Splatterhouse 2

Last updated
Splatterhouse 2
Splatterhouse 2.jpg
European box art
Developer(s) Now Production
Publisher(s) Namco
Director(s) 100 Taro
Producer(s) Papaya Payapaya
Programmer(s) Haruo Ohori
Artist(s) A. Chan
Gyoee~! Miyachan
Taiji Nagayama
Composer(s) Eiko Kaneda
SeriesSplatterhouse
Platform(s) Sega Genesis
Release
  • JP: August 4, 1992
Genre(s) Beat 'em up
Mode(s) Single-player

Splatterhouse 2, known in Japan as Splatterhouse Part 2 [lower-alpha 1] , is a beat 'em up video game developed by Now Production and published by Namco for the Sega Genesis in 1992. It is the sequel to Splatterhouse, as well as the third installment of the Splatterhouse video game series, following Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti .

Contents

On August 4, 2008, the game was released on the Wii Virtual Console in North America. [3] It is the first and the only ESRB M-rated game to be released for the Virtual Console. The game was included as an unlockable extra in the 2010 remake. [4] It was included on the Sega Genesis Mini 2 in October 2022.

Synopsis

Three months have gone by since the events of the first game. Rick is still suffering from his guilt of being unable to save Jennifer and has been plagued by nightmares of her and the Terror Mask, which reformed after breaking at the climax of the first game. Suddenly, the mask reappears to Rick and tempts him to find the house, telling him that Jennifer can be saved. It closes by telling Rick that it will give him power. [5] [6] Rick succeeds in rescuing Jennifer, and the House sinks into the bottom of the river.

Gameplay

Splatterhouse 2 gameplay Splatterhouse 2 gameplay.png
Splatterhouse 2 gameplay

Splatterhouse 2 features gameplay very similar to the first game. [7] The player controls Rick through eight different stages, each two-dimensional. Rick's attacks remain largely unchanged, able to punch, kick, jump kick, and slide kick, as well as use several weapons scattered throughout the levels. Each level features a boss at the end, often a grotesque monster. New additions to the gameplay include a difficulty setting and a password system for the English version (the Japanese version lacks a password feature), taken from Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti . [7]

Regional differences

In the western versions of the game, the design of the Terror Mask is skull-like. In the Japanese version, the mask is white with black stripes over each eye, causing it to loosely resemble a kabuki mask. [7] Due to the translation when the game was localized, some elements are clearer in the Japanese version. In it, the Mask instructs Rick to "find the hidden house" and that Jennifer is in "the land of the dead". In the western version, the Mask instructs Rick to "go back to the house" and does not specify where Jennifer is. This has caused some confusion among players that have not played the original Japanese version, with several believing that the intact mansion in the second game is the West Mansion from the original Splatterhouse, when in fact the charred ruins that make up the first stage are what is left of West Mansion (these ruins can also be clearly seen in the opening of the game, before the screen scrolls over to reveal the other mansion, aka the "hidden house").

Reception


Game Informer praised the game, saying that Splatterhouse 2 was "definitely one not to pass up." [8] Abby Normal of GamePro stated: "If you've ever wanted to seek revenge on all those early childhood closet monsters, now's your chance to do it vicariously through Splatterhouse 2." [9]

Many were quick to point out that a great premise wasn't enough to carry a game. Sega Force called the controls "sluggish" and suggests the game gameplay "lets the whole game down." [12] Video Games & Computer Entertainment agreed, arguing that "Splatterhouse 2 does nothing to advance the genre." [14] Mean Machines Sega also noted the poor graphics and short single-player campaign. [15] Mega Action gave an overall score of 88% calling the game a "Sick, Slick scrolling beat-‘em-up." [11] The four reviewers of Mega Play gave positive reviews noting the blood and gore gameplay being one of the best points of the game and felt the game would appeal to horror movie fans. They criticized the game's controls, the lack of new features and repetitive gameplay. [10]

Upon reviewing the game for its Virtual Console release, Lucas Thomas of IGN noted that he was largely unimpressed with the game's lack of innovation, ultimately giving it a 5.5 out of 10. [16] While he praised the game's continuation of its gory presentation, he wrote that "While Splatterhouse 2 is even more violent and replete with even more disturbing images, the shock value is largely gone. We've seen it all before".

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: スプラッターハウス PART 2, Hepburn: Supurattāhausu PART 2

Related Research Articles

<i>Ghouls n Ghosts</i> 1988 video game

Ghouls 'n Ghosts, known as Dai Makaimura in Japan, is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Capcom, released as an arcade video game in 1988 and ported to home platforms. It is the sequel to Ghosts 'n Goblins and the second game in the Ghosts 'n Goblins series.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog</i> (8-bit video game) 1991 video game

Sonic the Hedgehog is a 1991 platform game. It is a companion to the 16-bit Sega Genesis game Sonic the Hedgehog for the 8-bit Master System and Game Gear consoles. Ancient—a studio founded by composer Yuzo Koshiro for the project—developed the game and Sega published it to promote the handheld Game Gear. The 8-bit Sonic is a side-scrolling game similar in style to the 16-bit game, but reduced in complexity to fit the 8-bit systems.

<i>Shining in the Darkness</i> 1991 video game

Shining in the Darkness, released as Shining and the Darkness in Japan, is a 1991 role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was one of the first role-playing games released for the system, and was the first in the Shining series.

<i>Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti</i> 1989 video game

Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti is an action platform video game developed by Now Production and published by Namco for the Family Computer in 1989. Wanpaku Graffiti was originally released only in Japan, although it saw a localized Western release in 2020 as part of the Namco Museum Archives Vol. 1 compilation. It is the second game to be released in the Splatterhouse video game series. It is also the first Splatterhouse game to be released for a home console.

Namco Museum is a series of video game compilations developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for home video game consoles. The first title in the series, Namco Museum Vol. 1, was released for the PlayStation in 1995. Entries in the series have been released for multiple platforms, including the Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS and Xbox 360. the latest being Namco Museum Archives Vol. 2, released in 2020.

<i>Bonanza Bros.</i> 1990 video game

Bonanza Bros. is a 3D-style, 2D side-scrolling stealth action game developed and released by Sega in 1990. It is one of the earliest arcade games powered by the Sega System 24 arcade system board. It was ported to various home systems, including the Mega Drive/Genesis, Master System, PC-Engine/TurboGrafx-CD, and several home computers.

<i>Splatterhouse</i> 1988 video game

Splatterhouse is a beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Namco in 1988. It was the first in a series of games released in home console and personal computer formats. This game would later spawn the parody Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti, the sequels Splatterhouse 2, Splatterhouse 3, and the 2010 remake Splatterhouse, with the classic games being added to Namco Museum since 2017.

<i>Sonic the Hedgehog 2</i> (8-bit video game) 1992 video game

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is a 1992 platform game developed by Aspect and published by Sega for the Master System and Game Gear. It is the sequel to the 8-bit Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) and follows Sonic as he attempts to get the Chaos Emeralds back to rescue his friend Miles "Tails" Prower from Dr. Robotnik. Like the first Sonic the Hedgehog, players run through levels at high speeds while collecting rings and defeating enemies. Although it shares the same title with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Sega Genesis and their releases coincided, the games have little in common and share no levels.

The Virtual Console is a defunct line of downloadable video games for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U home video game consoles and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

<i>Genpei Tōma Den</i> 1986 video game

Genpei Tōma Den is a side-scrolling hack and slash produced by Namco that was released as a coin-operated video game in 1986 in Japan. It runs on Namco System 86 hardware. Over a decade later, the game was released in America and Europe in the video game compilation Namco Museum Vol. 4 under the title of The Genji and the Heike Clans for the PlayStation.

<i>Splatterhouse 3</i> 1993 video game

Splatterhouse 3, known in Japan as Splatterhouse Part 3 (スプラッターハウスPART3), is a horror themed beat'em up video game released by Namco for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1993. It is the sequel to Splatterhouse 2 and was one of the first games to be given a rating by Sega's own Videogame Rating Council. In North America the game was given an MA-13 rating by the council for its graphic violence and gore. Unlike its predecessors, it was not originally released in Europe. The game was included as an unlockable extra in the 2010 remake, with new artwork replacing the digitized photographs due to legal reasons.

<i>Rolling Thunder 2</i> 1991 video game

Rolling Thunder 2 is a run and gun arcade game developed and released by Namco for the Namco System 2 hardware in 1991. The game is the sequel to 1986's Rolling Thunder, retaining the same gameplay of its predecessor but adding cooperative gameplay for two players and improved graphics. Unlike the original, which was based in 1968, Rolling Thunder 2 has a more contemporary setting to go with its more futuristic design, as well as an optionally playable female character. A port for the Sega Genesis was released the same year. Both the Mega Drive port and the original arcade game were released for the Wii Virtual Console on December 4, 2007 and October 27, 2009 respectively.

<i>Super Fantasy Zone</i> 1993 shoot em up video game

Super Fantasy Zone is a scrolling shooter, part of the Fantasy Zone series. It was released for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan and Europe. Players control the character Opa-Opa on his quest to defeat Dark Menon, and the game plays similarly to previous Fantasy Zone entries. The game plays similarly to Defender, where the screen scrolls in the direction that Opa-Opa is going. The player shoots at enemies to defeat them, collecting gold coins that are used to purchase temporary upgrades that improve Opa-Opa's offensive capabilities and speed, among other things.

<i>ESWAT: City Under Siege</i> 1990 video game

ESWAT: City Under Siege, released in Japan as Cyber Police ESWAT, is a 1990 side scrolling action platform video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis and Sega Master System video game consoles.

<i>Pac-Mania</i> 1987 video game

Pac-Mania is a cavalier perspective maze game that was developed and released by Namco for arcades in 1987. In the game, the player controls Pac-Man as he must eat all of the dots while avoiding the colored ghosts that chase him in the maze. Eating large flashing "Power Pellets" will allow Pac-Man to eat the ghosts for bonus points, which lasts for a short period of time. A new feature to this game allows Pac-Man to jump over the ghosts to evade capture. It is the ninth title in the Pac-Man video game series and was the last one developed for arcades up until the release of Pac-Man Arrangement in 1996. Development was directed by Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani. It was licensed to Atari Games for release in North America.

<i>Crack Down</i> 1989 run and gun video game

Crack Down (クラックダウン) is a run and gun arcade game released by Sega in 1989 and ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America by Sage's Creation. It was also ported and released to a number of home computer platforms by U.S. Gold.

<i>Splatterhouse</i> (2010 video game) 2010 video game

Splatterhouse is a horror-themed beat 'em up hack and slash video game developed and published by Namco Bandai Games in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is a reimagining and a reboot of the original Splatterhouse which was released in 1988.

<i>Rolling Thunder</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Rolling Thunder is a run and gun video game developed by Namco in Japan and Europe and released in 1986 as a coin-operated arcade video game using the Namco System 86 hardware. It was distributed in North America by Atari Games. The player takes control of a secret agent who must rescue his female partner from a terrorist organization. Rolling Thunder was a commercial success in arcades, and it was released for various home computer platforms in 1987 and the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989. The original arcade game has been included in various classic game compilations as well. It influenced later arcade action franchises such as Shinobi and Time Crisis, which borrowed mechanics such as taking cover behind crates.

<i>Kid Chameleon</i> 1992 video game

Kid Chameleon is a 1992 platform game developed and published by Sega released for the Sega Genesis. In the game, a boss character with artificial intelligence in a virtual reality video game begins abducting players and the main protagonist Casey goes in to beat the game and rescue them. He does this by using masks to shapeshift into different characters in order to use different abilities. It was later released in Japan. After its initial release in 1992 for the Genesis, it was later re-released a number of times in the 2000s, including part of the Sega Smash Pack 2 for the PC in 2000, the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 in 2006, as a digital release on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2009 and for the Sega Forever service in 2017.

<i>Cosmo Gang the Puzzle</i> 1992 video game

Cosmo Gang the Puzzle is a 1992 falling block puzzle arcade video game developed and published by Namco worldwide. The third game in its Cosmo Gang series, succeeding that year's Cosmo Gang the Video, players stack groups of blocks and aliens known as Jammers in a vertical-oriented well. The objective is to clear as many objects on the screen before they reach the top of the screen. Blocks are cleared by aligning them into complete horizontal rows, while Jammers are cleared by defeating them with blue-colored spheres.

References

  1. ↑ "GamePlay". The Croydon Advertiser . July 3, 1992. p. 8. Retrieved April 20, 2024. Our new releases for the Megadrive in stock are Tazmania £34.99, Splatterhouse II £37.99, Chuck Rock £35.99 and Terminator 2 £39.99...
  2. ↑ "GamePro #34 pg. 37". Sega Retro. May 1992. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "One WiiWare Game and Two Virtual Console Games Added to Wii Shop Channel". Nintendo of America. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  4. ↑ http://www.1up.com/news/splatterhouse-include-original-splatterhouse-trilogy Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Opening (NA): It's been three months since your escape. Haunted by guilt and tormented by nightmares... Nightmares of... Jennifer's screams and the infernal temptations of the mask. "She doesn't have to die, Rick." "We can save her." "Go back to the house." "I'll find you there..." "Only I can give you the power." "You need me."
    Namco (1992). Splatterhouse 2 (Genesis). Namco.
  6. ↑ Opening (JP): It's been 3 months since the tragedy. Rick has been suffering from nightmares. Nightmares in which he couldn't help Jennifer... You can help her, Rick! She isn't going to die. If you want to save her, you must find the hidden house. You will find the secret of bringing life. I will give you the power.
    Namco (1992). Splatterhouse Part 2 (Mega Drive). Namco.
  7. 1 2 3 Rob Strangman (2007). "Splatterhouse at Hardcore Gaming 101". Archived from the original on 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  8. 1 2 "Splatterhouse 2 Review". Game Informer. October 1992. pp. 20–21. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Normal, Abby (May 1992). "Splatter House 2 Review". GamePro. No. 34. pp. 36–37. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Mega Reviews". Mega Play (11): 62. August 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Mega Library". Mega Action (1). Europress Interactive: 64. June 1993. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Mellerick, Paul (August 1992). "Splatter House 2 Review". Sega Force (8). Europress Interactive: 22–23. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Splatter House 2 Review" (PDF). Video Games & Computer Entertainment: 37. June 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Splatter House 2 Review" (PDF). Video Games & Computer Entertainment: 37. June 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Splatterhouse 2: Did Critics Love this Gory Sequel in 1992? - Defunct Games". Archived from the original on 2014-10-25.
  16. ↑ Lucas M. Thomas (2008). "Splatterhouse 2 review at IGN". Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.