The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is a series of Action RPG's where you play as Monster Hunters who rid the world of Evil Scientists and their abominations. This time you have help in the form of a Ghost Companion named Katrina. Elimination evil minions, loot, upgrade character stats, perks and abilities.
Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Van Helsing 2 in Linux with PlayOnLinux.
Note: This guide applies to the GOG version of Van Helsing 2. Other versions may require additional steps.
Tips & Specs:
To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained
Mint 17 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.8
Wine: 1.7.51-staging
Wine Installation
Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"
Look for the Wine Version: 1.7.51-staging
Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging
Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right
Click Next
Downloading Wine
Extracting
Downloading Gecko
Installed
Wine 1.7.51-staging is installed and you can close this window
PlayOnLinux Setup
Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install
Click "Install a non-listed program"
Click Next
Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next
Name your virtual drive: vanhelsing
Click Next
Check all three options:
- Use another version of Wine
- Configure Wine
- Install some libraries
Select Wine: 1.7.51-staging
Click Next
Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next
Wine Configuration
Applications Tab
Windows version: Windows 7
Click Apply
Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Check "Emulate a virtual desktop"
Desktop size: 1920x1080
Click OK
Note: Enter the desktop size that matches your Linux desktop resolution
PlayOnLinux Packages
Check the following Packages:
- POL_Install_corefonts
- gdiplus
Note: Normally I would install d3dx9 here but we have to use the bundled version of Direct X later in the installation
Click Browse
Select: setup_the_incredible_adventures_of_van_helsing_ii_2.0.0.1.exe
Click Open
Click Next
Click OK
Check "Yes, I have read and accept EULA"
Click Options
Uncheck "Create desktop icon"
Click Install
PhysX Installation
Click "I accept the license agreement"
Click Next
Click Finish
Click Exit
PlayOnLinux Shortcut
Select VanHelsing.exe
Click Next
Name your shortcut: Van Helsing II
Click Next
Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next
PlayOnLinux Configure
Back to PlayOnLinux
Select "Van Helsing"
Click Configure
General Tab
Wine version: 1.7.51-staging
Note: Click the + to download more versions of Wine. Click the down-arrow to select other versions of Wine
Display Tab
Video memory size: Enter the amount of memory your video card/chip uses
Direct X Installation
Unfortunately the audio refuses to work without specific Direct X libraries installed. We are going to install them from the provided GOG installation.
You will see this error until the libraries are installed
Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"
Navigate to
Code:
/home/username/.PlayOnLinux/wineprefix/vanhelsing/drive_c/GOG Games/The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II - Complete Pack/InstallUtils/DirectXClick Open
Click "I accept the agreement"
Click Next
Click Next
Click Finish
Launching Van Helsing
Select Van Helsing II
Click Run
Loading Screen
This screen may take a few minutes to load
Optimization
Click Options
Click Video
Adjust:
- Resolution
- Window Style
- Quality Level
- Open GL
- Direct3D 9
- Direct3D 11
- Force 32bit
Click Advanced Settings
Adjust:
- HDR Rendering
- High Shaders
- Detailed Environment
- High Effects
- Antialiasing
- Smooth Shadows
- Paralax Mapping
- Smooth Animations
- Reflections
- Organics Physics
- Oranganics Animation
- SLI/Crossfire Optimization
- Character Detail
- Shadow Detail
- Physics Detail
- Texture Detail
- FPS Limit
- Camera Shake
- Soft Coronas
- Sync CPU to GPU
- V-Sync
Click Accept after making Changes
Some changes will require a game restart
Conclusion:
Van Helsing II ran really well with my GeForce 550 Ti and Nvidia 340 drivers. I initially had no audio until I installed the GOG provided Direct X libraries. The PlayOnLinux Direct X packages would not fix the audio missing. I was able to set most of the Video settings on high and use the Open GL option. Van Helsing 2 does crash randomly, but I have been able to play for 30 minutes easily without crashing. Also, avoid Paralax Mapping checkbox, that definitely causing crashing.
Screenshots:
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