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'{{multiple issues| {{lead too short|date=February 2014}} {{refimprove|date=February 2015}} }} {{Infobox video game |title = Splatterhouse |image = Splatterhouse (2010 video game).jpg |caption = |developer = [[Bottlerocket Entertainment|BottleRocket]] (until 2009), [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |publisher = Bandai Namco Entertainment{{efn|Released under the [[Namco]] brand name.}} |composer = [[Howard Drossin]] |engine = [[Gamebryo]] |series = ''[[Splatterhouse]]'' |designer = |released = {{Video game release|NA|November 23, 2010|AU|November 25, 2010|EU|November 26, 2010}} |genre = [[Beat 'em up]], [[hack and slash]], [[survival horror]] |modes = [[Single-player]] |platforms = [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] }} '''''Splatterhouse''''' is a [[Horror fiction|horror-themed]] [[beat 'em up]] [[hack and slash]] video game developed by [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]] and [[Namco Networks|Namco Networks America]] and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment under the Namco label (it was originally going to be released under the new Surge brand), released in 2010 for [[PlayStation 3]] and [[Xbox 360]]. It is a [[Video game remake|reimagining]] and a [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] of the original ''[[Splatterhouse]]'' which was released in 1988. ==Gameplay== ''Splatterhouse'' is combat-oriented with main character Rick fighting various monsters in either hand-to-hand combat or with makeshift weapons, such as wooden planks and meat cleavers. Rick is able to attack his enemies with super strength and rip them apart. He can also chain attacks together into [[Combo (gaming)|combos]]. Rick can lose limbs,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/media/03/6/4/2/lg/397.jpg?r |title=Rick missing an arm |website=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |accessdate=November 10, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but is able to grow them back over time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/media/03/5/5/1/lg/129.JPG?r |title=Rick growing it back? |website=1UP.com |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=November 10, 2008 }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Arms can be used as clubs to fight enemies. Throughout the game, Rick collects blood from defeated enemies. Collecting a certain amount will allow the player to unlock new moves and perform special attacks. Players can find journals documenting Dr. West's history while photos of Rick's girlfriend serve as a breadcrumb trail to follow. He can perform "Splatter Kills", extremely gory finishing moves. There is also a platforming element with jump nodes to keep instant death falls to a minimum. The game also comes with the original ''[[Splatterhouse]]'' arcade game, ''[[Splatterhouse 2]]'' and ''[[Splatterhouse 3]]'' as unlockables. ==Plot== Jennifer Willis ([[Shanelle Workman]]) is to have an interview with Dr. Henry West M.D. ([[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]]), professor of [[necrobiology]], at his house. Her boyfriend, Rick Taylor ([[Josh Keaton]]), comes along so nothing bad happens. Just as Rick is about to propose to Jennifer, the two are attacked by Dr. West's experiments, kidnapping Jennifer and leaving Rick mortally wounded. Rick knocks over a sarcophagus revealing a mask. Close to death, the Terror Mask ([[Jim Cummings]]) calls out to Rick, saying it will save him and help save Jenny if he puts it on. Having no choice, Rick puts the mask on and is transformed into a hulking beast powered by the blood of others. Rick follows Dr. West and Jennifer through other dimensions and time periods and learns of Dr. West's plan to bring dark deities, known as "The Corrupted", into this world by sacrificing Jennifer. Dr. West believes The Corrupted will resurrect his dead love Leonora, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jennifer and originally died of [[cholera]]. The Corrupted intended to lay waste to Earth instead. It is revealed that Dr. West and the Corrupted had previously resurrected Leonora, but she was brought back as a demonic savage. West tried to contain her and bring her back completely, but one instance she escaped; Dr. West later found her holding a porcelain doll, horrified at the fate of the child she took it from. West was later summoned away from the town of Arkham and his home on a pointless errand, only to discover that the town's populace found out about Leonora, and imprisoned her to be burned as a witch. Rick encounters Leonora while traveling through time, emerging near the alit wickerman cage as the townsfolk are turned into monsters by the Corrupted. In an attempt to save Leonora thinking she was Jennifer, Rick was attacked by her demonic form, forcing him to kill her. A young Dr. West witnesses Rick stomping on her and loses his morality, vowing to tear down the gates of heaven and ascending on a pile of corpses, built from the townsfolk of Arkham and topped with Rick's dead body. In the end, Rick succeeds in rescuing Jennifer and thwarting West's plans; however, one of the Corrupted emerges, summoned from the numerous killings Rick committed through the game and constructed from the bodies of the monsters. The Mask informs Rick that he knew that Rick's killing would release it, stating that he wanted the Corrupted to know that it was the Mask that stopped them, and for that to happen, he needed to let them out. Rick and the Mask manage to kill it and sate the Mask's thirst for vengeance, but in the process, a stray spirit possesses Jennifer. Believing his deal with the Mask to be done, he tries to pry it off; however, aware of Jennifer's possession, it refuses. It is implied from West's reaction that the stray spirit is of Leonora's. ==Development and promotion== In early 2009, BottleRocket revealed that [[Namco Bandai Games]] had made the decision to cut the developer from the project, and had already taken back their console development kits. With no other projects or funding on their plate, BottleRocket was effectively shuttered as a result. Namco Bandai Games explained that the move was due to a "performance issue." The project was handed over to the internal development team at Namco Bandai Games who had recently completed ''[[Afro Samurai (video game)|Afro Samurai]]''. Weeks later, it became known that Namco Bandai Games hired members of the original development staff from BottleRocket to help finish the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/05/02/bottlerocket-confirms-work-on-splatterhouse/ |title=BottleRocket confirms work on Splatterhouse |author=Jason Dobson |date=May 2, 2010 |website=[[Engadget]] ([[Joystiq]]) |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> The game's story and dialogue was penned by comic book writer [[Gordon Rennie]]. [[Howard Drossin]] composed original scores and the protagonist Rick Taylor (in his non-possessed look) was modelled after him. ''Splatterhouse'' was featured on the cover of ''[[Fangoria]]'' issue #295 in June 2010. This was the first video game ever featured as a central cover on the horror magazine. The cover featured custom artwork by Dave Wilkins (the game's Art Director), and the article featured an interview with the design team by Fangoria's lead video game coverage writer Doug Norris.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?id=982:first-look-fangoria-295-cover-and-contents&option=com_content&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167 |title=First Look: FANGORIA #295 cover and contents! |author=FANGORIA staff |date=May 27, 2010 |website=[[Fangoria]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609192046/http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?id=982:first-look-fangoria-295-cover-and-contents&option=com_content&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167 |archivedate=June 9, 2012 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> ==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Splatterhouse: Music From the Video Game | type = Soundtrack | artist = Various Artists | cover = | alt = | released = November 23, 2010 | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = [[Thrash metal]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[groove metal]], [[death metal]] | length = | label = | producer = [[Howard Drossin]] | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} # "Pounding Nails" – [[The Accüsed]] (03:08) # "Dream Song" – [[ASG (band)|ASG]] (03:49) # "Must Kill" – [[Cavalera Conspiracy]] (04:50) # "[[Dying Breed (song)|Dying Breed]]" – [[Five Finger Death Punch]] (02:55) # "Apocalyptic Havoc" – [[Goatwhore]] (03:16) # "Hollow Ground" – [[The Haunted (Swedish band)|The Haunted]] (04:10) # "Fire, Flood & Plague" – [[High on Fire]] (06:08) # "The Rebirth" – [[Hell Within]] (5:21) # "[[Walk with Me in Hell]]" – [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]] (05:11) # "Blood and Thunder" – [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]] (03:49) # "Rigorous Vengeance" – [[Municipal Waste (band)|Municipal Waste]] (02:13) # "Morbid Dismemberment" – [[Mutant Supremacy]] (03:14) # "Dead Shall Rise" – [[Terrorizer]] (03:32) # "Headlong into Monsters" – [[WolfShirt]] (03:18) '''Note''': ''Splatterhouse'' co-producer Dan Tovar is a member of the bands Invisible Enemies and WolfShirt. Also, [[Cannibal Corpse]], [[In Flames]] and [[Gwar]] were mentioned by Tovar in the 10/2009 issue of ''Play Magazine'' as being on the soundtrack;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/play09_06.jpg |title=Splatterhouse: Reanimating the Horror (The Music: More than Metal) |author=Dan Tovar |work=Play |publisher=Fusion Publishing, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626030238/http://splatterhouse.kontek.net/play09_06.jpg |archivedate=June 26, 2010 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> however, this ultimately proved to be false. ==Reception== {{Video game reviews | PS3 = true | X360 = true | na = true | Destruct_PS3 = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-splatterhouse-188395.phtml |title=Review: Splatterhouse (PS3) |author=Jim Sterling |date=November 24, 2010 |website=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | Edge_PS3 = 5/10<ref name=Edge>{{cite magazine |title=Splatterhouse (PS3, X360) |author=Edge staff |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=223 |date=January 2011 |page=98}}</ref> | Edge_X360 = 5/10<ref name=Edge/> | EuroG_PS3 = 6/10<ref name=EuroG>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-22-splatterhouse |title=Splatterhouse (PS3) |author=Tom Bramwell |date=November 23, 2010 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=February 8, 2014}}</ref> | GamePro_PS3 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/217407/splatterhouse/ |title=Splatterhouse (PS3) |author=Matt Cabral |date=November 25, 2010 |website=[[GamePro]] |publisher=GamePro Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127142647/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/217407/splatterhouse/ |archivedate=November 27, 2010 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | GameRev_PS3 = C<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/49864-splatterhouse-review |title=Splatterhouse Review (PS3) |author=Kevin Dermody |date=January 13, 2011 |website=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030659/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/splatterhouse |archivedate=September 24, 2015 |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | GSpot_PS3 = 4.5/10<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/splatterhouse-review/1900-6284614/ |title=Splatterhouse Review (PS3, X360) |author=Kevin VanOrd |date=November 29, 2010 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | GSpot_X360 = 4.5/10<ref name=GSpot/> | GT_X360 = 6.4/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/games/7v7kxk/splatterhouse |title=Splatterhouse Review (X360) |website=[[GameTrailers]] |publisher=[[Defy Media]] |date=December 17, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817130843/http://www.gametrailers.com/games/7v7kxk/splatterhouse |archivedate=August 17, 2014 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | GameZone_PS3 = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/splatterhouse |title=Splatterhouse Review (PS3) |author=Dakota Grabowski |date=November 26, 2010 |website=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204035100/http://ps3.gamezone.com/reviews/item/splatterhouse/ |archivedate=February 4, 2011 |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | GB_PS3 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=GB>{{cite web |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/splatterhouse-review/1900-350/ |title=Splatterhouse Review (PS3, X360) |author=Alex Navarro |date=November 28, 2010 |website=[[Giant Bomb]] |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | GB_X360 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=GB/> | IGN_PS3 = 4/10<ref name=IGNPS3>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/12/02/splatterhouse-review |title=Splatterhouse Review (PS3) |author=Arthur Gies |date=December 2, 2010 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | IGN_X360 = 4/10<ref name=IGNX360>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/12/01/splatterhouse-review-2 |title=Splatterhouse Review (X360) |author=Arthur Gies |date=November 30, 2010 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | Joystiq_X360 = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/29/splatterhouse-review/ |title=Splatterhouse review: All guts, no glory (X360) |author=Taylor Cocke |date=November 29, 2010 |website=Engadget (Joystiq) |publisher=Oath Inc. |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | OXM_X360 = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Splatterhouse |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |date=February 2011 |page=74}}</ref> | PSM_PS3 = 3/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Review: Splatterhouse |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]] |publisher=Future plc |date=February 2011 |page=84}}</ref> | rev1 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' | rev1_PS3 = 6/10<ref name=Telegraph>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8167767/Splatterhouse-review.html |title=Splatterhouse review (PS3) |author=Tom Hoggins |date=December 4, 2010 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' | rev2_X360 = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=Escapist>{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/8412-Review-Splatterhouse |title=Review: Splatterhouse (X360) |author=Greg Tito |date=December 8, 2010 |website=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |publisher=Defy Media |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | MC_PS3 = 59/100<ref name=MCPS3>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/splatterhouse |title=Splatterhouse for PlayStation 3 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> | MC_X360 = 62/100<ref name=MCX360>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/splatterhouse |title=Splatterhouse for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> }} The game received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCPS3/><ref name=MCX360/> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' said of the PlayStation 3 version: "''Splatterhouse'' is only reasonably good at being the classless procession of shock and bad taste that it wants to be."<ref name=EuroG/> [[GameSpot]]'s Kevin VanOrd said of the game: "All the gore in the world can't disguise ''Splatterhouse''{{'}}s laundry list of clumsy mechanics." He criticized the camera, load times, glitches and cheap deaths, but praised the story and the inspired artistic touches.<ref name=GSpot/> [[IGN]]'s Arthur Gies said: "Some occasionally slick visuals and funky design are undermined by camera and framerate problems and enemy variety that dries up halfway through."<ref name=IGNPS3/><ref name=IGNX360/> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the PS3 version a B+, saying, "Going by mechanics alone, ''Splatterhouse'' is solid, though uninspired. But the extra touches help elevate it from passable distraction to entertaining diversion."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://games.avclub.com/splatterhouse-1798222978 |title=Splatterhouse (PS3) |author=Zack Handlen |date=December 6, 2010 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[The Onion]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209140245/http://www.avclub.com/articles/splatterhouse%2C48603/ |archivedate=December 9, 2010 |deadurl=no |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the same console version four stars out of five, calling it "a vulgar, noisy, shallow, juvenile, gruesome gem of a game that never forgets to be fun, even when going out of its way to be as appalling as possible."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2010/nov/25/splatterhouse-game-review |title=Splatterhouse - review (PS3) |author=Adam Boult |date=November 25, 2010 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> However, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' gave the same console version six out of ten, saying that "On the whole, ''Splatterhouse'' achieves what it sets out to do, even if it is spoiled in parts by some sloppy execution and technical niggles. It's mindless, tasteless and ultimately throwaway, but as the mask often intones: 'I could say I wasn't enjoying this ... but that would be a lie.'"<ref name=Telegraph/> ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' gave the Xbox 360 version a similar score of three stars out of five, saying, "The recycled brawling mechanics and frustrating platforming don't do anything to support the cliché story and no amount of blood, profanity or nudity can save ''Splatterhouse'' from mediocrity."<ref name=Escapist/> Tom Vote of 411Mania gave the Xbox 360 version 5.4 out of 10: saying, "While offering a decent soundtrack, and copious amounts of blood and gore, the game ultimately falls flat in several areas."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://411mania.com/games/splatterhouse-xbox-360-review/ |title=Splatterhouse (Xbox 360) Review |author=Todd Vote |date=December 14, 2010 |website=411Mania |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010004559/http://411mania.com/games/splatterhouse-xbox-360-review/ |archivedate=October 10, 2016 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> However, Jeffery Harris of the same website gave the PS3 version 7.2 out of 10, saying: "I don't think the game is as bad as some reviews have made it out to be. I think the new ''Splatterhouse'' is a fun albeit somewhat flawed and disappointing game with a really solid story and a unique art design and presentation. I think the game lacks some certain control and gameplay polish and it could've used a better climax and maybe a couple extra stages. It feels in some ways like an incomplete game that could've used another year of development due to the already tumultuous development process the game went through in early stages with BottleRocket."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://411mania.com/games/splatterhouse-ps3-review/ |title=Splatterhouse (PS3) Review |author=Jeffery Harris |date=February 16, 2011 |website=411Mania |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010003024/http://411mania.com/games/splatterhouse-ps3-review/ |archivedate=October 10, 2016 |deadurl=yes |accessdate=October 8, 2016}}</ref> {{clear}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.splatterhousegame.com}} *{{moby game|id=/splatterhouse_|name=''Splatterhouse'' (2010)}} ==Notes== {{notelist}} {{Portal bar|2010s|Horror|Video games}} {{Splatterhouse series}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Splatterhouse (2010 Video Game)}} [[Category:2010 video games]] [[Category:3D beat 'em ups]] [[Category:Bandai Namco games]] [[Category:Gamebryo engine games]] [[Category:Hack and slash games]] [[Category:Horror video games]] [[Category:Namco beat 'em ups]] [[Category:PlayStation 3 games]] [[Category:Video game remakes]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Video games with cel-shaded animation]] [[Category:Xbox 360 games]] [[Category:Video game reboots]] [[Category:Post-apocalyptic video games]] [[Category:Cthulhu Mythos games]]'