Just playing Van Helsing. Its a totally different expirience to Victor Vran. Especially the save system is totally different. In Victor Vran, whenever you load the game you start in the Palace which is kind of your starting point and all the monsters are reset for each area that you already beaten. On the other hand in Van Helsing when you defeat the monsters they don't respawn each time you leave a map/area and come back. Also you start on the same spot in Van Helsing, so exactly where you left the game (basically normal save). While both games are grinders, Van Helsing is less frustrating. Also while playing Van Helsing you have an ai helper (a ghost) that fights for you and which gains xp and can be upgraded the same as Van Helsing while in Victor Vran you are fighting alone. Both games are good just different in playstyle.
Also yes you have to manually level your charachter up. In Van Helsing you have skills, character stats, perks and something else to level up.
In Victor Vran you have destiny cards instead of classical level up + different demon powers. In both games you get weapons by kiling monsters or buying them. The only thing the level up for Victor Vran means is that you can use better weapons.
Personally I would choose Van Helsing since the game is less frustrating and more enjoyable.
Post edited September 12, 2015 by Matruchus
