Jekyll & Hyde

Think Tomb Raider set 100 years ago, add a collection of clumsy zombie-like lunatics, take control of a man with a split personality and you'll have a vague idea of what Jekyll And Hyde is about. It's a third-person action adventure, but you are given the option to switch to a first-person view to survey your surroundings.

You play Jekyll, a doctor whose mental asylum is having big problems controlling its inmates. The well-written story starts with the rescue of your daughter, Laurie, who has been kidnapped by a dangerous inmate and the only way to save her is by resurrecting Dr Jekyll's evil and supposedly dead alter ego Mr Hyde. Large amounts of zombie slaying is required as well as a lot of patience, as the poor selection of controls are not the easiest to master, and often lead to you falling off ledges to your death.

The action is quite smooth but is often broken up by frequent screeen loading, which makes the whole gaming experience less enjoyable. The camera can also be annoying. Instead of being fixed behind you, you're given control can move it around the doctor.

This is helpful in some areas, but in many places swinging the camera can lead to it getting stuck in a room while you're still outside. Sound in the game is excellent, with atmospheric screams and other spine-tingling noises heightening the tension, however, during the frequent cut-scenes the character interaction is poor and the acting wooden. These scenes can't be skipped and the automatic save function (there isn't a manual one) means you have to sit through them each time you die.

Jekyll And Hyde has a good storyline and some great sound effects, but doesn't add anything new to the genre. It also has some frustrating bugs, which lowers the enjoyment factor. Overall, good sounds and story can't disguise poor controls and bugs, and the fact that it's a very average game.