LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP
- September 11, 2024
- DRAGAMI GAMES, LTD.
- 5h median play time
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP attempts to bring the fantastically charming and tongue-in-cheek zombie slasher to modern platforms. Unfortunately, the result is only just passable. The RePOP mode feels undercooked, the visuals are inconsistent and there are some notable effects missing from the original. While the improved framerate and gameplay changes are welcome, they're unfortunately not worth everything else that has been lost in translation.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games StoreIn "LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP," return as the zombie-hunting cheerleader Juliet, now with improved gameplay featuring speedier chainsaw action and auto-fire. Upgraded visuals and soundtrack accompany you in this high-energy, thrilling adventure that takes place in San Romero High School, where Juliet and her chainsaw defend against hordes of the undead. Immerse yourself in this revamped version of the game that originally sold 1.24 million copies worldwide.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game retains its original charm and humor, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the original.
- The graphics have been improved, making the game visually appealing while maintaining its quirky style.
- The gameplay is fun and engaging, with a mix of hack-and-slash mechanics and humorous dialogue.
- The remaster lacks graphical options, limiting players to only change the resolution.
- There are numerous bugs and glitches, including audio desyncs and issues with quick time events.
- The removal of the original soundtrack due to licensing issues detracts from the overall experience.
- music236 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The remaster of "Lollipop Chainsaw" has faced significant criticism regarding its music, primarily due to the removal of many beloved licensed tracks, which has left a noticeable void in the game's atmosphere. While some players find the new soundtrack to be catchy and fitting, many express disappointment, feeling that it lacks the charm and energy of the original. Fortunately, modding communities have stepped in, offering solutions to restore the original music, which many recommend as essential for an authentic experience.
“The soundtrack is utterly infectious, and every battle feels exhilarating, combining brutal simplicity with flashes of humor that keep you smiling, even when the undead swarm you.”
“The music is a great loss, but there is a mod on PC and you must absolutely grab it because the replacements, while fine, just don't work as well as the original.”
“Sadly, some of the original soundtracks are missing.”
“The removal of over 10 songs I heard is a big shame but understandable because of the cost of song licensing, which has certainly gone up significantly since 2012. I hope we'll get a mod to restore the soundtrack very soon because it's such a bummer.”
“The original music has a drive and passion which, when missing, makes this current remaster feel hollow at points.”
- graphics218 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the remastered game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements in resolution and visual fidelity, particularly for 4K displays. However, the lack of customizable graphics settings, performance issues, and some graphical glitches have led to disappointment, with several users feeling that the remaster fails to fully honor the original's unique aesthetic. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered better than the original, they are still seen as lacking in depth and polish, leaving some players wishing for a more comprehensive graphical overhaul.
“The graphics have been improved for 4K, though it would have been nice if the textures could have been improved a bit more.”
“The graphics are amazing and I enjoy this game so much.”
“The revamped visuals and smoother gameplay bring it up to modern standards, but it still has that same punk-rock energy and humor that made the original so iconic.”
“No graphics settings in a 2024 'remaster'.”
“The graphics are a tad sharper but still not remaster quality.”
“The main issue I have with this release currently is the many bugs and glitches I've seen people report; the graphics and art style are a bit weird now and a bit butchered compared to the original.”
- humor109 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top, crude, and campy style, reminiscent of 2000s pop culture, which elicits both nostalgia and laughter from players. Many reviews highlight the excellent voice acting and silly dialogue, with a mix of juvenile humor, sexual innuendos, and absurd scenarios that contribute to its charm. While some may find the humor dated or not to their taste, it remains a significant draw for fans, making the game a fun and engaging experience overall.
“The voice acting is excellent and the humor and dialogues are so over the top, it's a breath of fresh air in a time where every piece of media has to further someone's agenda.”
“The game balances humor and action, making it a standout from that era.”
“It's a great mix of fun, humor, and eroticism.”
- gameplay95 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mix of nostalgic hack-and-slash mechanics that some players find enjoyable and engaging, while others criticize it for being outdated and occasionally glitchy. Many appreciate the fun combat and humor, though some mechanics feel clunky or unrefined, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its flaws, the core gameplay remains entertaining for fans of the genre, with a vibrant aesthetic and a satisfying combat loop.
“The gameplay is amazing, the humor and pacing are phenomenal.”
“The gameplay is addictive with all the combos, rainbows, and glitter, and I'm always laughing at the dialogue or just the ridiculousness of it all.”
“At the heart of its appeal is a meticulously crafted gameplay loop that never ceases to entertain.”
“On the other hand, gameplay-wise the game lacks quite a lot.”
“If you are here for the gameplay, I think you can choose a better option.”
“For starters, the gameplay is more or less untouched from the game's original launch, in a bad way.”
- optimization73 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and a lack of graphical settings. While some users have managed to achieve decent performance through manual adjustments, the overall consensus is that the remaster is poorly optimized for modern hardware, often feeling more like a PS3 title than a contemporary release. Many reviewers recommend waiting for patches to address these issues before purchasing.
“In terms of performance, I did not have any issue running this at 120fps, but it will heavily depend on your hardware.”
“Not only is this remaster extremely well optimized, but it also looks really pretty, due to the upgrade from Unreal Engine 3 to the latest version of Unreal Engine 5.”
“Updated character models and animations, massively improved texture quality, unlocked framerate, optional v-sync, and a fidelity/performance mode; it got everything you would expect from a proper remaster.”
“Why did they migrate the game from Unreal Engine 3 to 5 if it only results in bloated game size and terrible performance?”
“The amount of settings present is pitiful even for a PS3 era game let alone a modern remaster; audio occasionally de-syncs or will get very loud out of nowhere, its power draw is weirdly high despite the lack of CPU & GPU utilization, and it suffers from a myriad of other smaller glitches and performance issues.”
“I'm very disappointed to have to report that the PC port is in a terrible state 4 hours after launch; the frame rate sometimes reaches 30 with most of the time staying in the mid to high 20s with occasional drops to the 10s at 1440p on an RTX 2060 Super, and the DualSense support is a lie too, there's no native support wired or wireless.”
- stability63 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that hinder gameplay. Many have experienced game-breaking problems, such as crashes and unresponsive controls, leading to frustration and refunds. While some players find enjoyment despite these issues, the consensus is that the game is currently too unstable to recommend at its price point, with hopes for future patches to address the myriad of problems.
“Runs great on the Steam Deck, but you need to copy and paste some settings into a file.”
“On a more powerful PC, it runs great out of the box with no changes needed.”
“I played this upon first release, definitely a bit more buggy than I care for.”
“The game is a massive buggy mess, do not play it.”
“Unfortunately, it is a buggy mess right now and needs to be fixed before I can truly recommend the game to others.”
- story61 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its humorous, campy, and absurd narrative, often described as a fun and silly zombie love story that doesn't take itself too seriously. While some players find the story engaging and entertaining, others feel it lacks depth and can be somewhat lackluster, with a mix of quirky characters and dialogue that adds to its charm. Overall, it offers a lighthearted experience that appeals to fans of over-the-top storytelling and hack-and-slash gameplay, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more serious narrative.
“The story and characters are where the game shines for me.”
“The story and how everything was told was amazing. I'm usually not a fan of zombie games; they usually terrify me, but this game is an exception. It made me laugh and actually like some of the zombies.”
“The story is super funny; it had me and my friends in Discord dying.”
“If you do play the game, do so with lowered expectations as neither the exploration of the characters, story, or gameplay are going to impress.”
“The story is kind of lackluster due to the genres it's trying to imitate, but the humor and overall charm of the game more than makes up for the fact.”
“The game doesn't take itself super seriously, so if you are looking for a 'serious' story-driven adventure, take a look elsewhere.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mixed but generally positive view on replayability. While some players note that it may not provide extensive content beyond the initial playthrough, many appreciate the engaging gameplay, collectibles, and the challenge of higher difficulties, making it worth revisiting. The ability to unlock new combos and outfits further enhances the replay value, despite the game's relatively short length.
“The real playtime is in the replayability.”
“Replayability is amazing as you unlock more combos/outfits throughout your endeavors.”
“In terms of replayability, the game doesn't offer much beyond the first playthrough, but I still think it’s worth the experience.”
“Overall 8/10... it's not perfect, it's pretty short, but it has plenty of hilarious moments and engaging gameplay that gets you hooked, and the replayability is done well.”
“There are only 5 main stages (school, stadium, farm, arcade, cathedral/construction site), but it seems replayable enough at higher difficulties.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be significantly reduced compared to previous versions, with easier unlocks for items and a more generous shop system. The main story can be completed in about 6 hours without excessive grinding for collectibles, although some players express frustration with repetitive cutscenes interrupting gameplay.
“The main story without grinding for collection will take around 6 hours on default difficulty.”
“This is annoying because the game has to stop and show me the same 5-second cutscene for every 3 seconds of gameplay. I'm not interested in grinding silver coins; I just want to play, thank you.”
“The reduction of shop prices makes it a lot less grindy than the original.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a "half-assed cash grab," with users expressing disappointment over its execution and the impact of excessive blood on monetization issues. While there are no microtransactions, the overall sentiment suggests that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leaving players feeling frustrated.
“No microtransactions.”
“Though it is kind of sidetracked by the re-pop mode, its whole thing is to make it more stream friendly (excessive blood can cause monetization issues).”
“Half-assed cash grab.”
“Yasuda and this studio should be ashamed for releasing this messy cash grab.”
“I pity mid and low rigs; horrible controlling camera and Juliet... another quick cash grab!”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its stunning character design, which is seen as a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. While the gameplay remains similar to earlier versions, the improvements in character aesthetics and the absence of censorship contribute to an overall enjoyable experience.
“The character designs are a breath of fresh air in today's gaming climate.”
“Epic character design.”
“Character design and physics are definitely a plus, but the game itself was really fun.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“There are limited options for character progression, which makes the experience feel stagnant.”
“The characters don't evolve in meaningful ways throughout the game, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find the bright visuals detract from the intended eeriness, others appreciate the vibrant and humorous tone, particularly the main character's upbeat personality. Overall, the game's unique style successfully captures its original spirit, enhancing the experience for fans who enjoy its quirky charm.
“It's fun, and I enjoy the hell out of the atmosphere and the main character's bubbly toxic positivity.”
“This decision not only preserves the original spirit of the game but also amplifies its outlandishly humorous atmosphere, providing a more authentic experience to fans who appreciate the game’s unique style.”
“The brightness takes away the atmosphere and eeriness of the stages.”
“The environments feel lifeless and fail to immerse you in the game world.”
“There is a lack of ambient sound, which makes the atmosphere feel flat and uninviting.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of intense engagement and surprise, such as the unexpected thrill of slicing a car in half without any direct input. This suggests that the game effectively evokes powerful feelings and reactions from players.
Critic Reviews
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Review – A Sour Aftertaste
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP attempts to bring the fantastically charming and tongue-in-cheek zombie slasher to modern platforms. Unfortunately, the result is only just passable. The RePOP mode feels undercooked, the visuals are inconsistent and there are some notable effects missing from the original. While the improved framerate and gameplay changes are welcome, they're unfortunately not worth everything else that has been lost in translation.
55%Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Review (Xbox Series X
Don’t get us wrong, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is a fun fling from start to finish but it was never really a role model student when it arrived on the scene in 2012. Despite the enhancements and improvements in this latest release, the core gameplay and level design can feel quite outdated at times, and the chapter-breaking bugs have been hard to look past. If Dragami's updates resolve these glitches, or you're just a longtime fan of this one, maybe consider giving the zombie slayer an extra star for her efforts.
60%Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP Review
Let’s get one thing straight: Lollipop Chainsaw is amazing. This seminal, subversive monstrosity from the minds of legendary developer Suda51 and Hollywood big-shot James Gunn (in his PG Porn era, no less) is as amusing today as it was over a decade ago; it’s outrageous, ridiculous, obnoxious, garish – we absolutely love it, and we’d rank it among Grasshopper Manufacture’s best work. Unfortunately, this RePOP remaster isn’t as good as it could be – even if it’s better than nothing at all. Running in 4K at a slightly inconsistent frame rate, the visual upgrades are adequate – although a lot of the antiquated animations remain. The original game was always a low-budget affair, but the issues stick out like a sore thumb on PS5, as objects evaporate out of existence and zombies inexplicably T-pose on the horizon. Cheerleader heroine Juliet Starling also doesn’t feel quite right; there’s a delay to the controls which makes combat feel swimmy rather than snappy, and some ill-conceived alterations to the speed and flow of the protagonist’s movements don’t really work as intended. In more positive news, a dramatically rebalanced shop means you can unlock many of the character’s abilities much earlier in this version, and that seems like a smart alteration considering many of the combos in the original were locked behind unfathomable grinds. The chainsaw blaster has also been totally redesigned, and while it feels OP in this version, we kinda appreciate that; Lollipop Chainsaw, while it does have score attack elements, isn’t vying for an esports award, and so the lack of balance is fine from where we’re sitting. We’re less keen on the eponymous RePOP mode, which tones down the blood and gore from the original release and replaces it with something a little more PG-13. While it’s optional, we reckon the developer could have gone further here, incorporating flowers and other paraphernalia to sell the family friendly presentation. We’re also upset at the lack of licensed music which was a big feature of the original; The Chordettes remain, but many of the other pop and rock songs are gone. A fresh batch of costumes round out the revisions, but this is a fairly barebones remaster outside of that. Some baffling changes – like the removal of comic book character introductions – don’t make sense to us, but don’t exactly ruin the release. It just feels like this could have been more: the gameplay feels stodgy and needed a lot more TLC – and the watered down soundtrack, no matter how understandable, strips it of some of its soul. This is still a laugh out loud affair, though; a raucous and utterly ludicrous release that deserves to exist on modern hardware. But when the source material is this brilliant, it deserves an exceptional remaster – rather than one that’s just good enough.
60%
