Splatterhouse 2
Encyclopedia
Splatterhouse 2 is a sidescrolling beat 'em up
video game released in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis home video game console by Namco
. It is the sequel to Splatterhouse
.
On August 4, 2008, the game was released on the Wii
Virtual Console
in North America. It is the first ESRB
M-rated game to be released for the Virtual Console. The game was included as an unlockable extra in the 2010 remake.http://www.1up.com/news/splatterhouse-include-original-splatterhouse-trilogy
. 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, taken from Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
.
mask. 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's 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").
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. While he praised the game's continuation of its gory presentation, he wrote that "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".
Beat 'em up
Beat 'em up is a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes...
video game released in 1992 on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis home video game console by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
. It is the sequel to Splatterhouse
Splatterhouse
is a beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Namco. It is also subsequently the title of the entire series of games released in home console and personal computer formats....
.
On August 4, 2008, the game was released on the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
in North America. It is the first ESRB
Entertainment Software Rating Board
The Entertainment Software Rating Board is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings, enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines, and ensures responsible online privacy principles for computer and video games as well as entertainment software in Canada, Mexico and...
M-rated game to be released for the Virtual Console. The game was included as an unlockable extra in the 2010 remake.http://www.1up.com/news/splatterhouse-include-original-splatterhouse-trilogy
Story
Three months have gone by since the events of the first game. The Terror Mask, which has reformed after breaking at the climax of the first game, appears to Rick and repeatedly tempts him to "go back to the house", telling him that Jennifer "doesn't have to die". It closes by telling Rick "You need me.". Rick succeeds in rescuing Jennifer, and the House sinks into the bottom of the river.Gameplay
Splatterhouse 2 features gameplay very similar to the first game. The player controls Rick through eight different stages, each two-dimensional2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
. 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, taken from Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
was the second game to be released in the Splatterhouse video game series. Unlike the other games in the series, Wanpaku Graffiti was released only on the Family Computer and is Japanese exclusive. It is also the first Splatterhouse game to be released for a home console.The game itself differs...
.
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, the mask loosely resembles a Japanese kabukiKabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
mask. 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's 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
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
release, Lucas Thomas of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
noted that he was largely unimpressed with the game's lack of innovation, ultimately giving it a 5.5 out of 10. While he praised the game's continuation of its gory presentation, he wrote that "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".