Ntoyste: December 2010

Being a dedicated internet nerd, I've seen this photo of Sam Hill's wrecked bike at Fort Bill a million times. There were 65 comments on pinkbike talking about whether or not DT rims are strong enough for Downhill, but no one realized the most interesting part of this photo:

Sam Hill runs innertubes.

I've been running tubeless for two years in my race wheels. No flats so far, and they are much lighter. I could feel the wheels moving more freely over bumps, and my suspension felt less dead. Then again, I never had any flats with tubes in my practice wheels, either. Additionally, there were always little wet spots around the bead of my tubeless race tires from burping in my runs. Never was a problem, but it obviously could become one.

Let's review:

Tubeless
Lower mass=lower moment of inertia=more responsive to bumps=better bump absorption
Less likely to flat? Maybe?
Cooler/more ballin
But harder to fiddle with or set up in a hurry or change tires
Less sidewall support from tubes in sidewall, so more likely to fold over in corners
Burp air in hard corners

Tubes
Simpler and quicker to work with
Heavier
Stiffer in corners
More likely to flat?
No burps

I remember a poll from, yes, pinkbike, where they interviewed all the riders at World Champs in Mount Sainte Anne to see what type of equipment they ran. The link is here:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/world-champs-stats-2-2010.html

93% of the riders were running tubes. NINETY THREE PERCENT! That means that tubeless is basically an endangered species at the World Cup level.

Time for me to reconsider tubes for my race wheels? Feel free to leave a comment, but remember that robots are smarter than you, so I don't really care what you have to say. This post is more a public service to the incompetent humans.

Finally!
I said I would only review games I played through!
(heck, that's already a lot more thought put into my reviews than, say, Gamespot or IGN right there)

So after many hours put into Splatterhouse, the main game and most of its secrets explored...how is this new Splatterhouse game?
Did it live up the original franchise expectations?
Is it good, is it pretty?
And more importantly, is it any fun? (that's what entertainment's all about at hear, ya know?)

Let's see~

VGR: Splatterhouse
From BottleRocket/Namco Bandai
Played on Xbox 360
Also available on PS3

Type Beat 'em all
Year 2010

After almost 2 decades, here it is, the all-new "next-gen" Splatterhouse title!
For a game that almost got cancelled as many times as it was delayed, it sort of unreal to be finally able to hold it in my hands and play it on a modern system!
Even fans started to develop their own take on Splatterhouse during these last ten years or so~
(such as a 3D sidescrolling remake on PC, Dreamcast Beats of Rage mods and many more..)

The game started development at the BottleRocket studios, who were assigned the Splatterhouse franchise amongst other Namco revival projects. (for exemple Klonoa who was remade for the Wii)
But sadly, with the financial crash a couple years ago, the studio was forced to close doors. (ending up their work on another title, based on the DC Comics The Flash)
Was this the end for Splatterhouse?

Thankfully the game which was almost done, was picked up by an internal team at Namco who made some radical changes to what the fans were already requesting based on the initial reactions.
(Biggyman and some other monsters closer to the original game, new gimmicks such as raising the dead left out, etc..)
Finally a team composed by a third final team at Namco (with some former staff from BottleRocket itself) applied the final touches.

So, how did this rescaped development hell product end up after passing through several changes along the last ~10 years or so?

Phase 1: So it begins again...

Splatterhouse 2010 is a reimagining of the original games.

In fact the story itself is a retelling of Splatterhouse 1 with some elements taken straight from the Part 2 as well.

The plot was written by Gordon Rennie (Judge Dredd, Killzone, Necronauts, Caballistics, Inc., Missionary Man, Sewer Patrol), scottish long time 2000AD write, who since 2008 left the comic book scene to concentrate on videogames.
At first glance the plot looks pretty thin, and some horror haters might even say "written on a post-it", but it manages to surprise, interest and there's even some pretty neat plot twists here and there.

Phase 2: It's good to be back!

The story starts, as usual, on a dark rainy night.
Rick Taylor and Jennifer Willis go to a gloomy mansion by the forest to have an interview with necrobiologist Dr. Henry West.
At their arrival, Dr. West seems to have been awaiting for this moment since a quite long time, kills Rick and takes Jennifer with an horde of hellish monsters helping him along the way.
Rick finds the Terror Mask near his body, his blood apparently awaking it.

"We can save her".

"She doesn't have to die.."

From there the story spirals into a more complicated painting.
The story is told through flashes since Rick's resurrection until we can understand more clearly what exactly happened.

Phase 3: If at first you don't succeed, decapitate!!

Alright the story plays a bit with the original 80s Splatterhouse's concepts.
But is it fun to play?

My answer is...yes!

Sure, it's a beat 'em all.
If you played any sidescrollin' game in the 90s you'll find yourself perfectly at home.
The genre has had a sort of revival in these last years since God of War too.

Well, the game's quite easy to understand.
After being thrown right from the start with most powers and all, the game will take some steps back, as the Terror Mask even remarks, and you'll have to learn to control Rick over the 2 first levels.
You can punch, make a bigger move that can be charged, run/speed up, grab and do lots of combos.
Speaking of combos, I'm not one to really "learn" combos in games. But when you'll unlock all of them (buying them with blood-points obtained with kills and a blood gauge) the combos come quite naturally by alternating buttons and charges.

Rick controls easily and naturally.

The game's not just walking and killing, like many amateur games. It's a good beat'em, meaning it keeps a good pace, alternates between exploration, light platforming sequences, rooms to clean and sequences where you're free to kill to become stronger or avoid enemies. (also some good tension in more "calm" scenes, just watching the scenery and locations)

Phase 4: Old School meet New Skool!

The game also offers some nice surprises and twists to the formula.

One of the main features is literally a throwback to the original Splatterhouses.
Sometimes the game will go in a sidescrolling view. Those sequences will feature more platforming, enemies that die in just one single punch and lots of traps to avoid. It's a great and original feature (sort of like Sonic Unleashed's 2D sequences) and definitively amongst my favorite parts of this new game. Beware though, Rick doesn't behave his old 90s-self, the new modern physics are still in place so he won't be jumping unrealistic high here!
But nothing a good gamer won't be able to overcome.

Also, a brand new feature to the series are the Splatter Kills.
Sort of like Mortal Kombat's fatalities, when enemies will be almost dead and highlighted by a red light, Rick can perform a finish move that will add up "score" (Splatter points? Blood points?).
These kills are executed by QTE (Quick Timed Events), like pressing a button, doing a specific sequence, moving the joystick, etc.. yes, like in God of War if you've played that game. (I didn't, d'uh!)
Sometimes they are quite logical and easy to do (moving up the sticks/decapitation, pushing both sticks to the centre/crushing a head) other times they are purely random.
Lots of trials and errors here. You won't get the hang of this from the start.

Phase 5: Wanpaku Graffi...What??

Like I said. The game as a lot of throwbacks to the original series.
Names, locations, enemies, boss fights, etc..

Unlike the original game and probably more like the 3rd, the monsters itselfs aren'ty inspired by pop culture horror or b-movies. To be exact, the whole game follows Splatterhouse 3 more closely in terms of creatures, design and feel. There isn't an Exorcist boss, a Poltergeist or The Fly boss. Instead old enemies are back like the fan-favorite Biggyman, the Boreworms who are now ridiculous small worms to walk over instead of having to kick them like in the past, etc..
Some details like the fact Rick looks from the star like his monsterous form in Splatterhouse 3 (and the mask keeping that aspect too) makes me think this game was, early in the production, supposed to be a sequel, like Splatterhouse 4 as it was called in early leaked material.
Also Rick's doppelganger, Mirror Rick (?) is back in one of this game's most memorable scenes...quickly followed by more doubles..and more...And others in later levels! This time sporting a red mask as a nod to the old US Turbografx censored port.

There's lot of little easter eggs in this game if you're a fan of the series (specially in the circus-themed level around mid-game). Old bosses in the level's background and little hidden cameos. (unlike Splatterhouse 1 or Wanpaku Graffiti's plain visible references)
Ash Williams from Evil Dead/Army of Darkness when you'll get your first shotgun and chainsaw, Freddy Krueger's shirt and claws near old furnaces, etc..
Many achievements using references in their titles, etc..

Phase 6: Time to ROCK!

Of course you need to like this whole concept.
I'm sure lots of people won't be hooked by this game's premise.
But if you like horror, gore or past Splatterhouse games I'm pretty sure you'll like this one.
In the contrary, well, this game won't change your mind!

There's a voluntary gorish approach in this game.
Enemies bled worse than samurais in chanbara japanese movies.
Everything's done to "Paint the walls red!!"
It's a bit silly, sure, but it really looks like the dev teams were having a blast with this game.
The Terror Mask (voiced by the great Jim Cummings) often breaks the 4th wall, even to the point to mention the past games ("Not this guy again" when you'll see the Biggyman for the first time or "In a past life, another game" in another instance)
By the way, the game really has a top notch voice acting. The monsters, well, sound monsterous and the "humans" and the Mask are great, perfect.

If you're able to accept and embrace this game's attitude, then it should be a great experience that'll have you glued to this game for a while.
Rick uses a Splatter Siphon technique to drain blood, grows even more muscular and disfigured in his new Monster Rick form... "[There's a] reason this game was called Splatterhouse!!"

The music is..well, it really depends on what you like. But lemme see..
I'm not an avid Metal music listener (through I have no problem with old school metal). But during action sequences, where you'll have to defeat a large number of enemies, modern metal will play. Some tracks are pretty fun, others good but some I didn't really like a lot :/
But fear not, if you happen to not like this musical side of the game (or even if you like it), there's more to Splatterhouse!
Howard Drossin, one of my favorite gamin' music composer did the rest of this game. A more horror movie-like score for the other half of the game. And some retro-tracks for the sidescrolling parts, with a more computerized sound, very reminiscent of the Megadrive episodes.

Phase 7: The Eclipse.

All in all, it's a quite solid experience.
Some parts might feel a bit repetitive if the story doesn't seem to interest you, nor this hellish invasion that will conquer the mansion bit by bit. And if you happen to dislike brawlers.

The visual part of the game looks great! Quite polished.
The game uses a very light "cell shading" look that doesn't make things look cartoony but really makes Rick and the creatures stand out over the backdrop.
Some monsters (mostly the more zombie type) don't look as shiny, good or detailed..but at least they bleed greatly! (which is the objective, didn't you read the title??)

The story will take Rick all over and around the mansion and then throw him and the Mask in interdimensional gateways through various places in time and space. As in years after Rick's future defeat (in a ravaged city, where the Biggyman reigns from his slaughterhouse) and centuries ago when it all began.
The story behind Dr. West, main opponent in this remake, will be slowly revealed.

What are the Mask's true motivations?
Why is Dr. West doing all this?
Is there a resolution for Rick and Jennifer after all this?
When the Eclipse starts, a wickerman will burn and a gate will be opened...

Overall, great game that actually surprised me!
I almost wasn't expecting this title to finally be this fun.
For you, horror gamer fans, it's pretty similar to Evil Dead: Regeneration (which I also wanted to review on this blog, but never got to, yet..).

It's level based, quite long and has plenty to do to achieve a perfect 100% completion.
There's a lot of moves to buy/unlock, the story mode to play through harder difficulties to end it at a perfect 100%.
Like any good horror movie, there's some, let's say, cheesecake. Rick's sexy girlfriend, Jennie, has lots some quite suggestive photos behind. You can find 4 pieces per picture in each level. Once recovered you can "view" them in a gallery alongside funny/silly commentaries "by Jennifer".
There's also audio journals of Dr. West to discover in the levels.
Finally there's a survival, which at first I thought I wouldn't play through..but once Rick's fully upgraded, it gets pretty fun and addictive if I may say.
Some DLC has been also available as I write these lines, such as other Mask designs (a shame those aren't unlockable) and additional Survival maps.

Alright, this as probably looked like a long series of compliments of rthe games.
Here's some negative aspects.
As fun, gigantic and colorful the many boss fights of this game are, the ending left much to be desired. The game will build up a lot of tension in the final act. introduce an epic monster for perhaps a great climatic ending...and then...suddenly end....
(maybe due to the various development teams change..?)
Specially with the Splatterhouse series long tradition of memorable final fights!
Also the game ends in a sort... if you truly want to know... cliffhanger!! And since I doubt this won't ever get a sequel... -sigh-

People might call the campaign a bit short..though I did put in a lot of hours on this one (not playin' easy, yo!). In my opinion, not too short, not too long, perfect for a beat 'em all.
The classic use of weapons, as in past games, is a lot better used in this new game than ever. Bats, crowbars, wood planks, shotguns, chainsaws. Better implanted than in the classic trilogy and a big part of this game's gameplay.

Sadly, a little sidenote.
Splatterhouse Wanpaku Graffiti doesn't get as much referenced through this game. Only through small allusions in the achievements, photographies' notes and slighty in the background (laughing fishes head referencing Wanpaku referecing Evil Dead's laughing deers heads)

The game was mostly inspired by the work of HP Lovecraft.
The Corrupt which West is bringing to our world, monster's designs, even some hidden Chtulu cameos, Dr. West himself and many more are direct references to Lovecraft. Normal!
Gordon Rennie, this game's writer, has done a bunch of adaptations of Lovecraft in comics in the past already.

Even if you're a purist and not able to enjoy this game as much as the original ones, you can see this as a Splatterhouse compilation!
That's right, the original 3 real Splatterhouse episodes are offered on this disc, unlockable as you play the story mode.
Even new, with this price, it's a pretty great deal!
Beware though, it's not 100% original ports.
Splatterhouse 1 is the original arcade port of the 80s game. Uncensored and all~
Splatterhouse 2 and 3 are Sega Genesis (NTSC) ports, with slight edits through! I noticed less reddish/gore visuals for those two! Also they aren't Megadrive emulations, but rather complete ports.

Finally, for all this, but because of the slight defaults in some unpolished enemies and maybe little boring parts in mansion rooms (the rest is great though!) I cannot give this one a perfect score but at least....

I give it: