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Splatterhouse 2010 (PS3/XBOX 360)
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
The Good: Creepy-as-all-Hell graphics, references to the first three Splatterhouse games, can unlock the first three games, Terror Mask is hilarious, photos of Jen contain nudity ( ) at times, upgrades available by collecting BLOOD
The Bad: Rick and other active characters' outlines sometimes stick out, Rick looks disproportionately muscled, long load times
The Ugly: Um...the monsters are ugly

For rabid fans of the Splatterhouse franchise like me, this game is a breath of fresh air after seventeen years of nothing. Splatterhouse was the first game to ever be labeled with a content warning, done voluntarily by Namco years before the ESRB was formed. Not so much for its violent content (though even back in '88 it was notably violent, with decapitations and splattering foes against walls, which was much for the time) but because it was genuinely creepy and disturbing. The original game was first an arcade, then ported to the Turbografx-16, which sold poorly in the States. The two sequels were released on the Sega Genesis in '92 and '93, respectively. They solidified a fan base for the franchise, but for nearly two decades it was not a game Namco put any effort into continuing or remaking.

Splatterhouse 2010 takes place in the current year 2010. Details of the story are revealed through flashbacks Rick has before new levels as well as gramophones Dr. West has left around various levels that take place in the West Mansion. The Lovecraftian influences aren't exactly subtle or hidden; in Phase Three you see a sign that says "Casino Cthulhu" and one of the trophies/achievements is labeled "Lovecraft Baby!" The Terror Mask itself, originally a hockey mask very much like Jason Voorhees's of Friday the 13th in the first two games, takes on a much more skull-like appearance as it did in the third game and communicates with Rick, the hero, constantly. Or, as it's put in the manual, "It just won't shut the f*** up." It has a very twisted sense of humor and swears like a sailor. Another reference to the obvious "inspiration" of the original look of the Terror Mask is the trophy "Jason Schmason."

Violence in Splatterhouse is like peanut butter and jelly; the two just go together. In this iteration the violence level has been taken to new levels. Expect graphic visuals of decapitation, dismemberment, and copious amounts of blood. Also, be warned that some of the pictures of Jen, Rick's girlfriend, you collect four pieces to in each Phase will sometimes have Jen's nipples exposed or her breasts entirely uncovered. Nothing too graphic, but for those who have a much higher tolerance for violence than sex and nudity (*cough* Americans *cough*) be ready for it.

While the graphics, and maybe Rick's jumping power, could stand an improvement, that's about all that's wrong. The game's story unfolds in such a way that you may find yourself playing just to find out "what happens next" as well as "what exactly happened to begin with." As to how it relates to the first three games (and it does)...well, play the game and find out.

Sounds great.

I have a friend who was considering buying this but wasn't that sure about doing it because he hasn't played the previous games, is that necessary for following the story and getting a good experience out of the game? Or does this last release serve just as well as an introduction to the series?

It serves as an introduction, with a lot of twists on the story using Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. A lot of the references are actually pretty oblique. "Another time, another place, another life." "You've always been wearings masks. You've always been killing." The Terror Mask hints at the previous games. Plus, for those who played the first, a lot of the game will feel oddly familiar--in good and bad ways. The worst is the boss Biggy Man, a giant that wields two--count 'em, two--chainsaws at once. Plus, when you first fight him, you're armed with a shotgun, a reference back to the first game where you fight Biggy Man using the shotgun (or get wasted).

If you really want a primer, head to the West Mansion for info on all the previous games, as well as roms for each, odd tidbits, trivia, and basically all things Splatterhouse.