New Splatterhouse - Thoughts?

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Finished up the story mode on the new Splatterhouse. Anybody out there have any thoughts? Most reviews I've read have been generally average. The load times are horrendous, there are frame rate issues, but these glaring flaws aside - I really enjoy this game! Taking it for what it is, (a modern, reboot of an old action platforming beat'em up,) I feel they did a bang-up job of capturing the essence of the Splatterhouse series.

As I delved into the catacombs of the later levels, it reminded me so much of playing Doom for the first time, with its tortured soul asylums and demonic atmosphere. The platforming levels, while flawed, provide a nice break up from the monotony of button smashing by paying respects to the play mechanics of the original games.

As I said, I finished the story mode last night, and unlike most action games, there's so much that I want to do next: I need to go back and grab all the picture pieces I missed, hit up the Arena levels I've unlocked, earn more moves and unlock more of Dr. West's journal. There is a surprising about of re-playability in this game that I honestly wish I could have said about the recent addition to my personal favorite gaming franchise, (*cough* Castlevania! *cough*)

Anybody else play it? Any fellow Splatterhouse fans?

[Mendoza]

Do you think the game warrants its pricetag?

I would like to play the game, but 60 seems to high for a game like this.

How are the included versions of the old games?

[Metal Militia]

Yeah I've been very tempted to pick this up, but not for the $60 price tag its commanding at the moment. I am also very curious to see how good the ports of the other Splatterhouse games are.

[Bikeage]

I've waited this long for a next-gen Splatterhouse, I can wait until it's less than $20 secondhand or DL. Because of nostalgia for the franchise and generally positive mixed reviews I will get it for sure, and that's more than I can say for most games lingering on retail shelves.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

This price is a bit steep, to be fair - (I only picked it up for 60 because I got the statue of the mask with it.) That said, yeah, I would wait for it to come down to about 40-45. If you think about it, you're paying for a brand new Splatterhouse game, along with the previous 3 games in the series. So if you think of it as a 'Splatterhouse Anthology' set, then it kind of justifies a higher price point.

As for the emulation of the games, it's pretty good! I've only noticed the off glitch here and there with the music in the Genesis ports of 2 & 3, (rarely though!) But the original arcade version of the first Splatterhouse is included, not the censored TG-16 port, (complete with unlimited continues, thank god!) And to unlock them, simply complete the second phase in Story mode for Splatterhouse 1, phase 4 for Splatterhouse 2, and phase 8 for Splatterhouse 3. And if your an achievement bum like myself, you can expect to bag about 500-600 points in one Story mode playthrough on medium difficulty!

[Mendoza]

Cool, ive seen some used copies on amazon going for around 40 shipped, so i might check that out.

Sorry it seems like most of us waited because of the price. I know that means it probably wont sell well, but its the cold hard truth.

I think its a good candidate for launching at 40 or 50. That might have made more people like me bite at the game.

Its unfortunate that 60 is the default price.

[Bradtemple87]

I'm pleased to hear positive feedback for this game. I was really bothered by IGN's terrible review when reader reviews have been average to favorable. I have not trusted their reviewers for years now, but I wished they would have looked at it with an open perspective. Now because of a single review a lot of people will not give this game a snowballs chance in hell.

[gennss]

It comes with the original 3 as well?

[Rurouni_Fencer]

It comes with the original 3 as well?

The arcade version of Splatterhouse 1, and Splatterhouse 2 & 3 on the Genesis are all unlockable by playing through the story mode.

[Rurouni_Fencer]

Just want to share -

I finished the story mode, and usually I quit a game and move on to something else after seeing a games ending.

But this game has me hooked! I'm going back to beat it all over again on Brutal difficulty and I NEVER do that! The Arena levels are a lot of fun too - trying for a fast time is addicting in this game!