The graphics are good. They're not excellent, but are good. You can definitely see that Eurocom needed to address some lighting issues in some of the levels. Some areas look abnormally plain, and the game is too blurry in dark areas. Chaos Bleeds offers 15 areas to explore, ripped directly from the show. Environments are a bit more interactive in this latest Buffy game because players can use objects scattered about to cause damage to enemies. Much like the first game, breaking objects like tables, chairs, boxes and crates will yield a few rewards like stakes and fixed structures like spikes can be used to impale enemies if the right fighting techniques are used. While the level of interaction hasn't risen to epic proportions, it's been improved enough to be noticeable. The designs of the characters are better than average, but could've used some work (Spike looks really bad). The different animations of Buffy and other characters strutting their stuff in a fight looks pretty cool, but casting a spell with Willow is too dull to dazzle. Where are the particle effects we all see in games like P.N.03?

The music for this game is pretty cool, and gives the same feel as on the show. The spooky background music smoothly transitions into the faster-paced fight music when the baddies attack. It's always nice to have the actual cast of the show do the voices for the game, and the characters' dialogue is exactly the corny one-liners you'd expect from the TV show, but Buffy's part is not read by Sarah Michelle Gellar. However, the replacement they found sounds pretty much like her. The best part is this, I get to hear Alyson Hannigan’s sweet voice (I love it). The sound effects are pretty cool, and overall it is definitely worth turning on the home stereo to bring out the sounds of this game. The Dolby Digital Pro-Logic II support never hurts either.

When it comes down to the wire Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is a good game to take for a spin for almost all gamers. But for Buffy worshipers it’s a must buy. Most of everything in the game is on the a little above average level making it a fun run through. But what really seals the quality is the uncanny "true-to-TV" atmosphere of the game. So if you have the cash to spare go ahead and purchase, but if you only shell out your 50 buck for the top of the line, Chaos Bleeds can make a mighty fine rental.