Saw II: Flesh & Blood

Saw II: Flesh & Blood is a mixed bag of upheld story factors mixed with poor gameplay features, and even seen as regressive when compared to its preceding title. The lacking graphic quality and tiresome puzzles in each of the seven stages bring back memories of the title’s last failure, plus even less interactive combat with basic quick time actions as a replacement.

Repetitive Puzzle Gameplay

Running into the same puzzles throughout the game becomes more of a hindrance than an entertaining gaming aspect, not to mention their overt simplicity. Many of the doors need wiring to be placed to power an opener switch, and other scenarios require items that are accessed by a shallow mini-game of button-pressing, which also appears countless times from stage to stage. With such a narrow list of differing traps to run into, gameplay is bound to feel stale and lacking in progression, two major faults of this title as well as Saw I.

Unrefined Combat Capabilities

Combat was already unimpressive in Saw I, and this title only served to worsen the experience. Originally, Zombie Studios let players suffer through slow, clumsy fighting mechanics, though Saw II takes skill requirements out of the picture with short-lived quick time events. This means that quick button sequences encompass the whole combat system, making it uninvolved and therefore underwhelming. Additionally, the element of suspense and surprise are taken out with these combat mechanics since players are prompted to respond to attacks, rather than organically reacting to them in a freestyle combat system.

Lazy Environmental Design

At first glance, the atmosphere of the Saw II levels seems like an accurate depiction of the films’ horror feel. The interactivity is another story, once players see that there are no real jump-out scares without some kind of prompt beforehand. Some scares that are manually avoided include navigating around glass shards or acid strewn across the floor. There are seven total levels in which players will attempt to save one of Jigsaw’s victims, escape crazed enemies and fight off other players with effortless QTEs, or quick time events, as previously mentioned.

Bottom Line

Saw II: Flesh & Blood largely feels like a low-budget game attempting to cover up the losses of Zombie Studios’s preceding title, and coming out unsuccessful. The game was released after just a year of development featuring lacking design, predictably tiresome levels, and poor combat mechanics.

Similar Titles

A few titles which accomplish the horror feel which Saw II: Flesh & Blood attempts to recreate, include Condemned 2: Bloodshot, Manhunt 2, and Silent Hill 4: The Room.

Pros:

• Thought-provoking puzzles, albeit repetitive
• Convincing environment which reflects the film’s grim atmosphere

Cons:

• Poor graphic quality
• Tiresomely repetitive puzzles from stage to stage
• Even worse combat than its predecessor, Saw

Saw II: Flesh & Blood, based on the popular horror film franchise, brings the chilling and tense atmosphere of the movies to the gaming world. Players assume the role of Detective Eric Matthews' son as they navigate a treacherous environment filled with nerve gas, lethal traps, and puzzles designed to test their wits and courage. With a chilling storyline and gripping gameplay, Saw II: Flesh & Blood will keep players on the edge of their seats.

Pros:

• Engaging and suspenseful storyline
• Challenging puzzles and traps
• Effective use of atmospheric horror elements
• Tobin Bell's voice acting adds depth to the iconic character, Jigsaw
• Tense and immersive gameplay experience
• Faithful adaptation of the Saw movie universe

Cons:

• Graphics may feel dated compared to other contemporary games
• Some repetitive gameplay elements and puzzles
• Controls may feel clunky at times
• Mixed reviews from fans of the film franchise

A Chilling and Tense Gaming Experience for Horror Fans

In my opinion, Saw II: Flesh & Blood delivers a captivating and suspenseful gaming experience that earns a 7 out of 10 rating. The game successfully captures the chilling atmosphere of the Saw movies, with a plot that revolves around people trapped in deadly situations designed by Jigsaw. Fans of the film franchise and director Darren Lynn Bousman's work will likely appreciate the game's faithful adaptation of the movie's tense and unnerving atmosphere.

The game's soundtrack, featuring music by Charlie Clouser, effectively adds to the chilling atmosphere and tension, much like it does in the films. However, some may argue that the game's graphics and controls feel dated compared to other contemporary titles, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.