Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back, the sequel to the 2012 cult classic, is playable at this year's Tokyo Game Show. The game is being developed by JP Games, led by former Square Enix executive Hajime Tabata, with Nada Holdings and Dragami Games producing. Original scenario writer Masahiro Yuki and artist Nekoshogun also return for the sequel.
While James Gunn and Goichi Suda, key figures from the original game, do not appear to be involved, the early build aims to capture the familiar style and substance of its predecessor. The playable demo offers a glimpse into Juliet's return to San Romero, now transformed into "Jaredwood," a city themed around the film industry. The narrative description suggests Juliet will be trapped in a distorted zombie movie world by a mysterious director, requiring her to team up with friends to uncover a conspiracy and combat corrupt zombies.
Gameplay in the demo features Juliet combining cheerleading maneuvers with chainsaw attacks against hordes of zombies. Notable mechanics include Juliet using roller skates for rapid traversal and propelling herself forward with her chainsaw. However, the demo's camera can be unpredictable, with dramatic zooms on cinematic kills that sometimes feel unpolished, reflecting the game's early stage of development.
A curious omission from the demo is the lack of voice acting, with only zombie sounds audible. This absence contributes to a somewhat lifeless experience, though the developers have until the projected 2027 release date to refine the presentation.
Lollipop Chainsaw 2: Back2Back is slated for release in 2027 and is confirmed for PlayStation 5.