Lollipop Chainsaw started out as a light-hearted collab between No More Heroes designer ‘Suda51’ and the eventual Guardians of the Galaxy movie director James Gunn when it originally debuted on the Xbox 360 in 2012. Since then, the legendary zombie hunter Juliet has become a bit of a cult hit, with her violent, risqué and expletive-filled hack-and-slash outing developing quite the following over the past decade. Now, the San Romero high school cheerleader is back once again to save the day (and her boyfriend Nick) from a zombie outbreak all while celebrating her birthday in Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP.
This next-generation makeover comes loaded with the original game as well as the new ‘RePOP’ mode, and Dragami Games founder and producer Yoshimi Yasuda has suggested it doesn't feature any censorship. However, there are changes depending on the mode you pick, with the RePOP mode featuring pop-art graphics for damage effects and less violence. So, with this in consideration, how does RePOP enhance the overall experience? Starting with the resolution and frame rate, players can expect 4K and 60FPS support (although visually, the graphics still aren't the easiest on the eyes). Additionally, there are now also “shorter load times” but in all honesty, we still had to wait longer than we’d hoped for in-between certain segments.
In terms of the gameplay, Lollipop Chainsaw was arguably already rough around the edges, and while RePOP has somewhat improved the flow of fights and combat, it’s only been able to polish this core experience so much. There are improvements to the chainsaw combat including faster gameplay, auto lock-on abilities for the Chainsaw Blaster, chained hits improvements and more, but the camera is a bit of a nightmare at times. The controls are responsive enough during combat but don't always feel as smooth as they should, and their clunkiness stands out quite a lot during minigame segments and even the speed-orientated platforming sections. The level design doesn't always help with its dated linear and cramped style either. These levels are also still just as long, but all up the game is a relatively short-lived affair (and there is some replay value), so it balances out.
Fortunately, these things combined won’t necessarily stop everyone from having fun with Juliet as you go about beating up zombies, saving fellow classmates, and taking down a bunch of undead bosses. The quick-time events are still in there as well, but a new “auto feature” has been added to make the experience more tolerable. As you make your way through each level, you’ll also be able to splash some cash on Juliet – purchasing new outfits, attacks, chainsaws, artwork and more. Music can also be purchased, with this new release adding in a “streamer mode” which replaces the rock and pop filled soundtrack (which is mostly still there) with an original track. While we're at it, the voice acting is back and a time attack has also been thrown in!
Unfortunately, in our review build we encountered some chapter-breaking bugs where scenes didn’t always activate, forcing us to reset to the previous checkpoint. Probably the most frustrating glitch we encountered was during a boss battle when an enemy glitched out in their final form, and we were just stuck there in limbo until we had to admit defeat and restart the fight from the beginning. It seems Dragami Games has already acknowledged "bugs", so hopefully the issues we encountered are resolved because they really detracted from the experience.
Conclusion
Don’t get us wrong, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is a fun fling from start to finish but it was never really a role model student when it arrived on the scene in 2012. Despite the enhancements and improvements in this latest release, the core gameplay and level design can feel quite outdated at times, and the chapter-breaking bugs have been hard to look past. If Dragami's updates resolve these glitches, or you're just a longtime fan of this one, maybe consider giving the zombie slayer an extra star for her efforts.
Comments 16
Thank you for the review!
I will get it eventually, as I have never played it, even if I am a great Suda51 fanboy.
Sucks about the camera and the level breaking glitch, but hopefully that gets patched out soon. Still looking forward to playing this again.
Camera problems is a no go for me...
I definitely would just saying🤷
Reading through this review isn't really selling it to me. Camera problems, progress-blocking bugs, rough controls... I guess this is a straight remaster that mostly only fans of the original will appreciate.
@Ricky-Spanish unnecessary.
@Markatron84 If I didn't someone else would just saying what we are all thinking 👹
@Ricky-Spanish sure.
Can we have a more 'linear that's not dated' game comparison at all? Or less 'open worlds are current' logic to things, as if Space Marine 2 hasn't shown scale while linear and mix of corridors and wider spaces, swarm of enemies tech that's cool but over used till later chapters. Just like the first game but of course more impressive.
No More Heroes 3 wasn't perfect either it has it's moments (not played).
I thought DMC5's controls for V and Bayonetta 3 with 2-3 characters was garbage. Bayo Origins and Astral Chain do it differently and better. DMC5 does not and I played it on Xbox. It's how they tackled those controls. Even with motion controls as a third camera or a 2 characters, 2 halves of the controller or a trigger/button to make them swap over or auto attack/defend or something or bring up a menu the fact it wasn't done is hilarious.
Glitches are unfortunate I think that's fair.
But outdated level design? I mean what not enough spectacle for people. XD What we going to compare this to Oneechanbara or something with it's level design. Very different games, very different budgets for sure, very different era of gaming too.
Camera I do question but to be fair cameras are only a bit stiffer in PS3/360 era without counting Wii d-pad or motion camera movement. I am playing a LOT from this era right now besides PS2 and yeah I know the notice, but to me even modern cameras aren't perfect.
I won't modern games feel better, sticks are better, software has tackled them better but at the same time I find them hardly unplayable either other than if level design of corridors has the camera hitting it constantly which it doesn't in this game I know I've seen retrospectives (not played).
Good review. I pre-ordered this and it's downloading to my Series X now. Looking forward to playing it when I get home from work tomorrow morning. I'm a big fan of all the Suda 51 games I've played (No More Heroes 1-3, Killer is Dead) so hopefully this is the same.
@SuntannedDuck2 The games and series you've mentioned (like NM3, Bayonetta and DMC) do it better.
As for the camera, it has moments where it freaks out, this seemed to happen more in cramped spaces.
@HarmanSmith Yeah, if you're a Suda51 fan it's an interesting slice of his history!
I have it on 360 so I don't really care to spend all that money on the remaster if it's only okay anyway. Maybe once it's a lot cheaper as I do appreciate bumps in performance and resolution.
Loved this game on the PS3, definitely going to buy this again when I get the chance. I'm sad I missed out on the physical edition though.
Nick is the best, he doesn't get enough credit for always being there for her.
Played through the first couple stages and other than the camera, at times, I don't really have any complaints. I appreciate that this remaster stayed as true to the original release as a modern-day remaster can and feel stupid for having not supported the game way back then. It's the typical, over the top, Suda 51 nonsense that I know and love.
@Liam_Doolan Ok thanks' that helps.
Ok gotcha. Won't know it till experience it of course or see footage of people showcasing it. Can only tell so much when written and between versions old and modern what it turns out like.
I have never actually played a Suda51 game, I've only researched them. XD So yeah that's why I'm more like huh are they that way as I've not played one yet
I'm aware of Grasshoppers games or Suda51 but not played any of them yet but looked into No More Heroes, Killer Is Dead, Killer 7, the Blood+ game, Lollipop Chainsaw or Shadows of the Damned as their more action/hack n slash ones, not looked into their other stuff as much other than Fatal Frame 4 on Wii or think heard of Let It Die and Sine Mora.
@SuntannedDuck2
If you like Lollipop Chainsaw, look into Killer is Dead afterwards, it's available on Xbox through the backwards compatibility program. Like all Suda 51 games, it has its odd, somewhat janky gameplay quirks but still fun and has a great cast of characters/story. If you have a Switch, I'd definitely recommend No More Heroes 1-3, that's Grasshopper's best work, imo.
@Gamer83 Will do I appreciate it. Seen No More Heroes 1-3 come out, waiting for the right time. Seen PS5 copies but no Switch physical so will wait it out on digital maybe. Not seen Wii or PS3 copies either in retro stores either.
Saw Lollipop Chainsaw for PS3 in one but it was $200, was there for weeks, I don't go that high for games only consoles. It had disappeared since (maybe in the back, maybe not) so maybe someone bought it but that Gameboy for $400 and some of it's games are still there so anything is possible those in need of something or high prices and reselling or buying and desperation (different gens/audiences too of course).
I don't mind charming and janky games.
But I hadn't looked at back compat of their games I might do that and make my own list on them/add it to some of my others I seeked out and put a list together for.
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