Producer Joe Tung of Nada Holdings expressed gratitude to the original creators of Lollipop Chainsaw, Suda51, James Gunn, and Yoshimi Yasuda, as he discussed the development of its upcoming sequel, Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back. The original's 'legendary' work inspired Tung and the Dragami Games team to bring the series back after nearly 15 years, following their work on the recent remake, Lollipop Chainsaw RePop. However, an early demo shown at Tokyo Game Show indicates the sequel may struggle to live up to its legacy.
Familiarity Over Innovation
The demo's focus on familiarity, complete with a photo opportunity featuring protagonist Juliet and zombies, raised questions about the sequel's new ideas. The core gameplay loop appears to be a rehash of the original, making it difficult to discern what justifies its existence beyond being a mere retelling.
Rough Presentation and Hollow Combat
In its current state, Lollipop Chainsaw 2 is described as very rough, with the demo arguably not ready for public viewing. The presentation lacked the context and snappy writing that made the original memorable. Players were thrown into a gray, burning cityscape with waves of zombies without introduction. Unlike the original's impactful combat, heightened by licensed music and fluid animations, the sequel's actions felt floaty and disconnected. Despite visual cues like blood sprays and combo meters, attacks lacked weight, and movement on rollerblades felt more akin to wading through soup than graceful traversal.
Absence of Charm and Cohesion
The humorous quips that enlivened the original are entirely absent in the demo. The constant chatter from Juliet's boyfriend, previously a source of comedic energy, is missing. This absence, coupled with underdeveloped visuals, emphasizes the demo's lack of content. While the original had a distinct vibe blending grunge aesthetics with Juliet's cheer squad look, the sequel's visual identity feels less defined.
Disjointed Boss Encounter
Even a boss fight against a Barbie parody, set in a Barbie-esque dreamhouse with zombie Kens, devolved into a disjointed mess. While the developers seem to grasp the absurdity at the core of Lollipop Chainsaw, the demo suggests they misunderstand the blend of visual design and writing that made the original successful.
The team stated the game will release in less than a year, a timeline that feels insufficient given the apparent need for a significant overhaul in direction and approach. The demo left an impression of a game that is rough around the edges and a considerable departure from what made the original Lollipop Chainsaw a cult hit.