Buffy the Vampire Slayer Xbox

Buffy Summers makes her console debut in a third-person action game set within the not-so-peaceful town of Sunnydale, CA. As the 17-year-old Chosen One, Buffy must use her heightened strength and agility to defeat vampires, zombies, and other demons attracted to the town's dangerous proximity to a Hellmouth. Based on the UPN television series known for its unusual blend of action, suspense, comedy, and drama, the game takes place around the timeframe of the show's first and second seasons.

Players fight creatures through the halls of Sunnydale High, inside the popular teen hangout The Bronze, across the local cemetery, and deep within a sunken church. Over 50 combat moves and combos can be used to vanquish foes, including roundhouse kicks and back flips motion-captured from star Sarah Michelle Gellar's stunt double. True to the show, the resourceful Buffy must turn her undead foes to dust using whatever wooden object is available -- whether it's a tree branch, chair leg, tool handle, or sharpened stake.

The flexible combat system also allows players to combine weapons for added potency. Fire can be used on crossbow bolts, for example, to brush back multiple enemies. Other weapons include shovels, holy water, water guns, and more. As players progress through Sunnydale's local haunts, they'll run across boss characters Spike, Drusilla, and The Master, among others. Completing levels adds to the Slayer's powers, enabling her to perform dramatic, slow motion attacks such as a devastating triple kick.

Buffy can also seek help and guidance from her Watcher and father figure Rupert Giles, vampire boyfriend Angel, and the self-described "Scooby Gang" of Xander Harris, Willow Rosenberg, and Cordelia Chase. Cast members from the television series provide voice-overs for their characters, with the lone exception of Buffy. In total, the game offers 13 missions across 43 areas of 3D fighting action. Progress during the game is automatically saved to the Xbox hard drive. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide