Lollipop Chainsaw

First, I just wanted to start by saying I don’t normally write many game reviews (even though this is more like a game introduction). The truth of the matter is my simulation sickness prevents me from playing a lot of games. Lame, right? Sometimes Dramamine helps but it’s usually a last resort lest I am labeled a Dramamine abuser. =( Luckily for me however, every once and a while, a really awesome game comes along that doesn’t make me feel like I want to puke all over the place. Right now that game is Lollipop Chainsaw.

Sing It With Me!

Lollipop, lollipop, oh la la lollipop…Lollipop, lollipop, oh la la Lollipop Chainsaw… There are so many great things to say about you…like the fact that you have an outstanding soundtrack of licensed music. Chances are players will be singing the tunes when they’re not too busy playing the game.

What’s A Lollipop Chainsaw?

If you’re like any normal person you’re probably asking yourself what those two words could possibly have in common. Lollipop Chainsaw. Let me explain… The game’s heroine Juliet Starling is a sexy zombie slayin’ cheerleader whose weapon of choice is a bedazzled chainsaw. Her favorite sweet treat is… you guessed it… lollipops!

The game starts out with Juliet lying in bed snuggling with her teddy bear. She’s excited because it’s finally her 18th birthday. She’s also a little apprehensive about the fact that her boyfriend Nick will finally be meeting her ‘unusual’ family… you know what? How about I just let you guys watch it?

She dashes out the door and discovers the area has been taken over by zombies. After running some over with her bike and then decapitating several with her chainsaw, she rushes to meet up with Nick in hopes that her jock boyfriend is still alive. “Nick… Nick!??!” Frantically searching for him, she turns around just in time to face a zombie. Not a second too soon Nick swoops in and tackles the zombie to save her. Unfortunately for him his arm becomes zombie dinner and the venom quickly begins to spread.

Hot Headless Nick

Instead of chopping off his arm, Juliet does the next logical thing. She performs a really hard spell on his head and decapitates him. Interestingly enough, Nick’s head spends the rest of the game unhappily dangling from her (your) hip.

Throughout the game you’ll need to use Nick’s head in various ways. The controls and combo style game play reminded me a lot of Devil May Cry and at times can feel a lot like button mashing. However, this game is interesting, wacky, and absolutely hilarious. I honestly couldn’t get enough of Nick’s hip hoppin’ commentary. Additionally it has some pretty awesome replay value since it’ll take a shit ton of zombie coins to unlock all of Juliet’s combos and her bajillion outfits.

I’m not entirely sure why, but as a female gamer I felt I could identify with Juliet much more than lets say Bayonetta which made me feel incredibly awkward and detached. Maybe it’s Juliet’s undying love for Nick, being able to relate to having a strange family, or that when times get tough she can kick some serious ass, either way, Juliet is definitely A-ok in my book.

Lollipop Chainsaw is rated M for mature for containing: Blood and gore, partial nudity, and sexual themes.

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3

AMMIH Rating: 4/5

SMS (Sicky’s Motion Sickness) Rating: 1/5 (Lower is Better)