Update: Splatterhouse

Just when you thought it was dead and gone (or at least delayed indefinitely to the ninth circle of development hell), Namco Bandai unearths a few new screens and info from Splatterhouse, set for a Q3 2010 release on the PS3 and Xbox 360. Given all the stormy stuff that took place during the game's bumpy early development process, it's excellent to see the project still going strong and looking quite nice (well, "nice" in a gory, horror game sort of way).

Now that this is an in-house development deal, my one suggestion to Namco Bandai (and I'm sure they've gotten this request already) is to PLEASE add some awesome bonuses to this one for us fans of the original games! It would be really fantastic to see either the Arcade version of the original or perhaps the Genesis versions of Splatterhouse 2 and Splatterhouse 3 as bonuses. Heck, how about the very fun Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti, a hilarious Famicom game with great SD graphics and a pretty funny storyline? If that's not possible, at LEAST give us a gallery of classic and new images that's high-res with a zoom feature so folks can check out the art and not have to squint their eyeballs out of their sockets.

NOTE: New screens are up on DAF:Trailer's Gate

Want a lengthy description of what's in store for Rick this time? Well, here you go:

• The only game with a combination of horrific enemies, over-the-top gore and the ability to regenerate body parts in real-time

• New “Splatterkill System” uses the analog stick to rip-apart enemies with amazing responsiveness, affording a truly visceral “hands-on” experience

• Directional blood and gore system adds to even more immersive gameplay, with fluids and guts flying and splatting in sympathetic response to attacks and environmental factors

• Inspired from icons of the horror genre, including H.P. Lovecraft & Simon Bisley

• A "AAA" reinvention of the famed Splatterhouse title that launched the horror-escape genre and invited the very first “parental advisory” for a video game (for gore), uniting an existing fan base and recruiting a new one

• A supercharged soundtrack with songs from today’s most infuential Heavy Metal artists

THE CORE OF GORE

Follow Rick and his mysterious Terror Mask as he unmercifully tears, cuts and beats his way through denizens of unearthly creatures in an epic adventure to rescue his girlfriend from the clutches of deranged occult fgure Dr. West. Embodying the unfltered, primal aggression of its namesake, Splatterhouse combines visceral, adrenaline-soaked combat with horror elements to deliver an original gaming experience that defes the boundaries of the traditional action category with over the-top gore and shocking new gameplay mechanics.

The Classic Franchise Returns • An innovative reinvention of a classic category-killer with an original storyline inspired by Gordon Rennie (Necronauts, Judge Dredd)
Re-imagined Enemies • Favorite enemies have evolved into horrifc monsters of radical proportions and shocking detail
Extreme Gore • Splatterhouse pulls no punches, taking gore and shock value to the next level with physics-driven fluids and organ parts fying in all directions
Regeneration • Real time regeneration eliminates the traditional health bar by showing physical damage & the rebuilding of bone, muscle and skin.

Pulse-Pounding Combat • Use Rick’s deep set of moves, improvised weapons, environmental attacks, and unique enemy AI to obliterate enemies at each turn.
– "Splatterkills" Engaging combo system that opens up to gruesome Splatterkills, which destroy your enemies with gory and cinematic effects. Use the Analog stick movements to literally tear an enemy apart at will.
– Terrifying enemies and epic-scale bosses provide unnerving experiences and memorable challenges
– Diverse stages and advanced environments with H.P. Lovecraft-infuenced style are coupled with a world-class heavy metal soundtrack and custom music score, keeping the tone tense and eerie
– Weapons Use: weapons of all kinds to bludgeon your enemies, ranging from classic 2X4’s to chainsaws to your enemies’ own limbs (*gulp*)!