See this thread:
https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/app/400170/discussions/0/2842291719978651157/

Also some things I've posted in different threads over the past few years:

Download content from the first 3 games that is included in Final Cut:

Blue Blood
Ink Hunt
Pigasus

I bought the 3 original games and then got Final Cut. I alternate playing all 4 games, because the original 3 are still different enough from the Final Cut version.

If you normally just do one play-through of a game, then Final Cut would be best for you. If you like to do more exploring of different ways to play your games, then you might like the extra challenge of playing VH1 and VH2. Final Cut is balanced better, so the level progression is smoother.


A lot of things were changed when they finally put all 3 of the episodes together in Final Cut. For that reason, some of us still enjoy playing the original 3 games. However, you can only import a character from VH1 into VH2. You cannot import any characters into VH3. Final Cut lets you play one character through the entire story line. Final Cut has 6 classes instead of 3. Katarina is outfitted differently in Final Cut, and the game is balanced better (which is why I kinda miss VH1 and VH2, because I enjoyed the challenge). The endgame content is set up a bit different as well. Again, I really enjoyed endgame on VH2, and I'm not sure yet how I feel about the endgame on Final Cut, since I'm still fairly new to it.

Van Helsing is a trilogy. The story continues from one game to the next in the series.

You can start with the first Van Helsing and then get the other 2 and the Developers will give you the Final Cut (compilation of the first 3) for free. Orrr.... you can just buy the Final Cut version, which allows you to take one character through all 3 of the episodes.

There were some changes made with the Final Cut version that are not in the first 3 episodes, such as 6 classes instead of 3, skill tree tweeks and overall look (circular pattern instead of top-down look), and other things.

Also, you can import a character from VH1 into VH2, but you cannot import any characters into VH3, so you have to start with a new character on that episode.

I enjoyed VH1 a lot, so I purchased VH2 and VH3. At first, I hated the beginning of VH2, so I jumped ahead in the storyline to VH3. I definitely felt VH1 was better, although I still enjoyed it. When I was done exploring VH3 I went back to VH2, determined to figure out the beginning. I did so, and VH2 became my favorite of the 3 games.

I bought the trilogy first, and played through the entire game of part 1. My problem was that, at the very last boss of the game (whom I will not mention his name because I don't want to give out Spoilers), my game would glitch and freeze up. So, all I had to do was hit that final boss once or so and I would have completed the game. But since there was the glitch, I could not do that.
I have no mind to starting the first game of the trilogy over again. One big aspect of Final Cut that was a real turnoff was that the player cannot grind his character anywhere in the game. I tend to do some grinding in my RPGS, so I was quite frustrated when I could not do so. So, for clarifications sake, would you say that the trilogy is better than the Final Cut, or the other way around?

Originally posted by Gavindale Marchovia:

One big aspect of Final Cut that was a real turnoff was that the player cannot grind his character anywhere in the game. I tend to do some grinding in my RPGS, so I was quite frustrated when I could not do so. So, for clarifications sake, would you say that the trilogy is better than the Final Cut, or the other way around?

You can get the enemies to respawn from the Options menu. Keep in mind that the Options bar on the title screen does not have the same options as the Options bar when you are playing on your character. So, make sure to load one of your characters, then hit Esc to get to the Options menu and on the lower left you will see the box to click for "Respawn Enemies".

Honestly I preferred the freedom of building a character in VH1 and 2. The way it works in 3 and Final Cut doesn't quite feel right. The Van Helsing family line have always had something of an iconic look about them, one that they nailed perfectly at first, but then in 3 and Final Cut they made him the 'hunter' class, which is proficient with ranged weapons and not so much with melee weapons, meaning if you want to play a melee build, you have to pick a different class, and spend the game not looking like Van Helsing. That just doesn't sit right with me.
If I could play 3 and Final Cut using the default character with the original skill tree, I would in an instant, I just can't understand what drove Neocore to go with such an inferior system when the one they had was damn near perfect.

I still won't say 3 and Final Cut are bad, they just feel like a step down from 1 and 2.

Originally posted by HiFive:

Katarina is outfitted differently in Final Cut

you got a screenshot comparison? can you describe the difference?

Originally posted by crazy warlord frogger:

Originally posted by HiFive:

Katarina is outfitted differently in Final Cut

you got a screenshot comparison? can you describe the difference?

If I recall correctly, in the original games, she can use some of the same gear that Van Helsing uses, but in Final Cut she cannot use some of them anymore and has her own items to wear. Nevertheless, it has been a while since I've played this game and maybe someone else has more precise information.

I always assumed this was the same as the first game and like Diablo where you can grind and gear your character but by the sound of some of these comments it's linear and ♥♥♥♥. At least i have a reason to free up that 30 or so GB i was keeping it in to eventually play at some point.

I prefer Final cut as it has the classes from VH3 with skill-trees more like those of VH 1-2 and campaign spanning all the three games. I also like how defense in final cut adds damage mitigation instead of evasion as it makes melee builds a lot more viable on higher difficulties.

The 6 classes just offer a lot of variety to gameplay and each have handful of skills that make them more than viable on fearless or above. The build variety does take a hit on higher difficulties though as many skills are simply lacking in terms of DPS and lack any good power-ups that would make them useful.

In terms of loot probably greatest downside is with the fact that set items do not drop from normal enemies and require level 100 greatly diminishing loot and gear variety. Some of these could even fix issues with some skills being underwhelming on higher difficulties.

Originally posted by UNLIMITED POWA:

I always assumed this was the same as the first game and like Diablo where you can grind and gear your character but by the sound of some of these comments it's linear and ♥♥♥♥. At least i have a reason to free up that 30 or so GB i was keeping it in to eventually play at some point.

In terms of linearity Van Helsing is about as linear as Diablo 2 or Diablo 3 and if you prefer to have enemies re-spawn you can do so in the options menu.

The keyword here endgame. Endgame in vanilla version endgame of Van Helsing is pretty bland. It's basically about grinding adventure mode for points to get godlike items from gold chests and money to buy random set items from Pigasus to be able to clear adventure mode on higher difficulties. There are no real endgame bosses or challenges other than being able to tackle inhuman ordeal 5

For best experience I'd recommend just clearing the main campaign on normal or fearless. After that play around in adventure mode for a bit or start over with new class and/or difficulty.