SAW
Jigsaw has killed your partner and destroyed your life. Now he has trapped you in an abandoned insane asylum that he alone controls. If you can defeat his brutal traps and survive, you may just discover the truth behind what drives this twisted serial killer. SAW is a third-person perspective, survival horror game based on the SAW film franchise, which has grossed more than 5M worldwide and sold more than 28 million DVDs. The game features many of the deadly mechanical traps seen in the film, as well as terrifying new ones. Players will pit their wits against Jigsaw as they navigate his world in an attempt to evade and escape his gruesome traps, while also struggling against his minions in brutal combat by using weapons found within the environment. SAW, the video game, is based on a treatment from Zombie Studios and the creators of the SAW franchise, Leigh Whannell and James Wan. The timeline for the game takes place between the movies: SAW and SAW II, giving the game its own story, yet fitting within the narratives of the movies. The story centers on Detective David Tapp who awakens in a decrepit, abandoned asylum. He has been captured by his longtime nemesis, Jigsaw. Obsessed with catching this serial killer, Tapp’s mission has consumed him and ruined his family, resulting in divorce, mental imbalance, and abandonment. Worse yet, this frantic hunt destroyed Tapp’s career while he watched his long-time friend and partner get killed by one of Jigsaw’s traps. Now Jigsaw has the upper hand and has captured the detective. Tapp must play a deadly game—the likes of which he has been investigating for years—to escape, and in order to do so he must survive the lethal traps and puzzles that Jigsaw has put in place for him and others. But each victim has a dark connection to Tapp. Will Tapp save them? Can he survive his obsession to find the Jigsaw killer?
Rating:  List Price: $ 39.99 Price: $ 20.90 |
(out of 17 reviews)
Review by Michael Fairgrieve for SAW
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I’m a huge fan of the Saw movies, so when I heard they were releasing a game I was ecstatic. But then I thought, what if this is just another miserable attempt to capitalize on a movie franchise in the form of a video game? Especially since the Saw movies aren’t usually rated very highly by critics. Still, I made the leap and I’m glad that I did.
You play Detective Tapp from the first Saw movie (Yes, apparently you survived, and no, unfortunately Danny Glover isn’t in this game). The story takes place after the first movie but before the second. Probably a good decision on the designers’ parts since those tend to be the more popular movies. You start off in a bathroom very similar to the one used in the first movie, but not exactly the same one, thankfully. The very first trap you are faced with is the reverse bear trap (You know, the one Amanda was in during the first movie?), and you have to get out of it immediately. This started off being really frustrating because I didn’t notice the buttons that showed up when you needed to push them, but after awhile I caught on and the real game began. That pretty much sets the tone for the game; a bunch of puzzles and traps that might seem ridiculously impossible, but once you become aware of what’s around you they aren’t so bad.
Other than that the game is pretty much trap after trap, victim after victim, and fight after fight. This might sound repetitive, and in a way it is, but I think fans of the movie will be intrigued by what is to come. I know I was. Playing this game in the dark with the almost complete lack of music really kept me on my toes constantly. You never know when you might accidentally run into a trip wire, open a door rigged with a shotgun, or step on some broken glass (your character plays barefoot, by the way). And as far as the combat goes, fans of Silent Hill will recognize the combat system as being very similar. Pretty much you find a random object and knock the other guy in the head a few times.
Overall I think this game will please both survival/horror fans and fans of the movies as well. What I’ve talked about in my review is just the bare bones of what to expect while playing this game, but there are many, many more things to discover both in terms of the games put forth before you and the storyline itself. I probably wouldn’t fully recommend this game 100% until the price tag lowers to about $40, but then I don’t think there’s any reason not to pick up this game. Even if you’ve never seen the movies, I’m sure you’ll be fascinated by the world that Jigsaw has created here for his subjects.
Review by Christian A. Orton for SAW
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Essentially (and not surprisingly), this is Silent Hill: Homecoming. Controls are the same, graphics are the same, combat is the same. It’s the same game, except for a Saw-twist on things. The puzzles seem to be a little easier. My advice is to download the demo of Silent Hill: Homecoming (if there is one) and see if you like it. If you do, you’ll like Saw: The Video Game. It’s not a game you’ll show off to your friends, but it’s one you can take turns with friends and play through in one night because it’s engaging, like the Saw movies are. In fact, it’s really hard to put down. I kept telling myself I’d quit after one more puzzle, but I kept playing it until it was over. Short, but a fun game. Ideally, a good, fun rental. If fun’s the whole purpose of a game, then this is a winner.
Review by R. Stevens for SAW
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Tellurye, here with another review brought to you by Fedora Technologies. Got 3D? This time we look at SAW: The Video game
STORY: You play as Detective Tapp from the first SAW movie. Actually, a few characters from the SAW world are here, though no likeness or voice-work from any of the original cast EXCEPT Tobin (more on sound). You basically are caught by Jigsaw and you have to escape as he puts treacherous traps and puzzles in your way. You soon learn that you are not alone in the Asylum, and while you are trying to get out, everyone is more focused on killing you for some reason. You have to play the game to find out why.
GRAPHICS: Great use of the unreal engine here. I never get sick of looking at it. The levels are very detailed, with little touches like worn wallpaper, faded paint, furniture. Great lighting effects too, even on the PS3 which sometimes tends to be washed out. Lots of dark places, so you are using a lighter most of the game to find extra weapons and such, but it doesn’t take away from the atmosphere. That may be annoying for some aesthetically, but it does not limit your movement.
SOUND: Fortunately, TOBIN BELL does lend his voice and it is AWESOME! Really sets the mood. Voice work is done well from the rest of the folks also, but Tobin’s really sticks out. The laughing, creaking, and music really set the tone. Fun to play in the dark
GAMEPLAY: Uh, here’s where it suffers a bit, and why I think the critics were harsh on it. The fighting is really sluggish and super slow to respond, regardless whether you are doing light or heavy attacks. And the animation plays out so long after you swing, or recover from an attack, that the thug is already attacking you again before you can react. I quickly learned how to counter this by moving and attacking at same time (unlike RE5, thank goodness). So when a baddie comes upon you (fortunately, his attacks are slow as well, and practically telegraphs them so you can anticipate them) you can dodge out of his reach and immediately walk towards him, executing your swing. So it’s a little bit repetitive, (and you almost have to wait for them to strike first) wait, dodge, approach, attack, repeat. It only takes 2 or 3 hits to take down a baddie, so its not boring. Another cool thing is that if you knock them down but they aren’t dead yet, you can get an optional QTE where it displays the button while a meter is displayed. If you hit that button when the moving meter is in its sweet spot, you get a killer, gory animation. It’s not too hard to get either.
Exploration, the puzzles, and traps are fun – really a homage to the Saw series. You even get a chance to set your own traps! And they are pretty ingenious just like the movie. However, the combat is where it is the weakest, and will lose most of the audience.
OVERALL: This game is really a lot of fun and Saw fans will be jacked to play this in the middle of the night. However, it is a short campaign (about 8 hours or so) no multiplayer (obviously), and the stiff, slow controls may ruin it for those that are used to Manhunt’s environment. Not worth $60, but do try to rent this bad boy if you like the Saw universe. Just don’t be surprised if you jump when one of your friends say `I’d like to play a game…’
Review by John Lindsey for SAW
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Set between “Saw” and “Saw 2″ before part 3, Detective Tapp has been kidnapped by the one and only Jigsaw killer (Voiced by Tobin Bell), killed Detective Sing and thrown Tapp into a large abanoned asylum. The place is booby trapped with various traps, torture devices and even helpless victims you have to save as you are trying to find out the truth behind Jigsaw including trying to escape.
A fun and challenging third-person point of view survival horror thriller game based on the popular horror thriller franchise. Twisted Pictures with Lionsgate interactive and Konami have teamed up to make a game based on their franchise to the small screen in a nice successful way. The graphics here on PS3 are quite nice even during cinematic cut-scenes but i heard the xbox360 has bad graphics compared to this version. You can use any various item as a weapon and use a lighter or flash-light to see in the dark even in the creepiest of places. The only voice actor that was from the movies happens to be Tobin Bell of the Saw film fame, sure the controls aren’t too bad but you gotta remember of them.
The Puzzles are a bit challening for some players but this is a game that requires brain power then you will succeed if by following patterns or using your mind. In this game you get to also try to help victims out of Jigsaw’s torture traps and even get keys out of syringe ridden toliets to acid barrels, there are even enemies in this game that are out to kill you but you have to be prepared with a weapon of any kind. This game also has concept art galleries, E3 Demo footage and a trailer to Saw 6 which i think was preety neat.
Easily the most enjoyable horror movie based game this side of “Friday The 13th” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” for NES.
Review by Jerry Palmerino Jr for SAW
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If you love the SAW films, this game will be enjoyable. I played it six straight hours and could not put it down. I am not sure how far into the game I am because the manual is a little thin, but it has been enjoyable thus far. Some puzzles are require a little thought, while others are obvious.
The graphics have the SAW look and feel, but the game is seriously missing the SAW theme music. The music is quiet and brooding, but it needs the theme song. It does have Tobin Bell’s voice, but not Danny Glover’s.
I appreciate the auto-saves and the ability to die an unlimited number of times. Sometimes you just happen to stumble into a trap the instantly kills you. The case files you can read along the way seem useless and deal with a hospital. They seem out-of-place.
It is easier to fight hand-to-hand than it is with a weapon. Drop all your weapons in favor of your fists!
Overall, I am pleased with this game and look forward to finishing it.