Replayablity
Some single-player campaigns in other games are boring and you may never visit them again after completing the game. NeverDead springs to mind as one game I will probably never play again as the whole game was repetitive and shoddy. Lollipop Chainsaw isn’t one of those games and there’s a really good reason why many gamers will play the game more than once.
This is because the game has two endings. You may want to play the game again if you want to see the ending you want to see. Also, the game keeps a track of your performance in each level and tracks your high score. If you’re competitive enough, you may want to play the levels again and improve your score to compare them to the rest of the world.
Another thing is that there are tons of bonuses you can unlock too. If you earn enough caps, you’ll be able to buy new sexy costumes for Juliet and even some artwork from the game. If you want to collect everything, then there’s another good reason to play the game again!
Good Graphics
Thankfully, Lollipop Chainsaw is one of those zombie games that aren’t dark and dingy. You will visit many different locations in the game and most of them are animated well. The character design is also commendable too. Some might say that the characters look a little cliché, although they’re all detailed and brightly colored too. The zombies are nothing special, but the final boss in the game looks epic.
Not
Only 7 Levels
Although there’s replay value in this game, there are only 7 levels in this game. The levels are actually quite lengthy themselves though and it might take most gamers around 1 hour each to complete them all. You’re looking at a game that can be completed in around 6-7 hours. This isn’t as bad as some FPS games out there, although its short compared to other single player action games such as Dead Rising and Batman: Arkham City.
Linear Level Design
I like the fact this game offered some variation in its gameplay, but the actual level design itself is very linear. Other third-person action games offer multiple paths or even puzzles for you to solve along the way. There’s none of that here in Lollipop Chainsaw however. You will pretty much just walk in a straight line most of the time mowing down as many zombies as you can as you go. It would have been better if this game was a sand-box style game where you could freely explore the city while it was still overrun by zombies.
Main Character Not for Everyone
Although I liked Juliet Starling’s bubbly personality, I do feel other people who will/have played the game may find her to be annoying. If you’re not a person who is into ditzy blonde girls, there’s a chance you may hate this game solely on Juliet Starling herself.
Verdict
Lollipop Chainsaw is without a doubt one of the most unique video games I have played in a while. The humor in the game is great and in my opinion, the characters are actually all likable. The gameplay itself is fun and it rarely felt repetitive or boring. The only thing I didn’t like about the game was its linear level design and short length. It replay factor rectifies this however. Lollipop Chainsaw may not appeal to everyone, but it’s still a fun game nonetheless. Hire it out first if you’re still unconvinced – it’s a game that might grow on you once you actually start playing it…
*Note this is a secondary opinion review for Lollipop Chainsaw
[Editor’s Note: Lollipop Chainsaw was reviewed on the Xbox 360 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
