and madness have twisted the once-great city into a den of rebellion and supernatural threats. As the final installment, it promises closure to a long-running story while introducing new character classes and refining the series’ fast-paced combat and atmospheric world design. It’s an ambitious ending to a trilogy that carved its own niche within the crowded action RPG genre, though it often struggles under the weight of its predecessors and the limitations of its formula.
From a gameplay standpoint, Van Helsing III retains the familiar hack-and-slash core that defines the series. The player carves through hordes of grotesque enemies—mutant beasts, corrupted soldiers, undead horrors, and mechanical abominations—using a combination of melee attacks, ranged weaponry, and supernatural powers. The game introduces six distinct classes that replace the more traditional skill trees of the earlier entries, each with specialized abilities that significantly alter combat style. Whether playing as the melee-focused Protector, the spellcasting Elementalist, or the gun-toting Bounty Hunter, every class feels capable and distinct, allowing players to tailor their experience to their preferred rhythm of combat. The controls remain tight and responsive, and combat retains the satisfying impact of chaining together abilities to mow down waves of enemies. The addition of unique skill synergies, passive bonuses, and dual character progression with Katarina deepens the experience, making battles as much about strategic skill management as raw reflexes.
Visually, the game continues Neocore’s strong tradition of blending gothic horror with steampunk imagination. Borgovia’s environments are moody and textured, filled with fog-drenched graveyards, decrepit factories, crumbling cityscapes, and eerie laboratories pulsating with strange machinery. The lighting and particle effects bring a grim but beautiful vibrancy to the chaos, giving every battle a cinematic flair. The art direction leans heavily into atmosphere rather than spectacle, creating a sense of decayed grandeur that perfectly suits the setting’s tragic tone. Small details, such as the ghostly shimmer of Katarina or the flicker of electricity in abandoned workshops, help maintain immersion even when the environments feel familiar. Although many assets are recycled from earlier games, the visual presentation still succeeds in evoking a coherent, immersive world that feels lived-in and dangerous.
Narratively, Van Helsing III delivers a story that ties together the overarching threads of the trilogy, focusing on the fractured state of Borgovia and the inner conflict consuming its hero. The writing remains playful and self-aware, filled with clever banter between Van Helsing and Katarina that keeps the tone light even in the face of dark subject matter. Their relationship continues to be the emotional center of the experience—her sharp wit balances his stoic resolve, and together they provide both humor and humanity amidst the destruction. The game’s humor occasionally dips into pop-culture parody, referencing well-known fantasy and science-fiction tropes, which some may find amusing and others immersion-breaking. Still, the script’s charm lies in its blend of gothic melodrama and tongue-in-cheek levity, keeping the adventure entertaining even when the plot veers into predictable territory.
Despite its engaging combat and endearing characters, Van Helsing III is not without flaws. The most noticeable shortcoming lies in its sense of scope and innovation. While the new class system adds variety, much of the overall design feels recycled from earlier entries. Many environments, enemy models, and even mission types bear a striking resemblance to those from Van Helsing II, which can make the experience feel more like an expansion than a full sequel. The level cap reduction from previous games and the absence of a fully realized endgame mode further limit its long-term replayability. Moreover, the interface and progression menus are cluttered and at times unintuitive, forcing players to navigate multiple layers of screens just to access key information. This organizational mess dampens the pacing, especially in a genre that thrives on smooth transitions between action and upgrading.
Technically, the game performs competently but doesn’t push its engine to new heights. While stable on modern systems, some players may encounter occasional glitches or quest-related bugs. The camera can feel restrictive in confined environments, and certain enemy encounters lack the polish expected from a trilogy finale. The loot system, though functional, lacks the excitement of more dynamic ARPGs; item drops tend to blur together, and incremental stat boosts rarely inspire enthusiasm. The crafting and companion management systems add depth on paper, yet their impact on gameplay feels underdeveloped. These elements create the impression of a game that had grand ambitions but fell short of fully realizing them, leaving much of its potential untapped.
Still, there is an undeniable charm and craftsmanship to Van Helsing III that makes it difficult to dismiss. Its combat remains viscerally satisfying, its world steeped in character, and its humor refreshingly self-aware in a genre often consumed by grim seriousness. The game understands its identity and never strays far from it—it is unapologetically a love letter to both gothic horror and steampunk pulp adventure. For fans who followed the series from its inception, it offers closure and a final tour through a world that, despite its chaos, feels oddly nostalgic. For newcomers, it may not stand alone as strongly, but its distinct art direction, memorable duo, and satisfying combat loops still offer plenty to enjoy.
In the end, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III feels like a finale that delivers exactly what it promises, but little beyond. It is a solid, familiar experience wrapped in a compelling setting and driven by strong personalities, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of innovation or depth that could have made it a truly memorable conclusion. It remains an enjoyable, if imperfect, send-off to one of the more charming and underrated action RPG trilogies of its time—a testament to NeocoreGames’ dedication to atmosphere, humor, and relentless monster-slaying adventure.
Rating: 6/10

Steam User 5

Reviewed last year

The play style is like a better version of Diablo 3 & 4. This is part 3 of 3 and the game art is kinda gothic horror steam punk. The mythos follow more European legends and lore than Mesopotamian mythos and lore. Expect more things along the lines of vampires and other similar monsters. Characters from the first transfer to the second game and parts of your progress from number two will transfer to number three. For anyone who is into top down isometric rpgs i think Van Helsing 3 is certainly a very descent to great choice. It makes some quality of life changes, the game looks pretty good. I really do enjoy this game for sure. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III serves as a conclusion to the trilogy but falls short of the expectations set by its predecessors. While the game play mechanics remain intact, but still a bit uninspired, yet still very fun.
Steam User 1

Reviewed last year

A very good and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Even though you can't transfer your saves from I/II to this one, there is no reason to play this before the first two. This game introduces six new classes (sort of a deconstruction of the three classes from the original two with some changes) and returns to a level cap of 30. Great campaign with tons of replayability, great environments, and hilariously stupid dialogue in the best way.
Steam User 0

Reviewed last month

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III, developed and published by NeocoreGames, serves as the concluding chapter of the gothic-steampunk action RPG trilogy that began as a creative homage to classic monster-hunting tales. Set in the grim yet fantastical world of Borgovia, the game once again follows the stoic but witty hunter Van Helsing and his ghostly companion, Lady Katarina, as they confront the lingering chaos unleashed by previous battles. The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of a devastating civil war, where dark science, corruption, and madness have twisted the once-great city into a den of rebellion and supernatural threats. As the final installment, it promises closure to a long-running story while introducing new character classes and refining the series’ fast-paced combat and atmospheric world design. It’s an ambitious ending to a trilogy that carved its own niche within the crowded action RPG genre, though it often struggles under the weight of its predecessors and the limitations of its formula.
From a gameplay standpoint, Van Helsing III retains the familiar hack-and-slash core that defines the series. The player carves through hordes of grotesque enemies—mutant beasts, corrupted soldiers, undead horrors, and mechanical abominations—using a combination of melee attacks, ranged weaponry, and supernatural powers. The game introduces six distinct classes that replace the more traditional skill trees of the earlier entries, each with specialized abilities that significantly alter combat style. Whether playing as the melee-focused Protector, the spellcasting Elementalist, or the gun-toting Bounty Hunter, every class feels capable and distinct, allowing players to tailor their experience to their preferred rhythm of combat. The controls remain tight and responsive, and combat retains the satisfying impact of chaining together abilities to mow down waves of enemies. The addition of unique skill synergies, passive bonuses, and dual character progression with Katarina deepens the experience, making battles as much about strategic skill management as raw reflexes.
Visually, the game continues Neocore’s strong tradition of blending gothic horror with steampunk imagination. Borgovia’s environments are moody and textured, filled with fog-drenched graveyards, decrepit factories, crumbling cityscapes, and eerie laboratories pulsating with strange machinery. The lighting and particle effects bring a grim but beautiful vibrancy to the chaos, giving every battle a cinematic flair. The art direction leans heavily into atmosphere rather than spectacle, creating a sense of decayed grandeur that perfectly suits the setting’s tragic tone. Small details, such as the ghostly shimmer of Katarina or the flicker of electricity in abandoned workshops, help maintain immersion even when the environments feel familiar. Although many assets are recycled from earlier games, the visual presentation still succeeds in evoking a coherent, immersive world that feels lived-in and dangerous.
Narratively, Van Helsing III delivers a story that ties together the overarching threads of the trilogy, focusing on the fractured state of Borgovia and the inner conflict consuming its hero. The writing remains playful and self-aware, filled with clever banter between Van Helsing and Katarina that keeps the tone light even in the face of dark subject matter. Their relationship continues to be the emotional center of the experience—her sharp wit balances his stoic resolve, and together they provide both humor and humanity amidst the destruction. The game’s humor occasionally dips into pop-culture parody, referencing well-known fantasy and science-fiction tropes, which some may find amusing and others immersion-breaking. Still, the script’s charm lies in its blend of gothic melodrama and tongue-in-cheek levity, keeping the adventure entertaining even when the plot veers into predictable territory.
Despite its engaging combat and endearing characters, Van Helsing III is not without flaws. The most noticeable shortcoming lies in its sense of scope and innovation. While the new class system adds variety, much of the overall design feels recycled from earlier entries. Many environments, enemy models, and even mission types bear a striking resemblance to those from Van Helsing II, which can make the experience feel more like an expansion than a full sequel. The level cap reduction from previous games and the absence of a fully realized endgame mode further limit its long-term replayability. Moreover, the interface and progression menus are cluttered and at times unintuitive, forcing players to navigate multiple layers of screens just to access key information. This organizational mess dampens the pacing, especially in a genre that thrives on smooth transitions between action and upgrading.
Technically, the game performs competently but doesn’t push its engine to new heights. While stable on modern systems, some players may encounter occasional glitches or quest-related bugs. The camera can feel restrictive in confined environments, and certain enemy encounters lack the polish expected from a trilogy finale. The loot system, though functional, lacks the excitement of more dynamic ARPGs; item drops tend to blur together, and incremental stat boosts rarely inspire enthusiasm. The crafting and companion management systems add depth on paper, yet their impact on gameplay feels underdeveloped. These elements create the impression of a game that had grand ambitions but fell short of fully realizing them, leaving much of its potential untapped.
Still, there is an undeniable charm and craftsmanship to Van Helsing III that makes it difficult to dismiss. Its combat remains viscerally satisfying, its world steeped in character, and its humor refreshingly self-aware in a genre often consumed by grim seriousness. The game understands its identity and never strays far from it—it is unapologetically a love letter to both gothic horror and steampunk pulp adventure. For fans who followed the series from its inception, it offers closure and a final tour through a world that, despite its chaos, feels oddly nostalgic. For newcomers, it may not stand alone as strongly, but its distinct art direction, memorable duo, and satisfying combat loops still offer plenty to enjoy.
In the end, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III feels like a finale that delivers exactly what it promises, but little beyond. It is a solid, familiar experience wrapped in a compelling setting and driven by strong personalities, but it doesn’t quite reach the level of innovation or depth that could have made it a truly memorable conclusion. It remains an enjoyable, if imperfect, send-off to one of the more charming and underrated action RPG trilogies of its time—a testament to NeocoreGames’ dedication to atmosphere, humor, and relentless monster-slaying adventure.
Rating: 6/10
Steam User 0

Reviewed last month

Very good game that is totally worth your time, but it gets a little dated and kind of boring after a few hours. Finished the directors Cut version.
Steam User 0

Reviewed last month

Far too short and too easy, but I had fun with it's references and humor.
Steam User 0

Reviewed last year

My biggest complaint is that its WAY to easy, the other games were brutally difficult....however they were also super unballanced on every difficulty...but this one went on the complete opposite end
I will also say i dont like the simplified skill trees and seemingly having less options, but i do like that they made katerina a bit more tanky than the sneeze and shes dead health pool
The story is engaging enough but it felt like there was far less at stake than the previous 2, the final battle was pretty underhwelming but the side content and pop culture refrences were still on point
I recomend this game but at a disscount
Steam User 0

Reviewed last year

Fun graphics and action

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II

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