After playing through the preview of Dracula Origin, I was quite excited to take a look at the full game. The preview appeared to personify what it means to be an adventure game — a combination of a deep storyline, a stunning graphical atmosphere and original, high-quality puzzles. Let us see if it turned out to be true.

In Dracula Origin, you'll find all the characters you might expect to find in a Dracula-based story. You just won't find the same plot as in the novel. You play as the legendary Dr. Van Helsing, and you are hot on the trail of Count Dracula after you receive a message from Jonathan Harker regarding his own death. It doesn't take long for you to figure out that Dracula is looking to reincarnate his first love, the one to assist in initiating the origin (origin, get it?) of his plight, the lovely Irina. It just so happens that Jonathan Harker's wife Mina is the target of the Count's plan; and you will, of course, arrive slightly too late to stop Dracula from biting her. Van Helsing immediately uses all his resources to reverse the onset of the curse, even managing an odd trip that delves into ancient Egyptian lore.

Dracula Origin takes no risks in the gameplay. It is a very traditional third-person adventure game. With a left click to get a description and a right click to interact with an item, the controls are quite basic. There are a decent number of inventory puzzles, and for the most part, they are a bit of a letdown; unlike the other puzzles in the game, they just are not very logical. On the other hand, the real shining moments of the game comes from the spectacular themed puzzles. These puzzles are planted throughout the game, tend to be perfectly integrated into the story and are themed beautifully so they seem like they belong there. In each of these puzzles, you'll have access to your notes, conversations and documents, as well as your inventory to assist in solving them.

The unfortunate part of Dracula Origin also is the part that makes it shine. When a game contains such original puzzles that are both fun and integrated into the story, the creation of puzzles that do not fit this model show even more than usual. There are quite a few of these puzzles around; for example, in Dracula's castle you'll find a puzzle dealing with patterns and color codes. You need to overlay these patterns on the correct spot over a photo of Dracula to decipher the pattern; the problem is this puzzle just exists. There is nothing related to the story about it. There are no instructions, no hints and no way at all to know what even triggers the completion of it — not to mention this graphical puzzle sits flat on a stone wall. It appears that these puzzles exist to provide a high level of difficulty to the game. Now for the most part, things are professionally done and a joy to play. It is just a few items here and there that glare brightly as being out of place.

Another thorn in the side of the game is the manner of which it goes about telling you there is something in an area you have not yet completed. It simply doesn't let you leave, and it happens often enough that it appears bizarre, completely breaking any immersion. Another break in immersion comes from shoving the largest inventory items I have ever seen in any adventure game to fit inside your little bag, and this does include a 15-foot plus rolling staircase! One other point is that for me the game ending left a lot to be desired. It just felt unfinished and rushed compared to the quality of the rest of the game.

The graphics are excellent, smooth, detailed and styled very well. They provide an atmosphere for the whole game that makes things just feel natural. Voice acting in adventure games often seems to be something that leaves a lot to be desired, but Dracula Origin doesn't do a bad job of it. Van Helsing is quite competent, and so are most of the supporting actors, with the exception of just one that should be banned from ever speaking again.

Dracula Origin was a bit of a letdown compared to what we saw in the preview. For the most part, the game is excellent, refined and professionally done; as soon as you get really into things, they always seem to throw a monkey wrench in there and bring the whole game down a notch. You'll hit a wall on a bizarre puzzle with no explanation or some inventory puzzle that makes you go, huh? Dracula Origin maintains a good storyline and gives you a moderate playtime while delivering an exceptional quality of puzzles. If you don't mind a few jarring halts here and there, then Dracula Origin is a very solid choice.