Is it 3 games in one?

[MACIORELLA]

or what?

[Darkness]

No, it's another game, which includes the content from the 3 previous games, mainly the story mode.

Each previous game had a, let's say, 10 hours campaign. This one has the three campaigns condensed, making it a 30 hours campaign.

So, most of the content is inherited: enemies, items, and so on. But regarding items, it has even more, of course.

Still, it's a new game, with its own balance. It also features a different mode called adventure mode, whereas others had a different alternate mode called scenario (which also varied from each game).

The 6 classes are basically inherited from Van Helsing 3, but they've been tweaked and expanded.

NeoCore has evolved the franchise on each release, and since it's the fourth and last instalment, it's the best.

[MACIORELLA]

Hmmm and how are the skills? This time I heard its more like synthesis between them not just point here to get there, but apparently previous skills influence the higher one - is it true?

[Darkness]

The skills are divided in 3 tiers: tier 1 accessible at level 1, tier 2 acessible at level 20, and tier 3 at level 40.

Each tier has 8 skills, and each skill from later tiers are tied to the earlier skillls. To get a tier 2 skill, you must have its tier 1 previous skill at level 5 or more (max level 10).

At least you get some sinergy bonus from earlier skills to later skills, so in the end, tier 3 skills are the best, mainly because of that.

Some branches of the tree acts like that, the later tier skills "override" the ealier ones, because they do the same thing (mainly, damage skills), but there are some branches with some utility skills (buffs, mobility, etc) where you'll still always have use for lower tier skills.

I'd suggest reading my review if you want more details about every system featured in the game:
http://www.poepra2.com.br/analise/the-incredible-adventures-of-van-helsing-final-cut/
It's in portuguese, but I'm sure you can translate it in your browser.

[MACIORELLA]

But is it like Grim Dawn, that all the skills even earlier are kind of connected and buffed by the next one?

[Darkness]

Originally posted by maciora:

But is it like Grim Dawn, that all the skills even earlier are kind of connected and buffed by the next one?

Haven't tried Grim Dawn yet, but here, the later are buffed by the ealier, but not the other way around.

Tier 2 skill receive bonus from its tier 1, tier 3 skills receive bonuses from tiers 1 and 2.

As I said, regarding damage skills, you'll probably stick to tier 3 late game, unless some exceptions.

Usually it follows like this: a branch for single target skills, a branch for area skills... so they kinda replace themselves usually.

[MACIORELLA]

So it is quite logical, no need to respec at the end like it was earlier. In grim dawn You also have one skill buffed by the next.. Thanks!

[Razguul]

Unfortunately the game is horribly unbalanced without the mod that's available. Neocore really dropped the ball on this one.

[MACIORELLA]

What mod?

[Foxhound]

Originally posted by maciora:

What mod?

Some users made a mod for the game called Van Helsing Enhanced which fixes a lot of balancing issues and other stuff that just isn't working in the vanilla game as neocore released it.

If you want more info you can find the discussion about it here
http://steamcommunity.com/app/400170/discussions/0/490125737479241823/

[linas.warrior]

Is Sanctuary and Isle of Bones levels are from the Ink DLC? Because I don't recall them from the original Van Helsing 2 & 3 games.

[JunMeowMing]

Originally posted by maciora:

Hmmm and how are the skills? This time I heard its more like synthesis between them not just point here to get there, but apparently previous skills influence the higher one - is it true?

Yes, skills are synergized per point to the 2nd and 3rd tiers of the same skill branch.

[MACIORELLA]

And what about higher difficulties - does it mean better loot?

[Geotarrr]

Higher Difficulties give you more experience, gold and most importantly allow you to gain more Fate points per day. The Fate points are the end-game resources in Van Helsing Final Cut, they allow you to open special chests, which drop the most powerful gear in the game. Opening those chests have cost in Fate points, so playing on higher Difficulties and gaining more Fate points per day will decrease the number of days, until you are able to open the most expensive chests.

[JunMeowMing]

Originally posted by maciora:

And what about higher difficulties - does it mean better loot?

Better loots.. better loots.. hmm.. I really can't say that it gives better loots (spend 100+ hours gameplay in Vanilla but its so rare to get any set items from mobs) but it increases the drop rate of you getting Epic/Set items. But for the item rolls, it's all about luck.

As for Geotarrr's post, he's explaining what to expect once you get o Adventure mode which is the endgame.

[datguy13]

Originally posted by linas.warrior:

Is Sanctuary and Isle of Bones levels are from the Ink DLC? Because I don't recall them from the original Van Helsing 2 & 3 games.

Yes, there are four Ink Hunt maps now incorporated into the main narrative.

Originally posted by maciora:

And what about higher difficulties - does it mean better loot?

Yes. Higher baseline Difficulty modes provide a flat bonus to receive Epics. This is an undocumented value.

Inhuman Rampage Difficulty Modes provide a large bonus to Epics drops. This is a documented value which scales to the Difficulty mode selected.