In case you haven't notice, I'm a HUGE SAW fan. I love all the films. What's very unique about them is their creativity and twisted storyline that keeps you constantly guessing and yet still surprises you at the very end of each film. Then SAW: The Video game comes along. The game takes place between the first and second film, you play as Detective Tapp and your mission is to survive and crack the case on who is Jigsaw. Strong storyline but weak, yet manageable, game play. One year later, SAW II: Flesh & Blood is here...
In Flesh & Blood, you play as Detective Tapp's son. You want to know why did Jigsaw has kidnap Tapp and what made Tapp to commit suicide. Then, you get too nosy so Jigsaw kidnaps you and you're pretty much doing the exact same thing that your own father was doing in the previous game. Pretty bland, isn't it?
The only positive thing I can say about Flesh & Blood is the graphics. I mentioned in my review of the first game that the graphics weren't that good but they surely did improve in this one. But, overall, even though I'm a huge SAW fan and it's hard for me to say this, but everything else of the game is pretty bad.
First off, the storyline. The story is poorly written and basically has no connection to any of the movies whatsoever. The reason that the first game's storyline was good because we get to know a lot more of Tapp and see how he really died. But adding in that he has a son in the second game just make no sense at all! What's the purpose of this character? Most of the traps that the strangers in the second game have no connection to him either...but they're more connected to Tapp! I haven't finished the game yet, but I read about the multiple endings on what happens to this guy in different scenarios and they were all God-awful no matter which one you pick.
Secondly, the game play. It's very awful. What you will discover that your true enemy is not Jigsaw, but the wooden balance beams that you must walk on to get across to another spot. The controls are ridiculous when it comes to these situations. On the XBOX 360 version, when you step to the beam, you'll see LT and RT constantly flashing on the screen. So you decide to press them when you see them flashing assuming it's what you should press to keep him balanced. But then you fall to your death instantly. Second try, fail. Third time, fail. Fourth, fail. You begin to ask yourself what is wrong with you. But it's not your fault, it's the games fault! If you look closely on the lower left of the screen, in small letters and an icon, you see the left thumb stick for balancing. So whats the LT and RT for you ask? To walk. LT for left foot RT for right foot. No joke. Combat got worse too. When you encounter an enemy, everything goes slow motion and you must press certain buttons on certain times. Like how God of War, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Splatterhouse for example that you press certain buttons during epic cut scene fights. Imagine that but EVERY TIME you encounter an enemy plus lack of creativity. Very horrible and clearly unfinished for the game.
Third, the voice acting. It's worse than the first one. It even breaks my heart that Tobin Bell, Jigsaw himself, did a horrible job in this one! It sounds like he's wearing out, tired, and just not interested at all. Obviously, Mr. Bell's worst performance as an actor.
Overall, Flesh & Blood was a train wreck and a big let-down for us SAW fans. I recommend the average gamer to stay away from it at all costs. As for hardcore SAW fans, it's your decision. If you're not a big gamer, don't bother. If in your mind, Detective Tapp doesn't have a son, don't go near it. If you want to buy for your SAW collection, I don't see why not. Shoot, it's already hard to find where I am because in my opinion, video game and electronic stores know that they won't make much out of this game so they don't bother having it in stock. About having collections, I still have the Playstation game Evil Dead: Hail to the King and that's equally bad as this one but I still have it for my Evil Dead collection. So again, it's up to you about that.
Wanna play a game? Yes...anything but this one!
In Flesh & Blood, you play as Detective Tapp's son. You want to know why did Jigsaw has kidnap Tapp and what made Tapp to commit suicide. Then, you get too nosy so Jigsaw kidnaps you and you're pretty much doing the exact same thing that your own father was doing in the previous game. Pretty bland, isn't it?
The only positive thing I can say about Flesh & Blood is the graphics. I mentioned in my review of the first game that the graphics weren't that good but they surely did improve in this one. But, overall, even though I'm a huge SAW fan and it's hard for me to say this, but everything else of the game is pretty bad.
First off, the storyline. The story is poorly written and basically has no connection to any of the movies whatsoever. The reason that the first game's storyline was good because we get to know a lot more of Tapp and see how he really died. But adding in that he has a son in the second game just make no sense at all! What's the purpose of this character? Most of the traps that the strangers in the second game have no connection to him either...but they're more connected to Tapp! I haven't finished the game yet, but I read about the multiple endings on what happens to this guy in different scenarios and they were all God-awful no matter which one you pick.
Secondly, the game play. It's very awful. What you will discover that your true enemy is not Jigsaw, but the wooden balance beams that you must walk on to get across to another spot. The controls are ridiculous when it comes to these situations. On the XBOX 360 version, when you step to the beam, you'll see LT and RT constantly flashing on the screen. So you decide to press them when you see them flashing assuming it's what you should press to keep him balanced. But then you fall to your death instantly. Second try, fail. Third time, fail. Fourth, fail. You begin to ask yourself what is wrong with you. But it's not your fault, it's the games fault! If you look closely on the lower left of the screen, in small letters and an icon, you see the left thumb stick for balancing. So whats the LT and RT for you ask? To walk. LT for left foot RT for right foot. No joke. Combat got worse too. When you encounter an enemy, everything goes slow motion and you must press certain buttons on certain times. Like how God of War, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Splatterhouse for example that you press certain buttons during epic cut scene fights. Imagine that but EVERY TIME you encounter an enemy plus lack of creativity. Very horrible and clearly unfinished for the game.
Third, the voice acting. It's worse than the first one. It even breaks my heart that Tobin Bell, Jigsaw himself, did a horrible job in this one! It sounds like he's wearing out, tired, and just not interested at all. Obviously, Mr. Bell's worst performance as an actor.
Overall, Flesh & Blood was a train wreck and a big let-down for us SAW fans. I recommend the average gamer to stay away from it at all costs. As for hardcore SAW fans, it's your decision. If you're not a big gamer, don't bother. If in your mind, Detective Tapp doesn't have a son, don't go near it. If you want to buy for your SAW collection, I don't see why not. Shoot, it's already hard to find where I am because in my opinion, video game and electronic stores know that they won't make much out of this game so they don't bother having it in stock. About having collections, I still have the Playstation game Evil Dead: Hail to the King and that's equally bad as this one but I still have it for my Evil Dead collection. So again, it's up to you about that.
Wanna play a game? Yes...anything but this one!