Welcome back to Jigsaw’s twisted world of horrors where you are condemned for your sins and offered a second chance to right your wrongs. Will you be able to survive? Some of you might remember the first release from about a year ago. Well, this time things are a little bit different, so don’t dismiss Saw II Flesh and Blood so quickly.
Saw II: Flesh and Blood has a different play style compared to the first Saw. Oddly enough, the game’s scare factor is slightly lacking in comparison to the original, and there are a few reasons why.
The first game had plenty of free-roaming action sequences where you had complete control over the character. Saw II’s action sequences are based on quicktime (QTE) events, lessening the suspense of an encounter.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t have anything against quicktime events, but when comparing the sequel to the original Saw game (where you had complete control over your character), Saw II falls a bit flat. Remember the booby-trapped shotgun traps that took your head off or the suspense you felt knowing you could encounter someone in the dark? The quicktime events lessen the suspense. Instead of having complete control over the event, you’re pressing buttons and watching sequences unfold.
With that said, Saw II: Flesh and Blood stays true to the bloody / gory nature of the Saw movies. Your trusty flashlight makes its return, giving you that boxed in feeling like before; it almost feels claustrophobic at times.
Despite the major overhaul to the combat system, there really isn’t much here to dislike about Saw II. If you enjoyed the first game – and also loved the movies – then Saw II is right up your alley. Fans will also appreciate the numerous references and tie-ins from the movies.
You have control over two characters in Saw II: Campbell and Michael Tap. Michael is the son of Detective David Tapp (played by Danny Glover in the movies). Both of these characters play a major role in what happens in the game.
The way everything is designed (including the puzzles and traps) is done extremely well; the story is really enjoyable from beginning to end. There are multiple endings and plenty of collectibles to gather like billy puppets and puzzle pieces; this makes an already lengthy game even longer. There is a slew of weapons at your disposal: pipes, bats, spiked bats, crutches and guns. Spread throughout the levels are special boxes that contain different weapons that can be obtained by completing a lock-picking puzzle.
The lock-picking system is far different than the one we’re used to in the original Saw. When you pick a lock, you are presented by a first-person view of the lock as you make your way through each tumbler. Failure at picking the lock forces you to start over. The new lock-picking system is a nice touch and works well in place of the old one.
If played on insane mode, Saw II will offer about 25-30 hours of actual gameplay. This includes completing all the collectibles and it also depends on how many snags you encounter.
Saw II: Flesh and Blood’s atmosphere is just as dark and gritty as the first game, keeping faithful to the movies (as one might expect from a horror genre title). This game does not hold back on the gore either. Walls stained with blood and dismembered bodies of those that fell prey to Jigsaw’s contraptions are pretty common in this game.
The famous theme music from the movie (that fans have come to love) plays throughout Saw II. From the opening credits to the more dramatic scenes in the game, the music really sets the mood. In fact, it feels more like a movie than an actual game.
Tobin Bell does a fantastic job voicing his character Jigsaw. The voice acting for the supporting cast isn’t nearly as good and it borderlines B movie quality. This doesn’t detract from the overall game experience however.
Since Saw as a movie franchise has spawned many sequels, we can only hope for another game in the series. Hopefully, the next Saw game will use less QTE and return to its original combat formula. In either case, if you like horror games with a lot of puzzles thrown in for good measure, then Saw II is right up your alley.
James ‘Daripp3r’ Pittaro
Platform: Xbox 360
Developer / Publisher: Konami
Price: $49.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |  |
| The graphic are gritty, bloody, and very realistic. The mood is very surreal and they pull you right in. | |
| Sound |  |
| The music and voice acting (albeit Tobin Bell’s voicing of his character Jigsaw) is top-notch and captures the feeling of the movies perfectly. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Really enjoyable story and very fun to play. If only the combat system was more like the first Saw game | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Saw II: Flesh & Blood is a great buy and shouldn’t be overlooked. If you enjoy horror then you must give Saw II a try, especially if you had the pleasure of playing the first game. | |
